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The reception and the dinner at a private residence afterward were the first California fundraisers Obama attended since taking office.
Obama arrived at Los Angeles International Airport Wed. afternoon, debarking Air Force One and boarding the Marine One helicopter. The president's appearance at the Hilton Beverly Hills to attend a high-price fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee was expected to bring in an estimated $3 million. Democrats slashed ticket prices from $2,500 to $1,000 a person, a 60 percent discount in tough economic times.
Protestors arrived hours earlier outside the hotel to voice their opposition to various Obama policies.
"As the Obama administration continues to support the killing of innocent people halfway around the world, little children in Afghanistan continue to die based on the lies of that day," said protestor Jeremy Rothe-Kushel.
"Obama needs to be pressed to keep his word to bring the troops in now and not to go into Afghanistan, which is an outrage," said protestor Barbara Gluck.
Earlier in the day President Obama announced more spending for renewable energy after touring a large field of solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base, near Las Vegas.
"This base serves as a shining example of what's possible when we harness the power of clean, renewable energy to build a new firmer foundation for economic growth," said Obama.
Tuesday night, Obama headlined a political fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Henry Reid.
After the Beverly Hills reception, a dinner and discussion followed, attended by 250 people at more than $30,000 per couple. That event was hosted by Hollywood moguls Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen.
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