3 presidents. Many stars. 1 New York fundraiser
WASHINGTON — Political donors can normally expect to hear from one president when they buy tickets to a reelection fundraiser, but this Thursday will give them a rare opportunity to hear from three at once.
President Joe Biden will be joined by Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for an event that brings together more than three decades of Democratic leadership.
The fundraiser will be a gilded exclamation point on a recent string of presidential campaign trips. Biden has visited every political battleground in the three weeks since his State of the Union address served as a rallying cry for his re-election bid.
The New York City affair is an hour-long event with varying levels of access depending on the generosity of donors.
The centerpiece is an onstage conversation with the three presidents, moderated by late night talk show host Stephen Colbert. There is also a lineup of musical artists – Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele – which will be hosted by actress Mindy Kaling. Thousands are expected and tickets cost just $225.
More money means donors can spend more intimate time with presidents. A photo with all three costs $100,000. A donation of $250,000 gives donors access to one reception, and $500,000 gives them access to an even more exclusive gathering.
“But the party doesn’t stop there,” the campaign said. First lady Jill Biden and DJ D-Nice host an afterparty at Radio City Music Hall with 500 guests.
Obama and Clinton help Biden expand his already significant cash advantage over Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee. Biden had $155 million in cash on hand through the end of February, compared with $37 million for Trump and his Save America political action committee.
“Democrats stand united and energized behind President Biden’s re-election campaign – and that will be on full display this Thursday in New York City,” campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said in a statement. “Donald Trump has no desire to run for the general: large swaths of the Republican primary have made it clear they have no interest in voting for him in November, Republican leaders like his own vice president are openly opposing him, and Even if Trump wanted to achieve that (he doesn’t!), he has no money or energy for it.”
Trump has kept a low profile in recent weeks, partly due to court appearances for various lawsuits. He is also expected to be in the area Thursday to attend the Long Island vigil of a New York City police officer who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens.
His next political rally is scheduled for Tuesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Some Republican leaders have grown concerned that his campaign does not have the infrastructure for a general election battle with Biden.
Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, dismissed the import of Biden’s fundraiser on Thursday.
“Crooked Joe is so mentally flawed that he has to challenge some of the innovations like Clinton and Obama,” he said.
Leon Panetta, who held top positions under Clinton and Obama, described the fundraiser as an important moment for Biden’s campaign.
“What it does primarily is broaden and strengthen the support of all Democrats,” he said.
Panetta said Clinton and Obama, both known as effective political communicators, could help Biden craft a better pitch for his reelection.
“I can’t think of two people who would be better able to bring together a message like that,” he said.
Obama’s presence Thursday is a reminder of his role in boosting Biden’s reelection. A joint fundraising campaign with Biden and Obama raised nearly $3 million in December. And people who served in the former president’s administration are also raising money for Biden and planning their own event on April 11.
“Think about what you’re going to donate this cycle and do it now,” said an email that went out to a network of people. “Early money is much more valuable to the campaign.”