Empty Seats Abound at Obama's Fundraiser

President Obama held a relatively cheap fundraiser in Florida last night, and Politico wasn't impressed with the turnout. Obama filled around 980 seats in the 2,200-seat Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, leaving the entire top level empty. Tickets cost $44. One Democratic official downplayed the turnout: “The expectation was 900."

The presentation itself began with an introduction from Alonzo Mourning, and was interrupted at one point by a protester, who yelled, “Keep your promise, stop AIDS now!” But the crowd quickly drowned out the protester with shouts of “Obama! Obama! Obama!” The president did not address the AIDS issue. (More Barack Obama stories.)