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.