Protesters greet Obama's motorcade on the Peninsula

San Jose Mercury News - ^ | 09/25/2011 | Josh Richman

[moonshinner_09]

President Barack Obama has arrived in the Bay Area for a series of back-to-back fundraisers where he is expected to collect from $3.5 million to $5.5 million at events in Silicon Valley's toniest towns.

Monday, he'll hold a town hall meeting on his American Jobs Act plan at the social network company LinkedIn.

This is the president's second visit to the Bay Area in six months, and his sixth visit since taking office. He's here to take advantage of the generous fundraising support he receives: Contributors from the area's three major cities coughed up $35.5 million for his 2008 campaign, and at least about $2.2 million for his re-election as of June 30.

Air Force One landed shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Moffett Field in Sunnvyale. From there the president was whisked to the Woodside home of Symantec chairman John Thompson, where a crowd of about 400 paid at least $2,500 a head to get in, $7,500 if they wanted a photo with the chief executive.

Along the way, more than 100 conservative protesters carrying signs and chanting "one-term president!" greeted the president's motorcade at Sand Hill Road and Whiskey Hill Road.

Owen Jones, 59, of Fremont, held a sign saying, "Illegals cost U.S. trillions -- no more freebies for illegal aliens."

A member of the Golden Gate Minutemen, Jones said he has spent 40 years as a union carpenter "watching his trade and his livelihood stolen by illegal immigration."

[NavyCanDo]

He had a nice size crowd of protesters greeting him here in Seattle as well. A mixture of those on the Left and on the Right.

[Noob1999]

The article didn’t mention one assembly where he would be talking to taxpayers as the President.

So, who’s picking up the tab for this campaign trip??

[chargers fan]

I am sick of it. The incumbent already has the bully pulpit, there is no reason for him/her to go out and waste tax payer dollars campaigning. The President should stay in Washington, and the Congress should stay in their home districts and states and telecommute and tele-vote.

Is this a thought in general or just about Obama? I don't think he's the only president to ever use Air Force one when traveling to campaign.

[FreeAtlanta]

I think it should apply to all presidents. I remember Clinton abusing it heavily. Bush did some campaigning, but not nearly as excessive as the trailer trash or this street trash we have now.

[NCMOM]

We (taxpayers) are.

[chargers fan]

OK I understand now.