President Barack Obama is traveling to Florida Today

President Barack Obama is traveling to Florida Today for two fundraisers aimed at helping Democratic candidates in the coming general election and will stay for what is expected to be a weekend of golf. The two fundraisers are taking place at private residences in Miami.

POTUS arrived at 6:28 p.m. to the Coconut Grove home of attorney Robert Rubenstein, just missing a Miami summer downpour -- and one of the Grove's famous peacocks strutting down the street.

Awaiting the motorcade were a handful of neighbors, including children who squealed when the Beast went by. Five valets stood outside the parking lot of the Vanguard School, where DNC donors had left their cars, gawking at the security detail.

Dinner tables were arranged on an outdoor patio and under a clear, plastic tent. Rubenstein introduced POTUS and praised him: "He knows the difference between reality and a reality show." POTUS smiled.

Among those in attendance were DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, musician Emilio Estefan and former Gov. and current congressional candidate Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned-independent-turned Democrat whom POTUS praised as "a great friend." ("Charlie Crist is in the house," POTUS said.) 

Also in attendance and getting POTUS shout-outs: local developer and longtime fundraiser Stephen Bittel and Henry Muñoz, the DNC's national finance committee chairman. U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Jupiter wasn't there, but POTUS had just left him behind at DSCC fundraiser on Miami Beach, and he mentioned Murphy in the Grove: "I think he's going to be outstanding in the United States Senate."

POTUS gave particular praise to Wasserman Schultz, a Weston congresswoman whose primary challenger, Tim Canova, was recently endorsed by Bernie Sanders. POTUS called her "somebody who I don't know how she does it, because she's everywhere all the time, non-stop, and she's a mom and a wife and has been just incredibly supportive of my agenda."

"She's taken tough votes when they're the right thing to do, and she's somebody who I have counted on consistently," POTUS said. "She's had my back. I want to make sure we have her back."

The room gave her a standing ovation.


POTUS also referred to violent protesters at Donald Trump's rally in San Jose, California, Thursday night.


"We saw in San Jose these protesters trying to pelt stuff," he said. "That's not what our democracy is about. That's not what you do. There's no room for violence. There's no place for shouting. There's no room for a politics that fails to at least listen to the other side, even if you vehemently disagree." 


POTUS made one reference of Trump by name, recounting speaking to staff as they rode to the fundraiser.

"I don't watch television as a general rule, except sports, but they were explaining how Mr. Trump occupies about 70 percent of the news today," POTUS said. "So it's just constant. And celebrity and fame is such a driver in this culture."

POTUS wrapped up after 17 minutes, starting at 7:18 p.m. and ending at 7:35 p.m.. As pool was ushered out, she overheard POTUS saying he was going to take a sip of tea to soothe his throat.

"I'm a little out of practice here," he said. "I haven't campaigned in a while."

Video of Air Force One Arriving 

Video By Bina Fink Bina's Buzz 

Photo By Carol Porter 

Video of Air Force One Departing

Video By Bina Fink Bina's Buzz