President Obama attended two private fund-raisers in Manhattan on Friday evening, a move that had those not invited to the Upper East Side soirees grumbling about the traffic and impressive police presence.
The president was first feted at a reception at the home of Pratt Institute board member Kathryn Chenault, wife of American Express CEO Ken Chenault. It was followed by a dinner hosted by Karen Mehiel, wife of prominent Democratic fund-raiser Dennis Mehiel.
Speakers at the $16,200-a-ticket events included Nancy Pelosi and DCCC chair Steve Israel, as well as guests Harvey Weinstein, Jean Kennedy Smith, BET’s Debra Lee and Cushman & Wakefield’s Bruce Mosler.