Protests, supporters and a lot of money were waiting for President Barack Obama Thursday when he arrived in Corona Del Mar for two fundraisers on the final leg of his Southland visit.
The visit, the president's first to Orange County since fundraisers and a town-hall style meeting in 2009, included a $10,000-per-person photo reception and $35,800-per-person breakfast.
The event (photo, below) benefited his re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
More on the presidential visit
The fundraiser was at the home of Geoffrey L. Stack, a managing director of the Sares-Regis Group, an Irvine-based real estate firm.
Around 10:45 a.m., the presidential motorcade departed (video embedded, below). Obama is now headed to San Francisco.
As for the protest, participants -- including a woman on a horse -- gathered along E. Coast Highway. Organizers said they plan to focus the protest on Obama's policies.
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"I do not want anything that is, shall we say, demeaning,'' organizer Laura Deitz said. "That's not what we're here about. We deal with facts and the facts are on our side."
Across the street, supporters welcomed the president at Poppy Avenue and East Coast Highway.
"We just want to welcome him," said Jim Dastur, who turned out early to join the group of supporters. "We don't want to give the impression that he is not welcome in Orange County, which is what the other side is trying to do."
Both crowds dispersed after Obama arrived for the breakfast.
Thursday's OC visit follows a fundraiser Wednesday at the Holmby Hills home of a daytime TV drama producer. Obama told a group of about 1,000 people, most of whom paid $500 to hear him speak and an outdoor concert by rock band Foo Fighters, that "we're starting to see the economy rebound."
A $38,500 per person dinner followed, which was attended by approximately 80 people, including actors George Clooney and Jim Belushi, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Fox.
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