Dodd and Obama: trolling for cash along the gold coast

Wasn’t there, don’t know, didn’t have the grand to buy my way in. But that’s what is being reported today. At a $1000 a plate, they were hoping to raise a cool mil from, ummm, uhhh, bankers and hedge fund managers.

“We came very close to a Great Depression,” he said, adding that the United States must never again be so close to disaster because of the action of reckless investors.

“Join us, don’t fight us,” said Obama, singling out the financial executives in the room. “Join us in passing what are necessary reforms. It is important for our country and in the long run it will be good for your industry to have a level playing field.”

But the president, during his 20-minute speech, made light of how he probably faced some resistance from some who shelled out $1,000 a ticket to attend the dinner.

“I know that there are a lot of hedge funds, financial institutions here in Stamford. We flew over by helicopter, we saw some of the, ah, housing around here,” said Obama, jokingly referring to the many mansions along Connecticut’s well-heeled “Gold Coast.”

Now hand over the cash. Oh, and plenty of praise for the guy who was at the helm when the financial ship began to sink.

The president spoke warmly of his relationship with the Democratic senator, citing his sense of humor, his big heart and his belief in “the nobility of public service.” Presidents aren’t supposed to pick favorites, Obama said, “but I have a confession to make: From the moment I arrived in the United States Senate, Chris Dodd was one of my favorites.”

“Chris knows how to get things done in Washington,” Obama said.

Indeed he does Mr President. Just ask his banking friends. The problem Mr President, Chris Dodd is simply out of touch. It’s bad form to tout yourself as a working class Senator, and then hold a thousand dollar a plate fundraiser on Connecticut’s Gold Coast, courting the very people you are supposed to be regulating. I’m just saying is all.

And the young President isn’t fooling anybody when he takes public whacks at the financial industry lobbyists in his speech … standing next to the guy who combined … leading the pack in financial industry contributions. Watch the video all the way through … he uses the mop line again.