President Obama deployed some of his sharpest metaphors at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser in New York City on Thursday, comparing Republican leaders to reckless drivers and lazy custodial workers.
"After they drove the car into the ditch, made it as difficult as possible for us to pull it back, now they want the keys back," Obama said of the GOP. "No! You can't drive. We don't want to have to go back into the ditch. We just got the car out."
Obama spoke before a small, entertained crowd of 185 people at the St. Regis hotel in Manhattan, an appearance that was expected to draw a $1.3 million haul.
"We got our mops and our brooms out here and were cleaning stuff out and they're sitting there saying, 'Hold the broom better, that's not how you mop, don't tell me how to mop,'" Obama said, continuing to rib Republicans. "Pick up a mop! Do some work on behalf of the American people to solve some of these problems."
Most of Obama's speech followed in this vein -- painting Republicans as obstructionists who have blocked meaningful legislative action in Washington for pure political gain.
"They've done their best to gum up the works to make it look broken. To say no to every single thing," the President said.
Obama's message for Democrats was more uplifting, calling their actions on Capitol Hill "one of the most productive legislative sessions in history."
"There on the horizon we can see our destination," Obama continued. "Now is not the time to lose heart. Now is not the time to get complacent. Now is the time to remind ourselves of what America is all about and return Democrats to the House of Representatives."
Tickets to the fundraiser and the VIP reception cost $50,000 for couples and included a photo-op with Obama. Dinner tickets alone cost $15,000 per individual and $30,400 per couple. Jacques Pepin, Alain Sailhac and Jacques Soltner reportedly created the menu.
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