There are many reasons President Obama wanted to wrap up a debt deal this weekend: the looming Aug. 2 default deadline and the endless media coverage of Washington’s political meltdown, to name a couple.
But he also wanted to get back to some other critical business: fundraising for his 2012 campaign. Obama turns 50 on Thursday. The day before, he is scheduled to fly to his hometown of Chicago for a pair of birthday fundraisers at the Aragon Entertainment Center. The events will feature musical performers and cost up to $35,800 per person, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.