Columbus - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine released the following quote in response to Vice President Joe Biden's fundraiser this evening with the Ohio Democratic Party in Columbus:

"When one considers the focus this Administration places on pep rallies over job creation, it is not surprising that even their most liberal allies are disenchanted with the thought of four more years of their failed economic agenda," Chairman DeWine said.

"As Vice President Biden takes center stage in Columbus, it's telling that the most hostile constituency he may have to contend with is actually his own party base.  The one thing which never changes is that whether it's tax dollars or campaign donations, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are always eager to greet Ohioans with open palms."

Background Information:

Ohio Democrats Lack Enthusiasm for Obama Reelect.  “If applause is an indication of the level of political support, here’s what can be said about the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s precinct committeemen and women: 1. They love county Treasurer Daniel Yemma. 2. They are lukewarm when it comes to Chairman David Betras, especially when he’s giving one of his rambling speeches. 3. They will not be beating the bushes for President Barack Obama in 2012.”  (“Local Dems uncertain about prez,” Youngstown Vindicator, 6/12/11)

Obama’s “Own Words Have Become Weapons” for His Opponents… Democrats.  “The past is always an occupational hazard for presidents, who find themselves disowning statements they made when they were candidates or legislators embroiled in partisan fights.  But Obama seems to have gotten himself into unusually hot water this year. In three different battles, his own words have become weapons for his opponents, Democrats and Republicans.”  (David A. Fahrenthold, “President Obama hasn’t always agreed with Senator Obama,” Washington Post, 6/24/11)

Minority Voters Are Souring on Obama's Prospects

Obama Bypasses Largest Gathering of Latino Elected Officials.  “President Obama won't be attending the nation's largest gathering of Latino elected officials this weekend in San Antonio, Texas, drawing some blunt criticism from members of a constituency he's gone to great lengths to court.”  (Devin Dwyer, “Obama Snub of Hispanic Conference Brings Latino Frustrations to Fore,” ABC News, 6/22/11)

Obama “In a Bind” with Minority Voters.  “Obama has said that his approach to improving economic conditions among minority communities -- particularly African-Americans and Hispanics -- is a broad one: ‘if the economy is strong, that will lift all boats,’ he said at a press conference in 2009. Yet, as the effects of the recession linger, Hispanics -- like most economically frustrated Americans -- want to see results. And that has put Obama in a bind, speech or no speech.”  (Devin Dwyer, “Obama Snub of Hispanic Conference Brings Latino Frustrations to Fore,” ABC News, 6/22/11)

Young Voters Disapprove of Obama Job Performance

Generation Opportunity Poll: A Majority of Younger Voters “Disapprove of President Obama’s Handling of the Economy.”  “A new poll found that a majority of younger voters disapprove of President Obama's handling of the economy.”  (Cristina Marcos, “Poll: Younger voters dissatisfied with Obama’s handling of the economy,” The Hill, 6/12/11)

44 Percent of Young Voters Disapprove of Obama’s Handling of Youth Unemployment.  “Forty-four percent of respondents disapprove of the president's handling of youth unemployment while only 31 percent approved, according to the poll conducted by the polling company, inc./womantrend on behalf of Generation Opportunity, a youth mobilization group.”  (Cristina Marcos, “Poll: Younger voters dissatisfied with Obama’s handling of the economy,” The Hill, 6/12/11)

Labor Support for Obama Reelect Waning

Labor Finding Motivation For Obama Reelect "Challenging."  “President Barack Obama faces waning enthusiasm from union members as he prepares for his 2012 re- election bid, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said. ‘It will be more challenging this time than it was last time to motivate our members,’ Trumka, 61, said in an interview today at Bloomberg’s offices in Washington.”  (Holly Rosenkrantz and Stephanie Armour, “Union Enthusiasm for Obama Re-Election Fades, AFL-CIO’s Chief Trumka Says,” Bloomberg, 6/1/11)

Congressional Democrats Rebuff Obama

Democrats Rebuked Obama on Libya Vote.  “By an overwhelming margin, lawmakers refused to sanction U.S. participation in a NATO campaign of airstrikes in the North African country, a vote that amounted to a rare, bipartisan rebuke of a president's foreign policy during an active military conflict.”  (Kathleen Hennessey, “House rebukes Obama on Libya, but won't cut funds,” Los Angeles Times, 6/24/11)

Democrats Bailed on President Obama and His Call for a Clean Debt-Ceiling Vote.  "The House on Tuesday voted to reject a bill that would let the heavily indebted U.S. government borrow more money without any strings attached. ... The president has asked Congress to raise the so-called debt ceiling in a "clean" vote that includes no other conditions. The vote was 97 to 318, with 82 Democrats joining 236 Republicans in voting against the move."  (Jeffry Bartash, "Congres rejects 'clean' U.S. debt ceiling hike," Wall Street Journal's Market Watch, 5/31/11)

WaPo's Dana Milbank: "Obama is Almost Sticking It to the Left."  Dana Milbank:  "But what I don`t understand here is it does seem that Obama is almost sticking it to the left here, almost like it`s some humiliation here. And it`s been going on with the budget cuts, with tax cuts. ..."  (Dana Milbank, MSNBC Live with Cenk Uygur, 6/23/11)

Obama Reelect Not as Appealing to Influential Democratic Donors

Obama Speaks to Empty Chairs at Miami Fundraiser. "A low dollar fundaiser here Monday felt like a throwback to the 2008 campaign.  There was the same old soundtrack...the one missing element? Overflowing crowd.  The empty seats were hard to miss." (Carry Brown, "Obama Fundraiser Underwhelms," Politico, 6/13/11)

Obama’s Campaign is Having to Make Up the Cash It’s Losing from “Groups of Wealthy Supports.”  “President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign is banking on gay donors to make up the cash it’s losing from other groups of wealthy supporters who have been alienated and disappointed by elements of Obama’s first term.”  (Ben Smith and Maggie Haberman, “Gay donors fuel President Obama’s 2012 campaign,” Politico, 5/9/11)