Obama arrived in Philly for Thursday campaign fundraiser

President Barack Obama's plane touched down in Philadelphia at about 5:40 p.m. this evening on his way to a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fundraiser in the city.

About 150 people were waiting at the rope line to greet him.

Obama disembarked at 5:47 p.m. and was greeted by Mayor Michael Nutter. He and Nutter exchanged a few words, laughed and patted each other's shoulders.

The President shook hands at the rope line for about five minutes. "Good to see you guys," he said.

The DSCC fundraiser was held at Comcast executive David Cohen's house; about 120 people dined in a large white tent set up in the backyard.

Cohen's home is a large stone house in Northwest Philadelphia's West Mount Airy neighborhood. Residents lined up along the sidewalk to cheer the motorcade as it wound through the neighborhood.

The guests were just finishing up dinner when the President entered, almost unannounced; some guests almost stumbled while getting up to applaud.

Cohen said the fundraiser had raised $1 million for the DSCC; Obama nodded and mouthed "good job."

Diners at the $10,000 to $32,400-a-plate dinner included Sens. Bob Casey, of Pennsylvania, and Michael Bennett, of Colorado, plus Mayor Nutter.

Introducing the President, Cohen referenced the Hebrew phrase "dayenu," an expression of gratitude which means "it would have been enough." He listed several accomplishments of the President's administration, including repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell and ending the war in Iraq, and the crowd repeated "dayenu" - it would have been enough.

For his part, the President said "it would have been enough" if Cohen had only hosted one fundraiser for him. (He's actually hosted several over the course of the President's political career).

The President spoke for about 10 minutes and emphasized the importance of a Democratic Congress when it comes to accomplishing policy goals. "We have been blessed by a Democratic Senate," he said. "That list of accomplishments is really a partnership."

He said he had three years left in office and "in addition to fixing a website" (a huge laugh line) he wants to rebuild infrastructure and invest in early childhood education, among other goals.

"We gotta have a Democratic Senate to do it," he said, noting in many states the DSCC faces a tough fight in 2014.

He said Washington may seem polarized, but that the country at large isn't necessarily so divided and that politicians have to "sync up [with] that spirit of goodness."

-- Aubrey Whelan, Philadelphia Inquirer