Obama slams Republicans in West Coast money swing

ATHERTON, California, (Reuters) — President Barack Obama harshly criticized Republican opponents on Sunday as he began a West Coast fundraising tour, accusing them of "ideological pushback" at a time of national crisis.

U.S. President Barack Obama waves to supporters at a Democratic party fundraiser in Seattle, Washington, September 25, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Reed

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In a swing likely to net his campaign several million dollars, the Democratic president deployed a newly combative tone to fire up core supporters.
"From the moment that I took office, what we've seen is a constant ideological pushback against any kind of sensible reforms that would make our economy work better and give people more opportunity," Obama said at his first stop in Seattle.
He needs the enthusiasm and financial backing of his base -- many of whom have voiced disappointment at his readiness to accommodate Republican demands -- to improve his chances of succeeding in his 2012 re-election bid.
Speaking at the home of former Microsoft executive Jon Shirley, Obama said he had hoped "because we were in a crisis, the other side would respond by saying now is the time for all of us to pull together. ... That was not the decision they made."
Republicans won big in 2010 congressional elections by campaigning against his policies, which they blame for driving up the U.S. deficit without providing promised jobs. They have fought Obama all this year to curb federal spending.
Obama was greeted enthusiastically as he began to speak in Shirley's ultra-modernist home before about 65 people paying $35,800 per couple. At his second stop, 1,750 supporters paid to listen to him at the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle.

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