The Times explains how President Obama has started to help his party raise funds.
On one hand, Mr. Obama is trying to pull the nation together, using his platform as president to tamp down populist anger at Wall Street bailouts and expressing sympathy for people who are losing their homes and jobs. On the other, he is trying to capitalize on his popularity to raise money to help pass his ambitious agenda.
White House officials said Wednesday that Mr. Obama was sensitive to that tension. “The president certainly understands the importance of tone, particularly in a challenging economy,” said Josh Earnest, a deputy White House press secretary. “This has been a fine line for him to walk from the beginning, and I think it is something that he recognizes as important, and it will be reflected in his remarks.”