Mr. Obama’s birthday celebrations started on Wednesday night in his home city of Chicago, with about 2,400 people attending a fundraising event for his 2012 reelection campaign.
Obama was born on Aug. 4, 1961, and he is turning 50 Thursday. Some friends and family are coming to celebrate his birthday from hometown Chicago. According to the White House, his mother in law Marian Robbinson and family friend Kaye Willington flew in with him Wednesday night aboard Air Force One from Chicago.
President Obama said, “I could not have a better early birthday present than spending tonight with all of you, I love you back! "
Supporters at the event were treated to music by jazz legend Herbie Hancock and singer Jennifer Hudson.
Those who paid almost $36,000 for the most expensive tickets were invited to a small, private dinner with the president.
Mr. Obama has been facing his milestone birthday with a sense of humor. He told the crowd that as he gets older, he is paying more attention to social welfare programs for the elderly.
“And it is true that I turn 50 tomorrow, which means that by the time I wake up, I will have an email from AARP, asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare," said Obama."
Joining the powerful senior citizens’ lobby AARP is almost a rite of passage for many Americans as they turn 50.
Mr. Obama is the fifth-youngest of the 44 U.S. presidents, and the seventh to celebrate his 50th birthday while in office. Bill Clinton was the last, in 1996.
Days after solving the debt ceiling crisis, the Obama campaign has been using his birthday to garner support.
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