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Obama Draws Criticism For Continuing West Coast Fundraising Tour Amid International Crises

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- President Barack Obama continues his week long West Coast fundraising trip with two events in the Bay Area, but some political pundits say he should be more focused on pressing international issues.

The president aboard Air Force One landed at 9:20 p.m. at SFO Tuesday and will attend two events in the Bay Area on Wednesday to help members of the Democratic party run for Congress across the country.

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In the meantime, there are several pressing international matters on people's minds from the escalated fighting in Gaza to the surging number of Central American children crossing our border.

Critics, like Former Chair of the California GOP Tom Del Beccaro, say attending a fundraising event simply looks out-of-touch.

"Crisis that he's facing now, like on the border, the VA and in the Ukraine -- people don't think he's in control or that America is in control," Beccaro said.

KPIX 5 political expert Melissa Griffin Caen said it could be a strategic move. "He's maybe wisely taking a step back from that and waiting for some additional information," she said.

The president's advisors say he's not missing a beat as staffers continue to gather intelligence and plan behind the scenes.

Mr. Obama will attend a House Majority PAC event at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, then will attend a noon fundraiser at the private residence of Judy and George Marcus in Los Altos Hills to raise money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Obama will then depart from San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday afternoon to continue his fundraising tour in Los Angeles.

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