President Obama and Kanye West appear at SF fundraiser

President Obama, enjoying a high job approval rating in California, stopped in San Francisco for a fundraiser Saturday morning. 

   The president shared billing with rapper Kanye West, which made for a lively mix of fans and commentary.

   Some who lined up outside the Warfield Theatre were unabashedly there for the music superstar.

   "We're here to see Kanye,"  Elton Su told KTVU, "Obama, he's cool, he's here too, but you know, it's Kanye West!"

   Su's companion was more diplomatic.

   "It's a really cool opportunity to see both an artist we're a big fan of, and support a political movement too," Raghav Mathur told KTVU.

    About 1300 people filled the theater, and the President tackled serious topics such as immigration and gun reform, especially after recent mass shootings.  

    "It's not normal. This is not how it has to be, it's a choice we are making," he declared, "and we do not have to have young boys in Oakland getting shot every day."

    He was also irreverent at times, calling his Republican critics "grumpy" for refusing to acknowledge times have improved since his election in 2008, when he inherited an economic crisis and war in Iraq.  

    "Apparently according to them, those were the good old days, the golden years," he said to laughter and applause, "and then I came in and messed it up."

    President Obama spoke for less than thirty minutes, then jetted off to Los Angeles for more DNC fundraising events.

    After his departure, Kanye West performed for about an hour.

    They weren't onstage together, but posed for a photo along with West's wife, reality-star Kim Kardashian and the couple's daughter.

     West made no political remarks, unlike his recent awards show appearance where he announced he would run for president in 2020.

     President Obama joked about West's ambitions, asking the crowd, "Do you really think this country is going to elect a black guy from the South Side of Chicago with a funny name to be President of the United States? That's crazy!"

     With just over a year left in office, Obama discussed his plans as a private citizen.

     "It doesn't mean I stop working on issues. I'm just getting started. We're going to be working side by side."

     He urged supporters to stay engaged. 

     "You're going to have to stay active, and you're going to have to stay involved," he exclaimed, "and not just at events like this where Kanye's playing."

    People paid between $100 and $10,000 for tickets.

     "It's two different people who come together, for change, for a cause, and I'm all about that," fan Albert Parnell told KTVU, "I like Yeezy, I like Obama, when they're together, I got to be here." 

     Some who attended were excited by the President and his message.

     "I've met him several times before," enthused Ajaoy Bhutoria, "and each time I see him it inspires me, I get his energy."

      Others were more matter-of-fact. 

     "He got elected to two terms, so he doesn't really need my support," observed Cole Whiteley, "He's cruising on second term, but I guess it's cool to see him."

     California's registered voters, in the Field Poll released Saturday, give the president a sixty percent job approval rating, fifteen percent higher than his national approval average.  

     "This is the party that stands for the idea that everybody deserves an equal shot," exhorted President Obama at the end of his speech, imploring the crowd to keep Democrats in office.  

      "That's what's at stake in this upcoming election and elections to come and that's why I need you to be part of this process and part of this team. I love you San Francisco, so let's get to work."