By Mark Duell Last updated at 11:08 AM on 26th September 2011 A combative Barack Obama last night stepped up his fight for presidential re-election, claiming the U.S. would be ‘fundamentally crippled’ if the Republicans got into power. The President, speaking at an $18,000-per-person fundraiser in Medina, Washington, is desperate to renew the enthusiasm of Democratic loyalists who are growing more disenchanted with him daily. He told around 65 guests at an intimate brunch that he is tired of a ‘constant ideological pushback’ from the GOP ‘against any kind of sensible reforms’ to help improve the economy and job market.
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Barack Obama speaks at $35,800-per-couple fundraiser in Washington state
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He is on three-day tour of U.S. West Coast to encourage Democrat loyalists
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Obama admits Americans are discouraged and disillusioned with government
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Many Democrats claim he has conceded too much economic ground to GOP
‘They're looking for @placeholder to do something.’ Unfortunately for the President, the summer's nasty debate over raising the government's borrowing limit turned off voters.