Traffic delays seen as Obama leaves L.A. after celebrity fundraisers

Traffic delays are expected Monday morning as President Obama leaves Los Angeles after a series of fundraisers.

Street closures are planned in Beverly Hills and other Westside areas, including Avenue of the Stars between Santa Monica and Pico boulevards.

In a two-day swing, Obama raised millions of dollars during several fundraisers in the state, including two downtown L.A. events packed with celebrities.

As he took the stage Sunday night at the Nokia Theatre after a star-studded "30 Days to Victory" concert, the president praised the performers who entertained a crowd of 6,000, with a nod to "old school" Earth, Wind and Fire and "new school" Katy Perry.

"My understanding is it was an incredible show," said Obama, who whisked downtown only moments before he took the stage.

"They just perform flawlessly night after night. I can't always say the same," he joked, a reference to his performance in the recent presidential debate, which was criticized as lackluster.

Obama's visit to California brought him back to a state whose fiscal sustenance is important to all Democratic candidates. Indeed, the president's first event upon arrival Sunday afternoon was a thank-you session with a dozen unnamed donors at the home of DreamWorks Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg. Also present was a past beneficiary, former President Clinton.

After the Nokia event, Obama traveled to a $25,000-per-person fundraiser atop the Ritz-Carlton.

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-- Catherine Saillant and Shelby Grad