Philadelphia (CNN) - President Obama Thursday continued his tough talk on negotiations that surround raising the debt ceiling, telling a packed ballroom of supporters in Philadelphia he will not agree to the broad spending cuts some Republican leaders in Congress are demanding.

“I am prepared to bring our deficit down by trillions of dollars. That’s with a T, trillions. But I will not reduce our deficit by sacrificing our kids’ education… by eliminating medical research being done by our scientists,” Obama said to a largely enthusiastic crowd. “I won’t sacrifice rebuilding our roads, and our bridges, and our railways and our airports.”

The comments followed similarly tough talk at his White House press conference Wednesday and came at a joint fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and Obama’s reelection campaign - an event that more than 800 people paid at least $100 to attend, according to DNC officials.

Before the president touched down in Philadelphia Thursday evening, he was already taking heat from Republicans for taking time to raise money only a day after he scolded Congress for not showing enough action ahead of the looming August 2 debt ceiling deadline.
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Philadelphia (CNN) – President Obama will head to Philadelphia for two events organized by the Democratic National Committee Thursday, the same day the first major and closely-watched fundraising quarter of the 2012 presidential campaign cycle draws to a close.

The president, joined by Reps. Bob Brady and Chaka Fattah and Mayor Michael Nutter, will deliver remarks at a fundraising bash at The Bellevue Hyatt in the afternoon. Ticket prices started at $100 according to two Democratic officials.

The officials said he will then attend a fundraising dinner at the home of Rhonda and David L. Cohen, tickets for which started at $10,000. DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania will attend the evening event.
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