Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates attended a campaign fundraiser for President Barack Obama on Friday, where the US leader cited his example to push for raising taxes on wealthy Americans.
At an event at the eastern Seattle suburb home of Jeff Brotman, founder of the low-cost supermarket chain Costco, Obama spoke before some 65 people who each paid $17,900 to attend, and made a point of referencing the Microsoft founder.
"If you agree with Mr Gates here, that we have to have a balanced approach... then all the marbles are right here," said Obama, who has pushed for Congress to reach a more "fair" tax design for the country's most wealthy citizens pay more in taxes and lift a burden on the middle or lower classes.
Obama was scheduled to return to Washington DC late Friday after a three-day tour that included fundraisers in California and a visit to the Boeing headquarters in Washington state.
On Friday, officials revealed Obama had raised $29 million towards his reelection bid in January alone. By contrast, Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney raised some $24 million during the last three months of 2011, his campaign team said last month.
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