President Obama Lobs Zingers at Trump, Issa in San Diego

The president took aim at Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who is in the fight of his career against political newcomer Doug Applegate.

Lobbing zingers at Donald Trump and San Diego congressional Republican Darrell Issa, President Barack Obama is raising money for Hillary Clinton on a western swing also intended to boost Democrats who could cut into GOP majorities in Congress.

Obama told some 60 donors paying $10,000 a person here Sunday that some of the greatest progress during his tenure came when Democrats controlled both chambers during his first two years. He said he'd been prepared to veto many bills when Republicans took over, but "they are not even organized enough to get their own stuff done."

The White House has said that Obama's primary mission in the next two weeks will be helping Clinton, but he will also use his appearances at campaign events and in television ads to support Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, even in some state legislative races.

In San Diego, Obama took aim at Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who is in the fight of his career against political newcomer Doug Applegate.

Obama recalled that Issa had called his administration perhaps the most corrupt in history. Now, Obama said he was using the president's photo on one of his brochures about how they had worked together on some issues.

"That is the definition of chutzpah," Obama said.

He added that Issa spent his time trying to obstruct and feed the same sentiments that resulted in Trump's candidacy. He said he recalled someone telling him: "Darrell Issa was Trump before Trump," Obama said.

On Monday, Issa said he was disappointed but not surprised by Obama's comments, arguing that the president "continues to deny accountability for the serious scandals that happened under his watch where Americans died overseas and veterans have died here at home."

The eight-term Republican said he had worked with the administration "on good legislation where it was possible, and called out wrongdoing wherever I saw it, and will continue to do so."

Democrats need to pick up five seats to gain the majority in the Senate, or four if they hang onto control of the White House. The vice president casts tie-breaking votes in the Senate.

After another Clinton fundraiser Monday, Obama flies to Los Angeles for a taping of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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