President Barack Obama will attend three fundraisers in New York City today to raise money for his re-election bid. Traffic is expected in the city as the President makes his way to the events.

At 4 p.m., the President is expected to meet with Jewish leaders at the Upper East Side restaurant Daniel on 65th Street. Tickets for that event cost about $15,000.

Next, the President is scheduled to attend a dinner at director Spike Lee’s apartment on 63rd Street. About 40 people are expected at that event, and tickets cost over $35,000.

And finally, the President will make his way to the historic Apollo theater on 125th Street at around 7:00pm for a show featuring singers Al Green and India.Arie.

Instead of his normal route — a helicopter to Wall Street and then a motorcade that shuts down the FDR Drive or West Side Highway between the financial district and midtown — Obama will be coming into Manhattan over the RFK Triborough Bridge, said traffic guru “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz, which will likely lead to closing the FDR drive above 63rd Street.

�The Secret Service is really shaking things up a bit,� Schwartz told amNewYork. �Maybe they�re reacting to complaints from lower Manhattan about traffic jams.�
Obama�s first fundraiser, �Cocktails & Conversation with the President� for a cool $15,000 per person, starts at 4 p.m. at restaurant Daniel on E. 65th Street.

He�ll then travel a few blocks � Schwartz said he �wouldn�t be surprised if [Obama] doesn�t decide to take a little stroll� instead of driving � to director Spike Lee�s house for a $35,800 dinner at around 6 p.m. with a few dozen people.

�If you�re south of 59th street, you�re probably in good shape,� said Schwartz, warning, �just stay south of 59th street.�

(Source: WPIX / AMNY)