WASHINGTON — Democrats in Austin, Texas, are throwing a Hawaiian-style luau Wednesday. There’s a “presidential potluck” in Phoenix and a “49 Candles for America” party in Des Moines, Iowa.
The reason is that President Barack Obama turns 49.
The president’s political operation is hoping that a frenzy of birthday wishes for the commander-in-chief will translate into millions of dollars and thousands of phone calls on behalf of Democratic candidates who face the voters this fall.
The Democratic National Committee-backed Organizing for America is collecting birthday- card signatures on its website (my.barackobama ) and has a Google map tracking the birthday events.
Because Malia is away at camp, and the first lady and Sasha will be in Spain on a getaway, the First Birthday Boy will have only dog Bo, friend Reggie Love and a few hundred staff members and Secret Service agents to celebrate with.
