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Romney Raising Campaign Funds In Obama's Hometown

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The presumptive Republican candidate for president was in Chicago Thursday and expected to rake in millions of dollars in President Obama's hometown.

Mitt Romney attended a pricey meet-and-greet at The Pump Room in the Gold Coast, where the lowest ticket was $2,500. Couples who paid $75,000 got to have dinner with Romney. The total take was estimated at $3.3 million.

"It was crowded, I think it was a pretty electric atmosphere. He was really on message, talked a lot about the economy and jobs," Romney supporter Ken Shepro told CBS 2's Mike Parker.

That was also the focus of Romney's remarks in Ohio, as the former governor of Massachusetts hammered Obama for economic policies he says have failed.

The Republican in recent weeks has out-raised Democrat Obama, who himself is no slouch at raising campaign funds. Romney's Illinois campaign chairman had an explanation.

"I think people now are starting to come into focus the November races that are coming down to specifically the two candidates," Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford told reporters.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports

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