President Obama raises money at home of Sarah Jessica Parker

President Obama came to the right person to raise money Thursday night: “Sex and the City” icon Sarah Jessica Parker.

In one memorable episode, she said (as Carrie), “I like my money right where I can see it -- hanging in my closet.”

The president probably would prefer it in his campaign coffers. At the Manhattan home of Parker and her husband, Matthew Broderick, Obama raised about $2 million, with 50 people paying $40,000 each to attend.

Broderick had to work – he’s starring in the Gershwin musical “Nice Work if You Can Get It” on Broadway.

Others in attendance included Meryl Streep, designer Michael Kors and Vogue editor Anna Wintour. First Lady Michelle Obama was there too.

Obama told the crowd he was running for a second term because “our work is not yet done.”

He also wryly remarked that he’s pretty far down on the White House hierarchy -- behind his wife, their two daughters, his mother-in-law and the family dog, Bo.

Echoing an argument he often makes on the campaign trail, Obama said his reelection matchup against presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney presents the American people with a stark decision.

“We’ve got as fundamental a choice this time out than we have had in 30, 40 or 50 years,” he said. “What we are going to have to do is present very clearly to the American people that choice.”

Later, the Obamas headed for a second fundraiser at the Plaza Hotel, where 250 people paid $10,000 each, the campaign said.

The proceeds from both events go to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint committee made up of Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and several state Democratic parties.

Earlier in the day, the president campaigned in Ohio, where he told a boisterous crowd at a community college outside Cleveland that voters would have a chance in November to break the Washington stalemate between diametrically opposing philosophies. It was his 22nd visit as president to the crucial swing state, where polls show the race a tossup.

Then he came to reliably Democratic New York, where he and the first lady toured the World Trade Center site with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov.Andrew M. Cuomo. From the skyscraper under construction to replace the twin towers destroyed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the Obamas gazed out the window toward the memorial, 22 stories below. He also spoke with some construction workers.

And, on a beam bearing the words, “One World Trade Center,” the president wrote:

We remember

We rebuild

We come back stronger!

Barack Obama

connie.stewart@latimes.com