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Obama Visits New York For Rare Father-Daughter Weekend

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Barack Obama was in New York Friday evening for a rare father-daughter weekend in the city, and to collect some cash for Democrats.

Obama headlined a Democratic fundraiser Friday night hosted by businessman George Logothetis and his wife, Nitzia. About 30 supporters were contributing up to $33,400 each.

Then, with the politics out of the way, the rest of Obama's New York overnighter was set aside for time with his teenage daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Obama, Sasha and two of her friends bounded up the steps of Air Force One, eager to join Malia, who was already in New York.

Malia, 17, was spotted earlier this summer on the Brooklyn set of HBO's ``Girls,'' where she reportedly was interning. Sasha is 14.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the president had been ``looking forward to a rare opportunity he'll have to spend a little personal time with his daughters in New York.''

Earnest wouldn't say what activities were on their schedule, but said journalists taking part in the weekend would be kept up to date.

He then quickly noted that journalists traveling to New York with the president would not actually be participating in his outings with Malia and Sasha.

``That might interfere with the personal nature of the father-daughter time,'' he quipped.

Obama rarely stays overnight in New York unless he's there for business, such as the U.N. General Assembly.

Meanwhile, in a break with tradition, Obama will not be staying at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Presidents have stayed at the famed Midtown hotel for more than 80 years.

But officials told CBS News the White House is concerned about the potential for spying, since the Waldorf was sold last year to a Chinese company.

Obama was due back in Washington on Saturday night.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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