Obama heads to West Coast for business summit, fundraising in Seattle

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is heading to the West Coast for a three-day trip that includes face time with Facebook's billionaire CEO Mark Zuckerberg and raising campaign cash for Democratic candidates.


Obama speaks Friday at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, a conference for aspiring entrepreneurs in San Jose, California. The White House says entrepreneurs from more than 140 countries will attend, including a contingent from Cuba. They'll attend sessions aimed at helping them advance their businesses.

Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes says promoting entrepreneurship fosters collaboration around the world. He says the more the U.S. helps emerging economies, the more they become markets for American goods.

Obama also participates in a panel with Zuckerberg that's airing on Facebook Live.

Obama then flies to Seattle for two fundraisers Friday evening, one for Gov. Jay Inslee and the other for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The White House says the president plans to arrive in Seattle Friday afternoon and will speak just before 7 p.m. at the Inslee event at the Washington State Convention Center.

Obama will attend a DCCC event later in the evening.

He is scheduled to leave Seattle Saturday morning.