Dallas Morning News-President Obama In Texas To Raise $$$ For Dems

President Obama and Texas Gov. Rick Perry: AP

(Story reported by Todd J. Gilman for the Dallas Morning News)

AUSTIN – Even as President Barack Obama flew to Texas today for high-dollar fund-raising events, the White House sought to keep him above the tumble of Texas politics

Aides downplayed Obama's plans for a brief airport chat about border security with Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who has been an outspoken critic of the president.

They also downplayed the decision by Perry's November election opponent, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White, to remain far from Obama during the president's one-day visit.

"He definitely does not take that as an insult," White House spokesman Bill Burton insisted aboard Air Force One en route to Austin.

The president's plane touched down just before noon.

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