Wow, President Obama is no Celine Dion (or Elton John). The president is making a special appearance Tuesday as headliner at a political benefit at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, a room which John and Dion sold out for years, no problem. But despite an opening entertainment roster that includes musical performances by Rachel Yamagata, Sheryl Crow and Bette Midler (a current headliner in the room) along with comedy by Rita Rudner, demand for tickets to see the president apparently has not been overwhelming. For sure Tuesday is not sold out.  I just got this e-mail from the Nevada Democrtatic Party sent out as some sort of spam:

"A limited number of tickets to 'The Good Fight: A Tribute To Nevada’s Senator Harry Reid,' featuring special guest President Barack Obama, are still available for $50, $150 and $250.  You can purchase tickets at Caesars Palace Box Office today, Monday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."

What makes this extra weird is that I bet Crowe and Midler could sell out the theater without the baggage of the president. And Rudner does just fine night after night at Harrah's, though in a much smaller room. And while the prices may be high in your hometown, this is rock-bottom cheap for the Colosseum. Certainly in all her years in Vegas there were never any $50 Celine Dion tickets.

The man may be able to lead a nation, but the president (even with a puffed-out roster of opening acts) is obviously not ready to headline in Vegas.

Photo credit: AP