U.S. President Barack Obama has embarked on a three-day fundraising event intended to garner support for the Democratic Party in time for the November elections, earning criticism for doing so amid more pressing international crises.

On Tuesday, Obama landed in Seattle where he attended a fundraiser hosted by real estate mogul Bruce and Ann Blume in their home in Lake Washington where he was met with a group of demonstrators calling for an end to fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Like Us on Facebook

Speaking before 250 donors who pledged at least US$20,000 to the Democratic National Committee, the President warned against growing anxieties over recent foreign crises that he said could lead to government distrust which would ultimately result to a more "dysfunctional" government.

"Part of people's concern is just the sense that around the world, the old order is not holding up, and we are not quite yet where we need to be based on the new order," he said.

Obama is also expected to travel to San Francisco and Los Angeles in the following days.

The trip comes at a time when the American President is being closely watched to see how he deals with myriad issues. These include the rising death toll in the Gaza Strip, the downed MH17-flight and Russia's apparent involvement in the crash, and the U.S. Congress deadlock over the border crisis.

Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell questioned Obama's commitment to resolve the border crisis. He said that the President's absence at such a critical time points to Obama's failure in leading the country.

Criticism also rose last week when Obama left for New York and was reportedly in Fort Belvoir on Sunday to play golf after the Malaysian Airline MH17 crashed over eastern Ukraine.

White House officials defended Obama's trip, saying that while the latter pushed through with the schedule, he always maintained full communication capability and traveled with staff that allowed him to do his job wherever he was.

Aides cited that the President had called Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte from Air Force One to discuss matters on evidence that implicated Russia's involvement in the incident.

"In terms of fundraising, it is a responsibility that presidents in both parties for generations have been responsible for," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

He added that like previous presidents, Obama is gaining support for the 2014 candidates.

It must be noted that while the House is expected to retain a Republican majority after the elections, the question remains on whether the Democratic-controlled Senate will be able to remain, according to the Associated Press.

TagsObama fundraising, border crisis, 2014 Elections, November elections, Senate elections, House elections, Josh Earnest, Mark Rutte, MH17 crash, Russian involvement in Ukraine, Ukraine crisis, Gaza Strip, Mitch McConnell, foreign conflict