A Democrat familiar with the fundraisers described the routine: First, the President would briefly address the group of a few dozen donors to express his gratitude, in cursory, impromptu remarks. Then, he would spend roughly an hour, speaking one-on-one with supporters or addressing groups of up to five of them at a time…

Marc Cooper, a journalism professor at the University of Southern California, edited the Huffington Post story that featured video of the remark. He said the President’s private, secluded chats with wealthy donors last week indicate that Obama team is “backtracking” on his pledge for openness.

“In a political system where money is so important, we ought to hear what he’s saying to them,” Cooper said. If someone can pay $30,000 to meet the President, he added, “I’d like to know who the hell they are. I want to know everything.”