Obama calls for 'common ground' in first post-midterm fundraising tour

President Obama struck a bipartisan tone at a pair of fundraisers Friday, the first since the midterm elections.

Obama toured a local high school with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and then spoke at back-to-back fundraisers, first at the Fountainbleu Resort and then at a dinner for Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee at the home of real estate mogul Michael Adler.

Throughout the Florida visit, Obama took a measured, bipartisan tone. At the Fountainbleu he said America could "find common ground" on a number of issues, and that included his fellow Democrats.

"I believe that we can have a government that lives within its means without sacrificing that future for our kids. And to do that we’re going to have to compromise," Obama said. "Each side is going to have to give a little bit. Everybody is not going to get everything they want. And I have to say that to Democrats sometimes."

At Adler's home Obama highlighted a promising report on unemployment numbers released Friday morning that found the unemployment rate had dropped below nine percent.

Obama described the last two years of his presidency as "tough" while also successful thanks to Nelson and DSCC chair Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who like Obama was also raising money on the Florida trip.

Recently debate over federal spending has dominated politics on Capitol Hill with Democratic and Republican members of Congress failing to compromise on a long-term federal funding bill. Obama warned in his speech at Adler's house that cost cutting was definitely going to happen. But, the president added, he wanted to do it wisely.

"And we’re going to make sure that everybody makes some sacrifices, that it is shared sacrifice," Obama said. "And if there’s anything that the Democratic Party should be standing for, must stand for -- if there’s anything that my presidency I hope stands for -- is the notion that we’re all in this together, and that in good times everybody shares in opportunity, and in tough times everybody shares in sacrifice."

Florida is a high-value target for Obama's re-election and he hinted at that in his speech. At the end he said that he would be back in the future.

"And I promise you, this is not the last time you're going to see me in Florida," he concluded.