Obama tells Mass crowd, 'We've got more work to do'

The president also told the audience that during his 2008 campaign, he said the road before him would be difficult and steep.

"It's turned out to be a little steeper than we expected," he said.

The president added that while he supported deficit-reduction efforts, "I will not sacrifice our future."

Before concluding, he said, "I ran for this office to make sure everyone in America gets a fair shake."

The events were expected to raise more than $2 million for his reelection campaign.

Before Obama took the stage, Boston Celtics All-Star Ray Allen was among those who addressed the crowd.

"Our colors are red, white, and blue. Our coach is Obama," he said.

Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell also spoke about not being a leading scorer, but a leading passer.

"Let's all work together to accomplish our goal," said Russell, who recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Obama.

Governor Deval Patrick, who is already working as an Obama campaign surrogate elsewhere in the country, encouraged the crowd to help him help the president win another term.

"You did it for me and I am grateful," the governor said.

Patrick rattled off a list of what he cast as presidential accomplishments: coping with the economic recession, passing a federal universal health care law, repealing a ban on gays serving in the military — and killing Osama bin Laden.

The president himself mentioned bin Laden's death, as well as putting two women on the Supreme Court, as he highlighted his record.

Air Force One touched down at Logan International Airport at 4:22 p.m. amid heavy fog. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Patrick were on hand to greet him.

About 15 minutes later, the president headed to the South End for a "small-dollar" fund-raiser at the Cyclorama. Tickets, and accordingly better access, sold for $500, $1,000, and $10,000 apiece.

After his speech, Obama was headed to Brookline for a high-dollar event at the home of Boston advertising executive Jack Connors Jr.

That event was expected to raise $2.1 million alone. Tickets sold for $38,500 per couple.

The speaking program was being held under a tent in the Connors's backyard. The event was being organized by Bryan Rafanelli, an event planner who last summer supervised Chelsea Clinton's wedding.

The caterer, Max Ultimate Food, was serving passed hors d'oeuvres of Maine crab cakes, mini-BLTs, and lobster rolls.

The dinner entree included olive oil-poached shrimp, seared tenderloin of beef in red-wine sauce, and an artichoke-and-fennel salad.

Planned desserts included sea-salt caramels, a fresh berry tart, and macaroons.

Florist William Mizuta of the South End provided arrangements of white peonies.

Among the guests were Patrick, Menino, Suffolk Construction chief John Fish, Partners HealthCare CEO Gary Gottlieb, and Democratic activists Gerald and Elaine Schuster.

In addition, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and philanthropists Amos and Barbara Hostetter attended.

Since announcing his reelection campaign in April, Obama has held similar events in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington.

Glen Johnson can be reached at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen.