President Barack Obama (File) (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

ATLANTA (AP) -- President Barack Obama visited Atlanta for a few hours on Friday as part of a fundraising trip.

He arrived at the Atlanta airport Friday afternoon and left town at 11:01 p.m. It was the first time Obama visited Georgia in 18 months.

Obama's visit included a big draw event with film producer Tyler Perry and performer Cee Lo Green. It was part of three Atlanta fundraisers in the hopes of increasing his fundraising pace to prepare for a showdown with a Republican presidential nominee.

Obama lost Georgia in the 2008 general election by five percentage points and is hoping to rally voters for a better showing this fall.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and U.S. Rep. John Lewis were among those who were scheduled to meet the president.

AP-WF-03-17-12 0311GMT