March 21, 2007
Watching the Clintons
Last night I went to see Bill and Hillary Clinton in action. Hillary was doing a fundraiser for her presidential election campaign at the Marriott Wardman Park, a big Washington hotel. This involves loads of supporters milling around a ballroom – sipping wine and scarfing cheese (not bad in both cases) – and getting a speech and a bit of glitz and good cheer in return. The biggest donors also get private meetings with the candidate – or, in Hillary’s case, with her husband.
Standing in the crowd with some of Hillary’s key fund-raisers I found them in remarkably cheerful mood. The newspapers are reporting that the Washington event raised $1m. But one of the Clinton money people claimed that the real figure for last night was $2.7m – and that the Senator had raised a further $3.2m in New York over the weekend. She is soon going off to Los Angeles to raise yet more money. I asked whether there ever came a point where the candidate says "OK, we’ve got enough money" and got the reply, "Not with this lady".
Despite the Barack Obama surgelet, the Clinton campaign is feeling buoyant. They are ahead in the polls and they are way ahead in the money-raising stakes.
And they have Bill. All his charisma and hokey charm was on display last night as he introduced his wife to the crowd. You would never have guessed that there had been the faintest hint of marital discord, as he lovingly recalled their first dates – 37 years ago – and how he had (supposedly) told Hillary "you’re too good for me."
Hillary herself looked terrific: a broad smile, a confident gait, a good hair-cut and a very chic calf-length grey coat, with black swirls on it. And no, I wouldn’t have made that point about a male candidate. Sorry.
The problem is that Bill is both a terrific asset and a slight liability. Hillary’s speech was competent – interesting, even. But it just lacked a certain something after her husband’s magnetic performance. When Bill spoke, all eyes in the room were focussed on him. But I found myself slipping out of the room, before Hillary had finished.
That’s an interesting observation about Bill Clinton (last paragraph). I wonder if Obama will find a way of turning it against Hillary. Folks criticized Gore (during his run for the presidency) for not wheeling in Bill Clinton until it was too late. But there’s something to be said for being your own man, or woman.
Posted by: The strategist | March 22nd, 2007 at 8:22 am | Report this commentI don’t see why many even support Mrs. Clinton, she has not done much for New York State as a senator, unless you live in the NYC limits. Many I talk to see her more as a 100% time campaigner, 0% time senator. Surely New Yorkers need to vote for the proper candidate and not one with a famous name.
Posted by: The New Yorker | March 22nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm | Report this comment