Clinton hits CoreStates Center for gala Democratic fundraiser

While the controversy over his fundraising practices intensified on Capitol Hill, President Clinton stopped by the CoreStates Center yesterday to curry favor with wealthy Democratic supporters. One step behind the president was Mayor Ed Rendell, who used the opportunity to lobby the Democratic National Committee to award the year 2000 Democratic National Convention to the city. As the two stood side by side before several hundred supporters, Rendell pointed to a nearby sign featuring the logo of the DNC superimposed over the image of the Liberty Bell. "I think the mayor is being less-than-subtle in what he's presenting here tonight," joked DNC Chairperson Steve Grossman. In his address, Clinton praised Rendell as "a wonderful mayor, flack, promoter, arm-twister?" adding that "the last time we had a [Democratic] Convention in Philadelphia, in 1948, it worked out pretty well for us." His face ruddy under the podium lights, the president delivered a policy speech asking the audience to "support [his] efforts for securing a world of peace, freedom and prosperity." Many of those in attendance -- all of whom paid either $25 or $100 -- said they were excited, but not overwhelmed, by Clinton's speech. "I'd say his speech [at the University last] November was a lot better," College senior Alex Ramos said. "Of course, he was campaigning then. Tonight, Philadelphia was campaigning him, if anything." City Councilwoman Janie Blackwell, a Democrat who represents the University City area, was more upbeat about the event. "Even though you come to these [fundraisers] a lot, you still enjoy them," said Blackwell, whose husband, Lucien, is a former U.S. Congressman from Philadelphia who may run for Congress again next year. "There's no substitute for being there in person. [Clinton] is so warm and charismatic." Blackwell acknowledged that a lack of hotel space near the CoreStates Center hurts Philadelphia's bid for the 2000 convention. But building hotels "has been the mayor's whole focus in the last five years," she said. "We have so many hotels on the drawing board -- at least four of five." Comparing the evening to another fundraiser she attended, College sophomore Michele Sacks said the post-election Democratic victory party at the Philadelphia Convention Center last year "felt more like a wedding." "The mayor was doing the macarena" at the victory party, said Sacks, who worked on the 1996 Clinton-Gore campaign. Last night's fundraiser, by contrast, attracted "more of a business crowd." College junior Katy O'Neill, a Republican, noted a distinct difference GOP soirees and Clinton's fundraiser, which she described as "more hip." Sacks added that "the band is young, fresh and kind of hip -- no classical music, no ghetto style. It's like Clinton's policies -- very moderate," she said. "Basically, this place is one big metaphor for the administration." But a friend of Sacks saw the event in terms of money, not metaphor. "I can see the policy machine at work," College sophomore Greg Abrams said. "It's just interesting to see what a little money can get you." Many of Clinton's student supporters attended the event because of a reduced $25 student price -- but others came for more selfish reasons. LaSalle freshman Patrick McHugh said he attended solely to earn extra credit for his Political Science class. Peering into the crowd for his eight classmates, who had arrived separately, McHugh admitted, "I don't know much about politics -- I'm just learning." Two other newcomers had an easier time getting into the swing of the event. Gay rights activists Rob Barotte and Jim Colleman don't attend many fundraisers, they said, but a fundraiser for gay rights supporters like Rendell and Clinton is "sort of a special one." Besides, they noted, the event featured perks like "free beer" and "a lot of great-looking men." But the pall cast by the campaign finance hearings in Washington was obvious to some. "I'm sorry that there's also something negative [to the fundraiser]," Blackwell said, "But I guess it's a sign of the times." "I don't believe [Clinton's] done anything wrong," she added. "If you get past [the daily scandal] and look at the whole issue [of campaign finance], that's what we need to [reform]." After his speech, Clinton gave his customary high-fives to fenced-off supporters who had surged toward the podium to touch him. "It's like a rock concert up there," College senior Colton Brown said. "All the girls are screaming and pushing. There's a lot of sweaty palms."

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