Clinton Will Stump For State Party [Why is Hillary doing a fundraiser in Tampa, FL? ]

Tampa Tribune, FL ^ | Feb. 3, 2006 | William March

[summer]

TAMPA - Sen. Hillary Clinton will hold a fundraiser for the Florida Democratic Party on Feb. 23 in Tampa.

The former first lady, New York senator and possible 2008 presidential candidate agreed to a request from state Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman to come for the event, and chose Tampa as the location, Thurman said.
Clinton will appear at a $100-a-person reception and a smaller, $1,000-a-person event for major donors at a West Shore area hotel, with all proceeds going to the state party.

The appearance is somewhat unusual. Big-name Democrats hold more such events in South Florida, the home of larger numbers of wealthy party donors.

"For fundraising, it's Boca or Fort Lauderdale - particularly for her as a New York senator, with all the retirees," said John Belohlavek, a former Democratic political operative and now a University of South Florida political historian. "There are more center-to-left Democrats in those areas. Bay area Democrats tend to be center to right."

Clinton, however, was a "huge hit" in a packed 1998 appearance in Tampa, campaigning for Democratic candidate Buddy MacKay for governor before a largely female crowd, Belohlavek said. [Note from summer: MacKay lost the election.]

Ann Lewis, spokeswoman for Clinton's political action committee, HillPAC, said Clinton picked Tampa in part because it fit her schedule. She wouldn't elaborate on what other events it fit with.

"It's a great city and we love it," Lewis said. "You've got great Democrats in Tampa."

Tampa Rep. Jim Davis, running for governor, has a lunchtime event in West Palm Beach that day and can't attend, a spokesman said.

"Barring any scheduling conflict, of course we'll be there," said a spokesman for state Sen. Rod Smith, the other leading Democratic candidate for governor.

A spokesman for Sen. Bill Nelson, who's up for re-election, wasn't sure whether he'll attend. Nelson has a fundraiser with Clinton in Palm Beach the next day.

Raising money for state parties and other candidates is a typical activity for a politician considering a future run for president, because it builds political IOU's.

Clinton, however, won't discuss her 2008 plans, if any.

"She's focused on her 2006 re-election," said another HillPAC spokesma

[summer]

It's interesting Hillary Clinton has not been in Tampa since 1998 -- when Gov Jeb Bush beat Buddy MacKay in the governor's race, and Hillary campaigned for the losing candidate, MacKay.

Now, this is Gov Jeb Bush's last year in office, and he can't run again due to term limits -- and, Hillary is returning.

But the Dem candidates for governor don't seem so eager to be around her. One says he has a "scheduling conflict" and can't appear with the Dem Party's likely 2008 prez candidate?

And FL's incumbent Dem senator, Nelson, also up for re-election this year, says he is "not sure" if he can be in Tampa with Hillary?

Right now this sounds like a lukewarm reception, at best, for Hillary.

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

FYI.

[cgbg]

Ann Lewis says...

Ann, like Hillary, is a pathological liar.

If Ann said it was raining I would go outside and wait until I was soaked to the bone before I would believe her statement. :-)

[summer]

LOL...

[lizma]

Last night I wandered on to a campaign contribution website. Hill and Kennedy have managed to pull in a major junk of change here in Maryland.

[mewzilla]

She's not doing in it NYS because she knows how NYS voters, even some Dems, feel about her refusing to serve out her term if re-elected. Out of sight out of mind is what's she's thinking. Too bad about the internet, Hillie.

Smartest woman in America.

Snort!

[Fresh Wind]

Doesn't Janet still live in Florida? Hmmmm.

[IronManBike]

The appearance is somewhat unusual. Big-name Democrats hold more such events in South Florida, the home of larger numbers of wealthy party donors

Paula White's HUGH ministry is in Tampa.

Paula White has HUGH clout with the black "televangelist" T. D. Jakes and his swaying over to Mrs. Clinton make her success a fact in 2008!~

[dirtboy]

Howard Dean has shown he is a disaster for fundraising.

Meanwhile Hillary is quite good at it.

So the Clintonistas will tell the moonbats that, if they want the Dems to win the White House in 2008 and evict those EEEVIL Republicans, it's time for the adults Clintonistas to be in charge of the party machinery again.

[mewzilla]

Howard Dean has shown he is a disaster for fundraising.

FWIW, without an audit, I don't think we can say that with any certainty :)

[OldFriend]

I think I read that Dean established a 50 state infrastructure with the funds he raised.

Perhaps he has his own run for the presidency in mind.

[Crawdad]

They sent her because the dems are almost out of money.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Shes raised over 21 million already - for a Senate run?

When she was in CA last week the local dems were mad because she was milking money they wanted.

She will announce her Prez run soon. I hope someone has links to all her comments where she promised her party and NYers she would not run.

[summer]

Re your post #13 - You're right; there was a big news article about that recently.

[mewzilla]

Unless Dean is the one signing the checks, I doubt he'd be on top of the money situation. That'd be the treasurer, Tobias. In any case, I wouldn't take the DNC's word on their financials for anything. And if I were a donor, I'd demand an outside audit of the books (both sets) before I'd donate another darn dime.

[ken5050]

She's NOT going to the more liberal areas, because she faces a possible hostile reception..

[sport]

Good! The Republican candidates should make note of this and use it in their campaigns.

[rollo tomasi]

It's tax time and Hillary is just looking for donations to pay Bill and hers bills. That is all.

[connectthedots]

When she was in CA last week the local dems were mad because she was milking money they wanted.

Same thing happened in Oregon earlier this week; and she is keeping all the funds for herself.