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Clinton Fatigue on the Rise
- by Amanda B. Carpenter — 10-29-2006 @ 12:16 PM
This year alone Mr. Clinton has raised $7.3 billion for his various social causes. Mrs. Clinton's Senate re-election campaign has cashed in more than $49 million. Now, some of their friends say they are starting to feel "Clintoned out."
The New York Times spoke with one of their donors, who would not be named, who said he was bowing out of extravagant fundraising events hosted by the Clintons this weekend because he was "Clintoned out."
The source said their financial solicitations were ''absolutely endless.''
The Clintons show no signs of easing up. 'I only wish the weekend cost more, because the more money, the more good work the president can do,'' said Mark Weiner, one of the event's honorary hosts.
Although Bill's birthday was August 19th, weekend events were billed as a 3-day celebration of his 60th birthday. In reality, the events were scheduled much closer to Hillary's 59th on October 26th. Her milestone was only marked with a Thursday evening dinner reception. Tickets to celebrate her 59th were sold for $1,000 each.
Another anonymous donor told the New York Observer he was getting too much financial pressure from the Clintons. He said, "I'm on Clinton overload. I'm not really wanting to do this. I've been tight with the Clintons for many years, but I'm beginning to feel used."
Money raised from Hillary's reception Thursday went to her Senate campaign, while funds from weekend events went to Bill's foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative.
Here's what access money could buy to the Clintons over the past few days.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH,$1,000: One ticket to Manhattan's Tavern on the Green to celebrate Mrs. Clinton's 59th birthday.
SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 28TH, A $100,000 contribution, or raised $250,000 from others: four brunch tickets to the French eatery, Pastis. Four reserved seats were staked out for large donors.
SATURYDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 29TH: Dinner at the Museum of Natural History. Donors who gave $100,000 got four tickets to the meal with "platinum seating." Some donors were only given "gold seats," which the New York Observer called the "the up-market Clinton version of the nosebleed section at Madison Square Garden."
SUNDAY MORNING OCTOBER 29TH: Patrons who gave $500,000 or raised $250,000 were permitted to bring one person to New Jersey's Bayonne Golf Club to participate in a tournament with the former president.
SUNDAY EVENING OCTOBER 29TH :Donors that kicked in $500,000 received the "Birthday Chair Package" with "platinum seating" at the Museum of Natural History, a backstage pass and dinner with Mr. Clinton at the Rolling Stones concert. Package included one picture with the former president.
**London's Daily Mail found that when the Clintons found themselves with the "looming possibility" of empty chairs at their events, prices were slashed at the last minute. Daily Mail reported that tickets for one reception and the Rolling Stones Concert were reduced to $12,000 or $5,000 just to attend the concert.
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