WASHINGTON – Democrats are highlighting tonight’s 12,000-person fund-raiser as an affair for the people, but the cheapest ticket for the party’s more exclusive dinner last night was $250,000.
The dinner was attended by President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and 60 Democratic fat cats.
Thirty of them raised or gave $250,000, and 30 more ponied up $500,000, according to Dag Vega, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.
Yet Vega insisted, “The whole thing is casual. You won’t see limousines.”
While last night’s event took place at the downtown BET Jazz Club, tonight’s much bigger event – billed as a tribute to Clinton – will take place at the MCI Center, where the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals play.
The event is set to draw 12,000 people, including many who are getting in with the minimum $50 ticket. They’ll get to see Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Darrius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish, and country singer LeAnn Rimes. Robin Williams will be the emcee.
They’ll also get to watch Hillary Rodham Clinton pay tribute to her husband and introduce a video that praises him.
Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore are both set to attend tonight’s event – which is expected to raise $26 million, a record for a political fund-raiser.