Clinton Arrives in Area for Campaign Events

President Clinton arrived in Ventura County late Thursday, just hours after Republican vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp rolled through with his campaign bus caravan.

The president’s plane touched down about 9:30 p.m. at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, where Clinton spoke briefly to reporters before boarding a helicopter for a short trip to Santa Barbara.

Clinton posed briefly for photographers on the base’s tarmac, but did not speak to reporters. Federal regulations prohibit candidates from campaigning on military installations, said Cora Fields, base spokesperson.

Although the president’s brief visit was not open to the public, base personnel were enthusiastic, Fields said. “Everybody’s excited,” she said. “It makes you feel kind of important that the commander-in-chief is going to be here.”

Base officials are used to presidential visits, however. “We’ve played host to every president since Kennedy, but this is the first visit by President Clinton,” Fields said.

Clinton is scheduled to appear at Santa Barbara City College today for a joint campaign rally with Democrat Walter Capps, who is locked in a tight race with Rep. Andrea Seastrand (R-San Luis Obispo) to represent the 22nd Congressional District.