Clinton Hits Fund-Raising Trail for California Democrats

In the middle of his six-city, three-day, money-raising tour, President Clinton rubbed elbows with wealthy donors Saturday in San Diego and Beverly Hills in an effort to boost prospects for Democratic candidates in the fall elections.

The main event of the day was a star-studded $1.5-million fund-raiser at the Beverly Hills mansion of Haim Saban, who runs Fox Family Worldwide Inc. and produces children’s television shows such as the “Power Rangers in Space.”

Madonna, actress Mimi Rogers, Motown founder Barry Gordy and director/producer Rob Reiner were among the Hollywood luminaries who stopped in at the $5,000-per-person dinner. Democratic candidate for governor Gray Davis, Sen. Barbara Boxer and congressional candidates Janice Hahn and Barry Gordan also attended.

En route to Saban’s house, the president’s motorcade passed a few small groups of demonstrators holding signs both supporting and attacking the president--and one person dressed as a cigar.

Although the president has been determined not to focus on his political and legal troubles stemming from his affair with former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky, one of his hosts made it difficult for him to avoid the subject.

Introducing the president at an afternoon fund-raiser, Bill Lerach, a wealthy San Diego lawyer, thanked his guests for coming and donating $10,000 per couple, despite the “troubled waters” in Washington.

“It’s time for Democrats . . . to stand up against an ugly witch hunt to drive from office one of the best and most popular presidents in history,” said Lerach, who sponsored an unsuccessful ballot initiative in 1996 to make it easier to pursue securities fraud suits in state courts.

Lerach directly addressed the president’s problems, which most other supporters have only hinted at in public settings.

“Mr. President, don’t have a broken spirit,” Lerach said. “Don’t resign. Don’t quit. You stay there and you fight.”

Clinton expressed appreciation for the emotional declaration of support but tried to change the subject quickly to the November elections, which are shaping up as a referendum on his presidency.

“I cannot tell you how much it means to me, not so much as a president but as a person, what you’ve said to me,” Clinton said to the 40 couples at Lerach’s house. “But there’s something far bigger than all of us at stake here.”

As the president’s motorcade made its way from Marine Corps Air Station Mirmar to the posh Rancho Sante Fe suburb of San Diego, Clinton was greeted by clusters of demonstrators, some supporters and some opponents. He was welcomed with signs bearing encouraging slogans like: “San Diego is Clinton Country,” and then scorned by others with searing slogans like: “If the Dress Won’t Bleach, You Must Impeach,” “It’s the law stupid,” and “Fire the Liar.”

In both speeches, Clinton stressed that the election should not be about his personal difficulties but instead about the issues that America cares about, such as reforming Social Security and regulating HMOs.

“We believe elections should be about the people that live outside Washington . . . , “ Clinton said in Rancho Sante Fe.

The president’s draw for the day was expected to be $2.35 million for Democratic candidates.

Clinton was met at the airport by the family of Los Angeles police officer Filbert H. Cuesta, 26, who was fatally shot Aug. 9 as he sat in his patrol car in Southwest Los Angeles. Clinton had phoned Cuesta’s widow, Sylvia, to offer his condolences after the tragedy.

After spending the night in Los Angeles, the president was scheduled to fly to Texas today for two fund-raisers for gubernatorial candidate Garry Mauro. He was expected to raise a total of $1 million for Mauro’s long-shot effort to defeat Texas Gov. George W. Bush.