Clinton Helps Party Out-Raise GOP

WASHINGTON — Even as he prepares to leave office, President Clinton is a strong money magnet. He helped raise half of the $26 million the Democratic National Committee took in during the first three months of the year.

Thanks to Clinton’s fund-raising, Democrats out-raised the Republican National Committee from January to March and began April with more than $21 million in the bank, its largest amount ever, according to general chairman Ed Rendell. At this time four years ago, the party had $5 million in its account, compared with $12 million for the Republicans.

Since the party has $3 million in debt, Democrats have about $18 million to spend--the same as the RNC, which reported Thursday that it had raised $24 million in the first quarter.

Since Jan. 1, 1999, the RNC has raised more than $82 million, while Democrats have brought in about $66 million. Both parties are expected to spend millions on advertising in support of their presumptive presidential nominees: Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the Republican; and Vice President Al Gore.

With Bush headlining its annual black-tie gala on April 26, the GOP expects to bring in a record-shattering $15 million in one night.

Both Clinton and Gore are scheduled to appear at an April 15 California fund-raiser co-hosted by Hollywood moguls David Geffen and Steven Spielberg, and an April 24 event in New York. The affairs are expected to raise $4 million.