Published: August 29, 2007 10:13 pm      

Bill Clinton to keynote dinner for West Virginia Democrats

A Clinton named Bill, not Hillary, is keynoting the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner for West Virginia Democrats in October, and a Republican leader says his opponents are asking too little for tickets, considering the former president’s drawing power.

In a news release, state Democratic Chairman Nick Casey lists floor tickets at $125, while those in the first-level seats will shell out $75 a ticket.

“I’m sure he’ll draw a capacity crowd,” state Republican Chairman Doug McKinney said Wednesday when apprised of the ex-president’s visit, set for Oct. 13 at the Charles-ton Civic Center.

“I’m surprised they didn’t jack up the prices. You could do that and still have a capacity crowd. That’s a real coup for Nick, isn’t it? And that’s all they’re charging? I would have thought they would ask for more. He usually gets over $100,000 for his speaking fees.”

In one recent year, McKinney reminded, the former president raked in some $8 million for speaking engagements.

Casey said Clinton accepted the invitation extended by Gov. Joe Manchin, who said he was “truly honored” the former president agreed to keynote the annual function for state Democrats.

“Any time we can get a former president who still enjoys such high popularity in our state, it is a positive thing,” the governor said.

“I join my fellow Democrats in welcoming President Clinton and look forward to his visit.”

Given the stature of a Clinton visit, after years of rejected invitations, Casey said the Democrats expect to break attendance records by packing more than 2,000 party faithful into the civic center.

“We feel very fortunate that he has accepted the invitation this year and we are confident that we will have a great crowd,” the chairman said.

“Democrats won’t want to miss this event.”

While applauding Clinton’s capacity for bringing out an audience, McKinney was critical of both the former president and wife Hillary, a frontrunning candidate to succeed President Bush. Last year, the Democrats were entertained by Sen. Barack Obama, now a Clinton rival in the race for the White House.

“I don’t put anything past that couple,” the GOP leader said. “They have hoodwinked the American public the past 15 years. I wouldn’t put anything past them.”

— E-mail: mannix@

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