http://www.msnbc.com/news/342444.asp

At White House, Party Worries High

Dec. 7  The first family is fretting that its millennium bash might be a bust. A well-placed Washington insider says the Clintons are worried that their much ballyhooed New Years party at the Lincoln Memorial will suffer from poor attendance.

THE EVENT WILL be hosted by Will Smith and will feature a short film by Steven Spielberg. Other celebs expected include Tricia Yearwood, Jessye Norman, Robert Duvall and Kathleen Battle. Tom Jones and Aretha Franklin, who were scheduled to be in a now-cancelled big-ticket event in New York City, are said to be talking to the Clintons about performing at the gala. Calls to the events publicists werent returned.

They have some big names expected, but a lot of these millennium events are looking like duds so theyre nervous, says the source, who says various members of the first family have really been pleading with friends and associates to attend. Especially after the event in New York was cancelled  Hillary sees this almost as a popularity event; her versus Rudy.

-- Oy (la@lala.land), December 07, 1999

Answers

That just about sews it up -- our Leaders are clueless idiots stuck in a Jr. High mentality of party popularity.

-- infomagic was wrong (it@willbe.worse), December 07, 1999.

I was invited but said: "NO WAY"

-- Porky (Porky@in.cellblockD), December 07, 1999.

Aw shucks. Guess I'm not on the "A" list. I don't have an invite in MY mailbox......

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 07, 1999.

they have to hold it, because they need to get all those supplies and generators downtown for the rollover.

-- tt (cuddluppy@nowhere.com), December 07, 1999.

Oy,

We talk about the government and their draconian plans during/after rollover and then this. These people are simply arrogantly clueless. Two of the supposedly smartest people in the universe squabbling about partying when so much is on the line. They're just clueless that's all.

-- PJC (paulchri@msn.com), December 07, 1999.

In Klintoon's appearances at certain locations where there are large numbers of military personnel involved, they are DIRECTED to attend the event. It's something that goes back to LBJ's days in office: "Soldier, go stand on the curb and wave at LBJ's limo." These days it's more a case of making a good photo backdrop.

Wanna bet that if paying attendees aren't available that there are gonna be a lot of short haircuts out among the crowd? There ARE an awful lot of military personnel in the DC area you know.

WW, who turned down several invites to go be part of Klintoon's inauguration crowd.

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), December 07, 1999.

If only I were a young attractive intern! I'll bet that no woman invited will be allowed to wear a navy blue dress.

-- Rich (rubeliever@webtv.net), December 07, 1999.

I hadn't thought of that...if no one shows up, it could be one of the best possible outcomes! At least no one will be cought out on a problem night!

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 08, 1999.