American Spectator Online Prowler

Fits the Bill

If you close your eyes when you hear North Carolina Democratic Sen. John Edwards speak, he sounds like a dead ringer for Bill Clinton in all his Southern patois glory. Which is perhaps why the state Democratic Party in Arkansas declined to pay Clinton's way home to speak at its annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in early June, and invited Edwards instead.

Edwards is mulling a presidential run in 2004, and apparently views the dinner as an opportunity to see how his Southern good ol' boy shtick plays in a more conservative Southern state. "It's a good deal for Edwards," says an Arkansas Democratic Party source. "We wanted Clinton, but he wanted us to cover his expenses. He supposedly lives here for God sake. You'd think helping out the party to raise money would be something he'd do for nothing, but then maybe we still haven't learned our lesson from Clinton."

Two months ago, state party officials presented Clinton with a proposed full two-day "Welcome Home Bill" celebration. But Clinton declined to participate after the state party couldn't do more than pay basic expenses to get him home. Edwards was more than willing to sub for the same deal.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Answers

Clinton turns it down because he wants more than his basic expenses. Way to show the homefolks his true nature.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001