The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> BIRTHDAY CATCH br> Bill Clinton spent his 56th birthday on Martha's Vineyard and the celebration was like a presidential homecoming for the old geezer. Old time loyalists such as Vernon Jordan mixed with celebrities like Carly Simon at a small gathering of friends. Locals were abuzz that Chelsea Clinton was on the island with a boy in tow, but no word on Sen. Hillary. "We were told she was there," says a Clinton Hill staffer. /p>

Clinton is said to have enjoyed the hamburgers and ribs he was served several times over. And who could blame Hillary if she wasn't there; she's been on the road, doing her best imitation of her husband in his fundraising glory days. DNC estimates place her as the Democrats' third-most prolific fundraiser after DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe and her husband. "On her own, she's probably raised several million dollars for her own political action committees and her campaign," says a DNC fundraiser. "But then add in the $10 million or so she's helped other candidates raise just by showing up at their events."

But for all of the dough she's helping rake in, it isn't as if she can bask in the spotlight. According to the DNC staffer, many Democratic candidates love to have her at events as a draw to tried and true lefty Democrats. But they are loath to promote her presence in the local press for fear of alienating moderate or swing voters. "She's still a lightning rod. Her popularity is growing, but not fast enough that she can be pictured with a moderate Democratic candidate in a local newspaper."

p> GRAY SKIES FROM NOW ON br> Insiders in Gov.

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Bill Clinton