The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> THE BILL COMES DUE AGAIN br> British Prime Minister Tony Blair made much of the fact that his great pal former president Bill Clinton waived his speaking fee to present his views on the world to Labour Party loyalists in Blackpool, England. /p>

But Clinton, as always seems to be the case, never comes cheap. While it's true that he isn't charging the Labour Party his usual European rate of $125,000 (he charges less in the U.S. to get gigs), Clinton is traveling with a security staff and entourage that requires a full floor of the luxurious Imperial Hotel, and given the threat of terrorism, the rooms Clinton, the Secret Service and Clinton's staff and hangers-on occupied were paid for and blocked off from other users for a week of security checks and daily inspections.

"We're looking at well over a hundred thousand dollars in expenses," says a British journalist covering the event. "And that isn't even taking into account the $35,000 in extra police security for Clinton that the British people are paying out of pocket. Apparently being a Friend of Bill is a pricey matter."

Like Americans hadn't already figured that out.

As always, Bill's expenses, beyond the lodging, involve food, drink, entertainment and transportation, all of which are being covered by the Labour Party. And also as always seems to be the case, Bill's fun is limiting the pleasure of others. Labour had to cut back on the brands of booze and the per-plate cost of some meals because the cost of having Clinton's crew attend Blackpool had pushed the budget for the event past its $2.8 million limit.

p> MR. NO NEW TAX CUTS br> If nothing else, Treasury Secretary

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