BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
President Clinton is returning to Cincinnati Sept. 17 for a reprise of a fund-raiser at the home of lawyer Stanley M. Chesley that raised nearly $1 million for Democratic coffers.
But unlike in March, Roxanne Qualls, the Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District, may not be on the tarmac to greet Air Force One.
"We don't know if we are going or not," Qualls campaign spokeswoman Beth Davidson said Tuesday. "It may conflict with something already on our schedule." She couldn't immediately identify the scheduling
conflict.
Mr. Chesley, a longtime Clinton supporter who has helped raise millions for the Democratic Party in recent years, said he was asked by the White House to hold a fund-raiser here. Proceeds would probably go to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
In March, Mr. Chesley hosted a dinner in a heated tent in the back yard of his Amberley Village home. About 100 people donated about $1 million to help the Democratic National Committee pay off its multimillion-dollar debt.
This time, Mr. Chesley said, the president will attend a luncheon event that will be "considerably smaller."
Mr. Chesley said he does not know how many people will be invited or how much they will be asked to give.
When Mr. Clinton came to Cincinnati in March, he was denying allegations about a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Since then, the story has exploded, with Mr. Clinton testifying this month before a federal grand jury and admitting on national television that he had an "improper relationship" with Ms. Lewinsky.
Mr. Clinton's poll numbers on his job performance have remained high, but there have been an increasing number of calls for him to resign, and he could face an impeachment investigation if independent counsel Kenneth Starr tells Congress there is reason to think Mr. Clinton has broken the law.
Ms. Qualls' opponent, incumbent Republican Steve Chabot, is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, which would be the first to receive an impeachment report.
Ms. Qualls, encouraged by Mr. Clinton to run for Congress, had a prominent role in the March visit.
The Cincinnati mayor went on board Air Force One after it pulled onto the tarmac at Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky International Airport, and she was photographed walking down the ramp from the plane with the president. She also rode with him in the motorcade to Mr. Chesley's home.
Ms. Qualls also benefited from a fund-raising visit last month by Hillary Rodham Clinton.
But it does not appear Ms. Qualls will have quite so high a profile on this presidential visit.
Ms. Davidson said the Qualls campaign was aware of the presidential visit but said there has been no decision on whether to attend.
When asked whether the campaign was trying to distance itself from the president, Ms. Davidson would say only, "No, we're not."
Mr. Chesley said he is still an enthusiastic supporter of the president.
"I'm with the people and the polls on this," Mr. Chesley said. "He has been a great president; he is a great friend, and I am proud to have him here."
