Clinton eager to take on Republicans at upcoming convention

EDGARTOWN, Massachusetts (Reuters) -- President Clinton arrived on Martha's Vineyard Friday for an extended weekend of playing and politicking and said he was eager to take on the Republicans after their party convention this week.

"Next week it's our turn, I'm looking forward to it," Clinton told reporters covering his arrival at the upscale Massachusetts resort island.

Clinton walks down the stairway of Air Force One with the first lady and daughter Chelsea upon their arrival at Martha's Vineyard

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, daughter Chelsea and dog Buddy travelled with the president aboard Air Force One. The first family trooped off the plane to greet a small crowd awaiting their arrival, including longtime friend Vernon Jordan and Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Clinton brushed off repeated attempts by reporters to get him to comment on Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush's acceptance speech in Philadelphia Thursday, evidently saving his reaction for a fund-raising speech set for later in the evening.

In a series of fund-raising events over the next few days, Clinton was expecting to raise nearly $1.33 million -- $525,000 for his wife's campaign for the New York Senate seat and $800,000 for Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

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The president travelled to nearby Nantucket Island Friday evening to speak at a fund-raising event for Mrs. Clinton's Senate campaign.

Although Clinton has played a low-key public role in the campaign to find his successor, he has been using his frequent fund-raising speeches to deliver a detailed case for Vice President Al Gore's presidential quest and for the Democratic party in general.

He also has been trying out ideas for his speech to the Democratic convention in Los Angeles on August. 14, the first day of the event.

His appearance in Nantucket was the first of four in the state this weekend. On Saturday he is to speak at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, raising money for Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

Clinton is to take part in two more fund-raising events Sunday for Mrs. Clinton on Martha's Vineyard before returning to Washington Monday.

Clinton's traditional Martha's Vineyard vacation is being cut short this year due to election-year demands. Instead, he is expected to spend two more extended weekends in New York in coming weeks, relaxing and campaigning with his wife.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Friday, August 4, 2000

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• Bush, Cheney take campaign through 'swing' states
  
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• Clinton eager to take on Republicans at upcoming convention
  
• Returning to campaign, Gore blasts GOP convention
  
• Clinton to veto GOP tax cut for married couples
  
• U.S. senators seek free-trade pact with Egypt
  
• Clinton schedules brief visit to Colombia
  
• Lance Morrow: Bush throws Gore a stinging fastball
  
• Dubya tears down the wall between himself and the voter
  
• Tongue pain to keep Gerald Ford in hospital longer
  
• GOP nomination in hand, Bush prepares to take on Gore
  
• Gore campaign: Bush acceptance speech 'short on substance'
  
• Clinton to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to 15
  

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