High-Priced Gladhand

Just off his recent war of words with Fox News, Bill Clinton has turned up in Dublin, and is leaving town with his pockets stuffed with cash. Not quite literally, but close enough.

While a lucky few (make that a wealthy few) nibbled canapes and guzzled champagne, the 42nd President of the USA delivered a thirty minute lecture on leadership. Not a word about Monica, by all accounts, and no one asked any nasty questions about being asleep at the wheel during some critical times. All were most pleasant guests, but at those prices...well, who'd misbehave?

According to the Irish Times, about 450 folks attended the fest, but of greater interest were the twenty or so who had a Private Audience with himself. After laying out 1000 Euro just to get a seat at a table, these Clinton fans shelled out an additional 3000 Euro, plus VAT, for the chance to be shuttled off to a side room where The Man shook their hand, said hello how d'ya do, and smiled for the camera. Well, for that kind of money you'd want evidence, wouldn't you? This is Christmas card material here, without a doubt.

To save a bit of money, or if you're not quite as rich as you wish you were, you could have pooled your resources with a group of ten and purchased a full table at 10,000 Euro (of course add in VAT, the government's going to get their cut), but then it would be the luck of the draw to see who among you was the one granted access to the Private Audience. Or you could skip the handshake and photo altogether and simply bask in the glory of breathing the same air as You-Know-Who, for the bargain price of 7500 Euro per table of ten.

Now, it you aren't so keen on meeting the former leader of the free world, you might have enjoyed mingling with some truly high-flying stars. Ryan Tubridy of RTE radio was there, along with a couple of Senators and former taoiseach Albert Reynolds. The Lord Mayor of Dublin was in attendance, along with builder Joe Cosgrave. For the ladies, there was the handsome Royston Brady, married to be sure, but a girl can look, can't she?

As for the speech, it was noted that Mr. Clinton was definitely exhausted by his whirlwind fundraising tour, but he carried on bravely through a thirty minute talk (given without notes) and a brief question and answer session. Oh, and the handshake and photo bit as well, he managed to please the twenty who can display their financial prowess to all the world with a lovely snapshot prominently positioned in the foyer. "Ah sure and it's Bill Clinton there with me" they can say when friends drop in for a cuppa. Such a portrait calls out for a gilt frame at the least.


How full were Mr. Clinton's pockets when he boarded the plane out of Dublin? I'll leave it to you to do the math.