Fund-Raising Machinations Don’t Belong in White House

President Clinton was at least a little right when he said at his press conference Tuesday that it was a mistake to have both the regulated and their regulator--big bankers and the federal comptroller of the currency--at a White House coffee last May arranged by the Democratic National Committee. But he should have gone further and acknowledged that it is not seemly to hold such political functions in the White House at all.

While the president says it is important for him to meet with and listen to Americans--and it is--this was a blatantly political forum. Also present were the Democratic national chairman and the party’s top fund-raiser. Chances are they weren’t there to talk about banking.

The guests included executives of banks that had given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the party in the past and, more to the point, were to give even more in the future.

This coffee got particular attention because the comptroller was present. But there were many such coffees arranged by the DNC at the White House to thank past contributors and to woo future ones.

Nothing was asked and nothing was given, Clinton protested, declaring that “nobody buys a guaranteed result, nor should they ever.” That’s not the point. When big-time political contributors are asked what they expect for their money, they insist that it’s not some specific quid pro quo. Rather, they say, “What we’re buying is access.”

Access is the key. Getting in the door is the goal. And being inside the White House, sitting down face to face over latte with the president of the United States, is the ultimate access.

The implicit message to the comptroller and to any other federal official is that this person is important to the president. If he or she calls later, one would do well to take the call and listen carefully. Non-contributor calls get through too, but would you want to bet that they get the same vigorous response?

The president is the chief of government and the head of his political party. It would be naive to believe that the two functions never mix. They are inseparable. Political supporters have been invited to White House functions since the beginning of the republic. That and jobs are the rewards of the political system.

Technically, nothing illegal occurred, administration officials insist. That is not good enough. The perception is that the president and party officials used the White House, the seat of executive power, as a lair for a sleazy fund-raising scheme. Sadly, in this case perception comes close to reality.

The underlying problem is the insatiable appetite of modern political campaigns for cash. Clinton reiterated Tuesday that the immediate solution is to pass the McCain-Feingold campaign reform bill. On that point, he got it exactly right.