Sen. Hillary Clinton to headline South Florida fund-raisers

KEN THOMAS Associated Press

WESTON, Fla. - New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton implored Florida Democrats Saturday to remain vigilant during the upcoming fall elections - and remember the lessons of 2000.

"Next time we open the polls in November, we're going to show the world that Florida will not be deprived again of having the right to have every vote counted," Clinton told about 1,000 people at a Broward County Democratic Party reception, which was expected to bring in about $100,000.

The former first lady thanked Broward County Democrats for supporting her husband during his two terms in the White House and "doing your best to elect Al Gore in 2000."

"In the upcoming election in November, there is no place in America where the eyes of the world will be fixed more than right here in South Florida."

Clinton criticized the Bush administration for its handling of the economy, stewardship of the environment and overseeing of health care and education.

She said the White House mistakenly offered tax cuts instead of adequately funding programs critical to middle class families.

"When Bill and I were told we were going to get a huge tax cut, we had no idea George Bush wanted to take such good care of us in our post White House years," she quipped.

Clinton said she worries that Florida and other states could experience additional problems on Election Day, raising concerns that computerized voting machines do not produce paper ballots.

"It won't be worrying about hanging chads, it will be worrying about whether nor not we were given a straight count," she said.

Clinton saluted retiring Sen. Bob Graham and urged the party faithful to support the eventual nominees for president and U.S. senator.

"We have to do common things uncommonly well," U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek told party members in Miami, urging a strong voter registration drive and turnout efforts in November.

Party members said they expect an energized electorate during the upcoming elections.

"This party is just hungry," said former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor. "They really want to prove something in this election."

Clinton spoke later in the evening at a dinner to benefit the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, which was also expected to bring in about $100,000.

The author of last year's best seller, "Living History," is one of the most sought-after speakers on the Democratic circuit and a prolific fund-raiser.

Clinton anticipated adding to her account Sunday for her expected re-election campaign in 2006. A brunch at the home of Miami attorney Ira Leesfield expected to raise about $100,000 and an afternoon gathering at the home of Miami attorney Chris Korge was bringing in at least $50,000.

"People are very anxious to see her - they're bringing their books to have her sign," Leesfield said.

The New York senator planned to help canvass a neighborhood in Miami Lakes later in the day, registering new voters with the nonprofit organization Voices for Working Families. She was wrapping up her itinerary with an address to a women's business conference in Boca Raton.