Monday, 6/30/97 President promotes political awareness at
Saxophone Club meeting POLITICS: Clinton speaks about the
importance of getting youth involved
By Michelle Navarro Daily Bruin Contributor He’s young, he knows
how to spell potato and he has his own CD of saxophone tunes out in
stores. No, it’s not Branford Marsalis – but the President of the
United States, William Jefferson Clinton. With familiar ease,
attired in a blue shirt and yellow tie, Clinton strolled out on the
stage of Billboard Live! last Monday night. Greeting the audience,
he spoke to members of the Saxophone Club during a fund-raiser for
the Democratic National Committee . The evening began with the
casual mingling of the crowd – an assembly of several buzzing
conversations and plastic cups of white wine and margaritas with
lemon slices. The club was dimly lit, with the exception of the
spotlights aimed at the stage. Amidst a backdrop of stars and
stripes hung a sign that read "Democratic National Committee." To
the left of the stage sat a full, gleaming drum set, a couple of
guitars and several saxophones in anticipation of the President’s
arrival, who was expected to play but didn’t. Men dressed in suits,
wearing pins signifying their level of importance and various ear
communication devices, lurked throughout the club. Lively jazz
music played from the large speakers scattered around the club,
until one of two masters of ceremonies – comedian Paul Rodriguez –
stepped up to the lectern on center stage. "I am your ethnic
humorist for the evening," Rodriguez cracked, as he opened crumpled
pieces of notebook paper. "This is a fund-raiser. I have a
quarter," he offered, producing laughs from the audience. Clad in a
black leather jacket, Rodriguez joked about such topics as the
saxophone, calling it "one of the ugliest instruments ever made,
(that) looks like something under a sink," and about "aliens" –
both illegal and interstellar. He emphasized the gravity of
Clinton’s musical background and explained how it was significant
to his position. "It’s important for a president to be musical,"
Rodriguez said, "because it shows he has an appreciation for the
arts." Rodriguez then went on to introduce someone whom he called
"far more hilarious than myself," Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis.
Davis emerged from the folds of the curtains and walked over to the
podium. He greeted the audience and addressed the Saxophone Club,
dubbing it "a shining example of what the Democratic National
Committee is trying to do." The Saxophone Club, an organization
that started in 1992, was established in an attempt to get young
Democrats involved in politics. Davis discussed Clinton’s successes
pertaining to the country’s youth, especially in the area of
education and the cost of getting one. He stressed that making
education affordable would consequently permit more students to
attend college and ultimately improve the conditions of the
country. "All that stuff is not likely unless you go to college,"
Davis said. Davis also hinted at the possibility of a promotion in
his position – to governor of California. "I promise to be a
working partner, not a sparring partner," Davis said. Chelsea
Clinton’s decision to attend Stanford in the fall was touched on as
well. Davis said he was "happy to have a reason to bring the
president to California, time and time again." Almost an hour after
Davis spoke, the man of the moment arrived. Rodriguez re-entered
the scene, accompanied by fellow master of ceremonies, actor Kevin
Spacey, to stall for five minutes and introduce President Clinton.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the man you’ve been waiting for," announced
the hosts, as Clinton ambled out on stage, slapping hands with
Spacey while making his way to the microphone. With smiles, relaxed
gestures and that slow, Southern drawl, the president addressed the
Saxophone Club, as well as the state of California, saying that he
was proud of the fact that the Golden State supported him in both
elections. Clinton listed his achievements over the past five
years, in areas such as crime, employment, health care and
education. He said he envisioned a time "when every kid is 10 years
old," parents can say to them, "you will be able to go to college."
"We need to give the chance for people to fulfill their God-given
abilities," Clinton said. As the night progressed, Clinton brought
up the issue of race. He noted that Hawaii is the only state with
no racial majority, and added that California would soon join
Hawaii in that rank. The president asked the attentive crowd, "Can
we shed all the historic baggage? Can we get rid of those
psychological impulses (to separate ourselves)?" He pleaded with
them to transcend the differences among each other, and to realize
that "what we share is more important." Clinton closed with a
speech about remaining united. He said he was "sick of political
strategies that divide when we need to be united." "When someone is
cynical, say, ‘Compare how we are today to how it was then.’"
Clinton descended from the stage to the strains of "Closer to Free"
– the theme song of the TV show "Party of Five." Guarded by five
men, he shook hands with people in the crowd. Pushing and shoving,
everyone tried desperately to make their way to the front. A sea of
hands rose high, and engulfed the president as he went down the
line, through two additional songs – General Public’s "I’ll Take
You There," and Natalie Merchant’s "Wonder." A round of applause
followed Clinton on his way backstage, leaving the saxophone
untouched. Outside, the president’s motorcade whisked passed
cheering crowds and police cars, and the miniature flags on the
limousine flapped wildly in the wind. PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin Bill
Clinton speaks to members of the Saxophone Club in a meeting at
Billboard Live in Hollywood. Behind him stand Paul Rodriguez (left)
and Kevin Spacey. Previous Daily Bruin Story Clinton honors unity
after quake disaster, January 18, 95