Bill Clinton To Visit McLean to Raise $$$ for Dems

McLean has lots of important guests dropping in to help Democrats and Republicans raise money this election year, including former President Bill Clinton.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday morning that Clinton would headline a fundraiser Oct. 28 at the McLean home of Terry McAuliffe for Virginia Democratic senate candidates.

McAuliffe is the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and personal friends with the Clintons. He chaired Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. McAuliffe ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2009 and looks might like he may be thinking about running again.

"Republicans are aggressively fighting to take control of the Senate, where Democrats hold a fragile 22 to 18 majority. They already are ahead in recruiting and fundraising," the Post reported. If the GOP picks up just two seats, the party would seize control because a Republican — Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling — presides over the Senate, the Post said.

McAuliffe confirmed the Clinton visit, writing on Facebook: Proud to join President Clinton in support of Virginia Democrats to help preserve our majority in the State Senate!

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb stopped by Chuck and Lynda Robb's Chain Bridge Road home Tuesday night on behalf of Pam Danner, the Democrat running for the House of Delegates seat now held by Republican Barbara Comstock.

Wednesday. Susan Allen, wife of Republican senatorial candidate George Allen stops by McLean on Wednesday for a "meet and greet" for Caren Merrick, a McLean businesswoman who is vying for the open 32nd district seat against Democrat Barbara Favola of Arlington. Merrick and Allen will attend the private gathering at the Langley home of Margie Warrell, a coach and author. 

Then Merrick and Allen head off to Back to School night at Langley High School. Parents will be seeing a lot of candidates at back to school nights this election year.

The 32nd district now includes much of Arlington, McLean, Great Falls and a bit of Loudoun County.

Thursday. McAuliffe hosts a wine tasting for business leaders at his Tysons Corner office as a fundraiser for Danner.

Sept. 22. Lt. Gov. Bob Bolling appears at a Great Falls fundraiser for Barbara Comstock.

Sept. 27. Gov. Bob McDonnell stops by the Langley home of Bobbie and Bill Kilberg to headline a fundraiser for Comstock. Kilberg is the president & CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the largest technology council in the nation.

Tuesday night, McAuliffe said Clinton's visit was "the only political event on (the former president's) calendar" this fall.

"Obviously keeping control of the Senate here in Virginia is very important. Bill Clinton's coming does show that importance," he said.

"What happenes here is important leading" into the 2012 election, McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe was among more than 100 donors who gathered at the home of Chuck and Lynda Robb on Tuesday. Chuck Robb is a former governor and U.S. senator from Virginia. Lynda Robb is the daughter of former President Lyndon Johnson and his wife Ladybird.

"This is the Democrats' best opportunity in the Commonwealth to pick up a seat," he said. "This is a Democrat-performing district," he said. The Republicans changed the district's lines earlier this year to make it more Republican.

Lynda Robb and Danner explained that their families have been friends for years. Two of their daughters met at Franklin Sherman Elementary School and have been friends ever since. Danner's daughter is now a lieutenant commander serving in the Middle East. Robb's daughter now teaches and coaches at Langley High School, her alma mater.

Jennifer Robb baked cupcakes for the fundraiser, Lynda Robb told the gathering.

Others attending the fundraiser included former Dranesville Supervisor Lilla Richards. Retiring state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple. Barbara Favola, the Democrat who is running against Republican Caren Merrick to replace Whipple in the 32nd Senate District, and Margi Vanderhye, who formerly held the seat that Danner now seeks.

Can't wait to see who'll visit McLean in October.