ldoto
October 17th, 2005, 03:34 PM
All eyes on Clinton
Mon, October 17, 2005
The former U.S. president, in London today, remains a compelling figure, one observer says.
By KATE DUBINSKI, Free Press Reporter
Politics junkies desperate for a peek at Bill Clinton are out of luck if they don't have tickets. The former U.S. president won't make any public appearances during today's whirlwind visit to the Forest City.
But about 50 additional tickets will be released this morning for those still eager to see the 42nd president of the United States speak at the John Labatt Centre tonight about Canada-U.S. relations.
About 3,700 tickets for Clinton's speech -- priced at $86 and $100 -- sold out within a day of going on sale in August.
"He has that mixture of Southern charm and a robust mind that people find compelling, and even more so in the last five years under George W. Bush," said Andrew Johnston, co-director of the University of Western Ontario's Centre for American Studies.
"We can look at our relations with the U.S. with rose-coloured glasses now. (Canada's) perception is that because we like Bill Clinton more, we think our relations were better then."
Whether Clinton will address recent stresses on the two neighbours' relations, including softwood lumber, is anyone's guess, Johnston said.
But London's proximity to the U.S. border makes tonight's speech especially interesting for the city, Johnston said.
Clinton's speech in London is the kickoff to his Canadian tour, which also has appearances in Toronto and Calgary.
Anyone who didn't get a ticket but wants a glimpse of Clinton could stake out various routes from London International Airport to the JLC -- though the time of Clinton's arrival, and his travel route, are under wraps.
Clinton will travel in a motorcade from the airport, said Christian Darbyshire of tinePublic Inc., which together with McCreath Communications is putting on the Canadian-American Relations Conference where Clinton will speak.
The JLC, which has already been scouted by the Secret Service, has been sealed off since yesterday.
Secret Service agents have been in the city since last week and are believed to have attended the Judas Priest concert Saturday night.
After being whisked from the airport to the JLC -- security protocol prevents officials from divulging whether Clinton will make any stop along the way -- the former president will attend a private reception for 50 selected guests at 5 p.m. at the JLC.
Guests include Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco and London Health Sciences Centre president Tony Dagnone.
"I've never met a president before," DeCicco quipped last night.
"I've met our prime minister and former prime ministers and a couple of princes, but never a president. That's one of the greatest parts of this job, is meeting people who have so much influence."
DeCicco said she'd like to welcome the former president and leave a lasting impression of London.
"He is still very influential and when we're dealing with people in the future, I'd like to be able to say, 'Even the president feels welcome here.' This is about not only hosting a first-rate event, but also to know that community leaders value the relationship between Canada and the U.S."
At the black-tie optional reception, which includes some of sponsor CIBC Wood Gundy's investment clients, guests will snack on finger foods and drink wine.
The event's other speakers, former broadcaster Pamela Wallin, Canada's consul general in New York, deputy Conservative Leader Peter MacKay and the CBC's Susan Ormiston, the moderator, will also be in attendance.
A photographer will take pictures of Clinton with each of the guests, who have been screened by the Secret Service and will have to produce identification to get into the event, Darbyshire said.
Every national newspaper, television and radio station, as well as local and syndicated media, will be at the event, Darbyshire said.
"You can't do anyone more high-profile. It's a different level," he said.
Organizers quickly clam up when asked what they paid to have the former president speak, but public documents indicate Clinton commands an average of about $160,000 US for each engagement.
Tomorrow, Clinton will talk about leadership to up to 8,000 people paying between $329 and $1,295 to attend a day-long motivational event in Toronto.
Another 4,000 will hear him in Calgary at a similar event on Wednesday.
THE CONFERENCE
Details on tonight's Canadian- American Relations Conference at the John Labatt Centre in London:
- Bill Clinton is expected to speak for 45 to 60 minutes, beginning at 6 p.m.
- Clinton answers CBC's Susan Ormiston's questions about Canada-U.S. relations.
- Federal Deputy Conservative Leader Peter MacKay speaks.
- Canada's consul general in New York, Pamela Wallin, speaks.
- MacKay and Wallin take questions from Ormiston and the audience.
Mon, October 17, 2005
The former U.S. president, in London today, remains a compelling figure, one observer says.
By KATE DUBINSKI, Free Press Reporter
Politics junkies desperate for a peek at Bill Clinton are out of luck if they don't have tickets. The former U.S. president won't make any public appearances during today's whirlwind visit to the Forest City.
But about 50 additional tickets will be released this morning for those still eager to see the 42nd president of the United States speak at the John Labatt Centre tonight about Canada-U.S. relations.
About 3,700 tickets for Clinton's speech -- priced at $86 and $100 -- sold out within a day of going on sale in August.
"He has that mixture of Southern charm and a robust mind that people find compelling, and even more so in the last five years under George W. Bush," said Andrew Johnston, co-director of the University of Western Ontario's Centre for American Studies.
"We can look at our relations with the U.S. with rose-coloured glasses now. (Canada's) perception is that because we like Bill Clinton more, we think our relations were better then."
Whether Clinton will address recent stresses on the two neighbours' relations, including softwood lumber, is anyone's guess, Johnston said.
But London's proximity to the U.S. border makes tonight's speech especially interesting for the city, Johnston said.
Clinton's speech in London is the kickoff to his Canadian tour, which also has appearances in Toronto and Calgary.
Anyone who didn't get a ticket but wants a glimpse of Clinton could stake out various routes from London International Airport to the JLC -- though the time of Clinton's arrival, and his travel route, are under wraps.
Clinton will travel in a motorcade from the airport, said Christian Darbyshire of tinePublic Inc., which together with McCreath Communications is putting on the Canadian-American Relations Conference where Clinton will speak.
The JLC, which has already been scouted by the Secret Service, has been sealed off since yesterday.
Secret Service agents have been in the city since last week and are believed to have attended the Judas Priest concert Saturday night.
After being whisked from the airport to the JLC -- security protocol prevents officials from divulging whether Clinton will make any stop along the way -- the former president will attend a private reception for 50 selected guests at 5 p.m. at the JLC.
Guests include Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco and London Health Sciences Centre president Tony Dagnone.
"I've never met a president before," DeCicco quipped last night.
"I've met our prime minister and former prime ministers and a couple of princes, but never a president. That's one of the greatest parts of this job, is meeting people who have so much influence."
DeCicco said she'd like to welcome the former president and leave a lasting impression of London.
"He is still very influential and when we're dealing with people in the future, I'd like to be able to say, 'Even the president feels welcome here.' This is about not only hosting a first-rate event, but also to know that community leaders value the relationship between Canada and the U.S."
At the black-tie optional reception, which includes some of sponsor CIBC Wood Gundy's investment clients, guests will snack on finger foods and drink wine.
The event's other speakers, former broadcaster Pamela Wallin, Canada's consul general in New York, deputy Conservative Leader Peter MacKay and the CBC's Susan Ormiston, the moderator, will also be in attendance.
A photographer will take pictures of Clinton with each of the guests, who have been screened by the Secret Service and will have to produce identification to get into the event, Darbyshire said.
Every national newspaper, television and radio station, as well as local and syndicated media, will be at the event, Darbyshire said.
"You can't do anyone more high-profile. It's a different level," he said.
Organizers quickly clam up when asked what they paid to have the former president speak, but public documents indicate Clinton commands an average of about $160,000 US for each engagement.
Tomorrow, Clinton will talk about leadership to up to 8,000 people paying between $329 and $1,295 to attend a day-long motivational event in Toronto.
Another 4,000 will hear him in Calgary at a similar event on Wednesday.
THE CONFERENCE
Details on tonight's Canadian- American Relations Conference at the John Labatt Centre in London:
- Bill Clinton is expected to speak for 45 to 60 minutes, beginning at 6 p.m.
- Clinton answers CBC's Susan Ormiston's questions about Canada-U.S. relations.
- Federal Deputy Conservative Leader Peter MacKay speaks.
- Canada's consul general in New York, Pamela Wallin, speaks.
- MacKay and Wallin take questions from Ormiston and the audience.