Politics

Democrats fundraise at Hillary’s swanky house as government shuts down

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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WASHINGTON — While Washington, D.C. braced Monday evening for the federal government to shut down, Hillary Clinton hosted rich, connected, powerful Democrats at her swanky northwest D.C. home to raise money for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

Terry McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

“Good to see everybody!” McAuliffe said before being driven away from Clinton’s home in a black SUV on Monday night.

Terry McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

The Democratic nominee for governor declined to answer questions from The Daily Caller about the Virginians likely to be furloughed in a government shutdown. An estimated 150,000 Virginians are likely to be affected.

Despite the shutdown threat, a Who’s Who of national Democrats (and a deer) still attended the fundraiser at the invitation of the former secretary of state, first lady and likely 2016 presidential candidate.

Deer At McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

Clinton was not seen by press and protesters standing outside her house. But guests spotted by The Daily Caller included McAuliffe; Democratic strategists Paul Begala and James Carville;

Paul Begala McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

former Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist;

Charlie Crist McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

Hillary Clinton aide and wife of Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin;

Huma Abedin McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

Media Matters CEO David Brock;

David Brock Media Matters McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

and liberal activist John Podesta.

John Podesta McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

“Oh, it was exciting,” Carville told The Daily Caller as he left the party. “It was thrilling. It was everything you could ever hope for and more.”

James Carville McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

Asked what Hillary said during the party, Carville said: “She said Terry McAuliffe was a great guy.”

And what did McAuliffe say? “He said Hillary Clinton was a great woman,” Carville said with a laugh.

Dozens of black town cars and Tahoes lined the street of Clinton’s home during the party. About a half dozen valet parking attendants were in attendance. Signs reading “Notice, Private Property, No Trespassing” were posted on the fence.

The event was designed to raise money for McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman and Clinton family friend, in his race against Virginia Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Terry McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

Asked what Clinton focused her remarks on Monday night, another guest told TheDC: “She just talked about Terry.” Applause could be heard several times from outside the house.

Charlie Crist Terry McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

Two college-aged protesters, sent by the Republican Party of Virginia, stood outside the the nicely manicured front yard holding signs that read, “Where is Tony Rodham?” Rodham is Hillary Clinton’s brother who has been involved in the controversy over McAuliffe’s former electric company GreenTech.

ND8_7602
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

The buzz at the party was that guests were leaving Clinton’s three story brick home — which shares a street with the Brazilian and Danish embassies — to attend an after party hosted by Begala and Carville at former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockart’s home.

Protesters Terry McAuliffe Fundraiser
(Grae Stafford/The Daily Caller)

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