Democrats: The $1,000 Understanding

With their party’s National Committee $800,000 in debt, Democrats had to think big. The $100-a-plate fund-raising dinner, invented almost 30 years ago by Pennsylvania’s Matt McCloskey, seemed obsolescent. So Democratic party leaders decided to celebrate the second anniversary of President Kennedy’s inaugural with a big show at Washington’s National Guard Armory, preceded by a dinner at the New International Inn. Tickets to the show were a piddling $100—but those for the dinner drew down no less than $1,000.

What was the incentive to fork over $1,000? It certainly wasn’t the food:

Avocado Pear Neptune

Hearts of Celery—Queen Olives

Green Turtle Soup Amontillado—Cheese Sticks

Filet of English Sole, Glacée Véronique

Broiled Tomato with French Peas

Hearts of Palm Salad—Boston Lettuce

Cherry Blossom International

Demitasse

Perhaps a better explanation of the incentive to attend could be found in the experience of the Washington representative of a New York business firm. Having a lonely luncheon a few days ago in Washington’s Paul Young’s restaurant, a favorite New Frontier hangout, he was approached by a Democratic National Committee staffer. The staffer suggested that the businessman might enjoy paying $1,000 for a dinner ticket. Asked the businessman: “Why in the world would I want to do that?” Well, there were several reasons. For one thing, all contributors would be invited to a big do at the White House some time this year. For another, all those who attended would get a gold-engraved card signifying that they were members of “The President’s Club.” Much more important, the National Committee planned to set up a special “liaison office.” and if holders of “The President’s Club” cards “have any little problems, you’ll have this central listening point.”

Into the Side Room. Such enticements drew some 600 people to the International Inn’s chandeliered Federal Room. To make things merrier, there were baskets filled with miniature Scotch and bourbon bottles on each table; there was sherry in and with the soup, a ’59 Pouilly-Fuisse with the fish, champagne with the dessert (which was soaked in Cherry Heering). and cognac with the coffee. The guests included not only the Washington regulars—like Mike Mansfield and Hubert Humphrey—but a large assortment of out-of-towners. Among those present was the New York Yankees’ outfielder Mickey Mantle, happily admitting: “I paid the thousand.”

The President, accompanied by Jackie, who was stunning in a gown with a white satin skirt and a raspberry beaded top, arrived later than most of their guests, went table-hopping for an hour. Not until most of the diners were leaving did Jack and Jackie retire to a side room for their own meal.

Hanging On. After dinner, the whole party moved over to the armory, where 6,000 contributors had turned out to see a splendid show, organized by Broadway-Composer Richard Adler. The huge hall was happily decorated with 4,000 red. white and blue balloons, and there were plenty of Kennedys for the guests to gander at. M.C.s Gene Kelly and Kirk Douglas mixed wisecracks (said Douglas, “I’ve heard a rumor that a movie is to be made about Brother Edward, to be called ‘I Was a Teen-Age Senator’ “) with tributes to the President, and introduced a parade of first-rate entertainers. Yves Montand sang his French songs, Spain’s Antonio danced with his flamenco ballet company, George Burns and Carol Channing joked. Comedienne Carol Burnett called the President “a regular pussycat.” The big hit of the show was the New York City Ballet, doing excerpts from Stars and Stripes.

Around midnight, the President himself closed the show with a few words, noting the history of the $100 dinner. “We have revolutionized that by removing the dinner.” he joked, “but we are hanging on to the $100.” Then the celebrators went home, having contributed more than $1,000,000 and thereby put the Democratic National Committee comfortably back in the black for the first time since 1952.