Sanchez Agrees to Move Fundraiser

Aug. 12 -- Bowing to pressure from partyleaders, California Rep. Loretta Sanchez agreed Friday to move a DemocraticNational Convention-week fund-raiser from the Playboy Mansion to aless controversial location.

The controversial party will now be held at Universal Studios. In exchange for the move, party officials restored the California lawmaker’sspeaking slot at the convention, which begins Monday.

“To continue to dwell on where our event is held, and whethermy role as a DNC officer conflicts with my role at a party for agood cause, frankly makes no sense,” Sanchez said in a statement.“The only real party I am interested in is a party that representsreal people, with real needs. That party is the Democratic Party.”

The fund-raising flap has ruffled feathers at a time when the Democratic presidential candidate, Al Gore, has been hoping to stress the issue of moral values.

On Thursday, Democratic National Committee chairman Joe Andrew had withdrawn Sanchez’ speakingassignment and threatened to remove her from her position as a DNC co-chair.

“I’m glad that by working together we were able to come up witha suitable location for her fund-raiser,” Andrew said in a statement that belied weeks of bitternegotiations.

Not About PlayboySanchez told NBC that Tuesday’s planned Hispanic voter-drivefund-raiser “has never been about the Playboy mansion. It’s beenabout putting on a good event and raising money.”

She said if another venue could be found to attract donors with“that kind of cachet … it’s quite possible we could put itsomeplace else.”

Gore also said Friday he supported the party’s decision to distanceitself from the event — and from Sanchez, a staunch supporter —despite his own acceptance of campaign money from Playboy magazineexecutives, including Hugh Hefner.

“It’s apples and oranges,” Gore said.