Palisadian Offers Inside Look at Hillary Clinton Fundraiser in Riviera

By ALEXANDRIA BORDAS | Reporter

Dayna Bochco and her husband, legendary television producer Steven Bochco, co-hosted one of the most exclusive events in all of Southern California on Thursday, May 7 – one of the first fundraisers for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Preparations for the anticipated arrival of a potential future President of the United States included setting up approximately 30 tables with centerpieces of purple statice flowers in the couple’s lush backyard, according to Dayna Bocho, who spoke to the Palisadian-Post about the event.

The private fundraiser for the former U.S. Secretary of State raised over $800,000 for the Hillary For America campaign.

An estimated 200-plus guests paid $2,700 per person to enjoy a luncheon that included a speech by Clinton and an introduction by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

The Bochco couple has hosted multiple fundraisers for high-profile politicians before, including one for Senator Boxer that First Lady Michelle Obama attended.

Bochco told the Palisadian-Post what made this fundraiser for Clinton particularly special was the emotional aspect.

“Senator Boxer’s opening was so personal and positively emotional, which you don’t normally get at most fundraisers,” Bochco said.

She added, “Everyone was teary-eyed and excited from her opening remarks because it revealed Hillary’s deep connection to her mother, which is rare to hear her talk about.”

Many Palisadians attended the event to show their united support for Clinton at the Bochco couple’s gracious Riviera home.

According to Bochco, Clinton’s speech was heartfelt and powerful, expanding on the “four fights” that are the centerpiece of her political platform: building the economy of tomorrow, not yesterday; strengthening families and communities; fixing our dysfunctional political system; and protecting our country from threats.

Guests who later spoke to the Palisadian-Post said Clinton opened her speech saying she is running for President because of her granddaughter Charlotte.

“She said she wants to make sure all the babies born the same day as Charlotte will have the same opportunities that she will fight to give her granddaughter,” said one Palisadian.

Another local resident who attended the event said she believed Clinton would stay true to her promises and take the Oval Office by storm.

“Certainly other countries have embraced female leaders and the U.S. is a rare exception in that aspect. But I believe she will win and will be a terrific president,” Bochco said.

Additional co-chairs for the fundraiser included Palisadians Sim Farar, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, and his wife Debra Farar, Board of Trustees for California State University; as well as Palisadian power couple Howard Gordon, producer of 24 and Homeland, and Cami Gordon, a writer and environmental activist.

Congressman Ted Lieu of the 33rd District was also spotted at the event.

Bochco said attendees enthusiastically spoke of the need for a strong woman to take office.

“My mother always said that if the world was run by women it would be a better place, and I am so happy to have lived to this point in my life where I have experience with that and it’s true,” she said. “It is such an honor to be at an event that is the beginning of a campaign for the next President, who is going to be a woman.”

Bochco discussed Clinton’s many life experiences — being a First Lady, a mother, the Secretary of State and now a grandmother  — that have given her a different perspective that other leaders don’t necessarily have.

“She’s an environmentalist and she’s progressive, which I like. When you listen to her speak you can hear the power in her voice from all of her incalculable experiences that will lead her to take office, guaranteed,” Bochco said.

Guests said Clinton reiterated the importance of educating children from an early age, before kindergarten, to best prepare students to fully engage in classrooms. One guest said Clinton’s speech focused on alleviating the debts of college graduates and how if elected she will work to get unaccountable ‘dark money’ out of the political system.

Attendees gushed about the ambiance of the luncheon, which was described to the Post as an exquisite affair.

Bochco said the atmosphere was relaxed yet excited, and guests basked in the afternoon sun while indulging on spinach quiche, orzo pasta salad and warm cookies with fresh coffee for dessert.

“It was a wonderful event and we received a lot of calls and emails raving about how great it was to learn about who Hillary is and what she wants to do once she gets into office,” Bochco said.