Hillary Clinton rakes in $200K in Greenwich

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinto atteneded an afternoon fundraiser in Greenwich, Conn. on Friday, June 5, 2015. Here, Clinton speaks at the Inaugural Barbara Jordan Gold Medallion at Texas Southern University on June 4, 2015 in Houston, Texas. less Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinto atteneded an afternoon fundraiser in Greenwich, Conn. on Friday, June 5, 2015. Here, Clinton speaks at the Inaugural Barbara Jordan Gold Medallion at Texas ... more Photo: Thomas Shea, Getty Images Photo: Thomas Shea, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Hillary Clinton rakes in $200K in Greenwich 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Hillary Clinton literally covered the waterfront Friday from Greenwich to New Haven.

Heavy on domestic and foreign policy talking points -- some aligning her with President Barack Obama (the Affordable Care Act) and others distancing her (the Middle East) -- Clinton huddled with an elite network of contributors to her presidential campaign at the bygone yachting retreat of Boss Tweed.

The 13-mile trip from Chappaqua, N.Y., to Greenwich paid handsome dividends for Democratic contender, who netted $200,000 for her White House bid from about 85 supporters that included the Empire State Building's controlling partner and a retired hedge fund manager as the event host, Hearst Connecticut Media has learned. The reception, held at the $29.7 million Roman villa of Malcolm and Carolyn Wiener, was closed to the media.

Clinton then added to her haul in New Haven, returning to the city where she met Bill Clinton when they were Yale Law students. Her visit came less than 24 hours after U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a potential rival for the Oval Office, raked in $50,000 in Stamford and bashed Clinton over foreign money raised by her family foundation.

"Presidential races are all bruising, and this one will probably involve more spending than any in history, unfortunately," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who went to school with the Clintons at Yale.

Clinton's campaign declined to comment on her fundraising trip to Connecticut.

Blumenthal, who was in attendance at both the Greenwich and New Haven fundraisers, said Clinton is tough enough to withstand all that will be thrown at her.

"If you looked at her resume without knowing her name, and saw someone who has been a U.S. senator, secretary of state and a close adviser and confidante to at least two presidents and now brings the unique perspectives and life experience of a woman at a historic turning point for our country, that is a powerfully impressive candidate," Blumenthal said. "That persona, plus her dedication to the country and her grasp of the issues will be important to her winning."

Republicans excoriated Clinton over her tenure as secretary of state during Obama's first term.

"Following revelations that Hillary Clinton's influence was potentially up for sale at the State Department, it's no coincidence the same liberal financiers are lining up to bankroll her campaign for president," said John Kleinhans, executive director of the Connecticut GOP.

Clinton commanded $2,700 a ticket at the Greenwich reception, where the guest list included Peter Malkin, controlling partner of the Empire State Building; U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; Susan Bysiewicz, Merrill's predecessor; state Rep. Caroline Simmons, D-Stamford; and Selectman Drew Marzullo, Greenwich's top elected Democrat. Malkin is Blumenthal's father-in-law.

Standing at a podium, Clinton went light on partisan attacks and made no mention of any the other candidates in the crowded field. She took no questions.

Hitching herself to Obama on the Affordable Care Act, Clinton rhetorically asked whether Republicans would undo protections established under the law for policy holders with pre-existing medical conditions. She also wondered if those in favor of repealing Obamacare would revert to allowing insurance companies to charge women higher premiums.

Clinton subtly tried to distance herself from Obama on foreign policy, telling her contributors that with Russia's Vladimir Putin trying to redraw the borders of the world, the U.S. needs a comprehensive strategy on international affairs rather than a reactionary one.

The seven-bedroom, and 11.5-bathroom mansion visited by Clinton is steeped in history. Built in 1889 on a property developed by Boss Tweed, the home was once owned by Commodore Elias C. Benedict. There is even a private island named after Tweed just off the promontory.

Clinton addressed the human side.

"She talked about her granddaughter, obviously with great pride, as the smartest, ablest, most beautiful granddaughter in the world," Blumenthal said. "There was a lot of personal humor."

neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy