THE CROWD:Raising glasses, funds for Gov. Richardson

Turning up the hill off Pacific Coast Highway, the Secret Service men in dark suits were visible even from blocks away. They stood in the road among the valet attendants accepting the cars of guests who had come to meet New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Democratic presidential candidate. The late afternoon Wednesday reception in a coastal canyon above the Pacific at the home of Newport Beach architect Steve Dobbie and his wife Yvette was a chance for the governor to take the pulse of the local crowd on issues of import for the 2008 election and serve as a fundraiser for his campaign. Guests donated $500 and more to attend.

Entering the front garden of the early 20th-century French Tudor residence, the governor and his staff passed under a tented reception pavilion draped in cream-on-cream brocade fabric festooned with gold stars and chevrons and fronted by both hostesses and security guards checking in the local crowd. Wait staff in starched white uniforms stood at the ready as supporters greeted Richardson on the brick pathway surrounding a rose encircled fountain. Yvette Dobbie had arranged hundreds of miniature clear glass-encased white votive candles lining the architectural elements of her elegant garden. A square cerulean blue-tiled swimming pool reflected the flickering lights. The candles danced and a jazz group played on as the afternoon descended into evening.

“As you know, I’m a lifelong Democrat. It took Gov. Richardson to broker a peace agreement between my husband Steve, a lifelong Republican, and myself, on the issue of politics,” commented Yvette Dobbie adding, “If that isn’t presidential, I don’t know what is.” The crowd applauded and Steve Dobbie added, “Bill Richardson has more domestic and international experience than all the other Democratic candidates combined. I support the man, not just the party. Richardson has never backed down to the likes of Kim Jong Il, Fidel Castro or Saddam Hussein.”

Richardson mingled with the guests, finding childhood friends Drs. Ralph and Kitty Cygan among the constituents. Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman was on hand along with Jane Egly, mayor pro tem of Laguna Beach, Hope Aldridge, Tom Billick, Jeff Benedick, Jess Araujo, Angelica and Patrick Henry, Rich English, Cathy Fry, Joe and Jane Hanauer, Dale and Donna King, Ned Kriz, Linda and Michael Hanrahan, Phillip Kaplan, and Kay and Norval Lavene. Also in the crowd were Richard Munoz, Lawson Mead, Barbara and Carl Mosen, Margo Morganlander, and in from Los Angeles, actor Tim Matheson.

A four-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, Richardson has been the ambassador to the United Nations, a U.S. Congressman and has served as secretary of energy under former President Clinton. He is serving his second term as governor of New Mexico. With casual confidence, as if he were speaking to a gathering of longtime friends, Richardson brought the 200 some garden party guests in for a close and personal chat on his vision for America. A hush fell over the crowd, some of whom were sitting under a row of Maharaja style tents, adorned with crystal chandeliers hanging from their pitched roofs, lining the drive of the Dobbie home.

Richardson delivered a 20-minute talk addressing the war in Iraq, national security and antiterrorism efforts as well as domestic issues including healthcare, education, jobs, economic growth and immigration. The bipartisan crowd also included Margarita Cannon, David Canzoneri, Rebecca Ahl, Leanne Englander, Richard Graeser, Sandra Cervantes, Eric Cortina, Rocky McKinnon, Michael Mack, Gil Smith, Michael Wade, Dave and Lynn Robinson, Michael and Leslie Ray, and in from Bel Air Reginald Sully. Many in attendance brought copies of Richardson’s biography “Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life” for the candidate to autograph.

Following the address, a light supper of seared ahi tuna, smoked albacore, grilled shrimp, cheese-stuffed chili rellenos and tortilla cups with roasted chicken, corn and avocados delighted the crowd. Guests mingled at tables graced with centerpieces created around manzanita branches adorned with white orchids and hanging votives.

It was a warm and elegant gathering for a distinguished American civil servant.