Clinton Turns 51, Quietly

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AllPolitics, Aug. 19) -- President Bill Clinton reaches another milestone today, turning 51 during his summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard.

Clinton's celebration will be far more muted than it was for his official passage into middle age last year, when he raised $10 million for the Democratic Party with a star-studded gala at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

The president and Mrs. Clinton are expected to mark his birthday tonight by dining at the 19th century farmhouse of actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, whose 1995 wedding on Martha's Vineyard the Clintons attended.

Administration spokesmen refuse to confirm or deny any details, such as whether Vineyard local and singer James Taylor will attend. "If there are any surprises, I don't want to spoil them," presidential spokesman Barry Toiv said.

The president shares his birthday with Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, who turns 49 today, and Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate committee investigating Clinton's 1996 campaign finance practices. Thompson turns 55.

Monday night, the first family celebrated the birthday of a friend of Chelsea's, dining at the house of Jill and Ken Iscol, who hosted the party for their son Zach. Zach and Chelsea are friends from Sidwell Friends School in Washington.