Marcel Honoré
The Desert Sun
March 15, 2007

President Bill Clinton has declined the invitation to join the Desert Town Hall speaker series in Indian Wells next month, organizers announced Wednesday.
As reported on thedesert sun.com, the Harry Walker Agency, which represents Clinton's speaking engagements, did not give a reason for the 42nd president's decline, according to a Desert Town Hall statement.

"We are, of course, disappointed," said Ed Monarch, the Desert Town Hall's board president and an Indian Wells city councilman.

"President Clinton is the world's most sought-after speaker today. It would have been the icing on the cake to add (him) to our series this year."

Desert Town Hall announced its 2007 roster last fall and continued to negotiate with Clinton, who could not confirm that early in advance. He would have spoken April 14 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa - one day after Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell's scheduled appearance.

Clinton is scheduled to speak April 15 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles as part of the Music Center Speaker Series.

News that Clinton might join the Desert Town Hall series first surfaced on March 1, when the Indian Wells City Council swiftly approved a $25,000 sole sponsorship of the event in case he agreed.

Malcolm Gladwell, author of "The Tipping Point" and "Blink," will speak next on March 29.

Powell's event, which concludes this year's season, is sold out.