Will Bill and Hillary Clinton Return to the Hamptons?

For the last 16 years the "Hamptons" entertained Former President Bill and (former First Lady) Hillary Clinton. It provided a nest of sorts for high priced fundraisers to boost the Clinton Library, Clinton Foundation, Hillary's successful runs for a New York Senate seat in 2000 and 2006 and her failed attempt to get the Democratic nomination for President in 2008 and her failed Presidential run of 2016.

Just from my reporting and reading other reports I can guess that they (the Clintons) raised over $300 million and maybe twice that just on the East End over the years.

Despite all sorts of rumors and stories, the Clintons never purchased a home on the East End but instead paid "huge" money to rent prime homes at posh south of the highway locations. Almost every hardworking local has some sort of photo of them with Bill and Hillary. I am not sure how much money the Clintons donated to the various charities, libraries, and other causes on the East End but I hope they did.

Many summer people have stories of the Clintons dining in posh restaurants in Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Southampton and Water Mill. Not sure they ever made it to Wolfie's, The Corner Bar, Murphy's or (excuse me) Liar's Saloon. But Bill has stopped by the Blue Parrot a few times.

The point being, while they were here they did go out. The question is did they come to the East End, "to sample the superior food and wines," or did they come here to raise big bucks? Perhaps a little of both. I am guessing the Clintons return in the summer of 2017 and continue to raise money for Bill Clinton's foundation. Jimmy Buffet and Jon Bon Jovi along with billionaires David Geffen and George Soros will always write checks; it's what they do.

Articles have been posted about what might have happened had Hillary become the first female President and made the Hamptons the "Summer White House," but now we all know that will never happen. In fact the Secret Service footprint only gets smaller as the years go on. I can only guess which beach the Clintons will favor as their regular spot. My guess is it will be Ocean Beach in Wainscott.

That is, if they come back on a regular basis. Maybe they will relocate for summers around Malibu or Palm Springs in California but I am guessing they keep coming back and I am predicting that they never buy a home on the East End.

The Clinton legacy is now etched in our country's history and no doubt there will be a sub-sections on their stays in the Hamptons. However, the truth is the Hamptons were one rust belt sweep away from having the first female President summering on the East End.

In closing I still can't figure out why President Obama never visited the Hamptons while he was President. Vice President Biden did, but the Obamas never had even a photo op. My prediction: Eventually, President Obama will play some golf out here somewhere.