Help the president

8220;The effort to impeach President Clinton is only the latest in a series of legal actions that have left the first family with a staggering personal debt,8221; Clinton8217;s supporters said in a fund-raising letter. 8220;In today8217;s political climate, public service can exact a disturbing price.8221;

The letter concluded, 8220;if you are disturbed by the way politics is conducted today, then whatbetter response than to offer the first family your own gesture of support. It will be of enormous comfort to President and Mrs Clinton to know that so many Americans appreciate their work and have come to their aid.8221;

In the first six months of 1998, the fund raised 2.2 million from 17,000 contributors. Among the big-ticket donors were celebrities such as directors Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard. Clinton and his wife, Hillary, have amassed legal bills approaching 9 million, but some of those expenses have been paid, two officials said.