Dunn raised the stakes last night, reminding Utah of his close ties to the Clinton administration.

Charles Sherrill reports from our Washington bureau.

While Al Gore was 1,000 miles away in Bill Clinton's home state yesterday, the President remained in Washington attending, among others things, a fund raiser for Utah Democrat Donald Dunn, who says he welcomes the President's help even if others don't.

Donald Dunn: "HE'S HELPING PUT US ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN RAISING ENOUGH MONEY TO BE ON TV AND RADIO."

Though the President has been seen beside other candidates recently only arrival and departure shots were allowed last night.

Our camera was later permitted to record Dunn embracing supporters but not the President, who lavished warm praise on the former White House employee. That's the connection that produced a Presidential appearance according to a friend of both men.

Mickey Ibarra, Presidential Assistant: "AND CERTAINLY DONALD, AS A FORMER MEMBER OF OUR STAFF HERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT CERTAINLY WANTS TO DO ALL THAT HE CAN TO BE HELPFUL."

Chris Cannon dismisses speculation that his roll in the President's impeachment might motivate Clinton to help his opponent.

Rep. Chris Cannon, (R) Utah: "I'D BE SORT OF FLATTERED IF THE PRESIDENT ACTUALLY THOUGHT ABOUT ME. I SUSPECT THAT'S NOT THE CASE."

Held at the home of the Democratic party's chief fund raiser in Washington's ritzy Foxhall neighborhood the reception brought in about $50,000 according to an estimate by Dunn's campaign manager.

"BUT WHAT'S EXCITING FOR ME IS TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS THAT CARE AND BELIEVE THAT WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON NOVEMBER SEVENTH."

Charles Sherrill, Eyewitness News: "THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR OWN MONEY ON JIM MATHESON, NEARLY $700,000 SO FAR, ACCORDING TO STATE PARTY OFFICIALS. THE NATIONALS WON'T SAY WHAT THEY'RE SPENDING, BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE IGNORING EVERY CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE IN UTAH EXCEPT MATHESON, WHO'S HIGH OF THEIR LIST OF LIKELY WINNERS. CHARLES SHERRILL, EYEWITNESS NEWS, WASHINGTON."

Records on file with the Federal Election Commission show Dunn had raised more money than Cannon even before last night's take. But opinion polls put Cannon well ahead in the competition for voter support.