As America's Democratic Party gathers in Los Angeles for its convention, President Clinton has been cutting back on his public appearances amid concerns that he is over-shadowing the party's White House nominee, Vice-President Al Gore.
The president cancelled several interviews and took Sunday morning off from the campaign. But his attendance at several lavish Hollywood parties received widespread media coverage.
The president will be giving the opening night speech to the four-day convention, which will officially endorse Mr Gore as the Democrat's presidential candidate. Mr Gore - who spent Sunday campaigning in America's midwest - is not due to arrive until Wednesday.
The week ahead is crucial for Mr Gore and his running mate, Joseph Lieberman, because they are trailing in the opinion polls behind their main rival, the Republican candidate, George W Bush.
Hollywood stars
In the run-up to the convention, Mr Clinton, together with his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea, were the guests of honour at a series of parties attended by big-name Hollywood stars, many of them long-time Democratic party supporters.
Hillary Clinton raised around $1m for her campaign for a seat in the US Senate at the biggest party of the weekend.
President Clinton was expecting to collect at least $10m for his presidential library at an exclusive gathering organised by the singer Barbra Streisand.
A BBC correspondent attending the Democratic convention said it is difficult for Mr Clinton to avoid taking attention away from Mr Gore because as president, he is America's pre-eminent political superstar.
Everything Mr Clinton does or says attracts attention, our correspondent said.
Limelight
But in an interview with the New York Times on Sunday, Mrs Clinton acknowledged the danger that the Clinton family could steal the limelight from Al Gore.
She said they planned to be out of the way by the time Mr Gore arrived in Los Angeles.
"We're going to be staying out of sight. Really. We want there to be nothing but a focus on the convention."
In a poll conducted on the eve of the convention by CNN and Time magazine, Al Gore was supported by just 39% of likely voters compared to 53% for Texas Governor Bush.
The American people vote for a new president on 7 November.