Two days after Iraq fired at U.S. planes, the question in Baghdad today is not whether President Clinton will retaliate, but when. The United States is moving sophisticated weaponry to the region, including the F-117A, a stealth attack bomber, and Patriot missile batteries. But it could be days before they’re in position for an attack. A second aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, is moving toward the area, but its arrival could take longer.

The attention President Clinton has heaped on vote-rich California is paying off. He headed home from his 27th trip there with $4 million from Hollywood donors and a commanding lead over GOP rival Bob Dole in the polls. The president ended his three-day Western campaign trip yesterday with a fundraiser at the lavish Santa Monica estate of supermarket magnate Ron Burkle that earned $4 million for the Democratic National Committee. It was a high-priced affair. Tickets ranged from $1,000 per person for a garden reception to $12,500 per seat for dinner and a concert emceed by actor Tom Hanks that featured Chicago, The Eagles, Barbra Streisand and The Neville Brothers. Guests included director Rob Reiner, actor Kevin Spacey and actresses Sharon Stone, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins and Carrie Fisher.

Public contributions to the Christian Coalition declined by nearly 12% last year, the first time giving has dropped after five years of dramatic growth, this according to tax records. The conservative religious group, which opens its annual conference today with speeches, including one by House Speaker Newt Gingrich, reported donations of more than $18 million in 1995, down from more than $21 million a year earlier.