Undaunted by rejection, two dozen members of the Cuban American National Foundation showed up to party on the eve of President Bush's inaugural.

BY LESLEY CLARK

WASHINGTON - Donning tuxedos and determination, 24 board members of the Cuban American National Foundation waltzed Wednesday night into an inaugural-eve gala for which the group's offer of sponsorship had been rejected.

In the face of the snub, board members said they decided to buy individual tickets to the ''Grand Hispanic Gala'' held at the fabled Willard Inter-Continental Hotel just two blocks from the White House.

''Did you ever doubt we'd be here? We're here to celebrate democracy,'' said foundation President Francisco ''Pepe'' Hernandez, who flew in from Miami. ``We believe that there should be all kinds of opinions represented here.''

Eight board members had initially planned to attend the event as sponsors. Their rejection spurred the group to show up in greater force. Each director bought a $250 ticket for the black-tie event, which was scheduled to feature appearances by George P. Bush, the president's nephew and a rising star in the Republican Party, and music producer Emilio Estefan.

The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, chaired by U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Miami Republican, had rejected the foundation's offer to sponsor a table at the gala with a $25,000 contribution. The foundation said it was told that the institute could not accept money from nonprofit organizations. But the foundation has come under criticism from some Cuban Americans, and Diaz-Balart said its participation was not welcome.

''After the comments, attendance peaked,'' Hernandez said. ``We thought it would be a good time to come and show our faces and let them know that we're here.''

''They are not sponsors. The group was careful as to who to allow as sponsors,'' Diaz-Balart said Wednesday night as he arrived at the hotel. ``This is not an event to buy influence. It's a celebration of Hispanics in the U.S.''

The foundation in recent years has been accused of softening its traditionally hard-line approach toward Cuba and has lost influence with Republicans, a charge that intensified when its high-profile former executive director left the group last fall to campaign against President Bush. Foundation members had hoped to use Wednesday's event and the trip to today's inaugural to reestablish ties with the GOP.

''We've been up here for 24 years working hard on the issue,'' said foundation Chairman Jorge Mas Santos. ``We'll continue working. The foundation will never allow its voice to dissipate.''

The incident points to a simmering dispute within Cuban exile politics as warring factions seek to influence the debate over how to rid Cuba of Fidel Castro. But there was no drama at the door.

Diaz-Balart said the foundation members would be as welcome as any other ticket holders. ''This is a night of celebration,'' he said. ``I want the facts to be clear that they are not sponsors, but I'd rather talk about celebrating the inauguration of our president.''

Foundation members said they came prepared with research to counter a perception that the group leans to the left. Board member Eloy Cepero said that nearly all of the board members are Republican and that contributions to President Bush's campaigns in 2000 and 2004 totaled almost $2 million.

The Hispanic gala was just one of dozens of black-tie events ringing the capital city hours before Bush's inauguration. The most exclusive: a series of ''candlelight dinners'' with the president and Vice President Dick Cheney for big-money donors.

Floridians without that kind of access had to settle for a Bush of a different kind: an impersonator who set up shop at a faux Oval Office set up by the Republican Party of Florida. The faithful lined up for an hour to pose for pictures.

''We'd be here come hell or high water,'' said Broward County Bush volunteer Rocky Rodriguez, who in 10 minutes in one hotel shop spent $600 on inaugural souvenirs. ``After working so hard for so many hours, so many days, I would stand on my head for this president.''

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was expected to arrive late Wednesday from Tallahassee, likely staying at Blair House, the official presidential guest house across the street from the White House.

''They'll turn down the bed for you,'' President Bush told his younger brother at an appearance last week in Jacksonville.