Posted on 05/30/2006 9:58:13 PM PDT by HAL9000
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible presidential run waiting in the wings, was kicking off her bid for a second Senate term with what was certain to be a rousing send-off Wednesday from delegates to New York's Democratic state convention.The former first lady was to begin her convention coronation with a breakfast for supporters and delegates at Buffalo's downtown convention center. Her husband, the former president, will join her for the convention.
For Democrats at the convention, it was a new era.
"There is no question about it, she came in six years ago and she got the endorsement because she was the first lady," said former state Assemblyman Arthur Kremer, an influential Long Island Democrat. "This time, she's proven that she's worthy of the party's support."
"Everybody thought six years ago she was going to be a dilettante, sit on the side lines and wait for everybody to pat her on the back," Kremer added. "She's turned out to be a hard worker."
While Clinton has carefully avoided talking about 2008, saying she is focused completely on 2006, that didn't stop supporters from fanning the presidential flames.
"Let's keep Hillary in the United States Senate and near her next home, the White House," state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told delegates at the Tuesday kickoff of the two-day convention.
Clinton is facing a possible Democratic primary in September from anti-Iraq war activist Jonathan Tasini.
Tasini has been working the convention crowd since Monday, although he conceded he would not win the 25 percent of the convention vote needed to win an automatic spot on the primary ballot. He said he wasn't sure his name would even be placed in nomination by delegates at the convention.
Tasini said he would collect the signatures of at least 15,000 Democrats to force Clinton into a primary.
"There is absolutely no question Hillary Clinton doesn't want a debate on the war," he said.
Clinton, who leads national polls among potential 2008 Democratic presidential contenders, has come under fire from some in the liberal wing of the party for her initial vote to allow the war. Since then, she has been highly critical of President Bush's handling of the war effort, but has refused to join those calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Are they going to kick off her campaign by presenting her with a new broomstick?
With those beer kegs, I'll bet she can boot a 75 yarder.
This is just too easy. No comment.
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