Replies

So, do you suppose John and Terry have gone through these properties and decided which "outbuildings" will house the Secret Service, and pay rent to them?

A little news on the 'home front'.

March 23, 2004 -- THERE'S one big problem with the Heinz House, where Sen. Snowboard, John Kerry, rests from his alpine adventures. The $4 million mansion outside Ketchum, Idaho, is clearly visible from the main road, Route 75. "This morning there are three Suburbans in front of the house, plus a huge Sheriff's Department white trailer and six or seven other vehicles," said our operative in the field, adding, "The temperature all week is a balmy 70 degrees out here." The buzz is that should Kerry become president, he and wealthy wife Teresa will swap Heinz House for former Ambassador Allan Blinkin's place, which is much more secluded and secure. PAGESIX

The SOB's aka the Secret Service will sleep in tents... if they're lucky.

HILLARY to a Dem obsessing over a Massachusetts liberal presidential candidate's chances: "John Kerry is no Michael Dukakis." [Cindy Adams]

From Liz Smith:

ENDQUOTES: "Success isn't based on 'Look what I can do!' but more on an inner sense of self and believing you have something to say in your own consistent way."

So says Ralph Lauren, in Marlo Thomas' book of inspiring essays, "The Right Words at the Right Time." (I will remember Ralph's remark the next time I receive a letter telling me to go stuff my opinions.) Now in paperback, you'll find in this book everybody from First Lady Laura Bush to Ray Romano to Mike Wallace to Jennifer Aniston.

Ralph Lauren should be on the Kerry campaign.

Linda Fairstein and Hillary Clinton 3/15/04

There was a luncheon at a local club celebrating the publication of Linda Fairstein’s 6th novel The Kills (Scribner).

I have agreed not to name the “local club” because it is private and some of these venerated (and invulnerable) institutions don’t like their name mentioned in print. Why this is has never really been clarified for me in terms that have logic or reason, but those are the rules and members can get in trouble if there is publicity associated with their name and that club.

So, Linda Fairstein had a lunch for her new book. This is actually her seventh book – the first was the non-fiction Sexual Violence; the War Against Rape.

We got there promptly at noon. There was a fire crackling in the main gallery filling the air with the assuring redolence of hearth and home on a cold winter’s day.

Two minutes after JH and I arrived, Senator Hillary Clinton came in, without fanfare or escort, and was greeted effusively by Ms. Fairstein. This is the fifth or sixth time I’ve been in the presence of our junior senator from New York and I’m always charmed by her warmth and friendliness. She seems accessible and she relates (she also remembers people’s names – something I’m lousy at). Such a manner is a rare quality, and I can’t emphasize that enough, not only for a person in her position – power, fame, celebrity, etc. It’s a rare quality, period. I’m not talking about politeness or civility, both of which also can be elusive in the fast-paced metropolitan life. I’m talking about warmth and friendliness.

I chatted with Senator Clinton briefly about the Democrats’ primary campaign. She asked me where I thought things stood at this moment. I told her what I thought. I didn’t ask her where she thought things stood. I was so flattered that she wanted to know what I thought, I forgot. Although it doesn’t matter to me what she thinks about the campaign. NewYorkSocialDiary

Ms. Fairstein, hilly thinks you're a dolt because she gave you an opportunity to let her give you her all important political expertise. Trust me, she's forgotten your name.

On the other hand if recalling names is a skill you admire, President Bush is your man.