[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

In today’s NY Post, Hillary says he has no official role in her campaign. She’s “distancing” herself.

[Miss Didi]

HILL AVOIDS FLAMING BERGER
NY POST
By GEOFF EARLE Post Correspondent

October 9, 2007 -- CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Hillary Rodham Clinton distanced herself yesterday from close friend and adviser Sandy Berger - who snatched classified documents form the National Archives - after it was revealed he is helping guide her presidential campaign. "He has no official role in my campaign. He's been a friend for more than 30 years. But he doesn't have any official role," she insisted.

Asked if Berger had an "unofficial" role, Clinton told USA Today, "I have thousands of unofficial advisers . . . and, you know, I appreciate all of that. But he has no official role in my campaign."

Clinton, who traveled across Iowa yesterday touting her new economic plan, was on the defensive for the continuing connection to her old friend, former President Bill Clinton's national security adviser.

Berger, who 'fessed up to filching classified terror-related documents from the National Archives in 2003, got slapped with a $50,000 fine, probation, and lost his security clearance.

Berger later admitted to investigators that he swiped sensitive documents on several occasions, stashing them in his clothes and taking them home preceding hearings by the Sept. 11 commission.

Berger then went home and shredded the documents and "panicked" when investigators found out, according to an inspector general's report.

"I think anyone who would surround themselves with advisers like that is demonstrating bad judgment, and I think Sen. Clinton should reconsider," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
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