That is Revolting
Posted on 06/02/2002 7:11:51 PM PDT by Incorrigible
JUNE 10, 2002
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Why Senator Clinton Just Can't Catch a Break
When Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in the Senate in January, 2001, she brought along a master plan: end her image as a carpetbagger passing through New York on her way back to the White House. She wanted to prove she could bring home the bacon for New York. She aspired to be a leading voice on national issues. Most of all, she hoped to be seen as a journeyman senator who immersed herself in legislation--not as a publicity-hungry prima donna.
But even her legendary discipline hasn't been able to keep Clinton from going off track. Indeed, she finds herself in a familiar place for a Clinton: attracting heaps of criticism from both the Left and the Right. The freshman senator remains a polarizing figure, which limits her ability to maneuver. Among New Yorkers, her support is lukewarm. The result: For the rest of her term, Clinton is likely to focus more on pleasing constituents than becoming a national spokesperson for Democratic causes.
Although Clinton claims she wants to keep a low profile, stressing mostly parochial issues, she is still a political lightning rod. When reports surfaced that President Bush had received intimations about a terrorist attack just before September 11, she took to the Senate floor to demand a fuller accounting. Other Democrats made more pointed criticisms, but White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer singled her out for disapproval.
That was no coincidence: Clinton helps the White House make its argument that Democrats are playing partisan politics. She is also the poster girl for GOP fund-raising. "She embodies everything Republicans don't like about Democrats," says Grover G. Norquist, a conservative activist. Because of that, her role as a Democratic messenger will be circumscribed.
Even a mildly centrist shift can get Hillary in trouble. On May 21, Clinton's Washington home was picketed by liberal activists. Their beef? Her decision to support a proposal to force welfare recipients to work 37 hours a week, up from the current 30. "Liberals thought she was their champion," says Eric Hauser, an antipoverty advocate. "To sign onto a bill that dramatically increases work requirements is incongruous."
But that could be part of a deliberate strategy. "Maybe she doesn't want to go too far to the left so as not to preclude national ambitions," says Jennifer Duffy, chief Senate analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. The criticism from liberals, however, may have left Clinton feeling burned. She insists she is not abandoning her core beliefs: By accepting tougher work requirements, Clinton says she persuaded the bill's sponsors to earmark more money for child care and to make federal funds available for legal immigrants. She also joined Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) in calling for increased funding and more flexible work requirements.
Moreover, a Presidential bid seems unlikely in the near term. While Clinton has raised more than $1 million for her political action committee, she knows that running for national office would imperil her standing with New Yorkers, 47% of whom rate her performance as fair or poor, according to an April poll by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "She can't so much as look in the direction of New Hampshire," says Lee Miringoff, director of the poll.
For now, Clinton is staying close to her home base--planning hearings on the mental health needs of New York children post-September 11, promoting nuclear security, and even keeping tabs on aides who help seniors get their Social Security checks. That might win more New Yorkers' hearts. But it won't free Hillary from the shackles that prevent her from leading her party's charge, let alone the national ticket.
By Alexandra Starr
Not for commercial use. For educational and discussion purposes only.
That makes me laugh, the left will eat it's own..hehe
Looky Here!
We missed a chance to FReep the Queen.
Any oppertunity to FReep her is a just cause.
I would of been there
Betcha they didn't stay on Mass. Ave. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm?
That is Revolting
Too bad the buzzards and o'possums beat us to it-on the other hand, if she insists on being road kill "lying" in the middle of the highway of truth-what other species can stand her stench?
If she feels like dressing in pink and sitting under Abraham Lincoln's portrait talking about how she read only 4 pages of the WSJ and got the courage to invest only $1,000 dollars into cattle futures while baking her 10th batch of cookies, and as soon as they were baked she earned $100,000, she will.
If she is surprised over finally finding her billing records after 2 years of ardent searching, she will.
If she agrees to sign Rep. Lazio's promise to not do advertising, and Lazio brings it to her to sign, she will act so stunned that he actually invaded her space, how dare he bring it to her to sign.
Naw, she don't care at all as she plots, er ah, plans her future as president Clinton II.
In a way, she is the perfect poltitian, she votes for what her consituents believe in.
I do not think we will ever see Hillary resign her seat in the Senate to run for the Presidency, either. Look what that did for Bob Dole. Also, Hillary uses one position as a springboard to another: being Bill's wife--to being first lady, being first lady--to Senator. She would never willingly give up one office before gaining another.
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