Posted on 11/18/2002 2:55:08 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Sen. Hillary Clinton's expected elevation to the top spot on the Senate's Steering and Coordination Committee means she'll be running a big part of her party's propaganda machine - a move that has some fearing a return to the era of Clintonian smash-mouth politics.
Mrs. Clinton's promotion was announced on Monday in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call, which noted that Democrats, frustrated over their election losses two weeks ago, had turned to her to "develop a plan to counter Republican spin."
The new post means that the ex-first lady will likely get a chance to fulfill an ambition she's had since coming to the Senate two years ago: Delivering the Democratic response to President Bush's next major policy address.
The more visible role as her party's chief Senate message crafter would also enhance her prospects to win the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2004.
But it's her reputation for slash and burn attack-style politics that has Republicans concerned about a return to the days when Clintonites used private detectives to dig up dirt on political enemies and information gleaned from illegally obtained raw FBI files was disseminated to the press.
Even before her appointment as chief of the steering committee, Mrs. Clinton relished leveling the most outrageous attacks against the Bush White House.
Last May, when reports surfaced that President Bush received an Aug. 2001 CIA briefing that al Qaeda was preparing to hijack U.S. airliners, the New York Democrat rushed to the Senate floor to make insinuations that Bush was covering up advance knowledge of the 9/11 attacks.
"The president knew what? My constituents would like to know the answer to that and many other questions," she complained. "Why (do) we know today, May 16, about the warning he received. Why did we not know this on April 16 or March 16 or February or Jan. 16 or Aug. 16 of last year?"
Such attacks were mild compared to the tactics invoked by the Clintons to prevail during the impeachment battle four years ago, when the White House attack machine enlisted the aide of pornographer Larry Flynt. The "Hustler" publisher promptly announced a one million dollar reward for sexual dirt on congressional Republicans.
The move forced the resignation of Rep. Robert Livingston, R-La., who was set to become Speaker of the House the day Clinton was impeached, but resigned instead after Flynt threatened to expose his extramarital affairs.
-Liars-- and Sleaze, Incorporated... ( my files on the clintons and friends )--
When did the Democrats drop this practice? The whole campaign was orchestrated by hillary, her husband, and McAuliffe. As the Dems admit, there was no message except "hate Bush." It didn't work.
The next time you freep the Senate, I'd like someone to carry a sign for me:
"Go back to the Little Rock you crawled out from under!"
No other Republicans have the statewide clout to get the job done, sadly.
What the GOP needs to do in this state is to develop some young blood, and quickly.
My thought exactly. I can't imagine that democrats would actually want any Clinton in any place of authority in the party. Most places Bill campaigned went Repubican. Folks on the national scene a lot longer than the Clintons also have their eyes on the WH. Why would they give leadership to these ineffective, corrupt upstarts? Something other than talent is driving the Clinton climb upward.
Absolutely correct. Any kind of race in NY will turn on "star power". The last time out, Hillary had it, and Lazio didn't. You see the result. Only a high-profile 'Pub, RINO or not, will have a chance against either the Beest or Chuckie.
I'll say it again, Hillary is a dangerous opponent. Those who laugh her off or underestimate her do so, literally, at the risk of their lives. She's utterly ruthless in her pursuit of power and takes no prisoners. The (political) landscape is littered with the corpses of those who have crossed her. If the Rats put her up there as their policy mouthpiece and smear cheerleader, it will give her the high profile she needs to make the next jump, either as VP or Presidential candidate for the Rats. And remember, the pressitutes just fall all over themselves in adulation of this scumbag. "Tough NY press", my a$$.
But I agree - never underestimate her for a second.
In a showbiz analogy: Madonna can't sing, can't dance, can't act and isn't all that good-looking. But she built an empire through sheer force of will and by being a creative cultural chameleon.
Hillary Clinton is not particularly intelligent, is not a very good public speaker, does not have an instinctive feel for people and their needs. But she does have incredible ambition and a willingness to be a political chameleon. She can still go very far, despite her lack of natural gifts.
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