Posted on 06/12/2003 10:17:20 AM PDT by PhiKapMom
Brought to you by the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat, paused for a moment in the Senate chamber yesterday to contemplate the vote on the judicial appointment of Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff once a vocal member of her "vast right-wing conspiracy." She was the sole vote against Mr. Chertoff, who was confirmed 88-1 to a seat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Before joining the Attorney General's Office, Mr. Chertoff led the Senate investigation into the Clintons' failed Whitewater land deal.
At the Democratic policy table on the Senate floor, Mrs. Clinton appeared to clench and release her fists several times as she prepared to vote. Then she turned to the Senate clerk and jabbed a single finger downward.
At that, twittering broke out among a group of people sitting with Mr. Chertoff up in the visitors gallery. During the vote, numerous senators went upstairs to speak with Mr. Chertoff and those gathered with him
Hillary's vote
Excerpts from the Washington Times; April
Hillary's 'History' unveiled
Excerpts from The USA Today; June 3, 2003
After more than two years of keeping her head studiously low over her Senate desk, Hillary Rodham Clinton is about to do what her ardent admirers and dedicated detractors have long expected: She's launching a national campaign.
Not to win higher office, though. It's just to sell books. Or is it?
The June 9 publication of Clinton's memoirs, Living History, is shaping up to be one of the biggest literary and political events of the year. Publisher Simon & Schuster thinks it has a blockbuster in the story of the former first lady who became New York's junior Democratic senator. The first printing is 1 million an almost unheard of number for a non-fiction book, especially one that is 576 pages long and costs $28 industry skeptics say the publisher's sales projections are wildly optimistic.
Political and industry insiders say the book is surprisingly revealing. Clinton tackles tough topics like her failed health proposal, the independent counsels who investigated her and her husband for six years, and yes, White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
That would give the public a rare glimpse into the carefully guarded feelings of one of the most powerful women in American politics and one of the most polarizing. Clinton was the first working mom to live in the White House and the first presidential spouse ever to win elective office. She was also the first to be called before a grand jury and the first to have her marital difficulties aired in Congress. Former president Bill Clinton's affair with Lewinsky triggered an impeachment trial.
A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup poll taken last week shows the public is split evenly about Clinton: 43% say they have a favorable opinion of her, 43% an unfavorable one. Of the 1,019 adults who responded, 87% said they'd vote for a woman for president, but only 39% said they'd vote for Clinton.
Clinton's memoirs about her White House years are bound to intensify speculation about whether she aims to live there again. Until now, her top priority has been building her credentials as a senator and a transplanted New Yorker.
But the book tour which will be stretched out over the summer to accommodate Clinton's Senate schedule will have her criss-crossing the country and giving interviews just as the 2004 presidential campaign heats up. And while Clinton insists she's not in the race, she's being viewed as a strong contender for 2008, should her party fail to oust President Bush next year.
"I think this is a very important book for her," says Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. "It's an important launching pad."
'She's going to have to dish'
Democrats aren't the only ones looking forward to Clinton's book tour. "It couldn't come at a better time for Republicans and a worse time for Democrats," says former Republican National Committee chairman Rich Bond. He and other GOP strategists say Clinton's book will focus attention on her instead of the nine Democrats who are trying to win the White House.
"The poor Democrats who are running for president are going to get eclipsed again," crows Republican pollster John McLaughlin.
Republicans are convinced that Clinton's book will provide fresh fodder for the conservative talk-show circuit and energize Republican fundraising. Sen. George Allen of Virginia, who heads the Republican Senate campaign committee, has plans to make Living History a money-maker for GOP candidates as well as for Clinton. He already has a "Stop Hillary" fundraising campaign under way and plans to ratchet it up during the book tour
With the clintoons, "It's all about the clintoons, all the time !"
Democrats aren't the only ones looking forward to Clinton's book tour. "It couldn't come at a better time for Republicans and a worse time for Democrats," says former Republican National Committee chairman Rich Bond. He and other GOP strategists say Clinton's book will focus attention on her instead of the nine Democrats who are trying to win the White House.
"The poor Democrats who are running for president are going to get eclipsed again," crows Republican pollster John McLaughlin.
Republicans are convinced that Clinton's book will provide fresh fodder for the conservative talk-show circuit and energize Republican fundraising. Sen. George Allen of Virginia, who heads the Republican Senate campaign committee, has plans to make Living History a money-maker for GOP candidates as well as for Clinton. He already has a "Stop Hillary" fundraising campaign under way and plans to ratchet it up during the book tour
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