Asked in Monterey, Calif., on Tuesday about chatter that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) might join the crowded Democratic field, the former President hinted that it remained an open question. "That's really a decision for her to make," he said, according to The Californian newspaper. Clinton said his wife was being urged to run by supporters in spite of her commitment to serve out her six-year Senate term, the newspaper said. The former President's statement tantalized Democrats who have heard the senator say repeatedly she will be on the presidential sidelines next year. "He's clearly not discouraging speculation that she could be in the race in 2004," said former New York State Democratic chairwoman Judith Hope, who is close to the former First Lady but is supporting ex-Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta, who moderated the Monterey event, said the ex-President's remarks should be taken "at face value. In the end, she's going to make the decision." "She's getting a lot of people talking," said Panetta. One New York Democratic operative who spoke with confidence earlier in the week that Clinton was not a candidate was stunned to find out that story might be changing. Despite Sen. Clinton's public statements, doubt continues to linger among some Democrats, especially with the field lacking a breakaway candidate. The former President's remarks come days after a cocktail party at the couple's Westchester home, where he said the national Democratic Party had two stars - his wife and retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who declared his candidacy yesterday. "I personally don't feel it's closed," said John Catsimatidis, a supermarket executive and Clinton fund-raiser. It will likely depend on "how badly George W. [Bush] does in the polls." A national poll yesterday found Sen. Clinton would trounce the field of presidential wanna-bes in a Democratic primary and run as well as or better than any of the Democrats against President Bush. The Quinnipiac survey - taken before Clark entered the race - found Clinton would snag 45% of the primary vote and leave her rivals in single digits. But it also showed Bush would comfortably defeat any of his potential Democratic challengers. Bill Clinton's office did not return calls yesterday. Sen. Clinton's office said she "has repeatedly said that she will serve out her full, six-year term." Tony Welch, a Democratic National Committee spokesman, tried to squelch the speculation. "She's not running. We know that. She told us that," he said. Joseph Mercurio, a political consultant in Manhattan, said talk of a Clinton candidacy would pay political benefits. "I don't think she's going to run, but I think she's loving the coverage," Mercurio said. "She becomes a more powerful endorsement when the Democrats settle on a candidate." |
