Hillary Warns Kerry: Hands Off McAuliffe

NewsMax ^ | 3/5/04 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Uber Democrat Sen. Hillary Clinton is warning all-but-certain presidential nominee John Kerry to back off if he's thinking about replacing party chairman Terry McAuliffe before the election.

Asked about rumblings that the Kerry camp wanted to toss McAuliffe over the side, Clinton told the New York Times on Friday, "Terry has helped the Democratic Party move into the 21st century to compete against the incredible interlocking institutional powers of the other side."

"A lot of plans have been laid, a lot of infrastructure put in place, and I want to see us follow through," she insisted.

The disagreement over McAuliffe's future could be just the tip of the iceberg of a growing rift between the Clintons, who, through McAuliffe, still control the party's machinery - and Sen. Kerry's political team, which now sees itself in the driver's seat.

Sen. Clinton, for instance, reminded the Times that her husband did not replace the party chairman when he became the nominee in 1992 - a none too subtle hint that she expects Kerry to follow suit.

Still, the Kerry camp is reportedly bristling over McAuliffe's antics, such as his decision to publicly allege that President Bush went AWOL from the National Guard. That stunt put the spotlight on parts of Kerry's past that he preferred not to discuss - such as his decision to team up Jane Fonda for anti-war protests in the 1970s.

Another sign of the growing rift between the Kerry and Clinton teams came late Tuesday, when Sen. Clinton offered an unenthusiastic endorsement to Kerry as the party's inevitable nominee, and did so on Japanese TV - a venue where few Americans were likely to notice.

Strategists for the Massachusetts Democrat are said considering different ways to curb McAuliffe's independence - a move that would certainly limit the influence wielded by Sen. Clinton and her husband in upcoming campaign decisions.

Still, Kerry strategists, aware that alienating the Clintons could cost their candidate in more ways than one, have to be careful not to ignite an internal civil war.

Even without McAuliffe, for example, Sen. Clinton controls the Democratic Party's presidential media fund through her right hand man Harold Ickes, who has the backing of Bush-bashing billionaire George Soros.

And other Democratic groups that will play critical roles in the 2004 election include Americans Coming Together, founded by Hillary ally Ellen Malcom, and the Center for American Progress, run by former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta.

[TomGuy]

I can't see her as #2 on any ticket, myself...

#2 keeps her prominent and she avoids hard questions and a possible Senate loss in 2006. And remember, she would only be a heart beat away from the Presidency. John, how is your supply of heart pills?

[madison10]

When are the democrats going to see they have lost control of their party, and an alien is feeding off it.

ROFL Now THAT is an excellent line.

[Enterprise]

Dirty Hillary to Kerry:

"Terry is our friend - you understand? Now, I'm not threatening you, but sometimes, well, things sort of happen. So if you feel lucky, just go ahead and remove McAuliffe. Well, do you feel lucky punk? Do you?"

[Rocky]

If the Democrats want to have any future chance of regaining power, they need to oust the Clinton machine. But, of course, the Clintons are the big fundraisers, so that is unlikely.

But if the Clintons are only backing Kerry in a lukewarm fashion, then he has no chance of winning. (He would at least have a fighting chance with the Clintons and the media putting all of their support behind him.) It seems as though, as others have pointed out, Kerry is a sacrificial offering to the electorate for 2004, leaving 2008 open for Hillary.

[ladtx]

I'm really worried about this. Hope it doesn't damage the Democrat chances for winning in November. < /sarcasm>

LOL I love Democrat internecine feuds. May have to order more popcorn, this could be good.

[cincinnati65]

"A lot of plans have been laid, a lot of infrastructure put in place, and I want to see us follow through," she insisted.

In other words, Terry McAuliffe will be DNC chairman when MY Presidential campaign kicks off.

[Real Cynic No More]

So, is Kerry going to be Hillary's puppet, and allow her to dictate to him both during the campaign and during his Presidency if he gets elected????

[MrB]

alienating the Clintons could cost their candidate in more ways than one

Seems that they are aware of "the list"

[ladtx]

...Kerry is a sacrificial offering to the electorate for 2004, leaving 2008 open for Hillary.

Bingo. I think we've seen the opening shots in the sinking of the hopes of JF Kerry.

[OXENinFLA]

Wow. We've moved beyond the VRWC. Now we're the "IIIP."

=)

Funny, I like it.

[DeaconRed]

Jeeze
Mac is the best thing to happen to our party
We have taken the WH, Senate & House.
Mac, hang in there we need you. . . . . .

[Enterprise]

"the incredible interlocking institutional powers of the other side."

Sounds more like her allies on the dark side of the force.

[ShandaLear]

Let the games begin!

The Clinton's have no intention of giving up party control.

[DeaconRed]

Jeeze
Mac is the best thing to happen to our party
We have taken the WH, Senate & House.
Mac, hang in there we need you. . . . . .

[altura]

Wow, I didn't realize I had incredible interlocking institutional powers ... I need to put those to use!

[redhawk]

This will be a good test for Kerry. If he splits with the Klinton's at least he can show he's not one of their boot lickers.

[Arrowhead1952]

****Still, Kerry strategists, aware that alienating the Clintons could cost their candidate in more ways than one, have to be careful not to ignite an internal civil war.****

Now, this could get real good and fun to watch. A civil war in the RAT party. How civil could that be? The witch and F'ing Kerry.......

****Even without McAuliffe, for example, Sen. Clinton controls the Democratic Party's presidential media fund through her right hand man Harold Ickes, who has the backing of Bush-bashing billionaire George Soros.****

Who'da thunk it. Sen. Clintoon still controls the party's media fund via Ickes and Soros.

[1Old Pro]

Sen. Clinton, for instance, reminded the Times that her husband did not replace the party chairman when he became the nominee in 1992 - a none too subtle hint that she expects Kerry to follow suit.

Was that Ron Brown? How DID Clinton replace him anyway?

[Feckless]

Like cannibals at an all you can eat buffet....