Posted on 08/17/2002 4:06:29 PM PDT by ozone1
Another Vineyard vacation for the Clintons Their latest island getaway coincides with talk that Hillary Clinton is eyeing the Oval Office.
By JAMES KINSELLA STAFF WRITER CHILMARK - Former President Clinton and his wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., arrived last night on Martha's Vineyard for a long weekend.
Bill and Hillary Clinton will celebrate the former president's 56th birthday on Monday in Chilmark. (AP Photo)
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The Clintons planned to join their daughter, Chelsea, at the summer home of Ken and Jill Iscol in Chilmark.
Chelsea Clinton arrived earlier in the week at the Iscol home, which overlooks Menemsha Pond. She is a friend of the Iscols' son, Zachary, and their daughter, Kiva.
On Monday, the former president will celebrate his 56th birthday. Jill Iscol said the Clintons plan to leave around Tuesday. "It's just very low-key," she said of the visit.
At the same time, Iscol said, getting away to the Vineyard is important to the Clintons.
She said the Vineyard is a place the Clintons love, "and where people love them."
"I wish he would come for all of August every year," said Everett Whorton, a builder from Oak Bluffs.
"I wish he were still president," said Tim Dobel, owner of Mocha Mott's, an Oak Bluffs coffee shop.
The long weekend comes as speculation heats up regarding Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential aspirations.
The Associated Press reported yesterday that she has begun building a national political organization, softening her liberal image and taking a lead role in Democratic criticism of President Bush - steps toward a potential campaign to become the first woman president.
Former President Clinton speaks about his wife's run for the presidency as a matter of "when," not "if," according to people who have discussed it with him. Several of her associates said she is eyeing 2008 as the year to run.
Mrs. Clinton said yesterday that she will not break a pledge to complete her six-year term that expires in 2006.
"I have no plans to run for president," she told the AP in a telephone interview.
Gearing up for a run Her actions suggest the former first lady is positioning herself for a history-making race. She has: Contributed nearly $600,000 to 73 Democratic candidates across the country through her political action committee and has raised even more money by headlining fund-raisers. She has helped candidates in key presidential states such as Iowa and New Hampshire.
Defended her husband's presidency against attacks from Republicans while sharpening her criticism of Bush.
Courted the party's moderate wing with a keynote speech to the centrist Democratic Leadership Council. She has sided with Republicans or centrist Democrats on bankruptcy, welfare and anti-Hollywood legislation.
"It used to be that Democrats came to Washington hoping to work for Ted Kennedy," said Donna Brazile, Al Gore's campaign manager. "Now they want to earn their stripes with Hillary."
Clinton has miles to go to override criticism by Republicans that she is a liberal Democrat whose major policy initiative - the 1993 universal health care plan - was a political and policy disaster.
"I think it's always hard for somebody with a full record and a range of interests to be portrayed ... in soundbites," Clinton said. "I was the first person in the country to call for teaching testing" as first lady of Arkansas "and I took enormous heat for that. I supported welfare reform in the Clinton administration and I took enormous heat for that."
Several advisers and friends close to Clinton, speaking on condition of anonymity, say she wants a Democrat to win the White House in 2004. If Bush wins re-election, however, she would almost certainly be a candidate four years later, they said.
Back to the Vineyard The Clintons first vacationed on the Vineyard in 1993. With the exception of 1996, they have returned to the island every year since. Until this year, the Clintons always have stayed in Edgartown.
But their Vineyard stays also have included time spent visiting friends in Chilmark.
Last summer, they visited the Iscols' house for a ceremony honoring Zachary Iscol, who joined the Marines as an officer and now is a second lieutenant.
And in 1995, they attended the October wedding of Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen at the couple's home in Chilmark.
Chilmark Police Chief Tim Rich said he's had a couple of meetings with the Secret Service about this year's visit by the Clintons.
"We just augment and support the Secret Service as they need it," Rich said of his department.
Rich said the location of the Iscol house should help security arrangements for the visit.
"It's well away from any public way," he said. "If you can see the house, you're trespassing."
Rich said the Chilmark police also are experienced in working with the Secret Service.
"We know who they are," he said. "I'm anticipating business as usual."
Material from the Associated Press was used in this story. Contributing writer Jib Ellis provided additional material.
Have you ever noticed that all Dims claiming to be of, by, and for the little people are always hobnobbing with the ultra-rich? And, are ultra-rich, themselves.
Said Jill Iscol: "With our own contributions, we try to combine our commitment to supporting institutions that have given so much to us with our interest in tackling social problems and fairness and equity issues. We believe these kinds of partnerships are an efficient and effective way to leverage human and financial resources."
Yes, Jill is very concerned about social problems and equity issues, yet she owns a home on the Vinyard, far away from any troubling humans....LOL!
"Rich said the location of the Iscol house should help security arrangements for the visit.
"It's well away from any public way," he said. "If you can see the house, you're trespassing."
Ted Kennedy will maybe drop by and give them swimming lessons .
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