Hillary Goes On Attack.
In her first major national security speech since gaining a coveted slot on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and on the same day that Tom Ridge was sworn in as the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Sen. Clinton joined in the Democratic critique of the Bush Administration's domestic anti-terror effort. Republican politicos believe the Democrats are trying to position themselves to be able to blame Bush and say, "We told you so," if there is another domestic terrorist attack. Hillary told an audience at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan that President Bush's new homeland security plan is a "myth" and that the country is only marginally safer than it was before September 11. "Our people remain vulnerable, nearly as vulnerable as we were before" the terrorist attacks. "Our vigilance has faded at the top, in the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., where the strategy and resources to protect our nation are supposed to originate, where leaders are supposed to lead," she continued. "We have relied on a myth of homeland security-a myth written in rhetoric, inadequate resources and a new bureaucracy instead of relying on good, old-fashioned American ingenuity, might and muscle," Clinton said.
Spending More Money.
During her John Jay speech, Clinton promoted her "Provide for the Common Defense Act," which she argues will force the federal government to give much-needed assistance to states and cities to protect citizens from terror threats. Her bill calls for spending to develop anti-terror technologies, to create a task force to set minimum security standards, and to add federal security personnel in areas with large populations, including New York City. Hillary also took the opportunity to criticize Bush's economic plan, asking her audience whether "ending the dividend tax make air travel safer? Will it keep a dirty bomb out of New York Harbor? Will ending the dividends save one police officer or firefighter his or her job? In short, will it make America safer, more secure? Of course, the answer is no." Hillary also went on a New York radio station to accuse the White House of ignoring Clinton Administration warnings about Osama bin Laden and shortchanging national security since the 9/11 attacks. "I know that during the transition between the Clinton and Bush administrations that the outgoing administration told the incoming one that they would spend more time on terrorism and bin Laden than anything else," Sen. Clinton told her radio host. "And that wasn't their priorities," she charged. "Their priorities were different." New York GOP Rep. Peter King, who is rumored to be considering challenging Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer in 2004, defended the administration and said that Hillary's criticism only exposes the country to more terror. "I just think it was a cheap shot," King said. "It just invites the enemy to attack again."
More Good Poll Numbers.
A new poll by NBC News/Wall Street Journal shows that 39% of Democrats want to see Hillary challenge President Bush next year, which is three times the number of those who back runner-up Joe Lieberman. This makes three polls in the past month showing that Hillary is the favorite to face off against President Bush. MSNBC.com said Sen. Clinton's popularity among Democrats was so high that she was "crushing" all other contenders. When asked about Mrs. Clinton's continuing front-runner status, one Lieberman associate "expressed exasperation" to MSNBC that reporters and pollsters were still paying any attention to her. According to the insider, "She's not going to run, and she has said she is not. I don't know why people don't take her at her word." Meanwhile, U.S. News & World Report's "Washington Whispers" says that as Bill Clinton considers his future career plans, such as hosting a TV show or penning books, he is carefully weighing the impact his choice would have on a 2008 presidential bid by his wife. The former President's associates say he's trying to make sure he's a positive, "not a drag," on Mrs. Clinton's campaign. Finally, Reporter Bob Novak reports that a prominent conservative operative in Washington, fearing the prospect of Hillary on the Democratic ticket for Vice President next year, is urging Senate Republicans "not to do anything to help her ambitions by building a Senate record." In particular, the operative urged not co-signing letters or co-sponsoring legislation with Sen. Clinton, not getting photographed with her, and not socializing or traveling with her.
