Not Even VP For HRC.
There's more bad news on the presidential front for Hillary. First, the Clintons' pick of Gen. Wesley Clark for the 2004 Democratic nomination has gone bust. It will be remembered that Bill Clinton praised the retired general as one of the Democratic Party's two top "stars," with wife Hillary being the other one. If he was so obviously wrong about Clark, can the supposed political genius be wrong about Hillary as well?
A prominent party activist called President Clinton's endorsement of Clark "arrogant" and said that it "showed that Bill and Hillary don't want to win in 2004-they want to wait for her to run in 2008. But Democrats want to win now, they don't want to wait around for her chance to run. There's starting to be a real resentment." The insider also noted that even if Kerry loses this year, the party isn't likely to select another Northeast liberal nominee in 2008.
To add insult to injury, Hillary couldn't even beat out Sen. John Edwards in a recent poll on potential Democratic vice-presidential candidates, as the southern Edwards edged Hillary, 34% to 31%.
Play Ball.
As if it wasn't bad enough that Hillary suddenly became a New York Yankees fan when she decided to run for the Senate, now she thinks she's the team's general manager. She exercised her keen eye for talent in the wake of the Yankees' acquisition of superstar Alex Rodriguez. Asked to comment on the blockbuster trade, Sen. Clinton said she was excited about the prospect of Rodriguez and Derek Jeter playing alongside each other. "I think the Yankees need that energy and spirit," she said. "I think having A-Rod and Derek together is a great sign." Then, perhaps thinking about the departure of starting pitchers Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and David Wells in the off-season, Hillary said, "Now we need some pitching."
Iron Lady.
Hillary has been called many things during her career in politics and public policy, including intelligent, manipulative, shrewd and dishonest. But Men's Journal magazine is adding one more description to that list: Tough Guy. Hillary has been named one of the "25 Toughest Guys in America" in the publication's March issue. Mrs. Clinton comes in at No. 25, just behind human crash test dummy Rusty Haight, who has been in 740 car wrecks. According to Senior Editor Tom Foster, it's the first time Men's Journal has put a woman on the list. "I think just looking at what she's been through and what she represents, that sort of stood for itself," Foster said. "Would you mess with her?" Foster mainly referred to Hillary's Oscar-caliber performance during her husband's sexual improprieties in the Oval Office, and swore that her inclusion in the list, among martial artists, racers, wrestlers and other he-men was not meant as a critique. "I would think people would take it as a compliment," Foster said. Hillary was not the only politician on the list. She finished behind Sen. John McCain (No. 5) and Defense Department Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (No. 21).
Telephone calls to Mr., er, Mrs. Clinton's office were not returned immediately.
Shirts For Sale.
Hillary's official website, www.friendsofhillary.com, announced recently that famous designer Marc Jacobs has created a "limited edition" "Hillary Clinton T-Shirt" to honor her work. Said Hill: "I am very excited that Marc Jacobs has provided Friends of Hillary and our supporters with such a fun and fashionable way to support our efforts." Mr. Jacobs' press flack, Robert Duffy, cooed, "Sen. Clinton is a smart, compassionate and fair person and knows how to work with everyone in the interest of getting things done. She is the type of person I would like to have leading New York into the future."
Reports indicate that due to extremely limited production, coupled with the overwhelming customer response at the Marc Jacobs NYC flagship store, the shirt has already been deemed a collectors item. The shirts are selling for between $55-$60, and will be available in a variety of colors with contrasting silk-screened images of Sen. Clinton. Each shirt also comes with a specially produced Marc Jacobs "I (Heart) Hillary" tag sewn inside. Of course, T-shirt payments "are contributions to Friends of Hillary."
