Remembering Reagan.
When President Ronald Reagan passed away on June 6, 2004, Hillary joined with her husband to comment on the Gipper's death. "Hillary and I will always remember President Ronald Reagan for the way he personified the indomitable optimism of the American people, and for keeping America at the forefront of the fight for freedom for people everywhere," they said in a joint statement. "It is fitting that a piece of the Berlin Wall adorns the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington??¢â???¬ ¦Hillary and I send our prayers to Nancy, their children and their many friends and family, as well as our gratitude for the life of a true American original."
Later, at a breakfast hosted by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Hillary said that "We are remembering a man and the important position he held in our country's history and the indomitable optimism that he imbued his actions with." When she was asked about President Reagan's legacy, Mrs. Clinton said, "History will judge, as it does with every President. But today I just want to remember that smile and that grace that was so much a part of our lives for eight years."
Senator, Meet the Senator.
Hillary met with young actress Natalie Portman to discuss issues relating to women and Israel, and the two apparently "hit it off" when they met in Sen. Clinton's office. Portman is also a senator of sorts, having portrayed Queen Amidala, who then became Senator Amidala, in the first two films of the Star Wars trilogy. According to Roll Call, "bypassers who saw Portman riding the Senate Subway with Clinton on the Senator's way to a floor vote say the two were laughing and chatting a mile a minute."
Radical Chicks.
Mrs. Clinton appeared at Wellesley College's annual alumnae reunion, where she discussed the role of women in government. She also used the opportunity to talk about the November presidential elections and to criticize the allocation of U.S. resources in Iraq and Afghanistan. She urged everyone to vote in the critical 2004 elections, but said she was concerned that not enough has been done to fix problems in voting procedures since the last presidential election: "It is also important that our elections be transparent and accurate," she noted. "And I'm worried that is not going to happen."
Hillary went on to talk about the status of women in Afghanistan and Iraq, saying that their empowerment is important for stabilizing those nations and for winning the war against terrorism. Sadly, she claimed, the Bush Administration is not supporting these foreign women. "In all the years that I have been involved politically, I have never been more concerned about where we are and where we are headed. We need to keep the door open for women."
Overall, Hillary's political discussion went over well with the feminist audience of over 2,000. "She is extremely bright. . . I always wanted to come and see Hillary," said a 1970 graduate who also said she remembered young Ms. Rodham (Class of '69) from when they worked together in the Wellesley student government and Hillary was student body president.
Record Fundraiser in Ariz.
Hillary recently appeared at an Arizona fundraiser to blast President Bush and his "radical, right-wing" administration, saying that he "has taken our country in the wrong direction in a dramatic way." She spewed the usual liberal demagoguery on how tax cuts benefit the wealthy, and told the party faithful, "No president has ever taken the country to war and cut taxes at the same time."
Hillary recalled how she and her husband won in 1992, despite early polls which placed him well behind the first President Bush and independent Ross Perot. "Right now, the race is Bush versus Bush, and Bush is losing," she said. She also encouraged the 1,400 in attendance to register everyone they know and then get them to vote. "Americans will go halfway around the world to fight for someone else's freedom, but they won't go across the street to vote to protect their own," said Hill. It was the largest, most successful Democratic fund-raiser in Arizona history, raising $850,000 for state party activities.
And in yet another apparent stab at "bipartisanship," she praised Arizona Sen. John McCain (R.) for having the "audacity" to question the wisdom for tax cuts. Her remarks that "Sen. McCain said he remembered when Republicans actually believed in fiscal responsibility" drew laughs and cheers from the big-spending crowd.
