The Clintons Hate Gays?
GOP political consultant Arthur Finkelstein is working with New York Republicans to oppose Hillary's re-election in 2006. In fact, the New York Times recently reported that Finkelstein is lining up donors to help raise $10 million for a "Stop Her Now" committee to defeat her. The Times also reported the same day that Finkelstein had "married" his longtime male partner in a civil ceremony in Massachusetts. When Hillary's husband was asked about Finkelstein's anti-Hillary efforts, the former President let loose: "Actually I was sort of sad when I read it," he said. "That fellow who used to work for Pataki is doing it. I mean, they give you two stories. One is that he went to Massachusetts and married his longtime male partner and then he comes back here and announces this. I thought, one of two things: Either this guy believes his party is not serious and is totally Machiavellian in its position [on gay marriage], or you know, as David Brock said in his great book Blinded by the Right, there's some sort of self-loathing or something. I was more sad for him." Mr. Clinton did not mention how his wife is on the record opposing homosexual "marriage" and how he, in 1996, signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law.
The Queen and King.
Hillary recently appeared at a breakfast with Republican Rep. Peter King of Long Island, where the two entertained the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. "When it comes to New York, Sen. Clinton is always there," said King, whose name is sometimes bandied about as a potential candidate for New York senator in 2006. Maybe that's why King suggested a higher office for Clinton, to clear the field next year. "Maybe we can elect Hillary Clinton pope. God knows what she's running for," said King, as the audience laughed. Then Hillary got up to talk. "Peter and I have a compact," she said. "I don't want him to get in trouble with the Republicans in the House. . . . If he says something nice about me, I say something mean about him."
Cha-Ching!
The first quarterly fund-raising report of 2005 was released last month, and Hillary has amassed nearly $4 million in contributions. This "furious fund-raising drive," as the New York Times put it, has left her with more cash than any other senator seeking re-election. The first quarter report means that she will close the first quarter with a total of $8.7 million in the bank. Clinton has sent out a congratulatory e-mail to her supporters, bragging about her incredible first-quarter start but still reminding donors that she needs even more to fend off the inevitable campaign attacks. Wrote Hill: "Just as the right wing attack machines have started gearing up to defeat me in 2006, we're sending a strong signal that we will be ready to fight back."
Shake Your Rudy.
A new Marist poll indicates that Clinton's 2006 re-election chances look pretty good, unless former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani enters the race. On the other hand, the poll also shows that New York voters aren't sure she should run for President in 2008. Fifty-one percent of registered voters polled said they "definitely plan" to vote for the former First Lady when she seeks re-election next year, while 31% said they would vote against her. The survey showed Hillary crushing George Pataki in a potential Senate match-up, as well as trouncing her 2000 GOP opponent, then-Rep. Rick Lazio, Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, and Edward Cox, son-in-law to former President Richard Nixon. Only Giuliani is shown to be capable of beating Hillary, beating her 49% to 47%. "She pretty much runs the table except for Rudy," said Marist pollster Lee Miringoff. In addition, Hillary's job-approval rating was a solid 56%, statistically unchanged from a Marist poll conducted six months ago. To Hillary campaign spokesman Ann Lewis, this is "another indication that New Yorkers appreciate the good job Hillary is doing working on their behalf, and that's what we're going to stay focused on."
