GW vs. GW. Just a few hours before the Senate reached a last-second agreement to avert a showdown on the judicial filibuster, Hillary spoke on the Senate floor against the constitutional option. “Every single one of us need to be checked in the exercise of power,” including George Washington, said Sen. Clinton. She compared the debate over judicial filibusters with an obscure late 18th-Century moment called the “Newburgh Conspiracy.” This was a plot by disgruntled Army officers shortly after the Revolutionary War to take more control of the fledgling government, or, as Hillary put it, “an effort by a small group of people to begin to assume the mantle of absolute power, to in effect become more like a king than what had been envisioned for this new republic, a President.” Then-Gen. Washington rejected the plot, which Hillary said showed that the nation’s founders opposed giving too much power to any individual, even the nation’s leader, and it provides an example President Bush should follow: “You have to restrain yourself, Mr. President,” she said.
GW vs. Science. Hillary recently gave the commencement address at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., where she warned that the Bush Administration opposes science. Specifically, she said the administration pressured government researchers to manipulate or suppress findings in areas such as global warming and mercury pollution. “This betrayal of the scientific tradition could have long-term, lasting consequences,” said Clinton. “There are a lot of powerful interests that don’t want to change the way they produce or use energy.” There was a small contingent of student protesters outside the graduation ceremony, and a heckler interrupted Hillary’s 30-minute speech. Some students and families found her speech distasteful. “I thought it was a little bit too political,” said one graduate student, and the father of another student said, “I didn’t think it was appropriate for a graduation. She stopped just short of saying that it was all the Republicans’ fault.”
Iowa Dreamin’. Roll Call reported that Hillary is inviting Iowa supporters to her Washington home for a fund-raiser for her 2006 Senate re-election campaign in New York. Her campaign spokeswoman, Ann Lewis, refused to say when the event would be held, and noted, “This event is one of a series of fund-raisers that Hillary is holding.” Lewis also insisted the only purpose of the event was to raise re-election money, not to court support in the first-in-the-nation caucus that kicks off the presidential nomination process. “There is no other agenda,” claimed Lewis. Nevertheless, political pundits such as Lee Miringhoff observe, “When she goes to places like Des Moines . . . it may make it look a little too much like a Senate campaign is just a mere stop along the way,” which might make New York voters think twice in 2006. A top Democratic consultant said, “It’s a strategic decision,” because, “It’s hard to run for re-election while appearing too overtly to be running for President.”
I Dream of Jeanine. Westchester County Republican District Attorney Jeanine Pirro has officially announced that she will seek statewide office in 2006. This includes the possibility of senatorial challenge against Clinton, but could also include state attorney general or governor if Republican George Pataki decides against another term. Pirro was asked whether she thought she could beat Hillary, and although she avoided directly answering the question, she said, “I have never been afraid of challenges, no matter how daunting.” And daunting it will be, as a statewide poll conducted earlier this month showed Clinton beating Pirro, 62% to 27%. Nevertheless, Pirro is an attractive candidate for the state GOP, as she has won plaudits for her work against child molesters and underage drinking. She is also often seen on national television as a commentator on high-profile crimes, and in 1997, she made People magazine’s “Most Beautiful” list. In addition, Pirro supports abortion rights, just as Hillary does. Ironically, Pirro, like Hillary, has what might be called “husband problems.” Mr. Pirro has served time in federal prison for tax fraud and has had a paternity suit filed (unsuccessfully) against him.
