HILLARYWATCH

Hillary '08 - The Lady Who Divides

2005-08-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

This morning this story popped up in the Tuscaloosa News. An outside group - supposedly - not affiliated with the Clinton campaign is already airing ads supporting her run for the presidency in the early primary state of New Hampshire.

The ads are designed to gin up the excitement and to firmly plant Hillary as the frontrunner in the minds of that state's "first in the nation" voting position.

There has been a consistent debate over whether Hillary has the steam to make it through the primary and general election cycle in 2008. Most critics who seem to think she won't always cite the same reason.

"Hillary is the strongest Democrat. She's the most popular woman in the
country," said Kunst, who believes the polarizing senator will attract votes
from Republicans who are unhappy with the Bush administration.

"The party simply says, 'Well, Hillary divisive, Hillary controversial.' We
say that is an asset, not a liability," Kunst said. "Nobody gets attacked like
her, but on the other hand nobody has the support like her."

For what it's worth. Divisive and controversial is exactly what she will have to be to give herself definition from the rest of the crowd of liberal standards that will attempt to run against her.

In marketing you always try to make your brand something that is distinct and triangulating division is how the Clintons were successful in the 90's.I don't know if it gets her anywhere in the general election.

But for the duration of the primary - expect Hillary to be divisive and controversial - she has to win the base. Expect the more calm, resolute Hillary to show up after the rest have dropped out and she's on her way to the big dance.

Will the REAL Hillary please stand up, please stand up, please stand up...

2005-06-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

It is frustrating seeing the rapid almost scary changes that the former first lady can morph herself in to.

Senator Clinton in speaking to a fund raising crowd that would later in the day bestow better than $250,000 to her campaign chest, threw out the red meat ala "Howard the Dean" style in New York City.

The most outrageous things said:

"There has never been an administration, I don't believe in our history, more intent upon consolidating and abusing power to further their own agenda."

"I can tell you this: It's very hard to stop people who have no shame about what they're doing. It is very hard to tell people that they are making decisions that will undermine our checks and balances and constitutional system of government who don't care. It is very hard to stop people who have never been acquainted with the truth."

"Now, I talk to Eleanor Roosevelt all the time, and she has never said there is any reason to only have one point of view. But apparently they have a different direct line."

And following all of that invective against Christians, Conservatives, and Republicans she then turned her gaze to the media...

"It's shocking when you see how easily they fold in the media today," Mrs. Clinton said, again to strong applause. "They don't stand their ground. If they're criticized by the White House, they just fall apart.

"I mean, c'mon, toughen up, guys, it's only our Constitution and country at stake."

So just remember these little jibes the next time you hear a report about how "centrist" Hillary has become.

"HILLARY IN 2006" or "HILLARY IN 2008"
"Who the hell cares - just so long as I get to rule the world!"

HillaryWatch: Clinton's new approval numbers...

2005-02-09T19:31:00.000-08:00

Just "look how far she's come"...

In 2001, the incoming Senator only had the confidence of 38% of her voter constituency, that now sits at an all time new high of 65%.

Not only that she continues to lead all Democratic front-runners for 2008 Presidential prospects... Among Democrats - 40% choose Clinton to be the party's nominee in the next presidential race. 25% picked John Kerry, 17% went with John Edwards.

It is important to point out that no other female candidate has ever had such a chance of winning a party's nomination before.

Long time Clinton strategist, and later Clinton critic - Dick Morris wrote for "The Hill" today that Condaleeza Rice will be the best shot for Republicans in opposing Clinton's eventual coronation.

HillaryWatch: Pro-Life Groups want a meeting...

2005-02-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you missed this bit of news today...

A Pro-Life group has asked for an audience with Senator Clinton. This comes on the heels of a speech given last month in which the Senator advocated finding more "common ground" on the issue of abortion prevention.

While most pro-life groups laughed at the idea that Senator was doing anything more than triangulating for a 2008 Presidential run, the Christian Defense Coalition is taking up the senator on the offer to find said common ground.

In a letter sent to Clinton the groups said:

"Senator Clinton, it is truly our hope that you were sincere in your desire to reach out to people of faith and the pro-life community. It would be very disappointing and troubling to discover your recent statements were motivated only by political posturing. Senator Clinton, a discussion with the pro-life community would help determine if you were sincere in your comments, or if you were attempting to reinvent yourself on the topic of abortion, to appear less radical."

The group also has plans to approach the Senator's office to schedule a face to face.

HillaryWatch wishes them well in their lofty endeavors.

HillaryWatch: "Praying Person" comment questioned...

2005-01-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back this blog and many others across the blogosphere were taken in by a preliminary report that later turned out to be satire concerning Hillary's "Evangelical-ness". However at recent gatherings in discussing the use of faith-based initiatives - confirmed reports have Hillary casting herself as one of the faithful referring to herself as someone who has always been a "praying person". Faith based activists do seem to be objecting to such categorization.

HillaryWatch: Weekend Roundup

2005-01-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'm sure this will surprise no one - but this former Hillary staffer is predicting/advocating two things...Hillary is the top candidate to beat in '08...and Bush's speech was 100% on target.

A lot of folks dismiss Morris now as some sort of one man Clinton truth squad - but the truth is - he does know the Clintons in ways that no other former staffers do. Which is one reason why these:

are such best sellers. But whether you love him or hate him...he's hard to argue with. He lived it - was there - heard the off the record conversations.

The LONDON TIMES has just released some interesting numbers. Laura Bush's approval rating nearly double as President Bush enters his second term as what Hillary's was going into "Bill II".

As it happens, Laura Bush has the highest approval rating of any first lady in living memory: it currently stands at 71%. Her popularity outranks her husband’s by nearly 20%, and 55% of Democrats like her, even if they loathe her other half. Her fans don’t consist solely of conservative evangelicals. Furthermore, nearly four-fifths of Americans recently told pollsters she has “improved the image of the office of first lady”. To put this in context, Hillary Clinton’s approval rating as her husband went into his second term was a mere 47%.

"Has improved the image of the office of the first lady?"

OUCH - who was the first lady immediately previous to Mrs. Bush? HillaryWatch does not see how this will help demonstrate much of anything other than the fact that the front-runner for the Dems in '08 (despite RadioBlogger's objection) does indeed have work to do to "improve the image of a former first lady" - the only one in history who did go on to become Senator. And if she achieves her goal - the first to become President...

HillaryWatch: More 2008 Speculation...

2005-01-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

It seems darn certain. Or then again does it? Today more reports concerning Hillary's intention for 2008.

The National Ledger picked up on a report that USNews was circulating this weekend. It went something like this...

You don't have to take it from us about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's desire to run for president. Her brothers, Hugh and Tony Rodham, say it's true. Friends tell us that the two are cheering Sis on and say she's making all the moves to get ready for the race--presuming she is re-elected by New Yorkers
in 2006.

But they weren't the only ones pondering aloud what Hillary's next step is. The NYDailyNews Richard Shwartz goes so far as to say that Bill Clinton's by-pass came at an "inadvertently convenient" juncture in Hillary's time-table. The implication being that it took her off the trail long enough to not be really pressed into duty for the Kerry Campaign.

And it looks like Hillary's position may infact be weakening Gov. George Pataki's resistance to the idea of running for Senator against Hillary.

HillaryWatch has maintained from the beginning that she will run for President. This is something we still believe - however - as we've said before she MUST win her Senatorial race to do so.

A loss against a Pataki, Powell, or Gulliani in 2006 would seal her fate in 2008.

HillaryWatch honors Dr. King.

2005-01-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

Today the question should be - are we any closer to achieving the dream he laid out for us than we were when he challenged us?

In many ways HillaryWatch believes we might be...in some significant ways we believe that we are not.

Dr. King was a valiant man of faith and in many good ways - optimism. Today we rededicate ourselves to his ideas. His widow Coretta has issued a tremendous challenge to us today - make something of today as a tribute to the lasting power of Dr. King's legacy.

We agree and dedicate ourselves to just that.

HillaryWatch: Finance Aide Indicted/Hillary Knew The Truth

2005-01-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

As the news was breaking on the new developments in the "Hillary Aide" story, I am sad to report I was headed out of town. But I have since returned and there are some important things to be pointed out here.

First off...

The indictment is serious. WNBC had the details first. Up to four seperate counts of indictable wrong doing. Each of them carrying a jail sentance of up to five years and $250,000 PER in fines. (That's $1,000,000 all totaled.)

With her typical style, Clinton denied being informed of the details. Her attorney David Kendall (of impeachment fame) simply said that the Senate office was working with the investigation and that they were confident that when the smoke cleared... blah, blah, blah...

BUT NOW COMES THIS TIDBIT...

It turns out that Hillary had herself personally negotiated some of the fees involved in the now infamous fund-raiser. And this come's from the producer for the event - Peter Paul.

Paul is saying that he informed Mrs. Clinton that her finance director, had failed to accurately report the costs for the event to the Federal Election Commission.

"Hillary Clinton personally called the producer of the concert part of this event," Mr. Paul told Fox News Channel's Eric Shawn. "She asked him to lower the fee that he was charging of $850,000 at my request. So I don't understand how she could possibly say that she didn't know."

The Clinton camp, for what its worth, is sticking by its story...with lackey-lawyer Kendall running out with press statements.

This time however conservative activist group Judicial Watch claims that they can produce video, pictures, and thank you notes that demonstrate Hillary's involvement. A Judicial Watch spokesman confirmed to HillaryWatch that they have in fact handed this evidence over to the Justice Department.

HillaryWatch firmly believes that if Mrs. Clinton is to have any chance at securing the party's nomination in 2008 she has to be transparent on this issue and anything else that comes as close to the heart in the weeks ahead.

We even suggest that Hillary might in fact do so in certain transparency to be more acceptable to the middle of America that she believes she might still snag long term in a heated Presidential race.

HillaryWatch: Clinton's Public Pledge on Tsunami Disaster Relief

2005-01-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

President and Mrs. Clinton who have made better than $30 million in book advances since leaving the White House took time this weekend to make a very public pledge of personal funds towards the relief work going on in the Tsunami wrecked region of the Indian Ocean.

The Clintons were appearing at a relief effort in Queens and met with some 30 volunteers gathered. Oh yes, and New York Newsday newspaper reporter just happened to be there to get a statement from the couple.

Later in the weekend when the Clintons were queried by CNN as to how much they would be personally donating to the cause - the Clintons' spokesperson went silent.

Lesson learned? Don't make a big public deal about what a great contribution you're going to make to charity - if you intend it to be private. HillaryWatch believes it makes you look like a couple of cheap publicity chasers...

HW is also sure it makes you look that way to others as well...

HillaryWatch: NYPost readers miffed...

2005-01-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

New York Post readers are not taking kindly to recent revelations concerning the timeline between Bill Clinton's last minute pardon of Oil Financier Marc Rich and his ex-wife's contributions to the "Hillary for Senate campaign...
-----------------------------------------------------
"Bill Clinton pardons Marc Rich in the final minutes of his presidency, after Rich's ex-wife had donated to Hillary Clinton's senatorial campaign. And, of course, Rich immediately goes into business with Saddam Hussein in the Oil-for-Food scam. Now Hillary is running for president and Bill is looking to become the next U.N. secretary general.Quite the cozy arrangement, that."
Joan Reilly/Denver,Colo.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"When Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich in 2001, that made it easier for Rich to participate in the Oil-for-Food scandal. Therefore, it can be fairly said that Bill Clinton himself bears partial responsibility for the deaths of more than 1,000 soldiers in Iraq, since the reason the soldiers were sent in Iraq was to prevent Saddam from using his stolen booty to build WMDs. Bill Clinton: the gift that keeps on giving."
James Nollet
Billerica, Mass.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully, some chickens are coming home to roost for Bill and Hill now that Marc Rich has been fingered as an active participant in the U.N. Oil-for-Food fiasco. This is the same tax evader and fugitive whose ex-wife Denise funded Hillary's senate campaign and Bill's presidential library with big bucks, in exchange for a last minute presidential pardon for her husband just before Clinton left office. When Hillary Clinton runs for president as the Democratic candidate in 2008, the Republicans must not let Americans forget about Marc Rich.
Emil Maricondo
Brooklyn

HillaryWatch thinks the readers have point!

HillaryWatch - Will She Run or Not

2004-12-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

Our fine friend over at RadioBlogger seems insistent on saying that Sen. Clinton is NOT going to make a stab at the Presidency. For what its worth - HillaryWatch believes that not only will she be the candidate but that she will pick Illinois Senator Barack Obama as her running mate.

Radio Blogger feels boistered in his prediction by sighting this recent Rasmussen story...

The part RB highlights is this:
December 13, 2004--If the next Presidential Election were held today, 46% of voters would vote for a generic Republican candidate over Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 39% of voters would cast their ballot for Senator Clinton. The New York Senator holds a narrow 45% to 42% lead among women, but trails by 17 points among men.

RB goes on to say that because of this, she can't attain Margret Thatcher like status, will see the handwriting on the wall and decide to opt out.

We're not buying it especially in light of these numbers out over the same weekend...
"Her approval rating has jumped from 38 percent when she took office nearly four years ago to 63 percent this month, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.

Another Quinnipiac poll suggests that Clinton could do better than expected in swing states in a presidential race. In the survey of 1,039 registered voters in Florida, 45 percent said they would like to see her run for president in 2008 compared with 36 percent for 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards.

"The anti-Hillary faction is not as large as some conventional wisdom believes it is," said Clay Richards, assistant director of Quinnipiac polling. "The fact that she gets 20 percent of the Republican vote (in the poll) indicates to me that she is not necessarily seen as a New York liberal."

With Chuck Schumer and others taking on more of the heavy lifting in the U.S. Senate on liberal intiatives...look for Hillary to be increasingly a voice of the "seemingly more moderate middle"...pair her with the rising "Rock Star" of the party (and the premiere black politician who will get cameras with him everywhere this next few years) and you have the ticket for '08.

HillaryWatch: The Tale of 3 Campaign Advisors...

2004-12-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it on December 5th in the New York Times, Michael Slackman offered the ideas from three well established political consultants to Ms. Hillary on what she needed to do to get elected in '08.

David Axelrod - former Edwards adviser:
1. Get relected, redefine the Democratic Party, dive back into the health care issue/crisis.
2. Promote Adoption and Abstinence as options where the government can reduce the number of abortions.
3. Embrace gay marriage.
4. Using her platform on the Armed Services Committee, talk about fighting terrorism.
5. Suggested Theme: "Keeping America and the middle class strong in a changing world."

Joe Trippi - former Dean adviser:
1. Redfine yourself as NOT New York and as NOT a Senator. Run as a reform candidate - reform the sustem, the way money, lobbyists and government work. Pledge not to take any donation over $500. Counter religious values by focusing on civic virtues and duties and responsibility of citizens as moral language.
2.Read the "Restoration of the Republic" by Gary Hart.
3. Take the power back from the lobbyists.

Keiran Mahoney former consultant to NY Gov.George Pataki:
1. Confound the expectations that she is liberal.
2. Support the President on important issues at crucial times.
3. Make a public break with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party so as to draw national attention.
4. Suggested Slogan "Make History".

There is a lot to comment on from these three perspectives - but there is also some profound insight. Hillary will have to fundamentally change some portion of WHO she is in order to be acceptable to the general electorate. This was the dilemma that stared John Kerry in the face.

Will Hillary be more adept at pulling it off. HillaryWatch believes she has more natural talent at it than Kerry did...but we are uncertain as to the degree she would be successful with it.

HillaryWatch - No Opponent, No Worries, Raise $$$ Anyway...

2004-12-03T16:19:00.000-08:00

Patti Solis Doyle. Recognize that name? Lady Shillary wants you to.

It is the signature at the bottom of the first "Friends of Hillary" letter that is kicking off the Senator's appeal for campaign funds by asking donors to "fight back" against what it is calling the "new flood" of anti-Hillary rhetoric coming from conservative groups.

Doyle says in the Shillary appeal letter, "We have to have funds on hand even before the campaign begins so that we can respond right away."

And Doyle also paints the Senator as the "sacrifical servant" of the democratic party because she had "put her own campaign on hold last year while she raised money for Senator Kerry and other Democratic candidates."

The New York Sun consulted with well known GOP opposition groups that might be readying to take on Mrs. Clinton, and not a one had yet mobilized for the 2006 race.

So where were the "scary threats" coming from that Hillary and Co. are using as their reasoning for raising funds now?

Does anyone recall another campaign season tactic once employed by Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Do the words "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" come to mind?

HillaryWatch: She still doesn't get it...

2004-11-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

The values thing is eluding QueenHill. Giving a recent speech at TUFTS university Hillary sounded off on the "Values Voters Revolution"...

Appearing at Tufts University, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.) gave a speech on how moral values have less to do with abortion and homosexuality than they do with left-wing economic policies. "No one can read the New Testament of our Bible without recognizing that Jesus had a lot more to say about how we treat the poor than most of the issues that were talked about in this election," she said.

The absurd thing about this is the fact that Hillary is being so plainly dualistic on the Values debate... (I worship in as much of an "evangelical style" as I can?) Then she rips on two of the issues that evangelicals care most about.

The God gap is going to be a tough nut for pragmatists like Hillary. The reason she has begun her entire campaign so early is that she can test and retest the waters for the message that works.

No one should underestimate how serious she is about that...

It should also be pointed out now that Bill has opened the Presidential Library in Arkansas he can write off almost any expense he wishes toward the library...in other words she can score a pretty unlimited amount of cash for whatever she needs. She also can now have at no cost to her an entire staff dedicated to researching, developing, and studying ways to get her where she wants to go.

Hillary is sitting on top of several gold mines - and we at HillaryWatch believe she is smart enough to attempt to use them for her own political gain.

HillaryWatch: Hillary,"As much of an Evangelical as is feasible?"

2004-11-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind and there certainly isn't here at HillaryWatch that Mrs. Clinton has a definable deficiency in the "Values Voters" category.

Evidently she is attempting to begin to try to bridge that gap.

HillaryWatch is unconvinced.

In an upcoming edition of the print version of the National Review. This little quote appears following a visit from the New York Senator to one of her former places of residence - Little Rock Arkansas.

"I'm here spending time at my husband's library," she told the Lamp when we caught up with her after a Sunday camp meeting, "and of course, I always take time to worship God in as evangelical a way as is feasible, given time and location constraints. As you know, I consider myself an evangelical Christian, really a Christian conservative, if you want to know the truth, so it's nice to be 'home' again in the South, which I really consider my quote-unquote home even though I live in New York most of the time. Well, Washington, D.C., most of the time, actually, but if I'm not there I'm in New York, of course, but always thinking about being here, in the South, my spiritual home, where I shared so many wonderful evangelical . . . moments and . . . events. Can you read that back to me?"

Besides the fact that there is no "evangelical way" of worshiping God, nor are there "evangelical moments", nor "evangelical events"...

What actually does exist is a set of evangelical beliefs - God exists, All have sinned, accepting Christ as Savior forgives your sin and brings eternal life, and once you have accepted Christ the Bible and its principles become your binding code of belief.

Those beliefs then mean that abortion is murder, marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, woman, and God - and that scripture is something you can not ignore.

HillaryWatch does not claim to be totally all knowing on what an evangelical is - but we are also quite sure that Hillary is not the least bit evangelical...and it does not require an expert to decipher that.

HillaryWatch: Senator Clinton vs. Secretary Powell?

2004-11-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

So if Rudy Gulliani is running for President in 2008 and does not wish to use capital, time and energy in the 2006 Senate Race...who can stand down Hillary in a serious challenge for her Senate seat in the next midterm election?

According to New York Newsday - Secretary of State Colin Powell would fit the bill perfectly.

"His roots and heart have always been in New York. I think he'd make a great representative and I urge him strongly to consider running," said Fossella.

Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants, was born and raised in New York City.

Vito Fossella is a Staten Island Congressman who said that he spoke with Powell about the possibility on Tuesday.

If Powell could K.O. Hillary in 2006 - it is HillaryWatch's belief that this would fundamentally retire the Clinton's from the political scene.

HillaryWatch: Hillary Clinton already winning the race for 2008 Dem Primary...

2004-11-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

Probably to no one's surprise the polls have already begun for the early Presidential chances in 2008. The Gallup organization has the latest numbers in both partisan circles as to who voters would like to see be the top contender for the White House.

For the Democrats...
Hillary Clinton was the choice of 25% of those surveyed.
John Kerry was second at 15% and the list was lengthy and insignificant beyond that.

For the Republicans...
John McCain and Rudy Gulliani both came in at 10% each.

Hillary to Speak at Bubba's Opening...

2004-11-14T13:58:00.000-08:00

HillaryWatch can now confirm a partial speaker's list for Thursday's opening of the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock Arkansas.

Former President's Clinton, Bush and Carter will all take part. Current President Bush will also speak.

And HillaryWatch can now confirm that Mrs. Clinton will also be taking part in the ceremonies.

According to this television report from Ohio the library will not skip the most controversial portion of the President's term in office - the Monica Lewinsky affair. Both Monica and Paula Jones are mentioned by name in the corner of the library dedicated to the events which stained America's conscience...(and Monica's dress while we're at it).

HillaryWatch feels its important to note the following:
1. Hillary is speaking - and Monica and Paula are both alive and well in the library memorial.
2. Hillary's personal approval numbers have always increased everytime her husband's infidelities are pressed into people's memories.

Having said that - is it a strategic Hillary move to be seen in a venue - where the only ones speaking except her are all past and former Presidents and for the infidelities of her husband's terms be put in the minds of the 30,000 or so in attendance and the doubtless millions that will be tuned in via cable - all to being to not only reimerse Hillary as a sympathetic character but to do so on a stage where she is seen side by side with nothing but former Presidents?

Its worth at least thinking about isn't it?

HillaryWatch: Senator attends the wedding of a Starr...

2004-11-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

"It's not unusual to be loved by anyone..." at least not in New York when every Starr under the sun has been invited to be a part of the wedding party or in attendance...

This was the locale that HillaryWatch spotted Mrs. Clinton at until at least about 8pm on Saturday night.

Starr Jones' well publicized (and commercialized) wedding came off apparently without a hitch and Mrs. Clinton was one of the prominent notables to be in attendance. It strikes us at HillaryWatch as no coincedence at all...

The Clinton's were famous for their mingling with Hollywood and the entertainment establishment when in the White House. To their credit though - they never did say that the "Values that represented the Heart and Soul of America" were the rough equivalent of Whoopie Goldberg's genitalia...(as John Kerry did).

Since everyone from Spike Lee, to Vivica A. Fox, Barbara Walters to Natalie Cole were there - I would be interested to know how many times the words "2008" came up in discussion between the former first lady and the fat-cat pocketbooks that were represented in the liberal elites that studded the Starr event...

"HillaryWatch" named "Up and Comer" Blog...

2004-11-13T23:12:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to drop a quick thank you to RADIOBLOGGER who officially named HillaryWatch an "up and coming blog". Our numbers are small and we recognize that - but so was the KerrySpot at one point - and our goal is to be to Ms.Hillary what "the spot" was to JFK...

Now this is fun...

2004-11-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

New Bumper sticker for 2008

HILLARY WATCH RADAR ALERT: She's moving center!

2004-11-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

At least according to this report from Marist Institute for Public Opinion. (A New York based pollster) The reasoning? She's scared to death of being seen as a leftist - especially after she saw what happened to Sen. Kerry.

I have predicted this all along. This is why she broke with the Howard Dean bunch and voted with the President on the war. She has attempted to become Hawkish on National Security so that when the time is right she can claim some centrist positions on things her party was not wise enough to this time around.

Some of the highlights:
Political strategists say Clinton has impressed Senate colleagues and constituents by working methodically on New York issues while taking moderate or conservative stances on controversies such as the war in Iraq.

"A majority feel positive toward her," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. "She's being seen as being more effective and sticking to her job. She's managed to shape her role in a way that's more acceptable. She's in a transition."

A national survey of registered voters by the Marist Institute conducted directly after Election Day showed 54 percent of respondents view Clinton favorably, with 43 percent viewing her unfavorably.

But Americans are still mixed over whether she should run for president in 2008, with 42 percent saying she should and 54 percent saying she shouldn't, the poll showed.

Early in her Senate career, Clinton's popularity among New Yorkers was shaky at best. But she logged countless hours combing New York's 62 counties "and made a real effort to be around," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "She goes to things. She does what a senator ought to do."

According to a Quinnipiac poll of New Yorkers, Clinton's approval rating has steadily risen from 38 percent on Feb. 14, 2001 to 61 percent on Sept. 14, 2004.

"She's not the caricature that people thought," Carroll said. "She's not a '60s lefty. She's not a loony leftist, and she works. She's a reasonably centrist liberal."

Carroll said Democrats who aspire to their party's nomination in 2008 would "either have to beat her or discourage her" from running.

In my mind however - the greatest litmus test she will face in the days ahead will be - how strongly can she address the "values voters" issues that became such a prominent part of the campaign in 2004.

Bill felt comfortable in a church, carrying a big Bible. Hill doesn't strike us as someone who would.

Conservatives definitely don't relish any part of the thought of a Hillary presidency. If the culture war that began in this past election picks up steam in the next four years - Hillary might have to prove that more than just being "center" is necessary to get her back to the White House.

Albany DEMOCRAT doesn't "get" why Hillary would run for Prez...

2004-11-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

I personally can't comprehend what the mystery is. It seems to me nearly everyone in politics thinks that she will AT LEAST form an exploratory committee and thus raise money to do so. However in this op-ed entry in the Albany, New York - Democrat Herald newspaper the idea is "lost" on its author...

What's all this talk about Hillary Clinton? If the Democratic Party nominates her for president in 2008, the United States is almost assured of yet another four years of a Republican in the White House.All this talk about Hillary has been spread mainly in the news media. It doesn't necessarily reflect what most registered Democrats think, much less what the electorate as a whole might think of the idea.
Mrs. Clinton has not even completed one term in the Senate. If she has accomplished anything of note, the news has not penetrated this far west.
Senators have had a generally poor record in trying to move up to become president, with this past election being only the most recent example.A lot depends on what happens in the next four years. Mrs. Clinton may not even decide to run. If so, chances are she and the country will be better off.

There is no question the country would be better off if Hillary never becomes President...but since when has ANY Clinton every cared about how the country would "be" when it came to getting in the way of what "they" wanted...

Hillary's Time is here...says U.S. News.

2004-11-08T03:52:00.000-08:00

This appeared in the newest edition of U.S. News and World Report:

Friends of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton tell us that the New York Democrat is set to begin the hard work of running for president in 2008. Associates say that she already has organized a team to target fundraising prospects, create voter lists, and draw up a campaign agenda. The presidential effort will run in tandem with Clinton's 2006 senatorial re-election bid.

Boy that didn't take long! And unlike RadioBlogger, I believe she is very dead set to do it.

A lot of people give Dick Morris grief over his literary obsession with the Clintons - but the thing that must be remembered is - he worked closer with them than just about anyone else. And it seems to me that Dick has been unwavering in his belief that they want back in power.

Whether she wins or not - especially after the "Values Vote" of 2004 will have to wait to be determined. But one thing is clear - she wants it. And what Hillary wants Hillary makes dang sure she does everything she can to get!

She has paid out a lot of favors in terms of fundraising and campaigning in the 2004 cycle - and a lot of democrats have several IOU's with her...

As always HillaryWatch will keep an eye out for you...

Hillary Clinton and the "Realities of Being a Woman"

2004-11-05T01:48:00.000-08:00

I am not making this up. Hillary is slated as an expert speaker for this coming Saturday at a conference entitled: "Every Woman's Conference: The Economic Realities of Being a Woman."

The stated purpose of the conference is to - "give women advice on managing their finances and their lives."

Besides the fact that Hillary never owned anything until she and Bill had cleaned out all the furniture in the White House at the end of their term - what experience does she have in finances? Whitewater?

And in terms of keeping her life "managed", OY where to begin? She's married to a letch. Stayed with him while he became letchier... Is given to fits of rage and f-word tirades. And carpet-bagged her way into the Senate because she and her husband moved to the bluest blue state in the country. (She darn well would've never been elected from Arkansas!)

So my question is - where is her great "management" skill? Where is her booming expertise with finances - legal experience that is?

She is slated to appear alongside Carolyn Kepcher - whose basically only claim to fame is the fact that she appears on television next to Donald Trump and helps him decipher who to fire.

Carolyn and Hillary will share the "Secrets of their Success" from 9am-3pm on November 6th.

OK then - must rush right out and get tickets...

The rest of the info is in this Westchester (her hometown) newspaper.

All Eyes to Hillary now...

2004-11-03T18:18:00.000-08:00

It may seem far too early to consider this but it seems obvious to me that the HILLARY08 team will now be forming. It appears that way to European bookies as well.

In the Scotman.com News the Junior Senator from New York has already been given 5/1 odds by a firm call Ladbrokes. She has been given 6/1 odds by William Hill to win the Presidency in 2008.

Evidently Europeans had a lot riding on the outcome of last night's election as well. President Bush was the odds on favorite and helped the United Kingdom's betting industry take in L8million making if a bigger betting event than the recent Manchester United vs. Arsenal soccer match.

Hillary Watch - Campaigning for Kerry...

2004-09-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

~5:40pm~ EST
HILLARY IS CAMPAIGNING WHERE?: According to ABC7 in Chicago Hillary Clinton has found it more important to be campaigning for John Kerry in the Windy City, as opposed to her "home" state of New York. Many meetings planned, many appearances met...but what good does it do? Here she is prancing about in the midwest and now according to a report uncovered by KevinMcCullough Bush is now within 5 points of Kerry in New York. And according to two different polls he leads in her "neighboring" state of New Jersey.

Yep...she's really trying to turn out the vote for Kerry...uh-huh...sure...

Double Your Pleasure with Doublemint Hillary...

2004-09-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

~6:13pm~ EST
HILLARY'S DEMS REAP VOTES IN TWO STATES: Hillary Clinton is using Hurricaine conditions to raise political dollars in two states worth of voters.

According to a campaign letter sent today to supporters via e-mail Hillary wrote, "While the weather has been our biggest obstacle, the Republicans remain our greatest threat."

By this I am to conclude that she believes Republicans are worse than Hurricaines Charley, Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne put together...(and don't even think about terrorism).

She continued, "Florida is a battleground state for the Presidential race and the Republican party is looking to expand its narrow majority in the Senate with a possible 'pick-up' in this state."

Then she pitched for the Dem candidate for Senate - Betty Castro - er I mean Betty Castor.

"(The race between) Castor and Republican Mel Martinez will be extremely close and control of the U.S. Senate could rest on this state."

She then claimed that Castro, um I mean Castor, has the "momentum". And said, "Now she needs our support to fight against the national Republican machine and pull her through the home stretch. Help Floridians keep this seat Democratic (formerly Bob Graham's) by sending a critical contribution today."

Because the GOP is far more dangerous than the hurricaines - and don't you forget it.

But it also turns out that Hillary might be "sharing" something more than just good will with her Democratic colleagues in Florida.

The Boston Globe's Jeff Jacoby has pointed out that as many as 46,000 of Hillary's constiuents (New York residents) are registered to vote in both New York City and Florida...which is illegal.

As many as 1700 of those registered in both states did request an absentee ballot to be mailed to their home in the other state - where they were also registered.

Bush only won Florida in 2000 by 537 official votes...

I wonder how many of those registered in both states were democrats?

Hillary Watch...State Fair before Bubba

2004-09-03T23:02:00.000-07:00

~1:30am~ EST
HILLARYWATCH.COM: Because of my close proximity to the Clintons being that they reside here in my listening area - and since one of my longest term advertisers are literally down the street from them, why not keep my eye on what's happening with the former first lady as she prepares for her obvious run for the Presidency in 2008? I say obvious because now that the Democrats are polling 11% behind the GOP in the presidential race, I think you can understand how Hillary may now be smacking her chops the way she desired to originally before having to do all of this "for the good of the party" stuff that her heart was never really in to.

Couple that with the fact that she abandoned the "Truth Squad" for the DNC after only one day of the GOP convention. Hillary had been touted as "the lead attack dog" for the Dems to effectively renounce the things being said at the RNC Convention. Because she did abandon her role that left the strongest attack duties to DNC Chair Terry McAulliffe and after no more than about 35 minutes on radio row - he was done too.

So let it be said, so let it be done. Come back here for regular updates on what Hillary is doing...

And she gave us an interesting turn today to start things off with... All day long, (well before I was on the air at 1pm) newscasts at the top of the hour of the news stations were announcing the medical situation that was developing with former President Bill Clinton.

After visiting a doctor near his home in Westchester, his doctors determined he needed emergency quadruple bypass. I began hearing the reports publicly by 11:00am EST. I heard them again on the news reports at 11:30am, a newsbreak update at 11:45am, at 12:00pm the local ABC station had the story, and I heard it again at 12:30pm. He was sent to Columbia Medical center in New York, the Kerry campaign was contacted, and The President of the United States offered best wishes and hopes for a "swift and speedy recovery" from a campaign stop in West Allis Wisconsin. My point is simply this...news of the former President's health was literally all over the world, and the emergency nature of what he is facing. I announced it on my show and asked people to pray for him at 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm and 3:30pm.

So when did Mrs. Clinton show up at the hospital?

Well according to New York Newsday (Hillary's hometown newspaper) Mrs. Clinton sauntered through the emergency room doors a little past 4pm. And according to the same report she had put in an appearance at the State Fair in Syracuse before bothering to go to her husband's side...and the kicker is - this is an election year, but she's not running this year. And she isn't really campaigning for John Kerry.

Very, very, odd...