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Hillary aiming at 'wide stage'
18/06/2006 17:35 - (SA)
Albany - A recent fundraising letter from senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is seeking re-election this year in New York, does not mention the state, but it slips eight references to "America" or "Americans" into two pages.
The letter points to a fact of life in the world of New York's junior senator, who many think may be a contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination: The national stage is there, and she is making use of it.
In recent weeks, the wife of former President Bill Clinton has begun a series of national policy addresses.
Doesn't mention her opponents
Unlike earlier fundraising appeals, the recent letter contains no mention of potential senate race opponents. There is plenty of talk about national Republicans and their apparent dislike for her.
"My name is at the top of their list," her Friends of Hillary letter begins as she quickly launches into an attack on "Washington Republicans".
"The Republicans can't stomach the fact that I'm leading the fight against their misplaced priorities," writes Clinton.
"It's no secret they are willing to spend millions of dollars to tear me down between now and election day," she adds.
"It's blatant talk about a presidential run that doesn't even attempt to conceal the fact that she's looking ahead to 2008," said Brian Nick, a spokesman for the national republican senatorial committee.
Not so, said Clinton campaign spokesperson Ann Lewis.
"We talk about national priorities because we know that's a big concern for our supporters," said Lewis.
"This letter goes to donors around country who support HRC because she is a leader on issues about which they care.
"This is about the '06 campaign and making sure we have the resources," said Lewis.
At the end of March, Clinton already had a very big resource advantage - $20m (about R138m), according to federal campaign filings.
Former Yonkers mayor John Spencer and Reagan-era Pentagon official Kathleen Troia "KT" McFarland, who are competing for the senate nomination, each had less than $500 000 (aboutR3.45m) on hand.
Statewide polls have Clinton with 2-1 leads on Spencer or McFarland, and national polls put her on top of the list of potential Democratic presidential contenders.
"Mrs. Clinton is an ambitious woman, and I have no problem with that," said McFarland.
20 million deserve her full-time attention
"But it has become increasingly obvious that her focus is on national politics, not New York.
"That's unfortunate, because 20 million New Yorkers deserve a senator who is committed full-time to their interests and to their interests alone."
"It's a delicate balance because she is running for re-election now," said Chicago-based Democratic consultant David Axelrod.
"But by speaking out on these issues, she fulfills her obligation as a national leader - and she is viewed as a national leader - and she's also speaking out on issues that are important to New Yorkers."
- AP
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