Senator Clinton
05-09-2003, 09:56 AM
Nationwide Republican mailing seeks
funds to stop Sen. Clinton
Democratic
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
repeatedly insists she isn't running
for president, but a new
nationwide Republican effort aims
to raise funds for the 2004 election
by suggesting the GOP has to stop
her.
"Are you ready for a new Clinton era in
Washington?" the letter from the Republican
Presidential Task Force begins. "...It could
happen. But only if you let it."
The appeal bng sent this week continues: "If
Republicans don't take immediate steps to
counter her, Senator Hillary Clinton will
continue to rise unimpeded to the very
pinnacle of power in Washington and we will
see the dawning of a new, more liberal Clinton
era."
The three-page letter points out that the New
York senator has said she will not run for
president in 2004. Nevertheless, it focuses on
Clinton's quick rise through the ranks of the
Democratic Party since winning office in 2000,
arguing that she has become her party's "top
fund-raiser, thr top ideologue, thr leading voice in opposition to President Bush."
High polling numbers for Clinton among Democrats have fueled speculation about her plans, but
she has repeatedly said she will not run in 2004.
The Republican letter, written by Task Force chairman Sen. George Allen of Virginia, cites
several news reports describing Clinton as a burgeoning political force.
Allen, who also serves as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, writes
that his group will launch "a new mission: To stop Hillary."
A $120 donation earns donors "Platinum Member" status and makes them eligible for a
membership card, lapel pin and ceremonial American flag.
"Only with your support will we have the resources to battle the multimillions of dollars Hillary
Clinton is raising from deep-pocketed liberals," the letter says.
Clinton's spokesman, Philippe Rnes, said, "While thr attention is flattering, Senator Clinton will
continue working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done for New
York and America."
Clinton was the target of similar Republican fund-raising efforts in past elections, and one
Republican operative familiar with the new appeal said she still energizes the Republican base
as much as she does for the Democrats.
The senator, who is not up for re-election until 2006, also has been used as a fund-raising foil
by a New York Republican looking to unseat Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, in 2004.
Michael Benjamin, a Wall Street trader seeking his party's nomination, has sent out a letter
arguing a victory over Schumer would "set the foundation for defeating Hillary Clinton in 2006."
funds to stop Sen. Clinton
Democratic
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
repeatedly insists she isn't running
for president, but a new
nationwide Republican effort aims
to raise funds for the 2004 election
by suggesting the GOP has to stop
her.
"Are you ready for a new Clinton era in
Washington?" the letter from the Republican
Presidential Task Force begins. "...It could
happen. But only if you let it."
The appeal bng sent this week continues: "If
Republicans don't take immediate steps to
counter her, Senator Hillary Clinton will
continue to rise unimpeded to the very
pinnacle of power in Washington and we will
see the dawning of a new, more liberal Clinton
era."
The three-page letter points out that the New
York senator has said she will not run for
president in 2004. Nevertheless, it focuses on
Clinton's quick rise through the ranks of the
Democratic Party since winning office in 2000,
arguing that she has become her party's "top
fund-raiser, thr top ideologue, thr leading voice in opposition to President Bush."
High polling numbers for Clinton among Democrats have fueled speculation about her plans, but
she has repeatedly said she will not run in 2004.
The Republican letter, written by Task Force chairman Sen. George Allen of Virginia, cites
several news reports describing Clinton as a burgeoning political force.
Allen, who also serves as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, writes
that his group will launch "a new mission: To stop Hillary."
A $120 donation earns donors "Platinum Member" status and makes them eligible for a
membership card, lapel pin and ceremonial American flag.
"Only with your support will we have the resources to battle the multimillions of dollars Hillary
Clinton is raising from deep-pocketed liberals," the letter says.
Clinton's spokesman, Philippe Rnes, said, "While thr attention is flattering, Senator Clinton will
continue working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done for New
York and America."
Clinton was the target of similar Republican fund-raising efforts in past elections, and one
Republican operative familiar with the new appeal said she still energizes the Republican base
as much as she does for the Democrats.
The senator, who is not up for re-election until 2006, also has been used as a fund-raising foil
by a New York Republican looking to unseat Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, in 2004.
Michael Benjamin, a Wall Street trader seeking his party's nomination, has sent out a letter
arguing a victory over Schumer would "set the foundation for defeating Hillary Clinton in 2006."