ABCNEWS.com
Jan. 25 - A glance at their published daybooks for
Monday, January 26, 1998 says it all.
President Clinton:
No public events are scheduled.
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton:
In Washington and New York:
10 a.m.: Joins the vice president and Secretary Riley for
an after-school program announcement.
3:30 p.m.: Tours and remarks on the "Virtual Y," a
facility allowing students to read and learn in a safe
environment after school.
8:30 p.m.: Attends UNICEF 50th Anniversary Gala.
While President Clinton retreats with advisors and legal
representatives behind doors of the White House to help
neutralize the brewing crisis that's the talk of the nation, Hillary
Clinton will be racing from one appearance to another, facing
the public head-on.
As a steadfast defender of her husband, Mrs. Clinton is
scheduled to make appearances on two morning interview shows
this week as well, NBC's Today show, and ABC's Good
Morning America.
'Full Battle Regalia'
It's characteristic of her to meet crises in "in full battle regalia,"
as a source close to the first lady described it. And, as she did in
1992 following allegations by Gennifer Flowers that she had a
long affair with Bill Clinton, she has come out swinging.
"We have very much expected that we would be hit with all
kinds of accusations when we decided to make this run for the
presidency," she said while stumping with her husband in New
Hampshire in 1992. "And we knew when we got into this that
those are the kinds of things that would be used against us
because the Republicans did it in the last gubernatorial
campaign."
This week's message was virtually 1992 redux.
"There has been a concerted effort to undermine his
legitimacy as president, to undo much of what he has been able
to accomplish, to attack him personally when he could not be
defeated politically," she told reporters Wednesday.
Up, Confident and Focused
But despite her visible presence, she too is reported to be
seeking some high-profile advice from behind closed doors.
Sources have said she has turned to long-time and trusted
advisers, including Mickey Kantor, Harold Ickes, and Harry
Thomason-all veterans of the struggles of the 1992
campaign-and might be looking for a public strategy for
herself.
Whatever strategy she develops, insiders maintain Hillary
Clinton is remaining up, confident and focused. |
