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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: calgal who wrote (332716)	12/22/2002 7:34:09 PM
From: calgal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Clinton May Take Senate Democratic Leadership Post URL: foxnews.com Friday, December 20, 2002 NEW YORK — New York Sen. Hillary Clinton may have the chance to boost her Senate power if she is named the next chair of the Senate Democratic Steering Committee. When current chairman Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts steps down to focus on a possible presidential run in 2004, a successor will be named, and smart money is on the former first lady. If chosen, it would mean more than kudos for Clinton. The position would be an important one as the junior senator decides on future leadership positions to pursue. For example, if she sets her sights on a run for president in 2008, the Steering Committee job would be a good start to getting her closer to that nomination. But a Clinton chairmanship would also be a feather in the hat of Democrats who, although they lost the Senate, are trying to prove they haven't lost their direction as well. The Steering Committee chair is a party leadership role that would give Clinton a major public platform if she helps shape the Democratic message and Democratic attack on the Republican Party, leading up to the next election. Critics say Democrats have so far failed to get out a coherent message, something the GOP has been considered more effective in doing. One message Clinton may try to pursue is the latest Democratic charge that the Republican Party is racist. On Friday, Clinton issued a statement applauding Sen. Trent Lott for stepping down from his leadership post after being barraged with criticism over seemingly racist comments made at a birthday party for 100-year-old Sen. Strom Thurmond. But, she said, the Republicans have many more problems than just Lott's foot-in-mouth disease. "If anyone thinks that one person stepping down from a leadership position cleanses the Republican Party of their constant exploitation of race, then I think you're naive," Clinton said. Even though Clinton is only two years into her first term in the Senate, she's extremely well known, has plenty of experience on the Hill and knows how to raise money, analysts say. "It's unusual for a fresh senator to get anything in that body, but the difference here is she's not your normal average freshman senator ... her name is Clinton, she comes from New York ... that changes everything," said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. "She's also a champion fundraiser, carrier of the Democratic torch, and the Democrats have been torched, so she's logical to fit that position and she's historically known for taking on the Republicans and has the gumption and gall to do it," Sheinkopf said. Clinton's office didn't respond to phone calls seeking comment on her future, but word around Capitol Hill is that she could be named as chair of the committee in the next few days. Fox News' Rick Leventhal contributed to this report.