HILLARY'S CHOICE

Hillary in '08, or sooner? (ROBERT NOVAK, May 4, 2003, Chicago SUN-TIMES)

No, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is not about to announce her candidacy for president in 2004, joining the jostling pack of Democratic candidates elbowing each other and participating in their first debate this weekend in South Carolina. Her reputation for keeping secrets is well-known, but everybody believes she is planning to sit out 2004 and aiming for the 2008 election to run for president.

Nevertheless, Hillary could be propelled, without her volition, into next year's presidential election. The prospect of another Bush-Clinton race--with a younger Bush and a female Clinton--generates hope and fear among Democrats and Republicans alike.

Democrats hope that Mrs. Clinton can duplicate nationally her letter-perfect 2000 campaign for the U.S. Senate but fear she could bring on one of the periodic Democratic washouts, in the mold of George McGovern and Walter Mondale. Republicans hope her premature presidential candidacy could mean ridding themselves of the Clintons at long last, but are frightened by her masterful performance in New York.

The former first lady certainly generates far more attention than the pallid band of announced candidates. This weekend's South Carolina debate will not get a fraction of the media exposure Sen. Clinton will command between now and June 9, the publication date of Living History, her memoir of life as first lady. With hints that it will reveal what Hillary really thinks of Monica Lewinsky--and her husband--an instant runaway best seller is promised.

The only thing that Hillary would do for them, but it is a big thing, is put California out of W's grasp and keep the losses in the House from being devastating. Her candidacy in '04 would, if she recognizes that, be a selfless act for the good of the party, though a personal humiliation. Such an act, based on what we know of the Clintons, seems beyond her capacity as a human being. On the other hand, if she thinks she can win she'll definitely run. So, if she doesn't run it will be because she has at least a normal amount of self-interest and pride and knows she can't win. We're betting she thinks she can win. Posted by Orrin Judd at May 4, 2003 10:46 PM