'Stand with me' Clinton asks New York DemocratsBUFFALO, New York (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) received the Democratic nomination to run for a second term here Wednesday, and she used her acceptance speech to sharply criticize Republican-led Washington on just about every domestic issue as well as President Bush's "short sighted foreign policies."
The speech was an official kick off for her Senate campaign, but with nominal opposition in November it is being viewed as the beginning of a campaign for the White House in 2008. Remove the references to New York strategically placed throughout her remarks, and the speech would have been just as well received by Democratic audiences in Iowa and New Hampshire as it was in Buffalo. She accused Republicans of willfully disregarding facts, being politically polarizing and failing the nation on major issues including the government's response to the Gulf Coast following last year's devastating hurricanes.
"I believe that we need a fundamentally new direction and we need to work towards solutions that help us meet our 21st century challenges of expanding our economy, defending our security and preserving our values," she said. Clinton accentuated her speech asking the New York delegates several times to "stand with me" as she battled the Republican controlled Congress and White House on these issues. She never once mentioned 2008, but rather predicted Democratic victories in November.
New York Democrats gathered in Buffalo to select a slate of statewide candidates for November including the party's gubernatorial nominee, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. While Spitzer is the Democrats' best hope of reclaiming the governorship lost to them since the mid 90's, the question about Clinton's political future overshadowed the convention. Approximately 250 journalists trekked to the city to hear her speak, and even prominent elected officials were talking about a potential presidential run.
"I think she's definitely ready to be president of this country and she'll pull the same surprise that she pulled here in New York, nationally," State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D) said in an interview with CNN's Mary Snow.
And even as Spitzer sought to keep all political talk to the November elections, he told the Grind that "I think everybody is of the same view we would love to see her think about it."
"We are all obviously huge fans of her," he said in an interview following a breakfast honoring Clinton. "This year we are focusing on getting her re-elected to the Senate, which I think we all are positive not only will happen but will happen with overwhelming numbers."
But Republicans questioned whether Clinton will now neglect New York in pursuit of the White House.
"Given her obvious ambitions, let's hope Hillary Clinton focuses her Senate campaign on the future of New York rather than her own political future," said Tracey Schmitt, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee.
Hours after her speech, Clinton held a conference call with political supporters and took questions primarily on policy issues.
If you can judge a presidential campaign by the music a candidate chooses, then it appears as though the New York senator is ready to give it a go. As the balloons started to drop following her speech, Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, joined her on stage as hundreds of delegates clapped their hands and danced in the aisles. To what song you ask? Maxine Nightingale's 1970's hit "Right Back Where We Started From." A subtle reference to the Clinton's previous eight years in the White House?
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BUSH SET TO MEET WITH FMA SUPPORTERS. As the Senate prepares to vote next week on a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage, Bush plans to meet with proponents of the idea Monday in the White House, CNN's Dana Bash reports. Following the meeting, Bush is expected to make a statement expressing his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. Social conservatives have been disappointed with Bush, charging that he has taken their support for granted. The Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the measure, but it will fall well short of the 67 votes it needs for passage. While these conservatives acknowledge that they will lose the vote, they say it is necessary to put lawmakers on the record on this particular issue prior to the midterm elections.
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KERRY WADES INTO CA-50. Sen. John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) will call on his Southern California supporters today to volunteer for Democratic candidate Francine Busby, who is squaring off against former Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-California) next week in a special election to fill the unexpired term of ex-Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-California).
"We need volunteers every day between now and election day on June 6th to cover the phones, walk the precincts, help with visibility, and organize to get people to the polls," he writes. "We need people to talk with voters one-on-one, combat the Republicans' campaign of misinformation, and communicate Francine's positive message for change."
Meanwhile, on the heels of Sen. John McCain's (R-Arizona) decision to skip a fundraiser for Bilbray, Busby begins airing a new radio ad highlighting the differences between the two men on immigration reform. The special election is scheduled for Tuesday.
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GLOBAL WARMING IN THE HOUSE? Is the FBI's raid on Rep. William Jefferson's (D-Louisiana) office helping to thaw the icy cold relations that exist between House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California)? The two lawmakers have joined together in condemning the FBI for its actions -- not because they support Jefferson -- but rather they believe federal agents overstepped their authority. Now Pelosi is praising Hastert, no not just praising him, she is downright effusive in her comments about the Illinois lawmaker making history today as he becomes the longest serving speaker in the history of the House.
"I salute Speaker Hastert for reaching this milestone," Pelosi said in a statement released yesterday by her office. "It is a testament to his leadership within the Republican Conference and the halls of Congress."
But wait, she didn't stop with just one favorable remark. "In Congress, we all hold the title 'honorable' by virtue of our office," Pelosi said. "Dennis Hastert holds it by virtue of his character. I salute him for his service to our nation and look forward to many future opportunities to work together."
Kind words from the same Minority Leader who is predicting Democrats will sweep Republicans and Hastert from power in November.
