H. Clinton to Announce Bid
For Uruguyan Political Post
June 9, 1999 _ Hillary Rodham Clinton will soon
announce her intention to run for the Senate in Uruguay later this year, The
Glimpse has learned.
While a number of influential
Democrats have urged the First Lady to consider a run for the U.S. Senate,
representing New York state, Mrs. Clinton has reportedly been pursuing a political agenda
focused on the Southern Hemisphere. "The New York seat is a tempting opportunity, but
Mrs. Clinton is looking for a change of scene and a chance to start over," said one
close confidante.
Glimpse photographers managed to capture
the First Lady in a revealing focus group session with a cross-sample of Uruguayan voters
during a recent field trip. "Hillary felt very welcome among these people and warmed by their
hospitality," a personal friend confided. "It was a comfort to her that hardly
anyone there is taller than she is.
"Plus, Uruguay has very favorable tax laws for
Americans that choose to retire there and a strong real estate market," the source
added. Both citizens and foreigners pay no personal income tax or inheritance tax.
"Financial advisors indicate that she could keep a substantial portion of her
personal estate that otherwise may be in jeopardy when her husband loses his job."
Clinton has apparently been working feverishly to develop
contacts in the Latino community. During a recent fundraiser, she was seen "passing
the hat" with popular Hispanic-American baseball player Sammy Sosa.
The fact that Clinton speaks only faltering Spanish is
actually considered an advantage, since few voters will understand anything she says. It's
also rumored that she has been working with television actor Jimmy Smits to polish her
image as a "happening" Latina role model.
Mrs. Clinton originally aligned herself politically with the
Blancos, one of the leading parties in the Uruguyan Senate. But overtures have been made
by the leadership of the Frente Amplio -- or Wide Front -- who argue that they are more
sympathetic to her interests.
Some local observers believe she will ultimately cast her
fortunes with the Nuevo
Espacio (New Space) movement, which only has one seat in the 30-member Senate.
Political
pundit James Carville said the First Lady would be a strong candidate under any flag.
"It's not a question of whether she will run, only where she will run," Carville
told The Glimpse. "If your future was looking after
Bubba once the party ends, you'd be looking for somewhere to run too."
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