CLINTON ADMIN RETREADS BOMB AS CANDIDATES: Clinton Alumni Take Beating at Ballot Box

REUTERS ^ | September 18, 2002 | John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

[Liz]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bill Clinton's political offspring are taking a beating at the ballot box this year, with Janet Reno in Florida and Robert Reich in Massachusetts the latest high-profile losers in bids for elected office.

Reno, the former attorney general, conceded defeat to political newcomer Bill McBride in the race for Florida's Democratic gubernatorial nomination on Tuesday, just hours before Reich, the former labor secretary, finished behind state Treasurer Shannon O'Brien in the Democratic primary for governor in Massachusetts.

The two joined former Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, who pulled out of the New York governor's race before anyone even voted, as Clinton administration Cabinet secretaries whose one-time power failed to translate into electoral victories.

More successful was former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, favored in his race for governor of New Mexico although his lead is narrowing, and former senior White House adviser Rahm Emanuel, a sure bet to win a House of Representatives seat in an overwhelmingly Democratic district on Chicago's north side.

They were among more than a dozen members of the former president's administration to seek elective office this year, a political class analysts said was unprecedented in its size.

The jury is still out on the political fates of a few other Clinton alumni. Former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles won the Democratic Senate nomination in North Carolina, but is an underdog in his November race against Elizabeth Dole, a former Cabinet secretary under two Republican presidents.

Former Clinton adviser Bill Curry won the Democratic nomination for governor in Connecticut, but trails Republican Gov. John Rowland in the polls.

CLINTON NOT A FACTOR

The one similarity in most of the races is that Clinton, who remains a popular Democratic campaign fund-raiser, was not really a factor, analysts said.

"At the end of the day, these candidates rise and fall on their records, what they've done, and on their strengths and weaknesses as candidates," said Paul Petterson, a political scientist at Central Connecticut State. "I don't see voters being turned one way or another by the Clinton connection."

Some candidates in more conservative states, like Bowles in North Carolina, have taken pains to distance themselves from Clinton's controversial political legacy. Others said they found their time in the administration a net plus, even if it was not always enough for a victory.

"The reaction by voters was always positive that I had that experience and was part of the Clinton administration," said Ira Shapiro, a former trade negotiator who lost a House bid last week in a high-powered Democratic primary field in the Maryland suburbs of Washington.

"The Clinton economic team, which I was part of, was remembered very positively," Shapiro said. "Our polls showed voters were much more inclined to view high government service as a plus."

Some candidates found their actions in Washington had a direct bearing on their campaigns. The liberal Reich was publicly critical of Clinton's activities during the scandal over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Clinton, in turn, raised money for one of Reich's opponents, Steve Grossman, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who withdrew from the race.

Reno, a former federal prosecutor, had an extensive record as attorney general that haunted her at times, including her role in sending young shipwreck victim Elian Gonzalez back to Cuba, a decision that made her a villain in Miami's politically active Cuban-American community.

[ErnBatavia]

It's only the expected result for the lackeys of a "president" whose legacy will be the knowledge that he spent his time tossing off into his secretary's sink.

[epluribus_2]

"The Clinton economic team, which I was part of, was remembered very positively,"

Not by people now holding worthless 401Ks/ESOPs.

[Texas_Jarhead]

The title should have been,

"CLINTON ADMIN RETARDS BOMB AS CANDIDATES: Clinton Alumni Take Beating at Ballot Box"

[MotleyGirl70]

Clinton, in turn, raised money for one of Reich's opponents, Steve Grossman, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who withdrew from the race.

Okay is anyone surprised by this. Of course Clinton is going to raise money Grossman (former chairman of the DNC). Clinton received a lot money that was filtered through the DNC. Do you honestly think he holds any loyalties to his former Labor Secretary. Well maybe if Reiccchhhh raised a couple million dollars for Bubba, he might have considered campgaining for.

This is the best of Dollar Bill a.k.a. BubbaBJ.

BubbaBJ cares about one person; and that's HIMSELF!!!!!

[Liz]

"The Clinton economic team......was remembered very positively,"

Yeah, sure. Only in their dreams.

[Destructor]

"The one similarity in most of the races is that Clinton, who remains a popular Democratic campaign fund-raiser, was not really a factor, analysts said."

Ssuuuurre Clinton wasn't a factor! LOL!!

[Howlin]

Ah, life is good.

And Erskine Bowles is 14 points behind Elizabeth Dole.

[Wait4Truth]

Let's just be clear here. The clintons did not want Reno, Cuomo or Reich to win. Terry McAuliffe's big money man father-in-law is the campaign chairman for Bill McBride in Florida. Clinton is an enemy of Robert Reich because of a book Reich wrote criticizing Clinton. The Clintons lined up with Carl McCall in NY so Hillary could keep the black vote. So, I wouldn't say the Clintons have exactly hurt the candidates that they truly wanted. By the way, I hate the clintons with every fiber of my being and I consider hillary as president the most dangerous thing that could ever happen to the United States of America. Just wanted to point out a few facts.

[Liz]

Mucking turd and his wife are lowlife connivers. Power and money are their only gods. They are watching and waiting for the day when Hitlery can take over the WH.

[Eva]

"I don't see voters being turned one way or another by the Clinton connection."

That is the whole point, the Clinton connection has had no positive effect for anyone.

In the case of Cuomo, the Clintons' actually turned on one of their own, by endorsing his opponent. It just goes to prove, once again, that the Clinton's stand for nothing but their own political advancement and power.

The Clintons eat their progeny.

[Liz]

You nailed just about everything we detest about Frankenturd and his bride.

[wjcsux]

I hope we don't get stuck with Richardson as gov. here in NM. He is setting himself up to take Domenici's place when he retires. Richardson is probably the most sorry lackey in X42's administration.

[Wright is right!]

"And Erskine Bowles is 14 points behind Elizabeth Dole."

Um, that's Irksome Bowles. Noted Mob Royer.

Michael

[aruanan]

The one similarity in most of the races is that Clinton, who remains a popular Democratic campaign fund-raiser, was not really a factor, analysts said.

Of course he was. He (and Hillary) were the ones who chose these people to work for him. He selected them based on traits he thought would advance his agenda. It turns out that whereas people given to sleaze and corruption helped him cover his ass, they weren't what the general electorate wanted.

[MotleyGirl70]

They are watching and waiting for the day when Hitlery can take over the WH.

That is a horrific thought Liz!

[Dialup Llama]

Irksome Bowels.

[Liz]

That is good news about creepy-looking Bowles. I was hoping Rahm Emanuel would go down to defeat. But he had the successful Daley and Sons family vote-manufacturing company on his team there in Chicago's DemoRat-saturated northside.

[Liz]

Ssuuuurre Clinton wasn't a factor..........

These con artist-spinmeisters actually think we, the people, can't figure it out for ourselves.

[Liz]

That, too.......LOL.