Sen. Boxer to oppose Supreme Court nominee Roberts

[ShangriLaTroubl]

"2008 is an eternity in American politics, but I think that the role I'm playing, trying to bring attention to issues, trying to get people to focus on what's at stake is a very appropriate role for me."


"Asked how Bill Clinton would cope with being "First Man", she commented: "I don't know if he'll ever have a chance to figure that out!

"I had a friend say that there will eventually be a woman president - and I hope in my lifetime and in the not too distant future - and then what will we call that person.

"Someone suggested, how about First Mate? I thought - that's a good answer."


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Former president discusses wife's political future

Friday, August 12, 2005; Posted: 8:20 a.m. EDT (12:20 GMT)

(CNN) -- Former President Clinton said Thursday his wife has not decided whether to run for president in 2008.

He also answered an accusation made by a potential Senate opponent that the former first lady is using New York "as a doormat to the White House."

"Jeanine Pirro is wrong. Hillary has not used any doormat and, by the way, she doesn't even have a Republican opponent yet. I don't know who the Republicans are going to nominate," Clinton told CNN.

In her speech formally launching her Senate campaign Wednesday, Pirro, a three-term district attorney in Westchester County, said Mrs. Clinton is out of touch with New Yorkers.

"She asked us to put out a welcome mat, and New York did. But now she wants to use New York as a doormat to the White House," Pirro said. "If Hillary wants to be president, she should be honest with herself and her constituents and say so."

The former president said his wife has "been a great senator for New York," and that New Yorkers "know she's been a good senator."

"I think the people will support her service in the election next year. That's what I think's going to happen."

Recent polls show Hillary Clinton is widely popular in the state and heavily favored to win re-election in 2006.

Her husband said the family follows a key political rule: "Don't look past the next election or you might not get past the next election."

So, he said, his wife is focusing on continuing her service for New York, not the 2008 presidential election.

"She's not a candidate, and I don't know that she will be," Clinton said. "I am convinced in my own mind she hasn't decided on that. And I don't want her to even think about it. I want her to focus on getting re-elected and on doing her job as a senator.

"There will be lots of time to think about that down the road."