Republicans Take Risks By Targeting First Lady

By Bill Schneider

WASHINGTON (June 19) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton has had an unprecedented role as First Lady in several ways. She has her own voice, her own career and now, her own political battle.

America on Tuesday witnessed a watershed political assault on the First Lady, hearing for the first time remarks and character attacks that once would have been unimaginable.

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) issued a scathing assessment of Mrs. Clinton's involvement in the Whitewater affair, saying, "Most roads lead from the First Lady and back to her. You can see the parallel. You can see it yourself. Things come from her and then back. Make no mistake about it (192K WAV sound)."

Democrats cried political foul, claiming that the Republicans are using the First Lady as a political weapon against the White House. Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) voiced support of Mrs. Clinton, saying, "The venom with which the majority focused its attack on Hillary Rodham Clinton is surprising and disturbing, even in the context of the investigation (128K WAV sound)."

But the First Lady is in a position unlike any other who came before. From their political outset, the Clintons made it clear they were a team.

During the 1992 campaign, Clinton cheerfully announced, "Elect me and you get the both of us... When you think of Hillary, think of our real slogan, 'Buy one, get one free (64K WAV sound).'"

While other First Ladies have wielded power in the White House, none has had power of her own. Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosalynn Carter and Nancy Reagan made contributions to presidential politics, but they all influenced policy by going through their husbands.

Hillary Clinton has used her own voice and her own clout, speaking out for children (160K WAV sound), health care reform (96K WAV sound) and women's rights.

She also came to the White House with independence and assertiveness, part of which stems from her professional career as an attorney. Mrs. Clinton is aware that her autonomy has made some people uncomfortable.

Mrs. Clinton theorized, "I think that having been independent, having made decisions, it's a little difficult for us as a country, maybe, to make the transition of having a woman like many of the (professional) women in this room sitting in this house."

Despite the fact that many Americans doubt Bill Clinton's character and even more do not like his wife, it is politically risky for Republicans to attack the First Lady.

Mrs. Clinton rescued the president from sure political death in 1992 when she stood by Clinton as Gennifer Flowers accused him of adultery. Now the First Lady could bring about Clintons' downfall.

If voters feel the assaults on Mrs. Clinton are politically motivated, though, there could be a backlash, leaving the Clintons in a stronger position than before. Republicans are walking a fine line so as not to alienate the voters.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) has used Hillary Clinton's role in the controversy to cast doubt on the president. "Anyone who takes time to read the report and piece together the evidence will conclude at the very least that the president, the first lady, their associates and their administration have engaged in some highly questionable legal conduct."

Mrs. Clinton's part in the Whitewater controversy has been turned over to the independent counsel Kenneth Starr, who will decide if there is enough evidence to act against the First Lady. Starr could indict Mrs. Clinton or name her an unindicted co-conspirator. Or he could find that there is not sufficient evidence to do anything.

This story originally appeared on CNN's "Inside Politics."

Republicans Take Risks By Targeting First Lady

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