Lazio: Clinton Camp Spies On My Wife
Republican Rick Lazio claims Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate campaign helpers have been “sort of harassing” his wife, trailing her with video cameras at campaign stops.
“I just have come to accept it. That's the way they do business,” Lazio said Monday on CNN's Larry King Live.
“They play a different brand of politics than I'm willing to play,” Lazio said. “I think we're taking the high road.”
Lazio said the Clinton “trackers,” armed with video cameras, began appearing at his events in mid-May when he entered the Senate race.
| Mideast Politicking Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio sparred Monday over the U.S. role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the Republican congressman suggesting the first lady should have used her influence with the president. The candidates agreed that the United States should have vetoed a United Nations resolution criticizing Israel and condemning the Mideast violence. The United States chose to abstain. “Either you have the influence to get the job done or you don't,” he said. Clinton did not address that issue. She focused on recent violence and - like Lazio - blamed Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. “I am deeply distressed by the desecration of Joseph's Tomb, and the Palestinian authorities did not protect that religious site ...,” Clinton said. She called on the Palestinians to rebuild Joseph's Tomb, an Israeli army outpost and Jewish seminary in a Palestinian-controlled town. SIZE> |
Trackers, common in American politics, note what opponents are up to, and record any gaffes they might make. Lazio has said he does not use them; his aides routinely block the view of trackers sent by others.
While Lazio has complained about Clinton's trackers in the past, his complaints Monday were the strongest to date.
Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson said he had “no idea” what Lazio was talking about, adding that he didn't know of trackers shadowing the candidate's wife.
Peter Kauffmann, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said a tracker had attended one event with Patricia Lazio last week at the party's request.
Kauffmann, in turn, complained about Lazio supporters “shouting crude epithets” at Clinton events. People on the campaign trail have occasionally shouted at Clinton or held signs remarking on her husband's philandering.
In other news, Clinton canceled a planned Monday appearance for a fund-raiser for her U.S. Senate campaign, citing mechanical problems with her private plane.
The $1,000-per-person event went n without her at the home of House Majority Leader Gerard Martineau.
The Woonsocket Democrat said contributors will be given the option of getting their money back. The event was expected to raise $100,000 before Clinton was a no-show.
“We still intend to support her candidacy,” Martineau told reporters who were waiting outside the house about 20 minutes before Clinton's scheduled arrival. “Most of the people here tonight realize it is very costly to run for the U.S. Senate.
Howard Wolfson, spokesman for the Clinton campaign, confirmed that Clinton did not travel to Rhode Island due to plane trouble.
About 75 of the state's leading Democrats stayed after Martineau's announcement, mingling and munching on the shrimp, meat pies and other samples of Rhode Island fare prepared for the event.
“It is disappointing,” admitted House Majority Whip Suzanne Henseler, wearing a long, black dress. “For a lot of us it would have been an absolute thrill, but she'll come back.”
Martineau said Clinton promised to schedule another visit to Rhode Island but did not commit to doing so before Election Day.
U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., son of Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, cosponsored the fund-raiser. Kennedy and Martineau served together in the Rhode Island House.
Clinton last visited the state in December 1999. She spoke then about youth violence to Cumberland High School students and raised about $100,000 for her New York campaign at the home of state Democratic Party treasurer Jack McConnell.
McConnell was also organizing the Monday fund-raiser, Clinton's only planned stop in the state. She also planned no appearances on behalf of U.S. Rep. Robert Weygand, a two-term congressman who is the underdog in a race to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee.
Weygand has strained relations with fellow Democrats, partly because he voted for an impeachment inquiry of President Clinton. Weygand and the party insist Clinton's failure to campaign for him was due to the pressures of her own race, rather than an intended snub.
Weygand stopped by the fund-raiser and said he hoped Clinton is able to make it back to the state - as a U.S. senator.