For The Record - items on various political personalities, including President Clinton and various presidential candidates - Brief Article

National Review, July 26, 1999

As Hillary Clinton shops for housing in New York, President Clinton attends Democratic fundraiser featuring Eugene O'Neill play The Iceman Cometh on Broadway. Lines from one character's speech in last act: "I'd see in her eyes how she was trying not to know, and then telling herself even if it was true, he couldn't help it, they tempt him, and he's lonely, he hasn't got me, it's only his body, anyway, he doesn't love them, I'm the only one he loves. . . . She forgave me even when it all had to come out in the open. You know how it is when you keep taking chances. You may be lucky for a long time but you get nicked in the end." . . . In wake of Vice President Al Gore tardily describing Clinton's behavior in Lewinsky affair as "terribly wrong," White House official tells New York Times about presidential reaction: "He is expressing how hurt he is and his dismay at the vice president. It is not a passing thing. He is very upset." ..

* Hart-Teeter poll: 65 percent rate Clinton's "values and standards" as "weak" or "deplorable."

Star of Budweiser commercials, "Louie the Lizard," is better known than Gore among kids ages 2 to 17, according to University of Pennsylvania survey. . . .

George W. Bush: "I've got a lot to learn. But should I be fortunate enough to be elected, I'll be ready." . . . Bush plans campaign autobiography, schedules Nov. 20 release date. . . . Steve Forbes names Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., as national co-chairman of campaign. . . . Dan Quayle proposes extending child-care tax credit to mothers who stay at home with kids: "Every mother is a working mother. The term 'working mother' is redundant." . . . Pat Buchanan downplays speculation he might bolt GOP for Reform Party. . . . Buchanan advisor Lyn Nofziger on Sen. Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) running for president: "Hatch is a tool of George W. Bush. He picks up the Mormon conservative vote that otherwise would go to Pat and Gary Bauer." . . . New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has given $1,000 to Elizabeth Dole's and John McCain's campaigns, and $500 to Bush. . . . New Hampshire passes law allowing primary to be held in 1999, if necessary, to maintain first-in-nation status.

House appropriators continue to run wild. Minority whip Tom DeLay and Speaker Dennis Hastert specifically order Rep. Ralph Regula (R., Ohio) to keep his bill funding Interior Department within spending caps. Regula busts caps anyway.

During closed-door confrontation over spending bills, not one Republican joins DeLay in demanding more restraint. . . . In Fox News poll, voters say GOP "would do a better job on" foreign policy, reducing crime, providing moral leadership, and keeping taxes down. Democrats lead on Social Security, education, and gun control. Parties tied on "maintaining strong economy.". . . Republicans raise $9 million at dinner to benefit House and Senate races next year. . . . GOP fundraisers begin to take advantage of Hillary Clinton's pending candidacy. "We must rid ourselves of the Clintons once and for all," says Alabama GOP chairman Winton Blount, who promises to deliver a portion of all contributions to New York Republicans.

Former labor secretary Robert Reich flirts with running for Massachusetts governor, but tells friends he isn't serious. . . . National Education Association awards Hillary Clinton its highest honor. Says NEA president Bob Chase, "Hillary is a unique woman and a national treasure.". . . Ohio legislature revives school-choice plan, previously blocked by state supreme court on technical grounds. . . . Planned Parenthood Federation of America launches boycott of Wal-Mart stores for refusing to carry Preven, the first "emergency-contraception" kit marketed in the U.S. Wal-Mart calls it a purely "business decision." . . . House passes bill to bar states from imposing extra taxes on workers from other states, and another making it illegal to transport minors across state lines for abortions, bypassing parental- notification laws.

George magazine asks Daisy Fuentes, host of America's Funniest Home Videos, to name book she would make required White House reading if she were president: "Witness, by Whittaker Chambers, because it speaks against the evils of Communism." . . . Massachusetts's highest court permits parental visitation rights to gay couples who break up. . . . Number of men acknowledging children born out of wedlock triples since 1992, owing to law asking for declarations of paternity in hospitals.

In forthcoming book, former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will say Clinton double-crossed him by promising release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard and then reneging at Wye summit, according to Yediot Ahronot. . . . Outgoing foreign minister Ariel Sharon: "In the framework of a future arrangement with the Palestinians for solving the problem of refugees, the Arab states will have to compensate some 1 million Jews who fled and left behind their property." . . . China plans test launch of unmanned space capsule to commemorate 50th anniversary of Communist rule in October, and may be ready for manned flight by spring. . . . Foreign ministers of UK and Cuba hold highest- level talks since Fidel Castro came to power.