Washington Times: Hillary Clinton Wants to Restore US Respect Abroad

By Christina Bellantoni

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

April 28, 2007

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton told voters here yesterday that President Bush has squandered the international good will and strong economic standing her husband, former President Bill Clinton, created in the 1990s.

"We've got to get back to where we can trust our government again," the New York Democrat said while campaigning in the early primary state.

"Wouldn't it be nice to have a government again that was respected around the world?" Mrs. Clinton asked a crowd at the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church. "I think America is ready to have a president ... that will create alliances, not alienation, and I know America is ready for a president who will once and for all end the war in Iraq."

Supporters lauded Mrs. Clinton's performance in Thursday night's first-in-the-season debates, saying she proved herself the most experienced contender.

"We've got a lot of strong candidates, but there was no one stronger last night than Senator Hillary Clinton," said Andy Arnold, chairman of the Greenville Democrats, adding that the senator is "strong enough and in command enough" to run the country.

Mr. Arnold noted Mrs. Clinton "could have went anywhere today," especially a bluer, "friendlier" part of the state such as Charleston, where her top rival, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, spent part of the day.

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Even in N.C., he's loyal to Clinton

RALEIGH - Richard Sullivan is Hillary Rodham Clinton's man in North Carolina.

That makes him odd man out in Tar Heel Democratic political circles, where most of the party fundraisers, elected officials and operatives support the presidential bid of John Edwards, former senator and favorite son.

But Sullivan, 43, a Raleigh public affairs consultant, rose in national politics in the 1990s as a lieutenant in the Clinton organization. And he is sticking with his friends.

Although Sullivan says he is "a big fan of Senator Edwards," his longstanding friendship with Bill and Hillary prompted him to back the New York senator's presidential bid.

"I'm a big believer in relationships, loyalty and friendship," said Sullivan, who has worked for the Clintons off and on for 12 years.

Sullivan, or "Sully" as he is known to his friends, may be able to fly out of Raleigh-Durham International unnoticed because of his low profile in North Carolina. But he is a fixture among the high rollers of Wall Street, K Street and Hollywood.

"He's wired," said Jay Dunn, who is Sen. John Kerry's chief fundraiser. "You can go to any major finance city -- New York or Miami or California -- Richard is known in all the circles and is widely respected."

By his own estimate, Sullivan has raised a half-billion dollars for Democratic presidential candidates, the party or Democratic causes since he entered the political game in 1988.

As a member of Clinton's finance committee, Sullivan estimates that he is responsible for bringing in between $450,000 and $500,000 of the $26 million that Clinton recently reported she raised during the first three months of this year.

A good mixer

Sullivan is soft-spoken and speaks hesitatingly, carefully weighing his words. With his Southern preppy look, he can easily mix in corporate board rooms. His friends call him "a Boy Scout," which is probably not the image that most people would associate with a big-time political fundraiser.

"He has a winning way about him," said former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt. "People like him right off the bat. He engenders trust. He works in a way that is pleasing to people. He has integrity. He's not loud and aggressive. He's understated."

Sullivan seems to be one of those people who is drawn to politics for the love of the game, rather than because of ideology. He describes himself as a moderate Democrat who doesn't like new taxes.

"I enjoy the competitive part of it," Sullivan says. "I enjoy the networking, the relationship building. It certainly helps you in business over the long haul."

He is comfortable in the world of big-time fundraising. Money raised, he says, is also a way of gauging whether a candidate has broad backing.

"It's clearly a measure of a person's talents," Sullivan said, "that people are willing to give money to support you as a political leader."

The son of a South Carolina legislator, Sullivan was weaned on Democratic politics. He grew up in Columbia, where he worked his way through college on the state Senate staff. He attended the University of South Carolina, which has turned out an uncommon number of political operatives, including the late Lee Atwater -- who helped elect Ronald Reagan and the senior George Bush -- and Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist for former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt.

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AP: All the Democrats Will Make the South Carolina Debate April 26

Clinton will be in S.C. debate

Each of the Democratic contenders has agreed to appear on April 26

Associated Press NEW YORK --

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign announced Friday she will participate in a presidential debate this month sponsored by the S.C. Democratic Party.

All the announced Democratic contenders have now agreed to appear in the debate, which will take place April 26 at S.C. State University in Orangeburg.

While the candidates have all appeared at several issue forums during the campaign, the debate will be the first time they engage with one another directly in front of an audience.

"I'm excited to be part of this debate so that I can share my views with South Carolinians on how to move this country in the right direction," Clinton said in a statement.

Other candidates participating are Sens. Barack Obama, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden; former Sen. John Edwards; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich; and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel.

Hillary Clinton in South Carolina

Clinton, Dodd greet S.C. Democrats

WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Clinton told cheering Democratic activists from South Carolina late Wednesday that their state will play a key role in determining the next president.

About 200 Democrats with Palmetto State ties jammed a Capitol Hill hotel ballroom to greet Clinton and Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut at an evening fundraiser for the Democratic presidential primary next January.

“This is great tonight to be here with all of you to kick off the path to the presidency, which now goes right through South Carolina!” Clinton, D-N.Y., said to roars of approval.

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