WASHINGTON, 30 January — Former Clinton administration officials — remember them? — have had it with sitting on the sidelines. Many of them are lining up for another term in the political spotlight.
Drawn by a sense “of unfinished business” over a dozen Democrats from the former president’s White House are running for office in November. They are seeking the offices of governor, senator and state legislator.
Six Clinton alumni are running for governor in 2002: Former Attorney General Janet Reno is running in Florida; former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson in New Mexico; former ambassador to Canada Bill Blanchard in Michigan, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo in New York, Labor Secretary Robert Reich in Massachusetts and White House aide Bill Curry in Connecticut.
At least two former Clintonites are eyeing the Senate: Former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles wants North Carolina, and former FCC appointee Gloria Tristani has taken a shine to New Mexico.
With the Bush administration’s pro-business conservative Republicanism in place, many of these Democrats are now focusing on representing the oppressed, and minorities.
Reno has been speaking to groups such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and Reich is courting college students on his website, informing the traditionally liberal bloc that they can vote in the fall.
“As long as you plan to reside in Massachusetts for six months in 2002, you are a resident,” the site says, which is all one needs to vote in the state.
As for those Clintonites that chose the private sector instead of public service, for many it has been a sobering experience.
Former presidential spokesman Mike Curry, now CEO of grassroots.com, a business management firm, said his venture into business has been unlike anything he knew.
“Running a business is a lot harder than running your mouth for a living,” he said.
