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Looking for a New York edge? The Farthest Thing from Their MindsBy Rick Horowitz (Exactly the way it happened -- their version.) Conversation No. 1: August. "Good morning, Bill!" "Good morning, Hillary -- and what a lovely August morning it is! I hope you're doing well today." "I'm doing fine, thanks. How about yourself?" "Very well, thanks. I've just offered clemency to 16 Puerto Rican separatists who've been in prison for their involvement in terrorist acts." "How interesting! This is the very first time you've ever mentioned this to me." "It certainly is. I made the decision all by myself, without discussing it with you in advance. It just seemed like the right thing to do." "Well, Bill, I'm sure you got the advice and support of all the various law-enforcement agencies in your administration." "Actually, Hillary, I relied on something even better than advice and support from law-enforcement agencies. I relied on my sense of justice and mercy, and the urgings of many prominent citizens." "What a thoughtful gesture on your part!" "Thank you, Hillary. Even though I've only granted clemency three other times in all my years as president, I felt very strongly that it was time to offer clemency to these 16 Puerto Rican separatists." "I wonder how Puerto Ricans in New York will react to this news. You know, Bill, there are more than a million Puerto Ricans living in New York, where I am thinking of running for the United States Senate next year." "Gosh, Hillary, I had completely forgotten about that! You are thinking of running for the Senate from New York, aren't you?" "That's right, Bill." "And there are many Puerto Ricans living in New York, aren't there?" "There certainly are." "Not that I would ever offer clemency for that reason." "Of course not." "That kind of political calculation wouldn't be even a tiny factor in my decision." "Of course not. Could you pass the shredded wheat?" "Certainly."
Conversation No. 2: September. "Good morning, Hillary!" "Good morning, Bill -- and what a glorious September morning it is! I hope you're doing well today." "I'm doing fine, thanks. And you?" "Very well, thanks. By the way, I'll be calling on you to retract your clemency offer to those Puerto Rican separatists. I think their failure to accept your terms after all this time speaks volumes." "You know, Hillary, I was thinking of withdrawing my offer, too. In fact, I've just set a deadline to do that very thing." "How interesting! This is the very first time you've ever mentioned this to me." "It certainly is. Was it your impression that my clemency offer was drawing somewhat more criticism than you expected in New York, where you're thinking of running for the United States Senate next year?" "Golly, Bill, I had completely forgotten about that! I am thinking of running for the Senate from New York, aren't I?" "Not that you would ever change your position on an issue for political advantage." "Of course not -- no more than you would." "Exactly." "It wouldn't even be a tiny factor in my decision." "Of course not. Prunes?" "I'd love some." Posted 9/8/99. Make
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Rick Horowitz