"The biggest story of spring 1999 was the New York Senate race looming in 2000. Longtime senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was retiring. Hillary Clinton had been visiting New York a lot lately. Would she run for the Senate? Speculation abounded.

John and I argued over the possibility. He insisted that she would, that she was making all the moves one would make before announcing a candidacy. ... John ... was so convinced he was right, he bet me $100 that Hillary would throw her hat in the ring.

John was more than interested in Hillary's political maneuvers; he was irritated. He thought Hillary was demeaning the role of First Lady by covertly running for Senate while insisting that her New York forays were necessitated by White House duties. She was tainting a nonpartisan job with partisan activities. ..."

(cont.)