By Dan Murphy
Former President and Westchester resident Bill Clinton will be appearing at the Barnes & Noble in Scarsdale on Tuesday, June 19 to promote the book that he co-wrote with author James Patterson titled “The President is Missing, a Novel.”
During his book tour, Clinton has come under scrutiny for his past transgressions 20 years ago while in the Oval Office, based on the recent #MeToo movement, and the recent exposure of powerful men in Hollywood, corporate America, and elected officials who have abused their positions and have sexually harassed or abused women.
While not apologizing to the satisfaction of some in the #MeToo movement, Clinton reiterated his acceptance of wrongdoing while he was the most powerful man in the world during the 1990s. His apology is clearly enough for his supporters in Westchester, who remain loyal and enthusiastic about Bill and Hillary Clinton.
The book-signing event June 19 is a great opportunity to meet and listen to Clinton and learn about his latest thriller with famed novelist James Patterson, who has sold 375 million books and has the most number-one selling NY Times books of all time.
“The dream team delivers big time… Clinton’s insider secrets and Patterson’s storytelling genius make this the political thriller of the decade,” said Lee Child, author of the “Jack Reacher” book series.
One of the real political questions moving forward about the Clintons is: What, if at all, is the political future of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Bill and Hillary? The widespread rumor for many years has been that Chelsea would someday take over the congressional seat currently held by Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
Lowey, now completing her 30th year in the House of Representatives, is running for re-election this year without any Democratic opposition, while her fellow Democrat in the House who represents Westchester, Rep. Eliot Engel, has two challengers.
Lowey, who has represented different parts of Westchester for the past four decades, now represents parts of mid-Westchester and all of northern Westchester, and Rockland County. She remains one of the county’s most respected and popular Democrats.
Lowey has also maintained a close relationship with the Clintons and in 2000, while considering a run for U.S. Senate, stepped aside so that Hillary Clinton could run and win, becoming one of New York’s U.S senators until she ran for president, then served as secretary of state, and ran for president again in 2016, losing to President Donald Trump.
The question for Clinton watchers and Westchester politicos is: Does the recent highlighting of Bill Clinton’s past have any impact on Chelsea? Does Chelsea want to serve in the House with 453 other members? Or do Democrats want to move on from the Clintons and into a more progressive direction?
One Westchester Democrat told us: “This rumor has been around for more than five years. Nita was supposed to win re-election and then resign, offering the seat to Chelsea so that she can get her feet wet without having to run. Gov. Cuomo would have to make an appointment, but Andrew wants to run for president and if Hillary isn’t running again, he would want to have the Clintons on his side. What better way than appoint Chelsea to Nita’s congressional seat? But we all thought this would happen in 2012, or 2014 or in 2016, and it never did. But it can still happen and I think Westchester Democrats would welcome Chelsea with open arms.”
We agree with our democratic friend’s assessment; Chelsea can have the congressional seat if she wants it, and if and when Lowey is ready to retire. The best way to get an answer to this question is to buy a book and ask President Bill Clinton at Barnes & Noble Scarsdale on June 19.
