'It's good to be The Hillary'

Mel Brooks famously said, in "History of the World: Part 1", "It's good to be the king." 

Today, that could be paraphrased into "It's good to be Hillary Clinton." Remember when it wasn't good? Back in the first year of the first Clinton term when she was leading on health care reform?   Didn't go well. It wasn't good to be Hillary then.  

Then there were all those hair-dos when she was First Lady. A critical media always  had a go-to story because it could recap all the hair-dos and  hair-don'ts.  

But that was then. Now, Hillary is a star on the lecture circuit getting well into the six figures for giving, basically, the same speech over and over. Her mostly every  utterance is headline news. She is the front-runner not just for the Democratic nomination for president, but to win the presidency and follow President Obama into office. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if some started a campaign to name Hillary queen!  

And, she's written a memoir which is making headlines before it's even been published.  The lead story in the Style section of the Washington Post today is the media critic reviewing the stampede that's going on by bookers on every TV show on every network, and probably some that would launch if they could land The Big First Interview with Hillary when the book IS published soon.  

It's HillaryMania which is a far distance from where she started, lo those many years ago.  

I've never been a fan of memoirs by politicians in office or seeking to be in office. They, obviously, are positioning documents written to lay out the author's positions in the most favorable light or raise issues to get attention before they announce a candidacy and test themes. Now Mrs. Clinton, you may say correctly, is different because she has served as First Lady, secretary of state and a U.S. senator. True, she has stories I'd enjoy hearing. But I doubt we'll get many of those in this book which is a preview, really, of what a Hillary candidacy would look like. The ultimate trial balloon. And, it doesn't hurt that the publisher reportedly paid her $8 million for the book. A win-win for her. And it doesn't hurt that a book swing will be held, inaugurated (pardon the phrase) by that first TV  interview, the Big Get, as the networks would say.  

The publisher had to be expecting something in the book that was "news" and would cause folks to line up for it, and my guess a strategically planned series of "leaks" is about to happen about the book, called "Hard Choices," and those leaks will include some interesting stuff and great teasers to spur sales. But my guess is that stuff will only be things that could help a potential Hillary candidacy. Any criticisms of Obama, for example, will be those  that help a Hillary run.  

I'm not a Hillary hater. I have a problem, as do many, with the "dynasties" that seem to be trading the White House, including the Bushes (and I am a HUGE FAN of George Herbert Walker Bush and served in his White House). I have a problem with Bill being back in the White House. I think, though, that if a Hillary vs Jeb Bush race developed, it has the potential to be one of the better (and I mean issue-based) campaigns we've seen. They both are that good.

Meantime, those who are so inclined can enjoy "Hard Choices." Honestly, not sure if I'll read it or not. While I don't like these kinds of books for the reasons given, I have made exceptions along the way.