Turning up the heat on speculation she’s running for the U.S. Senate, First Lady Hillary Clinton is heading to the Big Apple tomorrow for a whirlwind day of back-to-back events.
The trip comes the same day that Gov. Pataki will finally make the ”major announcement” to state Republicans that he has promised, which has been the buzz of political circles since The Post first reported it last week.
The First Lady’s New York jaunt also comes on the eve of the annual birthday fund-raiser for Mayor Giuliani – Mrs. Clinton’s potential GOP rival if she decides to run next year for the Senate seat of the retiring Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
While the GOPers are huddling together, Mrs. Clinton will be making the rounds with some of the state’s top Democrats. Her first event is an early-evening book party at Le Cirque for Matilda Cuomo, wife of former Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo and author of ”The Person Who Changed My Life: 75 Prominent Americans Recount Their Mentors.” A picture of Mrs. Cuomo and Mrs. Clinton adorns the book.
Then, it’s on to a dinner for Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester) – who has said she’ll run for Senate on the Democratic ticket if Mrs. Clinton decides against it.
Finally, the First Lady will stop by the Americans for the Arts fete at Lincoln Center. Mrs. Clinton is making the trip as she and her presidential hubby are reportedly scouting for vacation spots around New York state and are eyeing the breathtaking Adirondacks or Shelter Island.
The First Couple is headed to Florida for a vacation later this week, where Mrs. Clinton will focus on what she’ll do about the Senate race.