Clinton Says First Lady Would Make ‘Terrific’ Senator

President Clinton on Monday helped fuel speculation that First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton might run for the Senate from New York, saying he thought his wife would be “terrific” in the job.

But responding to a reporter’s question during a photo opportunity with Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, Clinton added: “That’s a decision that she’ll have to make.”

The first lady has been mentioned as a potential candidate ever since Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.) announced late last year that he will not seek reelection in 2000. The president’s comments were his most extensive response to the speculation.

Key members of the New York Democratic political establishment have made it no secret they are trying hard to enlist Mrs. Clinton, arguing that she would give the party its best chance of retaining the seat.

“Politically speaking, we have pulled together an offer the first lady can’t refuse,” said Rep. Charles B. Rangel, a leading New York Democrat who accompanied the president to Mexico. Rangel told reporters Mrs. Clinton has been assured that if she runs, she would not face a major primary challenge and could count on strong financial support from the state party and labor unions.

Rangel added that he and other leading New York Democrats are trying to resist putting too much pressure on Mrs. Clinton, in recognition of the distress she has suffered because of her husband’s affair with Monica S. Lewinsky and the impeachment crisis it sparked.

“She has carried her share of political grief that was not of her making,” Rangel said. “Nobody should lean on her just because it would be good for our state and our country.”

Republicans eyeing the Senate race include New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. A matchup between Mrs. Clinton and Giuliani would garner intensive national coverage.

The prospect on Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy seems to have taken over as topic No. 1 at the White House since Friday’s acquittal of the president in his Senate impeachment trial.

Clinton, when asked at Monday’s photo opportunity if he would encourage the first lady to run, smiled and seemed happy to answer at length.

“I will support whatever decision she makes enthusiastically,” he said. “She has a lot of other opportunities for public service that will be out there, and she and I both would like to continue to be useful in public service when we leave office.”

Upon the arrival of the first couple in Mexico on Sunday, the first lady proudly displayed a gold-colored heart pin, which the president gave her for Valentine’s Day.

The local newspaper, Novedades Yucatan, reported that during a private dinner with Zedillo and his wife, Clinton borrowed a saxophone from the band, played “My Funny Valentine” and dedicated it to Mrs. Clinton.