The exchange came in the wake of a report Thursday on the weekly New York Observer's political Web site, The Politicker, and a more detailed story in the New York Daily News' Friday editions about donations to Pirro's campaign committee.

"It's clear the Clintons and their attacks dogs and their surrogates are already stooping to throwing mud, which is not much of a shock," said Pirro strategist and campaign spokesman Michael McKeon. "They are very much afraid of Jeanine."

McKeon conceded he had no direct knowledge that the Clinton camp was promoting the stories, but added: "One plus one equals two. Jeanine declares, this comes out, equals the Clinton attack team. It's simple arithmetic."

"While Republicans make baseless charges, play politics, and run against each other in their primary, Hillary Clinton is spending her day working hard as senator for the people of New York," said Howard Wolfson, a top Clinton adviser.

"Mr. McKeon should worry about the Republican primary before making baseless charges," added Farrell.

Meanwhile, The Politicker's author, political reporter Ben Smith, wrote Friday on the Web site: "The Politicker's tipster was not (as far as we know) Clinton-inspired."

McKeon said it had not yet been determined if any of the donations in question would be returned.

"We'll take a look at the facts and we'll make decisions on a case-by-case basis," he said. "If there are legitimate questions that we need to be concerned about, then yes," the money will be returned.

McKeon noted that some of the firms and individuals mentioned in the news stories had also given to Democrats running for office in New York or nationally.

Among the contributions at issue are $2,000 given to Pirro since late 2001 by Worth Construction Co., a Connecticut-based firm. The firm was disqualified in 1998 from bidding on New York City school projects because it refused to answer questions about its possible mob ties, The New York Times said in its Friday editions in a story based on The Politicker's initial reporting.

Pirro has already had to face questions about what role her husband will play in her campaign and the fundraising for it. Lawyer-lobbyist Albert Pirro has served 11 months in federal prison for tax fraud and his ties to business and individuals with alleged mob links have come up in the past.

"Jeanine Pirro has been a leader in the fight against organized crime, prosecuting more than 100 mob members and associates of the mob," McKeon said Friday. "Any suggestion to the contrary is just ridiculous."

McKeon said that while Albert Pirro, a top Republican fundraiser in the past, will likely personally contribute money to his wife's campaign, he will not be an active fundraiser for her.

Federal election law limits Pirro's husband to giving her just $2,100, but she can use half of any of their jointly held assets to help finance her campaign.

In kicking off her Senate campaign on Wednesday, Pirro had said she would "run a campaign on the merits and will not stoop to negative character assassination of my opponent. I challenge her, and her surrogates, to do the same."

Pirro faces a possible September 2006 GOP primary for the Senate nomination against Manhattan lawyer Edward Cox, a son-in-law of the late Richard Nixon; former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer; and William Brenner, a tax attorney from Sullivan County.

© 2005 Associated Press.

Editor's note:
"Hillary’s Secret War" – Coulter says "It’s required reading" – See It Here!

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