Hillary's name filed for president

She's said it more than 140 times – and counting – despite hints, wants, wishes and hopes that she's not running for the White House in 2004.

Then what to make of ID # P00003392, an electronic filing to be found at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) database?

"Clinton, Hillary Rodham – Office Sought: President; Election year 2004; State: Presidential Candidate; District 03; Party: DEM (Democratic Party)."

A call to Sen. Clinton's Washington office elicited a surprised reaction from a spokesman who said: "I don't know anything about it."

The FEC, when contacted by Insight, explained the "odd" entry in its database as having been filed on Sept. 17, 2003, by an outfit called "DraftHillaryforPresident2004."

This group, which the FEC calls "an unauthorized" draft committee, lists Eric Leondard as its treasurer and he and/or it are located at 504-17th Road South, #201, Arlington, VA 22204.

An FEC spokesman explained that under the agency's procedures, once a filing is made – by anyone, on behalf of anyone – then the filing gets an ID and automatically enters the name of the "candidate," in this case the junior senator from New York state.

The FEC further notes that no other supporting documentation is available on this item found at www.fec.gov. And, yes, the FEC confirms that it has started receiving a number of calls from inquiring minds.

So rather than rely on gossip, your intrepid editors have gone to the sources and asked what's up. End of story. Right?

[Editor's Note: Following up with Clinton's office, a spokesman said they were relieved by the news. "I knew we had nothing to do with it. Thanks for clearing that up."]

Paul M. Rodriguez is the managing editor of Insight.