The Washigton Post reports today that Hillary Clinton is fighting tooth and nail to keep her husband's impeachment out of any discussions involving her presidential bid :

Clinton Fights to Keep Impeachment Taboo - washingtonpost.com [1]:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has a new commandment for the 2008 presidential field: Thou shalt not mention anything related to the impeachment of her husband.

With a swift response to attacks from a former supporter last week, advisers to the New York Democrat offered a glimpse of their strategy for handling one of the most awkward chapters of her biography. They declared her husband's impeachment in 1998 -- or, more accurately, the embarrassing personal behavior that led to it -- taboo, putting her rivals on notice and all but daring other Democrats to mention the ordeal again.

Funny, because at the nail salon, the republican feminist lady that was getting a french manicure was saying that it did matter to her.

A lot.

Long-time readers know the editorial team of culturekitchen and The Daily Gotham [2] are not that happy with Hillary Clinton's presidential run. We don't mind Hillary Clinton the US Senator. Albeit her support for the Iraq war, she has shown how capable a legislator she is.

And as far as my impression of her goes, I wouldn't mind having a Cosmo or two over a Spa Night Out with her. I like her laughter. It's the kind that beckons girl crushes. If her legendary wit and humor are true, then hell yeah, pass some Mangotinis too and let the fun and games begin.

I just believe most feminist republicans, moderate republicans and the electoral grail called "the independent voters" are not going to sweep her into the White House.

Why?

Last year was a really good year for me as far as travelling and meeting people is concerned. In my journeys, I've met a good share of republicans. Some insiders but most outsiders. I don't know what is it about me that attracts a certain kind of right-winger, but I get the guys (and some gals), that just want to pour their hearts out about how much they hate the present day GOP.

OK, I know why. I'm a good listener. I really like a good story and am not one to judge people when they want to talk. Ask David Moore over at Open Congress [3]. In Boston, we shared a taxi driven by a former assistant to George Wallace, the famous segragationist who ... wait for it, wait for it ... couldn't wait to pour his heart out about ... wait for it, wait for it ... the good old days of the GOP.

It's a gift. David that day thought it was a curse to be in the car of a former klansman. LOL.

Anyhow, these journeys of mine have given me an insight into the heart of the US --you know, the people who don't live in New York City or it's metro area.

There's a lot of people out there that hate Bush, hate Cheney, hate anything to do with the present day GOP yet call themselves true conservatives, true republicans. Yet they are the same people who would not vote for a Hillary Clinton or a John Kerry.

Actually, one guy I met who was from Chicago and was en route to New York from Texas gushed at the thought of Barack Obama running for president. This guy was the kind of demographic I call "the South Park republicans". White, young, hip, gun-totting, feminist saavy, fiscally conservative but unabashedly cynical.

"I voted for him, even as a republican", said my hip GOPer. "I would so vote for him if he runs for president". What if he doesn't, I asked. "Well, I hate so much the GOP right now, I'd vote for anybody ... but a Ralph Nader or Hillary Clinton".

That conversation happened months before Hillary announced her presidential ambitions. I wonder what he would say now, with Obama in the picture.

Fast-forward to last Saturday. I was sick for about 9 days. By Saturday I about had it with the unruly cuticles and scaley dry feet. So I went to my favorite nail salon [4] for a pedi, a mani and a 20 minute chair massage.

While at the mani station, a mother and daughter duo where getting some TLC as well. Mom was in her 40s. Daughter was in her 20s. We were all facing the TV screen and Hillary's face popped in.

"Oh, that's not my party", she told the owner of the salon, who was also her manicurist.

"So you would not vote for a woman candidate?"

"Oh, I'd vote for a woman. Even a Democrat. I just won't vote for Hillary Clinton".

At that moment, I interjected : "Can I ask you why? I find it fascinating so many people will not vote for her. I ask because I write about politics, I publish a blog. If you allow me, I'll write about this and keep you anonymous if need be".

This salon was packed with women. It was a busy Saturday afternoon with women being scrubbed, rubbed, waxed and waned into a sense of relaxation and beauty. Ms. GOP turns to me and says, "I'll tell you why I can't vote for Hillary, for the same reason I won't vote for Giuliani either : She can't acknowledge her mistakes".

"What? Huh."

"She can't acknowledge her mistakes. She won't take responsibility for getting us into the mess that is Iraq, just like Bush".

"I never thought about her that way", I said really impressed by her comment. It only fueled her fire.

"I'll tell you also another thing. She should have left that cheating bastard. She's an enabler. It's as if she'll do anything to stay in power".

I really was marvelled at her comment. I honestly had not heard of her described in that way. Most people who I hear bad-mouthing her are men. Buf for a woman to say "Hillary's standing by her man" was one of her moments of weakness ... Wow. Harsh.

It started a mini-debate on the merits of staying married by all means necessary. They were all excited by having a women candidate and all gushed over Obama.

Obama. Again.

Yet, before we trailed off to talking about his good looks and the other candidates, she said, almost as a farewell to the subject : "I'd vote for a woman before voting for a party line. I really want a woman president. I just don't think Hillary is that woman."

So, no matter what Clinton's handlers say, the fact of the matter is, Bill Clinton's impeachment does matter. A lot. At least to the women in my nail salon.