Praising Clinton for her "young, bright, able Illinois/Arkansas enthusiasm," Moynihan said that her election to succeed him might be his "legacy."

White House spokeswoman Ann Lewis agreed the First Lady is a "leader" with broad appeal and the ability to win a campaign.

"There are a lot of people in New York who think she'd be a great senator," Lewis said on CNN. "I think she'd win. Absolutely."

Moynihan's comments, delivered yesterday on NBC's "Meet the Press," were only the latest in steady rumble of speculation that Clinton, 51, is looking to leapfrog from the White House to the United States Senate.

If she runs, her likely foe would be Mayor Giuliani, whose tough-talking ways with crime and quality-of-life issues are expected to resonate in a statewide race.

Although Clinton has played it coy for weeks over whether she's in or out of the 2000 Senate race, officials say she finally may be ready to make up her mind.

White House Chief of Staff John Podesta said the First Lady wasn't ready to face the challenge until after her husband's impeachment trial was over.

"I think now that it's over, she's going to talk to the people who have been urging her to run," Podesta said yesterday.

"I will tell you one thing. I think that if she does run, she'll win, and if she wins, she'll make a great United States senator," added Podesta, speaking on ABC's "This Week."

Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), on CNN yesterday, offered their takes on a possible Clinton-Giuliani race.

"It would make it the most-watched Senate race in the nation," said McConnell.

Lautenberg said it "wouldn't surprise me at all" if Clinton decides to enter the race.

"She's very smart. Her speeches are as good as Bill Clinton's. People really like her," said Lautenberg, although he added that she could make more money in the private sector.

Watching Clinton is U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, a Westchester Democrat in her sixth congressional term, who has said she's leaning toward entering the Senate race herself.

Giuliani responded to Moynihan's prediction by noting that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who was sitting alongside Moynihan during the interview, insisted Hizzoner would win.

"John McCain predicted the winner of the Fiesta Bowl when I watched it with him - he's a good picker," Giuliani said.

"I haven't made a decision and she hasn't made a decision. So I think it's sort of like gossip, an interesting political discussion, but it really isn't serious at this point."

-- Vincent Morris - 2/21/99