"New York Sen.-elect Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday agreed to accept an $8 million advance for a memoir about her eight scandal-fraught and politically tangled years as first lady.

The nonfiction advance from Simon & Schuster falls just short of the record $8.5 million received by Pope John Paul 11 in 1994 for 'Crossing the Threshold of Hope.'

A source close to Clinton said the book would include 'a dignified discussion' of her marriage and her husband's impeachment. Clinton will take 18 months to two years to write the book, which is expected to be published in early 2003. The deal was unusual in this respect: Clinton did not submit a written proposal; she made her pitches in person. No title or length has been announced.

The deal was brokered by Washington lawyer Robert Barnett, who represents the Clinton family in literary endeavors. Simon & Schuster, which had published the first lady's other books, 'It Takes a Village,' 'Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets' and the just-released 'An Invitation to the White House,' won out over Talk/Miramax and Penguin Putnam.

A source close to Clinton said that an undetermined portion of the proceeds will go to charity. All of Clinton's profits from her previous White House books went to charity.

An auction was conducted to determine fair market value for the upcoming book, the source said, pointing out that the advance was not unusual for a book by the 'most famous woman in the world.'

The advance money will as usual, be paid in increments, sources said. Contrary to some reports, they said, Clinton did not ask for all of the money upfront. A source close to the project said that no ghost writer has been chosen, but that it is likely that Clinton will work with a professional writer.

The sheer size of the book contract alone is almost certain to cause something of a stir when Clinton joins her new colleagues next month.

Clinton is not covered under Senate ethics rules until Jan. 3, when she takes office. Under Senate ethics rules, senators are banned from earning outside income and honoraria except for 'intellectual property rights,' which include books.

Senate GOP leadership aides said last night that there has been no talk among Republican senators about Clinton's book contract and that it was unlikely they would pubicly comment about a new member.

However, the New York Daily News reported that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had suggested that it be reviewed by the Senate Ethics Committee.

Under Senate ethics rules, senators are allowed to receive payments for book deals 'so long as such fees' are 'in accordance with the usual and customary contractual terms' governing book contracts. In other words, so long as $8 million is considered 'usual and customary' for a book written by a former first lady, Clinton would seemingly be okay.

Watchdog groups such as the nonpartisan Congressional Accountability Project have already raised questions about the propriety of the deal.

In answer to ethical questions raised by the contract, Clinton's press secretary, Lissa Muscatine, said, 'She will be fully in compliance with all Senate rules and regulations.'

'We're a black hole of comment over here,' said one senior aide on Capitol Hill last night. 'I do wonder a little about the hypocrisy [of Democrats) objecting to a former House speaker (Newt Gingrich] accepting a book contract that was worth about half of what she is getting.'

When then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich was offered a $4.5 million advance six years ago to write two books for a publishing company controlled by media magnate Rupert Murdoch, Democrats kept up a daily drumbeat of criticism on the House floor. Finally, a bitter Gingrich decided to forgo the advance and accept a $1 contract and standard royalties, not to exceed 15 percent. At the time, Murdoch had billions of dollars at stake in telecommunications business pending before the federal government.

The contretemps hardened the battle lines in the House, where Republicans had just swept Democrats out of office after four decades of rule. Gingrich long carried a grudge, accusing his opponents of waging a campaign of 'personal destruction' against him. And the olive branch he had extended to his rivals after being crowned speaker was pulled back.

The House then prohibited members from accepting advance payments for book contracts. The Senate, however, retained its rules, allowing senators to continue to accept advance payments and customary royalty fees.

Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who is vice chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, said last night, 'I haven't heard a single word about it,' adding: 'I think it's wonderful she could do it. I wrote a book and couldn't get an advance for it.' Reid's book, published by the University of Nevada Press, is titled 'Searchlight: The Camp That Didn't Fail.'

The Senate, which fancies itself the more cerebral, dignified chamber, has produced many authors, including former presidential candidate McCain and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the man Hillary Clinton is replacing.

'We are thrilled to continue our association with Mrs. Clinton,' Carolyn Reidy, president of the Simon & Schuster trade division, said in a statement" (Linton Weeks, The Washington Post December 16, 2000).