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A Presidential First: Clinton Goes Cyber-Shopping But the First Procrastinator may not get his gifts before Christmas Bill Clinton finally put his money where his mouth is when it comes to e-commerce. The President, who often touts the economic value of Internet commerce and opposes taxing e-purchases, took part in the national online-shopping craze for the first time on Dec. 21. Logging on to the laptop on his desk in the Oval Office, Clinton visited (and made purchases at) two politically correct Web sites. White House aides say he bought a children's book at world2market.com, an artsy-craftsy site featuring international goods and products sold by organizations such as children's causes, minority small-business vendors, rural firms, and groups for the physically and developmentally impaired. The President also bought a horsehide bracelet from lakotafund.org, which sells Native-American handicrafts. The site is run out of the Pine Ridge (S.D.) Indian reservation. The President visited the reservation in June as part of his "New Markets" tour to spur development in economically depressed urban and rural areas. The bracelets listed on the Web site range in price from $21 to $26. MOUSE-SAVVY. The virtual shopping spree was a first for the President who has a reputation for being "technologically challenged." But White House sources insist that the First Shopper used his own laptop and even "knew how to use the mouse." While aides wouldn't reveal the recipients of the gifts, they did say that the President used the zip code reserved for the White House residence. According to White House aides, Clinton became an instant e-commerce addict. "He enjoyed it immensely," says White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart. "He had to be extricated from the computer." The President, a notorious procrastinator, may have ordered too late for delivery before Christmas. Still, it wouldn't be vintage Clinton if he weren't brushing up against a deadline. The President may not be through with his '99 shopping spree. Sources say he may venture out on Friday to do some nonvirtual shopping at a bricks-and-mortar mall. By Richard S. Dunham
EDITED BY PAUL JUDGE
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