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Hillary in New York pizza row

She has never lived or worked in the city, but Pizza Hut plays up her apparent love of "all things New York" in its commercial to help sell its new pizza.

The advert comes as she prepares for a possible run for the Senate seat of New York next year.

However her political team was less than amused at the ad and has complained about a connection between the commercial and her likely rival for the Senate seat, Rudolph Giuliani.

One of Mr Giuliani's campaign backers is on the board of Pizza Hut's parent company.

Democrats allege that the commercial is an illegal contribution.

In the advert - scheduled to air for the first time during Saturday's World Series baseball match in New York - a blonde woman in a business suit and with a heavy Southern accent sings the praises of Pizza Hut's "Big New Yorker" pizza. She eats a slice of the pizza on a bunting-decked platform with skyscrapers in the background.

The mysterious blonde drawls: "How do I know so much about New York pizza? 'Cause New York, I want to be your next senator!"

At the end of the commercial, a police officer with a New York City accent adds: "$9.99! What do they think this is, Arkansas?"

'Pizza not politics'

The billionaire backer at the centre of the row is Kenneth Langone, who is on the board of Pizza Hut's parent Tricon Foods.

Neither Mrs Clinton nor Mr Giuliani, currently New York Mayor, have formally entered the race for the Senate, but they are both raising money to run for the New York seat.

Tricon's political action committee has handed over $2,500 to Mr Giuliani's exploratory committee while Mr Langone and his wife have each given $1,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. Mr Langone was once Mr Giuliani's campaign finance chairman.

"Quite a set of coincidences," remarked Mrs Clinton's campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson.

But Mr Langone has denied any wrongdoing.

He said: "I had no idea about this ad until right now. For anyone to imply anything different is wrong."

Tricon spokesman Jonathan Blum said the commercial was "about pizza not politics" and that the board had not approved it.

Mr Giuliani's team denies foul play.

Giuliani Campaign Chairman Bruce Teitelbaum said: "The mayor enjoying pizza and Pizza Hut trying to sell pizza ... I think that's about the only connection people can point to."

While the Clinton camp may not find the commercial amusing, Pizza Hut says its ad is just "tongue-in-cheek fun" and part of its Big New Yorker campaign which began in January.

The firm's Jay Allison said: "We've used some quintessential New Yorkers to give it New York flavour and authenticity."

He said billionaire property developer Donald Trump and director Spike Lee have also featured in earlier commercials.

There are no plans for a similar parody of Mr Giuliani.

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