ALBANY, N.Y.—A veteran GOP operative launched an anti-Hillary Rodham Clinton Web site Tuesday, complete with an unflattering photo and a warning that she and her husband are trying to “pull the wool over America’s eyes once again.”

Meanwhile, Clinton was out with a fundraising letter claiming Arthur Finkelstein’s “Stop Her Now” effort is part of a growing mound of evidence that Republicans “are prepared to do anything to defeat me.”

“We know one thing for sure, the Republicans and their right-wing allies are going to be hitting us hard with false charges,” the former first lady wrote to potential donors, calling herself “the Republicans’ number one target in 2006.”

Clinton is seeking re-election next year to the New York Senate seat she won in 2000 and Republicans claim she wants to use that race as a stepping stone to a 2008 presidential run. She insists her sole focus is on getting re-elected.

Finkelstein’s Web site appeals for donations. On Friday, Finkelstein aide William Black said the “Stop Her Now” effort was hoping to raise $10 million this year.

“All of America has a tremendous stake in this effort, especially our courageous soldiers overseas,” the Web site said. “The Clintons national defense policies left us weak and vulnerable in a dangerous and hostile world.”

Finkelstein has long been a top adviser to New York Republican Gov. George Pataki and worked on the campaigns of former Sens. Alfonse D’Amato of New York and Jesse Helms of North Carolina.

New York Republicans have yet to come up with a Clinton challenger for 2006. Neither Pataki nor former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has expressed any interest.

In another development, The New York Times reported Tuesday that Peter Paul, a former Clinton supporter whose claims are behind the recent indictment of her 2000 campaign finance director, has joined forces with a conservative California group to launch the “Hillary Clinton Accountability Project.”

Paul hosted a major fundraiser in Hollywood for Clinton’s first Senate campaign and finance director David Rosen has been charged with underreporting costs associated with the event. He is scheduled to go on trial next week. Paul also has a civil lawsuit against the Clinton campaign.

“Peter Paul is a man with an impressive record of felony convictions,” David Kendall, a lawyer for the Clintons, said when asked about Paul’s new anti-Clinton effort. “Most of his civil suit has already been dismissed and the remainder has no merit.”

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On the Web:

Finkelstein’s site: http://www.stophernow.com

Clinton campaign site: http://www.friendsofhillary.com