Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc. ("GFY") Announces Distribution for the Month of November 2009

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NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc., which is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol "GFY", announced today a monthly distribution of
$0.0560per common share for November 2009. The distribution amount is unchanged
from the prior month.

The distribution schedule appears below:

Month Ex-Date Record Date Payable Date Amount Type
November 11/18/2009 11/20/2009 11/27/2009 $ 0.0560 Income

This press release is not for tax reporting purposes but is being provided to
announce the amount of the Fund's distributions that have been declared by the
Board of Directors. In early 2010, after definitive information is available,
the Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV, if applicable, specifying how
the distributions paid by the Fund during the prior calendar year should be
characterized for purposes of reporting the distributions on a shareholder`s tax
return (e.g., ordinary income, long-term capital gain or return of capital).

Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company, is managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor,
LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., and is sub-advised by
Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of the investment manager.

Contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102 for additional information, or consult the
Fund`s web site at www.leggmason.com/cef.

All data and commentary provided within this press release is for informational
purposes only. Legg Mason, Inc. and all of its affiliates do not engage in
selling any of the shares of the Fund. The Fund's common shares are traded on
the New York Stock Exchange.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Brenda Grandell, 212-857-8087
Director, Closed End Funds

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