Hillary Says It Outright: 'I Am Thinking About' Running For President

[kpete]

The tea-leaf reading for a prospective Hillary Clinton 2016 run got a little bit easier Tuesday when the former secretary of state said she was "thinking about" a presidential bid.

“I am obviously flattered and deeply honored to have people ask me and people encourage me,” Clinton said at a marketing conference in California, according to NBC News. "I am thinking about it."

“But I'm going to continue to think about it for a while,” she added, squashing hopes of a formal announcement at that moment or anytime soon.

It was just a little bit further than Clinton is typically willing to go when she is inevitably asked about her White House ambitions at her many public events. The usual line offered by the Clinton camp, as spokesman Nick Merrill told the Wall Street Journal in a Sunday article, is a bit more evasive.




http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/hillary-thinking-about-running-for-president

[Laelth]

1. Of course, she is.

How could she not be? The pressure on her to run is enormous.



-Laelth

[snooper2]

2. that's okay, give one of the couple hundred million other last names a turn

[TwilightGardener]

3. I guess here's where I'm supposed to have frissons of excitement.

[hrmjustin]

4. I hope she runs.

[MoonRiver]

7. I do too.

There's no Rethuglican in the clown car who can beat her.

[Arkansas Granny]

8. And at this point I don't see any Democrats who could do as well.

I know a lot of people don't like Hillary and don't like the idea of another Clinton in the White House, but I can think of something much, much worse and that's another Republican in the White House. I will vote for the Democratic candidate, whoever that might be, but I want that candidate to be the one with the best chance of winning in the general election.

[MoonRiver]

22. Totally agree.

As long as her health holds, I'm gearing up to saying President Clinton again!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

14. Why? nt

[hrmjustin]

15. I like her.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

16. I like her, too. Been an admirer and followed her since she was Arkansas' first lady. But,

I hope she doesn't run.

[hrmjustin]

18. Ok.i hooe we get the best nominee.

[Logical]

36. Please no, not another right center dem! nt

[hrmjustin]

37. I don't see her as center right.

[L0oniX]

5. Oh gawd!

[sabrina 1]

48. Lol, I know what you mean!

Another DLC/Third Way candidate. She is ambivalent about torture, voted for Bush's wars, boasts about our 'proxy wars' all over the world, what's not to like?

[Roland99]

62. Exactly....please stop thinking about it, Hillary. Just go away

This country does NOT need GOP Lite anymore!

[Thinkingabout]

6. Go Hillary!

[Logical]

35. I think you meant 'Go Away' nt

[Thinkingabout]

42. Wrong logic, I meant I am backing Hillary.

[Beacool]

9. She said it before.

I don't know why people are treating it as news. She's been saying it for weeks now. She's asked the same question at every one of her public appearances and she has been responding that she's thinking about it. She and Bill have also said repeatedly that there won't be any decision made until after the midterms. That's where everybody's focus needs to be.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

19. It's not news. She has, indeed, said it before.

[Beacool]

24. Exactly!!

[Iggo]

10. Obvious candidate is obvious.

[tularetom]

11. Pro Iraq war ex-senator with close ties to secretive fundamentalist organization "the Family"

mulls White House run.

What could possibly go wrong?

[hfojvt]

12. quelle surprise

I would be shocked, except for the fact the nothingshocksmeanymore.

(Speaking of great DUers)

[MNBrewer]

13. THAT'S saying it outright??

[Victor_c3]

17. I think we need a name other than Clinton or bush in the White House

More of the same corporation loving, big bank loving, wall street loving economic policies we've had since I was born isn't going to make the country better.

That, and I really have a huge problem with her and vote for Iraq coupled with her blatantly stating "I don't have anything to apologize for" when pressed on the issue when she ran for president in 2008. She voted for the war on Iraq because it was the politically expedient thing to do and she later refused to apologize for her vote because it was also the politically expedient thing to do in 2008. To me, this shows that she either has no morals or is quick to discard them when she has something to gain by doing so.

I'll vote for her if she makes it past the primaries, but I'm not a fan or a supporter. To me, she'll be the lesser of two evils if/when it comes down between her and a republican.

[Beacool]

25. They weren't voting for Bush to run to war.

They were giving the then president leeway in case he needed to use it as a measure of last resort. More inspectors were supposed to be sent. Instead, Bush, Cheney, et al. rushed into an unnecessary war.

[Victor_c3]

31. I understand that part of the argument, but why the hesitance to apologize?

If that was what the vote was for, then why wouldn't she have apologized for facilitating the death of 100,000-1,000,000 Iraqis, roughly 5,000 US Soldiers, and more than $1 trillion squandered? If her morals weren't easily shed and she had any remorse for the war and what it has done to millions of people I believe she would have apologized regardless of whether or not she was worried about being labeled a flip-flopper. A real leader acknowledges their mistakes and takes ownership of them.

I'm sorry as hell for all sorts of stuff over there - and I never ever supported the war or enabled it to happen. I joined the Army and had a commitment to serve well before September 11th or the war on Iraq and I found myself leading an Infantry Platoon in Iraq for 13 months from Feb 2004 through March 2005. As a disabled veteran produced by their service in Iraq, I take a lot of it very personally (perhaps too personally).

To be honest nothing short of an actual handwritten note or personal apology to the people of Iraq and veterans like myself will get me over this.

[sabrina 1]

49. They were voting for war. Unless they were so totally naive, far more so than most ordinary people,

that they actually trusted Bush/Cheney. I'm not sure which is worse, that they knew he was going to Iraq when they gave him all that power, or they were so out of it, they actually trusted him.

I won't be supporting anyone who was either so incompetent, they trusted that criminal organization or supported their policies. Don't care what letter they have after their names.

She has NEVER condemned Bush 'betraying' her trust, as others have. Too many human victims for my conscience to ever be able to support anyone who helped that massive crime to become a reality.

I know I am not alone, and hope the Party Leadership finds a more competent candidate, one who didn't make that huge, costly error. I like my leaders to get something as important as this RIGHT, the first time, as many did. There is simply no excuse for that vote, period.

[Marr]

64. Bullshit.

The Bush Administration's agenda was already crystal clear to average citizens and people all over the world when that vote was taken. The politicians who voted for it were either voting for war, or they were far, far too stupid to be in office.

[joeybee12]

20. OMG! I had no idea! None whatsoever! What a Shock!!!

Come on, do I need this?

[Whiskeytide]

21. "Outright..."

[johnlucas]

23. Hillary has wanted to be President since she was 5 years old. OF COURSE she's running!

Hillary wanted to be the FIRST female President ever since she was a little girl.
That's part of the reason she put up with Bill's infidelities & went to become a Senator in New York even though she never lived there.

Obama derailed her plans in 2008 & she was NOT happy about it AT ALL.
The deal was made for her to be Secretary of State & ride out Obama's 2 terms.
THEN she would be able to run & win.

It's very obvious when she stepped down as Secretary of State during Obama's 2nd term.
She needs to be obligation-free when she finally makes her run in 2016.
Hard to run for President when you're Secretary of State.

Not only is she thinking about it, she is planning for it.
She has been planning for it since Kindergarten.

It will be Clinton vs. Bush one more time in 2016.
Hillary vs. Jeb.
And everybody knows it.
John Lucas

[Beacool]

27. Right wing talking points?

What you wrote is RW drivel. It's also offensive and sexist. A woman shouldn't be ambitious? People didn't think that there was much wrong when a senator who was in office a mere two years decided to run for president. Wasn't he ambitious too? How about McCain choosing to run in his 70s? I guess it's only women who shouldn't dare to be ambitious and run for higher office.

Furthermore, do you even know the Clintons? Where do you get off judging their marriage? They are still together walking hand in hand (go to Chappaqua and see it for yourself), while many of the hypocritical finger pointers' marriages are in ruins.

I better quit now, because if I say to you want I want to say to you, this post will get deleted.

[johnlucas]

30. Didn't say I had a problem with her ambition or her running.

It's the truth.
Ain't nothing sexist about it.

I'll say the same about Barack.
When he became a U.S. Senator in Illinois, to him it was just a stepping stone to the Presidency.
He said he would serve out his term but then ran for President when the opportunity presented itself.
Every political ascension he made was ultimately for this goal.
He knew he would be the first Black President.

Hillary is ambitious & I know good & damn well she was not happy when Obama showed up.
There WAS a rift but it got smoothed over before November.

You got Hillary in your profile pic. I see where the anger is coming from.
Just because I pointed out her ambition you take that as if I'm shaming her for having it.
If she wants to run, full power to her.

I said it in many posts in my history that if Obama didn't show up Hillary would have been the 44th President of the United States.
Most likely she'll be 45th.

You can get mad all you want but it's the truth.
Everything she has done professionally in her life is ultimately for the goal of becoming the first female President of the United States.

I was not surprised at all when she stepped down from Secretary of State in Obama's 2nd term.
I said to myself she's preparing to run for 2016.

And here's one more anger point for you to stew on.
WHEN 2016 puts up the inevitable Hillary vs. Jeb contest...
...I'm voting for Hillary.
John Lucas

P.S.: I was actually surprised Jeb didn't run in 2012. Too close to his screwup brother's term I suppose.

[Beacool]

33. She has not tailored her entire career to be president.

If that had been her ambition since kindergarten, as you claim, she would have never married Bill Clinton and moved to one of the poorest states in the country. She was the star at Yale, he was a bright and charming Southern boy, but she was the one who had given a commencement speech that appeared in Life magazine. If the presidency had been her ambition, she would have taken a job in DC or NY (she had several offers).

I also doubt that a deal was cut between Obama and Hillary. Both sides have repeatedly said that she at first refused the job. It took some convincing to get her to accept the SOS post.

[LanternWaste]

41. Conflating disagreement with anger is something many irrational people do...

"You got Hillary in your profile pic. I see where the anger is coming from..."

Conflating disagreement with anger is something many irrational people do when called on their prophecies neither sourced nor cited...

But of course you need to see anger... nothing else would do.

[johnlucas]

70. Read the last line of Beacool's initial reply

When Beacool says:
"I better quit now, because if I say to you want I want to say to you, this post will get deleted."

That sounds like a little more than disagreement to me.

Beacool likes Hillary.
I have noticed that same exact pic in her profile for YEARS.
Saw it when I first found this site in 2008.

Just because I point out Hillary's obvious ambition Beacool thinks I'm attacking Hillary.

I'm not attacking Hillary.
I'm just dispelling all of the hullabaloo about her contemplating a Presidential run.
My whole point of my post was to point out that OF COURSE she's running.
That's why she stepped down from Secretary of State.
It's not about merely rest.
She is preparing to make her 2016 run.

The honest truth even though some people in this site might not like it is Hillary seems to be the only one to unify all the factions in the Democratic Party enough to ensure a 2016 Republican defeat.
Elizabeth Warren ain't running for Prez & the others just can't get the numbers needed to ENSURE the Republican Party's demise.

Unless another Barack-style candidate suddenly pops up out of nowhere between now & 2016, it's Hillary for the Democrats.

All the playfulness about "I'm thinking about it" & the "will she won't she" stuff is bullshit.
She's running. We know it.
Everybody should know it.

Beacool might not like what I said about Bill & Hillary & she might not like what I said about her New York U.S. Senator-ship.
I read between the lines.
Most First Ladies disappear from the spotlight when their husband's time in office is over.
Hillary DIDN'T.

As SOON as Bill was out of office—no he was STILL in office on his way out—she became U.S. Senator of New York.
She is an ambitious woman & didn't go all this far just to go home without the Presidency.
Barack & Hillary made a deal in 2008 to smooth over the rift in the party.
Barack runs his 2 terms then Hillary makes her 2 terms.

A run like that will crumble what's left of the Republican Party ESPECIALLY once Deep South states turn Democrat (Jason Carter in Georgia, Wendy Davis in Texas).
Read Salon's piece about the Fourth Republic.
Obama and the dawn of the Fourth Republic
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Barack Obama.
Each of these Presidents were transformative figures that shifted the entire direction of the country & realigned political structures.
You back Obama's runs up with Hillary & the current Republican Party can no longer function the way it does now.
That way a more Progressive direction for the country will have less obstruction for at least the next 30 to 40 years.

Yes, it's this simple.
You follow the First Black President with the First Female President with a Republican Party demonizing Blacks & Females & you lock down generations of support.
Two historic candidates back-to-back.
It will guarantee the growth & sustenance of the Democratic Party which can be used to further progressive policies in this country.

You don't think Hillary is aware of that???
EVERYTHING she has done has led up to this point.
SHE. IS. RUNNING.
She always was.

Beacool may not like the way I put it but it's real.
John Lucas

[bigdarryl]

26. She's waiting to see where those 13 keys line up

[bowens43]

28. in other news it is suspected that the sun wil rise in the east tomorrow....

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

29. Hopefully, that will result in Bernie running for sure.

[Beacool]

45. Yeah, because he would be a viable candidate...........

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

46. He'd sure as hell be a better one than Hillary.

[Beacool]

59. I said viable, and no, he's not.

He may be someone who you and others on the Left would prefer, but he could never win in a general election. That is if by some miracle he got the nomination, which is not likely to happen. I happen to like Sanders, but the thought that he could win the presidency is just wishful thinking.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

69. The way to get the votes of the left is to appeal to the left.

Somehow, I just can't see Hillary doing that.

[sabrina 1]

50. Let's hope so.

No way would my conscience ever allow me to support a supporter of Bush's criminal invasion of Iraq.

Meantime I will focus on Congress, support every Progressive Dem that runs, and I am already excited that one DUer, a most respected DUer, has decided to run for the NY State Legislature. THAT is a candidacy I can back ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

[Whisp]

67. just the fact that Babs and Poppy consider Bill Clinton their other 'son' wants me to hork. n/t

[joshcryer]

61. Hopefully Reich announces he's running.

[FiveGoodMen]

32. Don't

And stop thinking about it

[Logical]

34. We need to let her know we don't want her! nt

[Beacool]

38. And who is this "we"?

The vast majority of the party does want her to run.

[Logical]

43. Well, she had a 24 point lead over Obama in June 2007. How did that work out for her??

when someone serious runs against her she will fail again.

[Beacool]

44. Dream on!!!

She never had these polls in 2008. She's at the moment the highest polling non-incumbent in the history of the Democratic party. Besides, there is no Obama in the wings. History is only made once. This time around, she is the historic candidate.

[Logical]

47. LOL, what part of a 24 point lead did you miss? Jesus, you people are blinded by something about....

her. Here is another graph. This one a 27 point lead. Wow, look like a huge lead for hillary.....LOL, you crack me up! You underestimate the ability of Hillary to lose support at a record pace.

[LuvLoogie]

52. Because 48% equals 63%, whatever...

No other Democratic woman is going to run against her. She now lists SoS among her bonafides. Barack Obama, Michelle Obama will campaign for her as soon as Joe drops out.

Her support is deeper and wider than it was in 2008. Her resume is more solid than it was in 2008. 63% is going to turn to 80% as soon as she announces. Republican women are going to switch parties to vote for her in Democratic primaries.

What is logical about equating 48% to 63%? You're a dork.

[Logical]

54. LOL, I imagine your feelings were hurt in 2008 when Obama destroyed her in less than three months...

and you will once again be disappointed. Wait until other people announce. Real candidates.

You are so confused to use the 63% bullshit when the campaign season has not even started yet. Do you see the difference between 11/2007 and 4/2014? Think real hard about the difference. And I will check back later to see if you figured it out.

[LuvLoogie]

56. Even more dorky Hillary derangement.

I see it's your hobby. I voted for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. I wasn't really sure who I was going to pick until I did. Your circular logic notwithstanding.

[Logical]

57. Look forward to chatting again in about 15 months. nt

[Adrahil]

60. Noting this. We shall see. I think 2016 is her year. NT

[Beacool]

58. Real candidates?

Implying that she wouldn't be a real candidate? Talk about delusional..............

[tritsofme]

55. Barack Obama in 2008 was an enigma.

He walked through the doors of the Senate as a political rockstar. There just isn't anyone of that stature among the potential candidates this time around.

Take Obama out of the 2008 mix and Hillary would have cruised to them nomination, whether or not Edwards self-destructed.

[joshcryer]

53. That ship has long since sailed.

She should have had a challenger from the left months ago.

[winter is coming]

39. Glad I was sitting down when I got that shocking bit of news.

[frylock]

40. who now?

[Buns_of_Fire]

51. Tease. nt

[Marr]

63. She was a given. The question is who the *other* Wall Street candidate will be.

We'll know who it is very early in the primary process. They'll be the other person whom the corporate media universally pronounces 'the only other viable candidate', along with Hillary Clinton-- before a single primary vote has been taken.

[ecstatic]

65. Unless someone here has a viable alternative in mind...

And no, Sanders and Warren are not viable. All I know is I don't want trigger happy Bush or Romney in the White House.

[postatomic]

66. Thanks to the Supreme Court destroying campaign finance reform

The Democratic Party needs a candidate that can generate cash. Lots and lots of cash. Lots and lots of fucking cash. And then even more fucking cash.

Hillary Clinton could that.

I'm seeing that same bullshit that has plagued her since she was First Lady in this "discussion". I honestly don't see why she is the devil incarnate. Because of some dead ideology that people pull out of the dust?

Whatever.

[BlueStater]

68. Ugh. Go away. n/t

[davidn3600]

71. If we keep voting for the lesser of two evils....

...don't be surprised when we end up with diminishing returns.

Frankly unless we get an FDR type of presidency, I think America may be heading downhill. Just my opinion. There needs to be significant change. And a Washington-insider like Hillary will do nothing but continue to support the 1% elite.