She is, as the New York Times describes her, “one of the most famous women on earth.” She inspires both abject disgust and hero-worship from friend and foe. She is one half of a political man-and-wife team that could be considered the most successful — and controversial — in American history. (John and Abigail Adams are their only real rivals.)
Despite the early date on the political calendar, the speculation about her presidential ambition and plans for 2016 has barely paused since her bitterly disappointing loss to Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. And it is only going to grow over the next several months as Mrs. Clinton leaves the State Department and embarks on the next stage of what any objective observer would have to conclude is a remarkable life.
Whither Hillary?
Right now, aides and friends say, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s plan looks like this: exit the State Department shortly after Inauguration Day and then seclude herself to rest and reflect on what she wants to do for the next few years. Those who have invited her for 2013 engagements have been told not to even ask again until April or May.
[...]
She is likely to use her husband’s foundation as at least a temporary perch, several former aides said, and she has been considering a new book — not a painful examination of her failed 2008 presidential bid, as she once proposed, but a more upbeat look at her time as secretary of state.
For the moment, Mrs. Clinton may appear to be a figure of nearly limitless possibility, and her name has come up for prestigious jobs: president of Yale University, head of George Soros’s foundation. But being Hillary Clinton is never a simple matter, and her next few years are less a blank check than an equation with multiple variables. Her status is singular but complicated: half an ex-presidential partnership, a woman at the peak of her influence who will soon find herself without portfolio, and an instant presidential front-runner (a title that did not work out well last time).
Mrs. Clinton may find that her freedom comes with one huge constraint. The more serious she is about 2016, the less she can do — no frank, seen-it-all memoir; no clients, commissions or controversial positions that could prove problematic. She will be under heavy scrutiny even by Clinton standards, discovering what it means to be a supposedly private citizen in the age of Twitter. With the election four years away — a political eon — she will have to tend and protect her popularity, and she may find herself in a cushy kind of limbo, unable to make many decisions about her life until she makes the big one about another White House try.
And it isn’t only Hillary who would have to mind her Ps and Qs. Her restless, garrulous husband would have to cool it as well. The self-proclaimed buy-one-get-one-free Clinton brand is enmeshed in both their public personas and it may not be possible to separate them in the public’s mind.
And that brings up another problem: how to separate herself sufficiently from Bill’s larger-than-life personality? During Hillary’s tenure as secretary of State, Bill has lurked quietly in the background these last four years, venturing out occasionally, his public statements measured and even modest. He has chosen international forums for the most part — until he committed himself to playing a large role in President Obama’s re-election campaign.
Clinton partisans have made the argument that Bill’s rousing speech at the Democratic convention was a big difference in the campaign. One should probably let history decide that, but there is no doubt that “The Speech” fueled an excitement in the Obama campaign that until that point had been sorely lacking. His appearances on the president’s behalf usually made an impact and his joint appearances with Obama raised gobs of money for the campaign and for the party.
– then Jeb Bush will too.
We are being played.
U.S. Attorney’s Office claims author’s of Blagojevich book “Golden” lying
http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2012/12/10/u-s-attorneys-office-claims-authors-of-blagojevich-book-golden-lying/
Amen. And many clapped-out GOP sages are guaranteed to take the bait. So much easier to blather about things distant and irrelevant — even a cold, wet red herring like Hillary beats looking into the bathroom mirror and wondering what to do with yourself.
Hillary, if you run, you will not have my support this time. Once you agreed to serve in the Obama administration, I had my doubts about your judgment and your character. Your lies about Benghazi, that it was a movie review gone bad, led me to conclude you just might be all the things your critics have always said you were. Ruthlessly ambitious. A bad habit of standing by men who would not do the same for you.
I saw how your party treated you in 2008 and how Obama treated your husband. Said things that can never be taken back. Somehow you found a way to overlook all that, how?
Obama will find a way to loop Benghazi around your neck to kill any political future you might have had. And you know what? You walked right into it.
The donks are going to run Michelle O. They have to. They can’t get the minority turnout they need if they run a white. The can never run a white politician again. Ever.
Oh!…those braying donkeys!
Hillary may just end up encapsulating all of those irritating characteristics of all of those abrasive, nasal, pop-up Kennedy’s.
What a nadir.
Charlie, Hill also has to make sure that the poop and scoop, re Huma Abedin, stays off the radar, since there are some brave conservative souls willing to shed said light.
And her mischief making with Huma (let alone all her other hidden ghosts, hint:Vince Foster)should be enough to land her a stint in the Fed pen, let alone as POTUS – http://adinakutnicki.com/2012/08/03/hillary-clintons-tap-dance-around-huma-abedins-brotherhoodsisterhood-connections-media-matters-request-show-us-her-security-clearance-commentary-by-adina-kutnicki/…and this is just the tip of the indictment!
Oh, please. Where in the world does this, “Michelle for President” stupidity come from? She’s not running in 2016. She can’t even PRETEND to have any serious qualifications.
And who is even talking about her for any public office, other than a few addle-pated “conservatives”?
If she has ANY future in elected office, she’ll have to leave the White House and run for Senate or House first.
Oh, please. Where in the world does this, “Michelle for President” stupidity come from? She’s not running in 2016. She can’t even PRETEND to have any serious qualifications. ”
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People said the same about Barack Obama just a few short years ago. Wanna remind me how that turned out?
You are so correct about Michelle running. I have been told my saying this is nuts. However, how is this different than Hillary (aka Bill proxy) running? George Wallace did it. And, in this day of celebrity worship, Michelle is a winner! Never mind the issues. Hugo Chavez here we come!
I think Mooshell is very plausible, there are a lot of people in this country who wish we had royal families, like the ones in the MSM salivating about Chelsie getting into politics, never mind the Kennedys and Bushes. Hillary’s best “shot” was having O removed for this past election, but she didn’t do it.
Not ot mention she will be 69 in 2016
Oh, but she is so chic!
I have yet to hear that 2012 was Obama’s last presidential campaign from his own mouth. I can’t help but think he is going to try and find a way to stay in office. Maybe argue a “disparate impact” law suit against the 22nd amendment. I mean seriously, this guy is just too big a world historical figure to be tied down by petty things like the Constitution.
There is no way that Obama is running again, he could only do so if a constitutional amendment got passed. No “disparate impact” law could challenge the constitution, that’s not how the government works.
That is how the government used to work. You have obviously not adjusted yourself to the new historical epoch that is the Age of Obama. As for me, I will believe Obama is leaving the White House only after he has actually done so. He pretty much already uses the Constitution for toilet paper, I don’t see why anyone would put their faith in his respect for precedent and law over raw power. I mean who the hell is actually going to tell him he can’t be president again if he decides he wants to stay?
Ambassador Chris Stevens was unavailable for comment.
Sorry, but I doubt if Mrs. Clinton will ever be president. In the age of media and the fussing over appearance, have you seen how she looks? Like a washed up hag….sorry, but the truth hurts.
Then there is her sorry record as SoS. Refusing add’l security for Amb. Stevens’ post, not sending help, and watching him die. Not to mention, her “trusted” aide, Huma Abedin a female member of the Brotherhood. WoW, can we do worse?
And the prospects of the U.S. economy by 2016 is bound to be quite dismal. A faded superpower, sunk under a mountain of debt. We’d be lucky to escape all this with our lives, much less anything to fight over.
You sure can do a lot of plastic surgery in four years and they have the money to pay the doctor. She is too old and worn but the American people and especially the Democrats are stupid.
What has she ever accomplished that is noteworthy? Seriously, what? OK, she married Bill and hitched her wagon to his star, but I mean other than that. What?
She “made $100k in the future’s market!
She hide under Susan Rice skirt during Benghazi attack.
Methinks ’twas the other way round.
Yes, but what did Obama do prior to 08 and he was awarded a Nobel. I’m just waiting for him to award himself a Medal of Honor for “killing” Bin Laden.
No. The dems will panic staring at 80% white vote going Repub and go white male centrist. They’ll find a Creigh deeds to lose to possibly the actual Bob McDonnell.
“The Democrats will not be able to blame Republicans for writing bad legislation…”
Oh, they’ll find a way. Believe me, they’ll find a way. I know that seems absurd, but think of the millions of low-information voters we have now.
Not to mention that the Repubs will help. They have a history of handing the debate over to the Dims. No wonder we can’t win.
I think that Dems must be told that no, they have no right to consider a shot at the Presidency. It won’t be “your turn” until Her Excellency makes Her decision. And that would include Michelle.
Democrats at the mid-level simply have no future, nor the right to have a future. You may have no Bobby Jindals. There will be no Marco Rubios. Shut up and wait your turn. And wait. And wait.
She has not aged well. Will she live trhat long?
Once you go (half) black you never go back. Obama forever!
Do you think Hillary can get enough speech therapy to eliminate the thousands of “uh”s she uses so we can understand her between now and 2016? I doubt it.
Don’t worry, Obama will lend her his backup teleprompter. That will cure her “uhs”….
I can,t wait till they are all Forgotton, dead and gone forever, our country needs to get rid of all of these career politicians. We need term limit, and life in prison for anyone who steals elections. Political parties thet participate in election fraud need to loose their franchises, the sooner were rid of these people, the better off the country will be, and they should all have their money confiscated.
In the fair world Obama talks about, the Clintons would be in prison but then so would Obama.
I’ve been telling my friends for a long time that we’ve elected a president for life. Send me my helping of crow in 2017. I’ll eat it gladly.
In the meantine she should mull over losing 30 lbs and getting a face lift.
Hillary isn’t going to run in 2016; she can’t win at this point.
Have you noticed that about 2 years ago how much her appearance changed? Hair, clothes, jewelry, everything. She suddednly started dressing like an old lady. At least before that she dressed like she had some class. Now she looks like my grandma. An old lady isn’t going to get elected President.
With her track record and especially recent events such as Benghazi, in a normal world there is absolutely no way she should be a viable presidential candidate.
But with the support of State Aligned Media she will look angelic. Which is why we need to begin now to de-legitimize her as a possible candidate . It will take an organized and continuous effort – which is not in the Republican Party DNA to successfully accomplish – unless things change in our party’s upper echelons.
She needs to see Nancy Pelosi’s doctor, but unfortunately he’s not a brain surgeon.
Hillary’s time as Sect of State was merely a side trip to her campaign for POTUS. Like Obama, Hillary is a Leftist with few qualifications except those created by image-makers. By 2016 Americans may be fed up with images and be ready for substance.
So far Hillary’s buddies in the Senate, especially John McLame have given her a pass on the Benghazzi failure. She should have been subpoenied before Congress to answer for her incompetance. If you’ve observed Hillary, she’s morphed into whatever ethnic group she speaks to. And let’s not forget her hugging and embracing Yasser Arafat’s wife.
She’s as fake as fake can be; hopefully Republicans will run a strong, gutsy street fighter who is not afraid to take on and take down any candidate the left runs.
That is if Obama’s contempt for the Constitution doesn’t extend to declaring himself president for life…
Not a lock? Unless there is a scandal so big even the MSM can’t hide it, or she gets a terminal illness, she’s running.
Winning?
That’s another question. I don’t see any Democrats on the horizon who can challenge her, so she’s probalby got a clear shot at the nomination. (Of course, she thought so last time, too. Hmmm. Rahm Emmanuel?)
If she runs, the Republicans will probably run another lackluster RINO, maybe Jeb Bush, and manage, once again, to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Perhaps the Republicans could nominate Sarah Palin. At 51 she would be the absolute opposite of Hillary Clinton. Would be very funny all around
sure why not President Hillary. Vice President could be Rosanne Barr.
At some point they will just quit counting the ballots and tell us who won. But first, a few more humiliatingly incompetent pretend presidents. Then the people won’t care who wins anymore.
You guys are all idiots. Spend your time doing something better than criticizing her looks. If Hillary runs, Hillary wins. Not just because of her name-recognition (her ‘brand’), but because of the strength of the machine behind her.
Elections aren’t about who you think deserves to win, but who is able to land better punches and steamroll their opposition. This is about not just them (and she is formidable), but the organization that backs them (and she will have the united power of the Clinton machine, the newly unemployed Obama machine, the Democratic party machine and the combined force of the media and popular culture). That and sh-tloads of money.
Those who believe in conservative principles would be well-served now to build a conservative foundation from the ground up, instead of worshipping at the altar of a (probably failed) 2016 presidential run.
Make inroads in popular media (news and entertainment – both creating new media as well as challenging the old), educational institutions(inroads in both ideology and personell), state-level races (senators, governors, party memberships), outreach (Hispanic, youth, female)… These things are what is going to build a more conservative nation from the bottom up – to a point where we can then compete nationally – in the war of ideas, not just elections.
If you think we can wake up in four years and expect to take our country back from the top down (and defeat a combined force like the dem/clinton/obama/media political machine you will have rude awakening.
Let’s do what we have to do now so that we can have a country that is familiar with constitutional principles, no matter who wins or loses the top of the ticket in 2016.