Hillary Softens 2004 Presidential Denial

NewsMax.com ^ | July 4, 2003 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton sounded less emphatic on Thursday about not running for president in 2004, saying that while she doesn't currently intend to challenge President Bush next year, she can't be more definitive about her plans.

In London to promote her memoir "Living History," Mrs. Clinton was asked by BBC "Woman's Hour" host Martha Kearney if her often repeated denials that she had "no intention" of running for the White House truly ruled out a presidential bid "at some future point."

Mrs. Clinton responded, "Well, but it is as close as I can come. Because I have no intention. I am absolutely not planning, not talking about it. I have no intention of doing it."

Then, the former first lady made it clear that she was talking about 2004, not 2008, saying, "I want to support a Democratic candidate for president very much in 2004. I would really like to see the Democrats back in the White House."

Pressed on her plans for 2008, Mrs. Clinton dispensed with her usual "no intention" denial altogether, telling Kearney, "Well, 2008 is a long - you know, you cover politics - that's an eternity in American politics. But I think that the role I'm playing, trying to bring attention to issues, trying to get people to focus on what's at stake, is a very appropriate role for me."

Just three weeks ago, when asked by ABC's Barbara Walters if she might run in 2004, Mrs. Clinton's denial was rock solid.

Asked what she'd do if her party literally begged her to run next year, she told Walters, "Absolutely, I'd say no."

When Walters asked about the next presidential cycle, Mrs. Clinton offered what had been her standard 2008 response, saying, "I don't have any intentions or plans of running. I'm flattered that the question gets asked."

The full exchange between the BBC's Kearney and Mrs. Clinton went like this:

KEARNEY: You've used this phrase, I have no intention of standing. That doesn't really rule anything out, does it?"

CLINTON: Well, but it is as close as I can come. Because I have no intention. I am absolutely not planning, not talking about it. I have no intention of doing it. I want to support a Democratic candidate for president very much in 2004. I would really like to see the Democrats back in the White House. And I'm going to . . .

KEARNEY In 2008?

CLINTON: Well, 2008 is a long - you know, you cover politics. That's an eternity in American politics. But I think that the role I'm playing, trying to bring attention to issues, trying to get people to focus on what's at stake, is a very appropriate role for me. [End of Excerpt]

[oceanview]

not to pat myself on the back, but I predicted exactly this on the thread that first showed the unemployment rate rising to 6.4%.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

"IS it SAFE?" = HILLARY on Senate Armed Services Committee..

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=629

[skr]

She lied in the past, will lie in the future and is lying now.

[Archangelsk]

If the President does not do something about the perception of the economy I expect Hillary! to jump into the race. The money will then line up (don't ever underestimate the ability for her team to raise cash) and the campaign will be an American bloodbath.

It happened in 92 it can happen again.

[Arkinsaw]

Never trust 'em. Never count them out.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET



T'was just HILL-ARIOUS seeing our Freeper MONICA vs. HILLARY last Sunday:


FREEPER VIDEO: Hillary Clinton Book Signing, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA - 06/29/2003

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/938640/posts


NEVER FORGET

[friendly]

The only thing Hillary is capable of "softening" is the liquified brains of her lemming like followers.

Mercifully this monster has absolutely no chance of every being President, and will live out her evil days as an endless de facto fundraiser for the Republicans.

[ex-Texan]

She is a witch! Next thing you know she will be levitating live on ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN. They will proclaim her the 'Best Candidate' by acclamation.

Methinks GWB needs to capture Saddam and his sons, locate WMD in Iraq and blow up bin Laden. Otherwise, he will have a very tough fight next year.

[NewYorker]

In London to promote her memoir "Living History,"

And to avoid the risk of being booed in New York City on the Fourth of July. She wasn't in the city for the Fourth of July fireworks last year either. There seems to be a pattern emerging.

[waterstraat]

Hillary will not wait until 2012 to become president. Once we are into 2004, and if we still have h1-B visas, and still have outsourcing, and still have american factories closing a moving to china, then any democrat will win, and hillary and everyone else will see this.

If the economy and jobs do not pick up by millions by next summer, any democrat nominated will win, and hillary will not just stand by and let another democrat take away her presidency.

If unemployment is 4% in the summer of 2004, then bush is reelected, else it is another president clinton again.

[Cicero]

I've been predicting this too. She will certainly keep her option open to run, and will only delay if it looks completely hopeless.

Her chief reason for not waiting until 2008 is that she may not be able to hold the window of opportunity open that long. She has no certain power base with bill out of the White House. A lot of other candidates hate her guts and would love to shove her aside if they could. She sucks up money and power they would like for themselves.

She needs to move while her boy still runs the DNC and while she still has her senate seat, which allows her to pretend that at least she has some elected political experience.

[MJY1288]

Here is my prediction on Hillary's future

She will not run in 2004, She and Bill will do all they can to undermine the current field of nine pitiful democrats, so she wont be challenging an incumbant democrat in 2008. After the 2004 election the Democrats will see just where the Clintons have taken their Party and they will turn on Bill, Hillary and Terry McAiliffe for disgracing this country as the democratic party slips further into the abyss.

Hillary will lose her seat in the Senate to Rudy in 2006 and the Clinton's will become just the latest chapter in the long history of weak and currupt leaders the democrats have managed to put in the White House

[oceanview]

she has no problem for 2008. As soon as the 2004 election is over, the next day actually, she is the frontrunner for president. And instead of media coverage for 2 years leading up to an election, we will have 4 years worth for the 2008 election.

[Arpege92]

Pat, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat! :-}

[HighWheeler]

The Hildebeast's best chance is 2004.

In 2008, she has to first re-win the Senate in 2006 against Guliani to stay in the game. If she loses the Senate in 2006, she is toast forever.

In 2012, she will be 65. Also, if a Dem wins in 2008, she is toast since that Dem will be the 2012 ticket.

[oceanview]

she will not run for 2006 senate if Rudy is the opponent, she can just say she is running for president and needs to campaign.

[cherry_bomb88]

You also underestimate the southern dixiecrat rednecks who will never vote for a woman, even if she is the only democrat running, because "a woman's place is in the home barefoot and pregnant"

[Cicero]

"a woman's place is in the home barefoot and pregnant"

With 20 coonhounds under the front porch.