Hillary: She's Now Open to 2004 Prez Bid

OFFnews ^ | August 28, 2003 | OFFnews

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Hillary: She's Now Open to 2004 Prez Bid

New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has subtly but carefully altered her stance on running for president in 2004.

Senator Clinton has made some revealing statements while on her book tour in Europe that indicate she is moving to a 2004 run.

During her trip to London this weekend, Mrs. Clinton hinted during a television interview that a 2004 run "might happen."

Appearing Friday on BBC Channel 4's "Richard and Judy Show," Mrs. Clinton was pressed on whether she might challenge President Bush as early as next year.

"You never know what might happen," she told the TV duo, after first dismissing as "rumors" reports that she was considering a run in 2004.

The day before, Mrs. Clinton was challenged by BCC radio interviewer Martha Kearney, who complained that the top Democrat's often-repeated answer that she has "no intention" of running for president in either 2004 or 2008 "doesn't really rule anything out, does it?"

"Well, but it is as close as I can come," Mrs. Clinton responded.

In previous interviews with American reporters, the former first lady had been unequivocal about not running in 2004. "Absolutely, I'd say no," she told ABC's Barbara Walters, who asked last month if she'd accept a draft.

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.

But sinking poll numbers for President Bush, continuing weakness in the U.S. economy, and the failure of a clear Democratic front-runner to emerge -- all may be factors leading Mrs. Clinton to re-think her plans for 2004.

[mombonn]

I promise to FReep her whenever she comes within 100 miles of where I live.

I'll up the ante - I promise to FReep her whenever she comes 200 miles of where I live.

[ctonious]

Let's sit back and be smart. Dean does not kowtow to the Clintoons...and he's leading. The day she announces - there should be another huge internet fundraiser for Dean...sponsored by Free Republic. Make both loons about the same size and then egg'em on.

If we're successful, we could be rid of the Clintoons and Mcauliffe, and end up with a very smeared and bloodied Dean as an opponent.

[Spok]

Isn't it interesting that no one, including her supporters, seems willing to take her at her word that she's not running. Her lying is just taken for granted.

[Spok]

No one with any sense would choose her to lead this country.

No one with any sense would choose her to walk their dog.

[VRW Conspirator]

If she runs, she will likely lose. America wants a man to run the show. (Don't slam me for pointing out the truth). The women voters will split on voting for a woman and voting for a leader.

[Eala]

Don't underestimate Hillary...a lot of GOP women will vote for her.

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

On what basis would they vote for her?

[turbocat]

I heard it well put, from someone in "democratic circles"... Hillary can't win because she has only some of Bill's friends and all of his enemies.

Love it.

[RLK]

You are correct.

[Eala]

I fear that Bush will blow the debates with his Bushisms, and the press will always slant their opinion towards her. With the "unbiased" media wholy against Bush its going to be brutal. I believe we will have our work cut out for us. I won't be in NY by the time the election comes around but I'll add my vote where it counts in FL. Be prepared for the battle of the "Rich Capitalist Warmonger" who starves old people and children vs. the smartest woman in the world.

My worry is that you're right. The press will do more than "slant" in this, though -- we'll see a re-run of the 1964 attack on Goldwater, or worse. And the rallying cry for the libs will be something on the order of "Undo 2000."

The blindness of the libs is amazing. Election Day afternoon-evening 2000 I shared a streetcorner with a young woman; I was waving a sign for the Republican gubernatorial candidate, she for the Democrat running for state legislator. (I was there first, but the Dems had no problem violating an old unspoken custom here.) She'd just moved from D.C. and, incredibly, was proud of having worked in the Clinton campaign.

[Eala]

I would expect her to take the attitude she did when running for Senator "I'm just this poor little woman standing here running for office and here you come over into my space frightening me with your paperwork". If New Yorkers fell for it what can we expect from the rest of the country?

Maybe... but I don't think so. I think she's going to have to attack Bush to overcome his advantages. She may not do a lot upfront herself so as to not sound too shrill, and allow that defence if necessary, but her machine is going to be really nasty.

[doberville]

So, it looks like you're right. And NOW, this instant, is when we need to start planning how to end run her efforts.

She will indeed play dirty. Nothing is beneath her. Nothing. Knowing this, we need to be ready, to anticipate
and frustrate. Use her weaknesses against her.

She is a coward and a bully for starters. She's afraid of protesters and confrontations. Use it. Make it work against her.

God help us all.

[Eala]

We gotta be tougher and more united behind our president than ever before or she wins and you all know what that would mean.
For one, there go the courts. No justice for the next 20 years. She'll nominate Molly Yard for SCOTUS for crying out loud.

And don't forget she wants to get rid of the electoral college. Straight popular vote -- if you live in a small state, you won't count. Let in more illegal immigrants, allow them to vote, and the Democrat machine will have a lock on the country.

[Busywhiskers]

Forgive me for suggesting this but you can go here to contribute to the Howard Dean campaign.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=contribute_central

[Lucy Lake]

But, but,..... she promised she wouldn't run. Are you telling me she would break a promise?

[engrpat]

I said on another thread that if she should run it will be the nastest, meanest election in memory. The fireworks will come from the supportors of both and it well help to further divide the country. All someone has to do is start a "Hillary" thread anywhere on the net and set back and watch the responses pour in. The worst thing we could do is assume that Bush would win in cake walk and the Clintons will be done. When you "assume" you make a "ass" out of "u" and "me"...watch out I don't want her running.

[Hoverbug]

Well that's that! There is NO WAY that Bush can win against the Hildabeast. I mean, Bush lost the popular vote in the last election!!

Our only possible chance is to draft Arnold now! After all, half a loaf is better than none! We don't want the Hildabeast in the Whitehouse!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's keep a Republican in the Whitehouse!!!!!! Go Arnold Go!!!!!

Lets throw in the towel now FReepers!! Cal(l) Bush's office now and explain to him he shouldn't split the vote, thereby putting the Hildabeast in the Whitehouse! He should do the honorable thing and remove himself from the race. Otherwise, he's just a vanity candidate. I hope he's a team player.

Maybe he could be VP for Arnold! (Whatta idea!!!!!! Glad I thought of it.)

A vote for Bush is a vote for the Hildabeast. I hope you people who vote for Bush realize you're responsible for Hildabeast being in the Whitehouse.

HELP, I can't find the "sarcasm off" button on my computer.

Hb

[prairiebreeze]

smartest woman in the world.

LOL, the "smartest woman in the world" supposedly didn't even know what was going on in the next room!!

Prairie

[taildragger]

Vote,

Don't be so sure. I hate to say it she will be prez in 04'

Here is how she does it.

Wesley Clark Runs as a Dem and doesn't feel at home, starta Perot-bain independent run and sucks 14%to 19% of the Top.

It is 92' all over again. I am sorry to be a pessimist, but I just told my wife to look for an Intl Assignment for 8 years.

God help us all.

[Imal]

"Do not underestimate the power of the dark side!"

[votelife]

that is scary, but actually there is so much anti-Hillary sentiment that I don't think a lot of Repubs would vote for the General, just to be safe...pretty coniving which makes it all the more likely Hillary would try it.