Posted on 08/28/2003 3:37:21 PM PDT by 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.
The electoral college thing is a smoke screen. I was covering the 2000 election for the small town radio station I live near. The town and county is very heavy republican. All elected officials are republican. There was a point early in the returns when Bush was leading the popular vote, but losing the electoral vote. The opinion of all, including the elected officials, was the electoral college is outdated and needs to be done away with. It's an outmoded and foolish system.
As the evening changed and the popular vote was leaning Gore, but the electoral college was leaning Bush, the opinion of the room changed considerably. The electoral college was then wisely implemented by the founding fathers.
I will never again believe republicans when they claim support of the electoral college as I saw first hand that support was dependent on the outcome of that election.
I think it is impossible to underestimate Hillary. The woman is positively feckless.
You're exactly right. I've been saying since very early in Bush's administration that he was a one-termer, and the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach about her running has been strengthening.
I'm amazed when I see people on here talking about them wanting her to run, about how easy she'll be to beat, and shooting fish in a barrel and other such incredible nonsense. Do these people not remember '92, when everyone horse-laughed at the thought of Bill Clinton being president? Then he was elected, and the cry was, "He'll never be RE-elected! NO WAY!" And he was. And then the night before the 2000 election, they were trashing and laughing at all the polls showing how close the election would be. Bush got in, and has been an automatic shoe-in in their minds ever since. The lack of ability to muster even a modicum of objectivity is breathtaking.
When Hillary announces, the media will mount the biggest FREE propaganda campaign in the history of the world. Literally. And unless something drastic is going on next November that causes the nation to rally around Bush, she will win.
MM
Good grief what an optimist you are. The witch is unbeatable? Then why should we even try?
You do remember Mr. Perot, I assume? Are we going to have another like that? I doubt it, not to mention we know what a monster she is. Have some faith in our side. The options are many.
I'm a realist. It doesn't take a genius to see what's happening. It just takes a wee bit of time without the blinders. To be clear, Bush COULD have been a strong president, tough to beat, but barring a national emergency around the election, it's not gonna work out that way. If the Democrats can raise a semi-strong candidate--and I'm sorry to admit that she certainly qualifies--they can almost certainly beat him.
The one thing her running would do good for our side would be to convert every Republican back into a broken-glass Republican. Of course, the flip side of that coin is that she'll have the same effect on liberals. They'll be nearly orgasmic at the thought of her as president.
MM
I have no idea if she will win. I do know that she will be ruthless, that she will count on her husband to bring that solid core of Dems that continue to think he was one of the greatest Presidents of all time and that she will run the dirtiest campaign on record.
I put nothing past the woman. She is a genius at working and manipulating weaknesses, not of her opponent but of voters. She brings the entire concept of dysfunctional family to the campaign trail. Yes, the voters will know that she is a liar, that her experience in public office is short, that she stays married to an adulterer, etc. etc. etc. But somehow she hits a chord, just like the family who wants to believe that the alcoholic really means his last drink was his last drink. She gets people to act against their better judgement.
No one with any sense would have chosen her to represent NY either, but there she is.
She is, and has been, the only serious Democrat candidate for the 2004 presidential ticket, regardless of the official statements.
Why does the lamestream press blather on and on about whether The Hildebeaste will insult our collective intelligence by trying to become POTUS?She has said many times she won't run; gotta finish Sentate term, etc., ad nauseum.
Now she's hinting she may run and everybody's gone all ga-ga.
I hope she does run. That will be fun!
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