Report: Hillary Clinton Would Consider a 2020 Presidential Run
Photo courtesy of Getty Politics Features Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton has managed to keep her name in the political game over the course of the 2020 campaign, whether it’s promoting her book, or insinuating that Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian agent (which started a feud), or making so-so high effort jokes about Donald Trump like this one:
Found in the archives… pic.twitter.com/iFFeqloYHM
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 20, 2019
After her defeat in 2016, it wasn’t clear if she would give up her presidential ambitions for good, or if she was even capable of that when it had been her goal for so long. Now, we may have an answer, courtesy of a New York Times story called “Anxious Democratic Establishment Asks, ‘Is There Anybody Else?’” In the midst of describing the angst of the centrist leadership, they drop this nugget:
Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Bloomberg have both told people privately in recent weeks that if they thought they could win, they would consider entering the primary — but that they were skeptical there would be an opening, according to Democrats who have spoken with them.
And later:
The chances that another major contender decides to run are remote: While Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Bloomberg have both been encouraged to enter the race, Democrats close to them believe the only scenario under which they’d consider running is if Mr. Biden drops out or is badly weakened.
The Times says this chance is “remote,” but is it? Biden keeps losing ground, and based on his debate appearances it doesn’t seem at all likely that he could drop out before Iowa. Sure, Iowa isn’t far away at this point, but if Warren permanently overtakes him, dropping out instead of playing out a humiliating string might start to look attractive. And if that happens, it seems like Clinton might be willing to step in.
And then there are moments like this:
Don’t tempt me. Do your job.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 8, 2019
Is it 100% a joke? Is it half-serious?
All of this, it seems, depends on Biden, who just had a very good CNN poll. Based on that alone, chances aren’t necessarily “good” that we’ll see another Clinton run, but nor can it be ruled out. And that’s…well, after 2016, that’s really something.