Clinton’s Talks With Democrats May Signal Bid for President

NY Times ^ | December 3, 2006 | PATRICK HEALY

[Cincinna]

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has begun a calculated series of meetings with top New York Democratic officials to signal that she is likely to run for the presidency in 2008 and to ask for their support if she does, according to one state Democratic official who spoke with her and two others who have been briefed on her plans.

Senator Clinton met last week with Charles B. Rangel, the dean of the New York Congressional delegation, in what her advisers said was an effort to meet with most New York Congressional Democrats by the end of this month to discuss her plans.

-snip-

Senator Clinton’s outreach was disclosed and confirmed yesterday by three New York Democratic officials, all on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by the Clinton camp to release the information. One of the officials said he was contacted by Senator Clinton directly about her plans. The two others said they were informed by senior Clinton advisers that she was entering a new phase of contacting officials to line up support for a possible presidential bid.

[Cincinna]

Hillary made such a spectacular showing in her Senate debates, and in her appearances, she can't wait to get in front of the Press and the people again.

[goldstategop]

She IS going to run. The media attacks on her are designed to lower the expectation about her to the point where her coronation is going to be an unexpected surprise. Like Canada's Stephane Dion, Hillary is the underestimated dark horse of 2008.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[smonk]

did anyone think she wasn't running?

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

There is some recent speculation that if Barak Osama enters the race, she will drop out.

[nathanbedford]

Ideally, Bitch Clinton would like to make an end run around the primary process. In the Democrat party that means you line up the black leaders and the union leaders and a few powerful elected rats and, presto, your adversaries have no chance unless you stumble. In the normal course of affairs in the Democrat party, she would be shopping the interests of the country to a degree that would shock even her husband, her brother, and her brother-in-law during pardon season.

But now a new twist is entered the picture in the form of Barak Obama who complicates the purchasing of the black vote. Now Charlie Rangel can say to Hillary, "the community wouldn't permit me to go against the black candidate." So Randall can extort even more from Hillary.

Solution? Hillary lines up all the nonblack support as fast as she can and then goes to Barak Obama and offers him the vice presidency saying that he has no machine support and that he is too green for the big run.

My money says Obama goes for it and we have a very, very difficult ticket to overcome in' 08.

[goldstategop]

I agree. A woman president-black vice president ticket would appeal to just about every Democratic faction and swing voters. Its a combo that's going to be tough for two white Republican males to beat in 2008.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Coldwater Creek]

ME! The Hildabeast is playing with y'all's head!

[malia]

"--informed by senior Clinton advisers that she was entering a new phase--"

Running for President is very serious! What type of game does she think she is involved in?

hillary is "entering a new phase" - does that mean new dishes, or is it the staff - get real - this is real life!!!

[Bernard]

woman president-black vice president ticket

Maybe for the Demcrat primary voters, but not in the general election. Barack Obama faces the same bigotry that affected Harold Ford and Michael Steele - people tell poll takers that they will vote for the black guy, but then do something different when the curtain closes in the polling booth.

Besides, he's an empty suit with no accomplishments beyond being half black muslim. And there is going to be a very crowded dance floor in the Senate for any one person to take credit for any meaningful legislation.

And Hillary? Issues and baggage.

Can they win? Sure. It depends on who appears on the Republican ticket; whether Ralph Nader makes another run; whether John McCain makes an independent run; etc. But Hill and Abdill are not unbeatable.

[backtothestreets]

I've considered the possibility Hillery Clinton might run for president. I would oppose her candidacy, but my reason is my own. I've pondered her candidacy with a very objective view. I hope my reasoning will not be taken lightly.

I've listened for years as primarily Democrats have criticized President Bush for the events of 9-11. Numerous federal agencies have also been attacked.

Hillary Clinton was a unique spectator to the events of that dreadful day. As First Lady, and an acknowledged confidant of her husband, President Clinton, she was privy to more information than most concerning Osama bin Laden and his terrorist organization. Her eight years along side her husband in the White House surely had her more aware of the threat than President Bush garnered in his 8+ months as president.

When she departed the White House a Senate seat awaited her. In her Senate position, and armed with the knowledge she gained as confidant to President Clinton, she was in the best position to address the terrorist threats, even better than President Bush himself, as any legislation required to repair security gaps and shore up defenses would have to originate in Congress. As the former First Lady she had an open line of communication with the current President and the ear of the Senate. She could have been a powerful liaison for protecting our nation. As with President Bush, she too had nearly 9 months to act, but did not.

Senator Clinton had an opportunity to lead once when most our nation nation needed leadership. She could have helped to either minimize the attacks of 9-11, or contributed to stopping them completely. She did neither. I won't give a second chance. Our nation cannot afford it.

[DooDahhhh]

i DO NOT THINK THAT THE MAJORITY IS READY FOR A WOMAN AND A NON EXPERIENCED YOUNG BLACK TO RUN THIS COUNTRY. Maybe, I am wrong, but lets get out there and make sure they don't!

[pepsionice]

Hillary's episodes with anger management will catch up with her as the race starts up. And Obama? The guy is a great choice for debates and speeches...he can carry his weight...but he hasn't made any headlines in two years by taking stands. And that is his weakest point...he can't tell where he stands because he refuses to take a stand. If you add up the two...this is a lousy ticket for the 2008 election...but the Republicans can't do much better. McCain has anger management issues and is still part of the Keatting Seven. None of other two major candidates can really interest the majority of Republican voters. It'll be a lousy race....with huge interest...and this can only spell a lose-lose race in the end....no matter who wins. What we really need is fresh faces....outside of DC...and someone who is believable.

[YaYa123]

your # 10 is powerful.

[goldstategop]

A lot of you were saying John Kerry could never be elected President. I'm not inclined to say never to a Hillary Obama ticket. They'll have New York, Ilinois and California in the bag after the Democratic Convention. They can count on the Pacific States plus the entire Northeast. Those are Dem locks along with Michigan. Battleground states will include Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Ohio.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[PGalt]

Run Hillary Run!

[DooDahhhh]

what a tired looking bag of crap she is!

[PGalt]

Well reasoned.

Our nation cannot afford it.

We are still paying the pricetag for the co-rapists, and will be paying far into the future.

[mewzilla]

She got 600,000 fewer votes this time around.

Run, Hillie, run....

[TN4Liberty]

Barack Obama faces the same bigotry that affected Harold Ford and Michael Steele - people tell poll takers that they will vote for the black guy, but then do something different when the curtain closes in the polling booth.

Interesting that you would attribute that to bigotry. I attribute it to some union members and minority community members giving the "right answer" to polsters out of fear. If I recall, Repubs usually do better than survey or exit polling results, regardless of the race of the candidate.

Even if that isn't the case, I am having trouble understanding how and why a true bigot would tell the world he is voting for a black person, then secretly vote against him. To the extent that people do that, I would attribute that more to political correctness in answering the pollster rather than bigotry upon entering the voting booth.

[Dahoser]

Yup, right out of the Comeback Kid's playbook.