Sen. Clinton Says No to '04, But Playfulness Hints at Yes

[DoveTurnedHawk]

When the guests descended on the Clinton family home in Chappaqua on Sunday evening, most of them had already heard that the answer to the question was, roughly speaking, no, a thousand times no, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton would not make a run for the presidency next year.

By the end of the night, "no" was not quite the word ringing in every ear as the guests — about 150 major campaign donors to the former president or to the senator — left the gathering. During cocktails in the back yard, one group heard former President Bill Clinton say that the national Democratic Party had "two stars": his wife, the junior senator from New York, and a retired general, Wesley K. Clark, who is said to be considering a run for the presidential nomination.

<...>

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/09/politics/campaigns/09CLIN.html

DTH

[LeftCoast]

1. "Wait, we haven't raised enough $$$ for the RNC yet"

Please, don't let this meme die. The repub's need just a little bit more money...

*sigh*

[Sinistrous]

2. Clark / Clinton ? Holy s--t ! What a thought.

Hillary never said she wasn't running for VICE-pres.

[ET Awful]

3. And if she does . . .

Bush will win.

We do NOT need her involved this time around. It will drive away swing votes (at least in my view).

[papau]

4. The GOP found that swing votes are less important than base

in 2000 and 2002

And Hillary would help with the base.

She would not be needed with a Dean, or indeed any of the current folks - except perhaps Joe.

But she would help Clark.

[TacticalPeek]

7. Possibility for sure. I wonder though, about swing non-voters?

I mean previously non-voters, if they come in big this cycle?

[WindRavenX]

11. If she does she breaks her promise with NY

She said she'd remain senator until '06, and if she runs as VP and actually wins, she must give her seat up in the senate.
Such a move would enrage NYers and give years worth of venom to Republicans.
As much as I love Hillary, this is not her fight.
Maybe '08 if Bush wins, but not before.

[diplomats]

14. Everyone should read that entire article

The beginning gives you the impression she's considering it, but then she and her aides go out of their way to tell the reporter she absolutely, categorically is not running. Even the Big Dog's spokesman says that.

[private_ryan]

16. you're joking right?

they lose a Senator and gain a VP, which one has more say?
as far as the word, technically she'd be breaking it but she's still serving NY......

[diplomats]

13. I'm actually surprised at how well Hillary does against Bush

She's within single digits, and one poll has her within 3 points. I think he book has helped her favorability. But all the Dem candidates are gaining against Chimpy so I don't think we need her to have a chance to win.

[demdave]

5. Hillary will run in 2004 for president

no matter what she says now. She will change her mind "for the good of the country".

[diplomats]

15. She will not run

Wesley Clark will, but she won't. Certain Dems want her to but it will not happen in 2004. Bank on it.

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. just my opinion

If Clark does get into the race, Bill Clinton will endorse HIM.

Al Gore, I believe, will endorse Dean or Kerry.

[el_gato]

8. Her run would be a mistake

We have alot of pubs who are thinking about
voting dem this time. Last thing we need is
them not wanting to vote for a Clinton.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Yep.

and I will write/phone/e-mail/ fax her at the merest signal that she is thinking about it.

[diplomats]

10. She's not running

Period. The Big Dog's statement about Hillary being a star means nothing when it comes to 2004. BTW, Magic Rat, I doubt if Gore or Bill Clinton will endorse anyone before they win the nomination.

[janx]

12. ONE QUESTION: When will the pundits/journalists cease

spreading this tabloid gossip crap?

Will they be spreading rumor and speculation about Senator Clinton up until election day, 2004?

She has said over and over and over and over that she is not running for president!

But it sells tabloid papers, especially to the freeper crowd, so when journalists can't come up with anything else, they print in a whisper: Is Hillary running in 2004? Inquiring minds want to know!