As buzz builds about who will push for the 2024 presidency in both major parties, one of the most unlikely names continues popping up in the news.
Hillary Clinton is making headlines as she sets up speaking engagements, shows up to campaign events, and sells merchandise poking fun at onetime rival Donald Trump. The former first lady, New York senator, secretary of state, and defeated 2016 Democratic nominee is back in the spotlight as President Joe Biden stumbles.
The Clinton 2024 idea gained steam when a pair of former allies penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal saying she could be a “change candidate” and pitching the idea of a comeback.
Though Clinton, 74, insists she’s not running, a slate of recent moves combined with Biden’s advanced age and low approval ratings has some wondering if the unthinkable could happen. After taking part in a virtual fundraiser for Ohio Senate hopeful Tim Ryan, Clinton will reportedly speak at the New York State Democratic Convention next week.
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In March, Clinton will headline the inaugural Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, where she will receive the International Women’s Day Lifetime Achievement Award and be interviewed by Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinski.
With Trump back in the news for allegations of moving and destroying documents, Clinton announced she’s selling hats with a slogan decrying the scale of Trump’s various scandals versus her own.
Just in time for Galentine’s Day, and the news that Trump was flushing documents down White House toilets…
A limited edition hat is in the @onwardtogether store now. https://t.co/4TiUxjmRNY pic.twitter.com/rF7EeOKXm4
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 11, 2022
While former President Bill Clinton told People magazine that his wife is “the most qualified person to run for office in my lifetime, including me,” conservative leaders say they’d welcome a third shot at the White House from Hillary Clinton.
“The only thing conservatives would love more than President Biden running for reelection is Hillary Clinton running again,” Heritage Action Executive Director Jessica Anderson said. “Americans do not want the elitist, condescending, and wildly radical worldview that Clinton would bring to a potential presidential campaign. Americans simply want government to get out of their way and deserve a president that respects their rights.”
Some claim Clinton 2024 is far overblown or even a conservative media creation. Some, including CNN’s Michael D’Antonio, point to her winning the 2016 popular vote by 2.9 million and say she’d be one of the most qualified candidates available.
Others, such as Central College political professor Andrew Green, say it’s too early to tell.
“I’m not sure if we should read too much into it in terms of her level of political activity moving onward,” said Green, the author of a book that examined Trump’s 2016 White House win. “I can’t imagine a scenario where she challenges Biden in a 2024 presidential primary.”
Still, Green acknowledged that if someone were building buzz on the chance that Biden won’t seek reelection, he or she would likely be making exactly the types of moves Clinton is now.
Clinton would pose many of the same challenges as Biden in office. She’d be 77 on Inauguration Day, again throwing a second term into question. And as someone who once called Trump an “illegitimate president,” she may seem too backward-looking in the minds of voters looking for a younger candidate.
But for now, she’s making waves.
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“The stories of today are allowing Clinton to enter back into the discussion, primarily because of the way that the stories about her emails were treated during the 2016 campaign,” Green said. “If you want to stay relevant just in case a door opens to run for office, these would be the things that you would want to do. … Her name is staying relevant and salient.”
