As a herd of Republican candidates and some Democrats descend on Iowa and New Hampshire to test the waters for the presidency, Hillary Clinton is still on the paid speaking circuit.
Recent additions to her schedule indicate she will be be on it for at least the next few months.
On March 19, Clinton will deliver a paid speech to the American Camp Association conference in Atlantic City, N.J., the association confirmed this week.
Andy Pritikin, president of the association, said he was “thrilled” Clinton would be speaking.
“Secretary Clinton’s work in raising public awareness about the importance of early childhood education and the wellness of our families aligns seamlessly with the work that camp professionals have been providing for children for over a century,” Pritikin said.
Clinton has drawn some scrutiny for her paid speeches, perhaps most famously when she charged the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a public university, $225,000 for an address.
But the camp association address is notable for another reason: It would come at the same time Clinton would be gearing up for a presidential campaign, were she to run.
Clinton has also scheduled paid speaking engagements next month, causing some to wonder: Why?
“Maybe she’s still broke?” offered Tim Miller, executive director of America Rising PAC, a pro-Republican research group that has lampooned Clinton for her paid speeches.
Said one Clinton ally, it doesn’t mean she’s not running for president. “I wouldn’t read too much into it.”
The ally stressed that Clinton might later cancel such speaking engagements should she decide to run for president — which, as of now, she has not.
And, this time, she is not in any rush to make an announcement.
In 2007, Clinton jumped in to the race much earlier than planned when it became clear that Barack Obama, buoyed by strong early fundraising, could pose a substantial threat.
Now, she and her team are planning to stick to their longer timeline. An earlier announcement, her team has calculated, would unnecessarily subject Clinton to the full weight of media and public scrutiny for longer; meanwhile, she will likely hold a fundraising advantage over other Democratic contenders no matter when she enters the fray.
When Clinton announces, it will likely be done in one fell swoop, the ally said, with no exploratory committee beforehand and little advance notice. One sign Clinton might be moving in that direction would be if she were to cancel some of her paid speaking engagements.
But, for now, she is keeping all options open.
