Just days after Hillary Clinton suspended her presidential campaign, some political analysts already are saying she could run again in 2012, especially if fellow Democrat Barack Obama loses in November.
“You know the old saying,” Democratic superdelegate Donna Brazile told The Examiner. “Never rule out the Clintons.”
Clinton is 60, or 11 years younger than John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, so there are several presidential cycles in which she could conceivably run again. If McCain wins in November, Clinton could challenge him in 2012. But if Obama wins this year, Clinton might have to wait until 2016, when she would be 68.
“I think an Obama victory pretty much precludes her from running in 2012,” said Rachael Cobb of Suffolk University in Boston. “For all of the talk that we had this time around of a party divided, that would further divide the party.”
On the other hand, Democrats who accused Clinton of dividing the party in recent months might forgive and forget if Clinton challenged a President McCain in 2012.
“We easily and happily forget many painful moments,” Cobb said. “If she were to run again, much of the past would become ancient history. She can mend fences.”
That could be accomplished by campaigning vigorously for Obama over the next five months. In addition to rehabilitating Clinton’s image among Obama supporters, the effort might allow her to collect political IOUs that could be cashed in if and when she decided to run again.
Clinton supporter Paul Begala said he doubted the existence of some “master plan” for Clinton to run again. Yet Begala, who was once a top aide to former President Bill Clinton, is not counting her out.
“What is interesting is that Hillary’s performance as a candidate continued to improve as the campaign wore on,” Begala said. “Winning 20 primaries and 18 million votes is pretty darned impressive. My guess is she’s on every short list for every job you can imagine. The sky truly is the limit for her.”
Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee brushed aside questions about any future presidential runs.
“Senator Clinton’s sole focus now is doing everything she can to elect Barack Obama the next president,” Elleithee told The Examiner.
The statement recalled a similar assertion by another Clinton spokesman, Philippe Reines, who was asked in September 2006 whether his boss would run for president.
“Senator Clinton remains focused on being the best senator she can be for the people of New York,” Reines said.
Four months later, Clinton announced her White House bid.
