In an interview not too long ago, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton excluded a 2024 presidential campaign, saying her entry into the race is “out of the question” and mentioned how the challenge to Joe Biden would have an impact on him, mostly saying it would be too “disruptive.”
Speaking to the Financial Times, the former US first lady and senator said she fully expects President Joe Biden to run for re-election in two years. When asked if she might see herself launching a campaign – after she unsuccessfully challenged Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2008 and lost the general election to Donald Trump in 2016 – Clinton quickly rejected such a proposal.
“No, out of the question,” she said.
She added: “First of all, I expect Biden to run. He certainly intends to run. It would be very disruptive to challenge that.”
Biden has stated publicly and privately that he is planning to run for office in 2024, but that could change as the date gets closer.
But a recent New York Times report documented the concern expressed by some Democrats about Biden’s standing among the general public. Biden’s approval ratings continue to decline and the party is confronted with a difficult midterm climate where Republicans are projected to make significant gains in Congress.
Some have also questioned Biden’s age – he is presently 79 years old and would be 86 by the end of his second term should he be re-elected – expressing doubts about whether he would pursue a campaign.
If Biden does not run, Vice President Kamala Harris is believed to be a natural successor, but after her 2020 presidential campaign fell short in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary, some Democrats may look elsewhere for a candidate.
After a tumultuous first year in office, Harris’ political team has been looking for a reset. As several aides have left the vice president’s office in recent months, Kamala Harris brought in longtime Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons to act as her communications director.
Politicians who would potentially be part of the mix in the event Biden chooses not to run in 2024 presidential campaign include Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Among others, there are Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Roy Cooper of North Carolina.
Later in the interview, Clinton said she has the feeling that former President Trump would run for president again if he is up for a third White House bid.
“I think if he can he’s going to run again,” she stated to the Financial Times. “Follow the money with Trump — he’s raised about $130 million sitting in his bank account that he used to travel around, to fund organising against elections … I don’t know who will challenge him in the Republican primary.”