As we inch closer to the highly anticipated 2012 election (at the DNC they even went as far to include in the daily e-mail the exact days until the election), people have started to pose the question we’ve heard many times before: Will Hillary Clinton seek the 2012 Democratic Presidential nomination?
I, along with many other Democrats, thought that it was set in stone that Barack Obama would be the nominee for 2012. More often than not, the incumbent is not challenged for the nomination and if they are it is hardly ever successful. The Los Angeles Times article by Andrew Malcolm, “She’s baack! Hillary Clinton questions return to Obama White House”, discusses the possibilites of Clinton’s departure from the State Department to focus on campaigning efforts.
Not only has there been speculation that Clinton may run for the office herself, but sources are speculating that President Obama may take Vice President Joseph Biden off of the ticket and replace him with Hillary Clinton. In my opinion, this is quite far fetched as Vice President Biden brings experience to the White House that President Obama does not have and appeals to many demographics. During my summer internship at the DNC, there was never a doubt in anyone’s mind that Joe Biden would remain on the ticket as the Vice Presidential ticket. If anything, the DNC would fight to keep him on the ticket because provides great quotes for future merchandise. In addition, the President and the Vice President seem to have a strong friendship that would be compromised by Biden’s dismissal from the ticket.
Despite the small chance that Hillary Clinton would become the presidential candidate or much less the vice presidential candidate, I can see why some people may think it would be beneficial for the Democratic Party. President Obama’s job approval is hovering around 39% and adding a woman onto the ticket might help him regain supporters that he may have lost throughout the course of this three year term. Many fundraisers are concerned that Obama is losing his support in both California and New York, states that Hillary Clinton could help him win.
There’s no question about it, Hillary Clinton would serve as a great Vice President or even President but I do not think it’s in the cards for her in 2012. She has stated that she will not run for public office again and I think that might be best for her. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has accomplished so much and I would hate for her term to be cut short. She has finally found her niche and she is out of her husbands shadow so it’s not her time to truly shine.
Empow(Her) 