If you’ve been looking for the ultimate sign that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be launching a presidential campaign next year, she may have just provided the world with its answer during a weekend trip to Iowa.
Hillary Clinton’s Iowa trip included a visit to the well-known annual steak fry fundraiser for Iowa Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, where nearly all serious Democratic presidential prospects make a stop each year.
Appearing at the event, The Huffington Post reported that Clinton made clear overtures to running for the position her husband held for two terms more than a decade ago.
Harkin introduced Clinton and former President Bill Clinton as the “comeback couple,” alluding to both his comeback from early primary defeats in 1992 and what could be her attempt to make a second presidential run a success.
For her part, Clinton at first spoke of not only presidential politics but local politics and its importance.
“Too many people only get excited about presidential campaigns…. Look, I get excited about presidential campaigns too. But those campaigns only happen every four years. And every two years, you’re electing members of Congress and senators and state officials who will have a big say in the quality of your schools, your health care, your lives. So use the enthusiasm that Iowa is so well known for every presidential year and channel that into these upcoming elections.”
Then she said what everyone had hoped would be her official entry into the race.
“It’s really great to be back… Let’s not let another seven years go by.”
While not quite an announcement of a run for president, it is pretty close to one, and a lot of people are taking notice.
Among the politicos taking notice is the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus. According to a CBS News report, the RNC head slammed Hillary Clinton’s Iowa trip , which CBS said was only her second time attending the steak fry following her first and only visit in 2007.
“Obviously the visit is going to be a little bit awkward for Hillary Clinton…. She lost [the 2008 caucuses] because… she’s one of the most out-of-touch politicians in America. And she had a very difficult time connecting with people in the Hawkeye State.
“…Her strategy was to skip, and build up an air of inevitability…. She appears to be repeating that strategy.”
Should Clinton make the run official, she could face a challenge from independent Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders , who said he was considering becoming a Democrat so he could run for president in 2016.
[Image via Flickr Creative Commons ]