In the excitement of the historic 116th Congress being sworn in, this story from last week slipped under the radar. Aspiring Democratic candidates for 2020 are quietly meeting with Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton in 2016.Photographer: Daniel Acker
Hillary Clinton, the former U.S. Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, is meeting with prospective Democratic candidates for the 2020 race, with top-tier contenders seeking her endorsement, according to multiplereports.
Clinton has met with Senators Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren, as well as with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Axios and CNN reported. CNN also reported Senator Kamala Harris has met with the former first lady. There are plans for meetings with others.
The quiet race to win Hillary Clinton’s endorsement
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Glamour
Several possible 2020 candidates have sought advice from Hillary Clinton, and she has meetings scheduled with additional hopefuls.
Between the lines: Clinton has discussed the next presidential race with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Cory Booker, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, according to a longtime Clinton confidant.
I’m told this has been going on for months and will continue, since Clinton will talk to any Democrat who wants to talk. (Plus, she sees people incidentally all the time.)
“A bunch have picked her brain,” a longtime Clinton confidant said.
“Hillary wants Trump gone,” the confidant said. “She doesn’t know who’s best able to beat him, but she knows about grueling nomination fights.”
The potential candidates “know tens of millions of Democrats love Hillary and want her to try again.”
“The savvy ones know she’s the most valuable endorser in the party not named Obama.”
Nick Merrill, Clinton’s spokesman, told me: “I won’t comment on private discussions she’s had except to say that she’s more than happy to talk to anyone considering a run about the challenges (as well as the great things) that go with it, and lessons learned on what to watch for in this next cycle (aside from Vladimir).”
You can take this whatever way you want. It is rich with potential motivations and implications. Candidates may be seeking an endorsement, advice, or both.
Here’s what I think. The candidates touching base with her are doing so out of an abundance of respect for Hillary and to assure, before they make a move, that she will not run. They would not want to step on her toes.
I also think that this new role puts Hillary beyond any primary endorsements. I think those going to her know this.
Hillary is emerging as the sensei of the 2020 Democratic candidates. As she said multiple times last year, she is not and will not be running. I suppose that will not discourage a Hillary or Bust movement that could include draft Hillary, convince Hillary, and write-in Hillary campaigns, but be advised: anything of that nature will likely be related to foreign/Russian interference and intended to divide the Democratic Party and the vote. The best advice, always, is to follow Hillary’s lead. Right now she is quietly meeting with potential Democratic candidates, one of whom may become a presumptive nominee in about 18 months. At that point, she will endorse and very probably campaign her heart out. That is the Hillary we know.
(Page note: It took six days into 2019 for 2020 Primaries and the 2020 Election to have tags and categories here. Pretty much what I had predicted.)
I would turn to Hillary if I was running for president for sure.
Of course, Hillary did tell us that women are better liked when they are in a supportive role, rather than pushing for themselves! So, she will be viewed as more “likeable” by the media.
Women belong not in the House of Representatives but in the White House as well. If anyone can make a difference in making that dream come true, Hillary can.
Have to give kudos to Pelosi for not allowing her ego get in the way of recognizing just how valuable Hillary is to the democratic party. A lot less ego and a lot more getting things done for the American people will be one of the greatest additions these women will bring to our Congress.
If Hillary does decide to run, I am with her 100 percent. But if not, there are a lot of potential candidates I like so far. For the time being, I am just keeping an eye on everything. I am also waiting for Kasich to primary Trump. Not that I would vote for him, but it’s something that might happen.
Basically, it’s just too early to know what 2020 will look like. Trump may not even be in the race. To quote the Beach Boys, wouldn’t it be nice? 🙂
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are courting themselves. Biden: If you can convince me there is somebody better who can win, I’ll be happy not to do it. Joe, have you ever thought about taking up knitting?
Did you read about the interview Joe Biden’s brother did for the NY Post? What an ass he is. I figure if it’s true half the family that still lives in Pennsylvania voted for Trump, then Biden should NOT be the nominee of the Democratic party. Furthermore, a lot of what happenned in the last election wasn’t Hillary’s fault. Indeed, much of it was a perfect storm of converging outside forces. Why on Earth would someone who wants to run in 2020 allow his sibling to go off on the previous nominee? I am puzzled.
It sounds like these are people on their mother’s side of the family. I have racists on my mother’s side. I just don’t speak to them. Instead, the Biden boys are outraged on their racist relatives’ behalf. They felt “slighted” by Hillary. Hey, if you’re not deplorable, she wasn’t talking about you.
Frankly, many of those people at the Trump rallies were deplorable. They relished inciting violent rhetoric against Hillary such as “Trump that bitch”, “lock her up”, and actually getting in fist fights with others. In any case, the press took her comments out of context. Hillary never inferred that all Trump supporters were deplorable but it gave the media their ratings. Oh, God. Everyone is offended by everything nowadays.
Hillary shouldn’t have to run again, she won the last time! As far as I’m concerned, she is the legitimate president. Unfortunately, when such a tragedy happens to a woman, she is not allowed to contest, as trump would have and he would have done so with the approval of the media and the public.
Finally, someone who is willing to state the obvious and point out the orange gorilla in the room! He is basically saying what millions of us already know…we cannot afford to take the risk of “waiting” until 2020 to get rid of trump (plus the Russians may just hack the voting machines again) because the consequences of something truly horrific happening with him in the Oval Office are just too great to wait that long. The press has been dancing around this reality for far too long. I can bet my life that if this were Hillary, she would already be gone and the media would be leading the charge!
God, I miss Hillary and grieve everyday for what could have been…If what we lost due to a patriarchy desperate to hang on to power by any means necessary, no matter the cost, hasn’t awakened us, then what will?
Enough of this kind of behavior has been long overdue. I pray the 116th Congress (filled with women but not enough) can help turn the tide.
I agree that Hillary shouldn’t have to run again. But there’s nothing in the Constitution that would name her as President after Trump’s criminal, cheating behavior is brought to light. If Hillary wants to be President, she has to run again. The media is definitely not on her side. When they talk about TrumpRussia, they never mention that Hillary– and her voters– had something precious stolen from them. Instead, they bring out a bunch of tired old crap about how Hillary should have gone to Michigan (even though she DID– I saw her).
I was being facetious about Hillary not having to run again! If the establishment, the Russians and the media did not want her to be elected president in the first place, I have no doubt they would ever admit that the election was stolen from her.
I look forward to the Mueller report. Perhaps, that report will shine some light on just how pervasive the Russians were in stealing the election for trump, which went beyond social media and polling information. I will go to my grave believing they also hacked the voting systems in those 3 states for trump to win by such a slim margin of the electoral vote.
It appears that men of Biden’s age have egos the size of trumps! Biden and his brother pretty much have said that “he (Joe), alone can fix it” and to hell with everyone else who may be running for president. Hell, Biden didn’t even make it halfway through the 2 primaries he did run in years ago. Is he like bernie sanders and thinks he should be just be given the nomination? I’ve said it before on this site, the problems we are facing and have been facing for decades are the result of the bumbling, self-serving leadership of old white men like Joe and Bernie.
I also remember very well how he treated Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings. He was as misogynistic as the republicans. I don’t trust Uncle Joe and wish he would shut up and go home and learn to knit and take Bernie with him!
Charles Pierce pointed out in Esquire that Biden was on the wrong side of every issue currently animating the Democrats from income inequality to criminal justice reform to Me Too. Hillary was hurt in part by people constantly trying to drag her back to the nineties and distorting her record. But Biden really does have a problem with his nineties record, not to even mention his record in the eighties. His current “popularity” rests on ephemera–being a veep to a popular president, being out of the political fray, and tragically losing his son. All his negatives, including being “gaffetastic” would return if he ran.
Yes, I think people forget Biden did terribly in the primaries of yesteryear. He got elevated by a popular president, indeed, and that is really not his own accomplishment. Now, Hillary getting 17 or 18 million primary votes is. I don’t dislike Biden, but these men do have egos much bigger than anything I’ve ever seen out of any woman politician.
This private blog is about Hillary Clinton's work. It is intended to support, promote, and appreciate Hillary Clinton's efforts and initiatives, all of them – past, current, and future. Onward together! “Resist, insist, persist, enlist.” - Hillary Rodham Clinton
Search this blog
The Office of Hillary Rodham Clinton
Welcome to the Office of
Hillary Rodham Clinton
*Read about Hillary's life
*See Hillary's current projects
*Learn about Hillary's vision for America
*Send Hillary a note
Onward Together
“Resist, insist, persist, enlist.” Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Clinton on Facebook
Hillary Clinton on Facebook
@HillaryClinton on Twitter
Follow Hillary on Twitter!
What Happened
Hillary Clinton's 2016 election memoir
Too Small to Fail
“One of the best investments we can make is to give our kids the ingredients they need to develop in the first five years of life.” — Hillary Rodham Clinton
The Clinton Foundation on Facebook
Like the Clinton Foundation on Facebook!
Flint Child Health & Development Fund
"If you can, please chip in to support the Flint Child Health & Development Fund, which is working to provide health care and educational support to families in Flint affected by this crisis." - Hillary Clinton
Thank you for everything, Mme. Secretary!!!!
Thank you for all of your dedicated service and brilliant leadership!
Hillary Clinton’s Cover Letter to Congress on the ARB Report
Hillary because…
She would NEVER have allowed social safety nets to be "on the table."
Read the unclassified ARB Report on Benghazi here.
@U.S. Senate: Time to ratify LOST!
"... ratify the Law of the Sea Convention, which has provided the international framework for exploring these new opportunities in the Arctic. We abide by the international law that undergirds the convention, but we think the United States should be a member, because the convention sets down the rules of the road that protect freedom of navigation, provide maritime security, serve the interests of every nation that relies on sea lanes for commerce and trade, and also sets the framework for exploration for the natural resources that may be present in the Arctic." -HRC, 06-03-12, Tromso Norway
"I deeply resent those who attack our country, the generosity of our people and the leadership of our president in trying to respond to historically disastrous conditions after the earthquake." - HRC 01-26-10
Good Advice!
“You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbors. Eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.” HRC
Hillary! Leadership we need!
Politics & Foreign Policy
"What I have always found is that when it comes to foreign policy, it is important to remember that politics stops at the water's edge." -HRC 11-04-10
What a difference one woman can make!
"...whether it’s here, in the absolute best embassy in the world, or whether it’s in Washington, or whether it’s elsewhere, what a difference one woman can make. And that woman is right here, the woman who needs no introduction, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton." 07.05.10 - Unidentified speaker, Embassy Yerevan
Most Respected
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you your Secretary of State, and perhaps the most respected person on the world stage today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton." - Jon Huntsman 05-23-2010
Hillary Clinton Express Facebook Group
Your one stop spot for Hillary Clinton News!
Supporters of “The People’s President,” Hillary Rodham Clinton
Together 4 us! Facebook Page
Uppity Woman
The place to go if you feel like you're the only woman who wants to punch her own TV set.
Jenny’s Jumbo Jargon
Elephant Watch
Favorite Quote
“When people attack you, you always have to remember that a lot of what others say about you has a lot more to do about them than you.” – Hillary Rodham Clinton
Still4Hill 
#StillWithHer #grandmothersforHillary #WeNeedHer
LikeLike
I would turn to Hillary if I was running for president for sure.
Of course, Hillary did tell us that women are better liked when they are in a supportive role, rather than pushing for themselves! So, she will be viewed as more “likeable” by the media.
Women belong not in the House of Representatives but in the White House as well. If anyone can make a difference in making that dream come true, Hillary can.
Have to give kudos to Pelosi for not allowing her ego get in the way of recognizing just how valuable Hillary is to the democratic party. A lot less ego and a lot more getting things done for the American people will be one of the greatest additions these women will bring to our Congress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If Hillary does decide to run, I am with her 100 percent. But if not, there are a lot of potential candidates I like so far. For the time being, I am just keeping an eye on everything. I am also waiting for Kasich to primary Trump. Not that I would vote for him, but it’s something that might happen.
Basically, it’s just too early to know what 2020 will look like. Trump may not even be in the race. To quote the Beach Boys, wouldn’t it be nice? 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are courting themselves. Biden: If you can convince me there is somebody better who can win, I’ll be happy not to do it. Joe, have you ever thought about taking up knitting?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Did you read about the interview Joe Biden’s brother did for the NY Post? What an ass he is. I figure if it’s true half the family that still lives in Pennsylvania voted for Trump, then Biden should NOT be the nominee of the Democratic party. Furthermore, a lot of what happenned in the last election wasn’t Hillary’s fault. Indeed, much of it was a perfect storm of converging outside forces. Why on Earth would someone who wants to run in 2020 allow his sibling to go off on the previous nominee? I am puzzled.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It sounds like these are people on their mother’s side of the family. I have racists on my mother’s side. I just don’t speak to them. Instead, the Biden boys are outraged on their racist relatives’ behalf. They felt “slighted” by Hillary. Hey, if you’re not deplorable, she wasn’t talking about you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frankly, many of those people at the Trump rallies were deplorable. They relished inciting violent rhetoric against Hillary such as “Trump that bitch”, “lock her up”, and actually getting in fist fights with others. In any case, the press took her comments out of context. Hillary never inferred that all Trump supporters were deplorable but it gave the media their ratings. Oh, God. Everyone is offended by everything nowadays.
LikeLike
Jens,
Hillary shouldn’t have to run again, she won the last time! As far as I’m concerned, she is the legitimate president. Unfortunately, when such a tragedy happens to a woman, she is not allowed to contest, as trump would have and he would have done so with the approval of the media and the public.
I recommend everyone read the recent opinion piece in the NYT by David Leonhardt entitled “The People vs. Donald Trump”: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/05/opinion/sunday/trump-impeachment.html
Finally, someone who is willing to state the obvious and point out the orange gorilla in the room! He is basically saying what millions of us already know…we cannot afford to take the risk of “waiting” until 2020 to get rid of trump (plus the Russians may just hack the voting machines again) because the consequences of something truly horrific happening with him in the Oval Office are just too great to wait that long. The press has been dancing around this reality for far too long. I can bet my life that if this were Hillary, she would already be gone and the media would be leading the charge!
God, I miss Hillary and grieve everyday for what could have been…If what we lost due to a patriarchy desperate to hang on to power by any means necessary, no matter the cost, hasn’t awakened us, then what will?
Enough of this kind of behavior has been long overdue. I pray the 116th Congress (filled with women but not enough) can help turn the tide.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree that Hillary shouldn’t have to run again. But there’s nothing in the Constitution that would name her as President after Trump’s criminal, cheating behavior is brought to light. If Hillary wants to be President, she has to run again. The media is definitely not on her side. When they talk about TrumpRussia, they never mention that Hillary– and her voters– had something precious stolen from them. Instead, they bring out a bunch of tired old crap about how Hillary should have gone to Michigan (even though she DID– I saw her).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said. All true.
LikeLike
Jens,
I was being facetious about Hillary not having to run again! If the establishment, the Russians and the media did not want her to be elected president in the first place, I have no doubt they would ever admit that the election was stolen from her.
I look forward to the Mueller report. Perhaps, that report will shine some light on just how pervasive the Russians were in stealing the election for trump, which went beyond social media and polling information. I will go to my grave believing they also hacked the voting systems in those 3 states for trump to win by such a slim margin of the electoral vote.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Suzie2,
It appears that men of Biden’s age have egos the size of trumps! Biden and his brother pretty much have said that “he (Joe), alone can fix it” and to hell with everyone else who may be running for president. Hell, Biden didn’t even make it halfway through the 2 primaries he did run in years ago. Is he like bernie sanders and thinks he should be just be given the nomination? I’ve said it before on this site, the problems we are facing and have been facing for decades are the result of the bumbling, self-serving leadership of old white men like Joe and Bernie.
I also remember very well how he treated Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings. He was as misogynistic as the republicans. I don’t trust Uncle Joe and wish he would shut up and go home and learn to knit and take Bernie with him!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Charles Pierce pointed out in Esquire that Biden was on the wrong side of every issue currently animating the Democrats from income inequality to criminal justice reform to Me Too. Hillary was hurt in part by people constantly trying to drag her back to the nineties and distorting her record. But Biden really does have a problem with his nineties record, not to even mention his record in the eighties. His current “popularity” rests on ephemera–being a veep to a popular president, being out of the political fray, and tragically losing his son. All his negatives, including being “gaffetastic” would return if he ran.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I think people forget Biden did terribly in the primaries of yesteryear. He got elevated by a popular president, indeed, and that is really not his own accomplishment. Now, Hillary getting 17 or 18 million primary votes is. I don’t dislike Biden, but these men do have egos much bigger than anything I’ve ever seen out of any woman politician.
LikeLiked by 1 person