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.)
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
