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.)
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