“ ‘No, no.’ ”
That’s former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, saying she won’t run for president — ever again.
“No, no,” Clinton, 74, responded to “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell when asked if she would ever make another White House bid.
“But I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that we have a president who respects our democracy and the rule of law and upholds our institutions,” Clinton added.
Clinton’s remark was a barely veiled reference to Donald Trump, whom she ran unsuccessfully against in 2016. The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol has presented evidence that the twice-impeached former president incited the riot at the Capitol complex in hope of forestalling congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over Trump. Clinton said that making sure Trump doesn’t return to the White House “should start in the Republican Party. Grow a backbone. Stand up to this guy.”
From the archives (May 2022): Democrats decry ‘revisionist history’ as Republicans downplay Capitol riot at hearing
Also see: Americans see threat to democracy as No. 1 issue and support Trump probes, poll finds
Separately, on ABC’s “The View,” the former secretary of state — also a former U.S. senator and first lady — addressed the outrage expressed by many Republicans over Biden’s recent remark that hardcore “MAGA Republicans” are a threat to democracy and even display characteristics of a semi-fascist movement .
“Fascism,” Clinton said , “is a very big word. I know that. But so is socialism, and the Republicans call every Democrat who wants people to have healthcare a socialist.”
Clinton endorsed Biden in the 2020 presidential election and said she intends to do the same if Biden runs again, calling him “the person most likely to win.”
See also: Ohio Republican Jim Jordan says the ‘real America’ is upset with Biden over student-loan forgiveness
Betting markets favor Biden in the 2024 Democratic presidential primary, but not overwhelmingly. Biden has a 35% chance to win his party’s nomination, according to PredictIt , and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has the second best shot at 18%, followed by Vice President Kamala Harris at 13%. Clinton’s likelihood of winning the nomination are currently listed on PredictIt at 6%.
Some have speculated that Biden, 79, won’t run for re-election in 2024, but the White House has given every indication that he plans to seek another term — as has Biden himself. “My plan is to run for re-election,” Biden said at his first news conference as commander-in-chief . “That’s my expectation.”
Read on: Gavin Newsom says 2024 presidential bid is ‘not gonna happen’
