Archive for the ‘Hillary Clinton’ Category

As Hillary Clinton Soars, Questions Shadow Speaking Tour

Hillary Clinton has not announced whether she's running for president in 2016. But when she and the road show that inevitably follows her arrived at the University of Miami, an official declaration seemed a mere formality.

In a scene with all the makings of a campaign appearance, a line of Miami students waiting to get into Clinton's speech snaked around the university's arena hours before her arrival on Wednesday. When she arrived, it was with the heavy protection she retains as a former secretary of state and the wife of a former president, Bill Clinton.

Outside the arena, Ready for Hillary, an independent pro-Clinton group that has recruited veterans of President Barack Obama's campaigns, was signing up supporters. By the time Clinton's speech began, there were "Ready For Hillary" signs and stickers throughout the crowd of an estimated 6,000 including at least 3,200 students.

Clinton's remarks were not surprising a call for students to get involved in their communities, and support for Obama's healthcare overhaul, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's veto of anti-gay legislation, democracy in Venezuela and the continued removal of chemical weapons from Syria.

As usual, she was coy about the prospect of a bid to become the first woman to be U.S. president. When asked about the letters "TBD" in her biography on Twitter, Clinton, 66, said with a smile, "I'll certainly ponder that."

Clinton's speech represented the public face of a lucrative nationwide speaking tour that has kept her in the spotlight as the widely presumed, albeit undeclared, front-runner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

But the tour also is raising concerns among Democrats and others over a range of issues, from the political implications of Democrats rallying around Clinton so long before the 2016 election to the way her team has stage-managed what some see as a nationwide dash for cash in speaking fees.

Some Democrats are wary of criticizing Clinton publicly, but privately worry that scenes such as the one in Coral Gables could wind up hurting the party in 2016 if they portray Clinton as an entitled prospect who does not have to fight for the party's nomination. Such a sentiment is widely believed to have damaged Clinton in 2008, when she lost the party's nomination to Obama despite entering the race as the favorite.

Early polls indicate that Clinton easily would be the favorite to win the 2016 nomination if she chose to run. But in recent weeks there have been signs of frustration within the party over what some call the "inevitability" of her nomination.

Vice President Joe Biden, who has said he is considering a run for the White House, seemed to reflect the thinking of the tap-the-brakes-on-Clinton crowd this week when he told Politico that 2016 is "lifetimes away" and that he is "as qualified as anybody" to be president.

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As Hillary Clinton Soars, Questions Shadow Speaking Tour

Hillary Clinton Aides Mulled 'Home Improvement' Cameo

By Carrie Dann

Remember the 90s?

Thousands of pages of previously unreleased documents from Hillary Clintons years as first lady offer a glimpse into the White Houses media strategy during the decade that brought us Forrest Gump, New Kids on the Block lunchboxes and Pogs.

One idea: leveraging the most popular television show on the air Home Improvement.

I know this may sound like a wild idea, but I think it is an interesting one to discuss, wrote the first ladys press secretary, Lisa Caputo, in an August 1995 memo. [ABC News producer] Rick Kaplan brought to my attention that Home Improvement would very much like to have Hillary make a guest appearance on its show ... They are willing to do a show on women, children and family issues or a show on whatever issues Hillary would like.

Caputo argued in the memo that, while it could diminish the role of First Lady by appearing on a sitcom, it would present Hillary in a very likable light.

Clintons advisers also mulled using the budding and hip technology of Internet.

Internet has become a very popular mode of communication, Caputo suggested. Hillary could speak to young women through Internet.

In addition, People Magazine is tinkering with the possibility of using Internet, she added. They have been in touch with me about the prospect of having Hillary communicate with parents across the country about children and families through Internet.

The documents released Friday are part of a tranche of communications set to be released over the next two weeks.

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Hillary Clinton Aides Mulled 'Home Improvement' Cameo

Joe Trippi: "I don’t see Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton having a big fight over the NSA." – Video


Joe Trippi: "I don #39;t see Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton having a big fight over the NSA."
In this interview excerpt, Democratic political strategist, Joe Trippi, explains why voters will find a libertarian presidential candidate appealing. For the...

By: ReasonTV

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Joe Trippi: "I don't see Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton having a big fight over the NSA." - Video

5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – Video


5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, February 26, 2014
From Hillary Clinton speaking in Florida to Demi Lovato singing in concert, here are five things occurring in Florida on Wednesday.

By: ABC Action News

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5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Video

Hillary Clinton lauds Ariz. veto of anti-gay bill

The Associated Press Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton speaks to a group of supporters and University of Miami students at UM in Coral Gables, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

By MICHAEL J. MISHAK/Associated Press/February 27, 2014

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Hillary Rodham Clinton praised Arizona Gov. Jan Brewers decision to veto a bill that would have allowed people with sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse to serve gays.

Speaking Wednesday to thousands of students, faculty and guests at the University of Miami, the former secretary of state and New York senator said Brewers rejection of discriminatory legislation recognized that inclusive leadership is really what the 21st century is all about.

Clintons remarks came before an address in which she called for greater civic participation in the country, urging young people to find ways to make sure the barriers that too often divide us are torn down once and for all.

It is the work of this century to complete the unfinished business of making sure that every girl and boy, every woman and man, lives in societies that respect their rights no matter who they are, she said.

Clinton has been traveling the country giving speeches at various trade industry events while considering another presidential campaign. The former first lady expects to make a decision whether to run later this year.

In a question-and-answer session, Clinton urged young people to sign up for health insurance under President Barack Obamas health care law as a key deadline approaches.

Having access to health insurance, not connected to employment, subsidized as it is under the Affordable Care Act, liberates you to choose what you want to do in your life, she said.

The White House has set an unofficial goal of 7 million enrollees by the end of March. Nearly 3.3 million people, or less than half the total, had enrolled through the end of January.

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Hillary Clinton lauds Ariz. veto of anti-gay bill