Bill Clinton: 'America will have some very good choices for president'
(CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton may have stoked more speculation about his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her potential run for president.
Asked during a Q-and-A session on Saturday if he'd rather take eight more years as president or complete 16 projects at the Clinton Global Initiative, Clinton said - after a pause - "I would rather keep doing what I'm doing."
"Because I think America will have some very good choices for president," he continued, drawing applause from the audience as they presumably clapped and cheered for his wife.
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His comments came in St. Louis at the annual meeting for the Clinton Global Initiative University, part of his nonprofit he runs that gets young people focused on innovations to improve poverty, development and medical care around the world.
The forum ended with Clinton being interviewed on stage by comedian Stephen Colbert, a conversation that will air on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report" Monday evening. Clinton and Colbert took questions from the young audience after the interview.
"I think that, except in unusual circumstances, a two-term limit is a good thing," Clinton continued. He said he wouldn't oppose allowing future presidents to run for a third term not immediately after their second.
"But I would personally rather keep on doing what I'm doing for as long as I can possibly do it, because I think I have learned how to do it, and I'm not sure anybody else would be doing this - whereas I'm quite sure there are going to be lots of talented people who are dying to become president of the United States," he said.
Although recent polls show Hillary Clinton would come out strong against potential Republican rivals should she decide to make another bid for the White House, one Republican senator said Sunday that her supporters shouldn't get their hopes up.
"I think after eight years of Barack Obama, if things don't change, the next Democrat running for president will be in trouble," Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "She will be a formidable candidate. I think her time as secretary of state is mixed. Benghazi is yet to be told completely. Anybody underestimates her on the Republican side would do so at a peril. But yes, she can be beat; anybody can be beat in this country."
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All I keep hearing is the same old tired partisan rhetoric on these boards – do people not get tired of it – especially in the knowledge it had absolutely no effect on the election – and wont on the next one either. And those still obsessed with their hate of Obama better wake up – 2016 wont be about him. I am personally indifferent to him either way but all the talk of "anti-American", socialist etc – it just turns off most people. And makes them opt for the safer choice.
The GOP pick the right candidate this time its going to be deja vu all over again.
How about try to find someone who is more politically attractive, makes sense and doesn't come with large corruption baggage.
This country must stand totally against these elitist. It is time to move all these worthless people out who have destroyed
the American foundation( a Government by the people for the people.) It seems that it has become a family business.
(Kennedy, Bush, Clinton,etc. etc.)
looknclick, agree she has a LOT of political baggage that has never really been answered. A lot of people around her went to jail.
Can't we end, once and for all, the 24 year dynasty of Bush-Clinton-Bush-Obama?
It is way to early to even begin to see who will win either the DNC or GOP nominations, so the Presidential Office is even further away. However, I do not see Hillary actually getting the DNC nomination. Other than a female, she brings nothing new to the table.
It's a shame that we have only two parties in power, neither of which that can be trusted by the everyday citizen to do what is in our best interests. We have the radical right who want to revert us to post WWII mindsets, where only white Americans have any rights or property, and the radical left who want to perpetuate a welfare state and also remove our rights simply because the elite liberals know what is best for all of us. Perhaps it's time for a real change. Lets vote both parties out of office and elect only independents. It time for leadership that truly reflect the wishes of the American public, rather than the tired old agendas of these political dinosaurs.
No gop candidates can beat Hilary basically they will never win the presidency again, also with more minority moving in to these gerry mandered districts they will lose the house in 2014 bye gop.
That's too bad because I definitely would have voted for her in 2008, but now I'm done with the political families and appointees. I want someone new, younger, and a little less Democrat.
Wasn't the Benghazi scandal enough to ruin her career?
WW2 aircraft carriers were the flashy means of destruction to the Japanese, involved in great battles with names, making headlines for themselves. On the other hand, the real destructive force was the submarines, taking out the Japanese commerce one ship at a time until they had nothing left. This is what actually crippled them, the "Silent Service."
Given the diplomacy failures of the Bush years (anyone remember the SNAFUwith China before 9/11?), I'd like some quiet work by the SoS, building bridges and trust. It's not splashy but servers a purpose towards long-term planning/goals. I don't know all the things she's done, either, but given the alternatives in the GOP, it makes it a much easier decision.
To say Hillary shouldn't run because she was beaten by a novice in 2000 belies the fact the GOP's pick in 2008 was also beaten in 2000 by a novice. The Dems chose Obama and that's that. In 2016 they will pick again. The GOP will put forward their candidate and the decision will be made by the people.
The GOP can spend their time finding candidates that will win on their merits, or they can spend their time winning votes through redistricting, electorial college changes, or suppression. So far it's been the latter.
Roger, why exactly do you include Obama in a "dynasty"? Can you explain, very carefully? To me it seems like he is the one without whom there would have been a Clinton dynasty.
Political pundits will kill us with their speculations for next 3 tears.
Run for what there will be nothing left to win.
Please stop voting for the parties of the corporations. Both Dems and the GOP are ruled by corporate interests. We must vote Green party next election.
The people that gave nuclear material to North Korea, failed tp get bin laden three times, and caused the banking crisis that tanked the economy.... want another chance.
It wouldn't be difficult for another democrat to win after Obama, especially Hillary.
All she'd have to say is "Hey, I told you 8 years ago I was the one for the job. After the past 8 years, it's time to believe me".
@Tom1940
Hopefully Americans will be choosing from among the best Republican Primary Candidates
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Did you see the list of potential candidates from the CPAC? It was Clown Car 2.0! You're doing it AGAIN! The GOP radical right-wing will pick a crazy in the primary who could NEVER win the general election. You never get it. America does not want the hateful right-wing.
Run Hillary, run!
@barry o.
Wasn't the Benghazi scandal enough to ruin her career?
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Benghazi was just another "swift boat" attempt by the right wing. Americans are tired of the conspiracy theorists and their ridiculous charges. Sitting on the sidelines doing nothing but obstructing progress does not win admiration from the people. You might re-visit the dishonest intelligence data Bush and "Uncle Dick" used to start the Iraq War if you want a real scandal – 4,500 GIs died from that little "Ooops...". Were you "enraged"? Those Soldiers weren't draft-dodgers like Bush & Cheney.
Would much rather have a another Clinton than another Bush ever!!! What I want to know is where were all of these concerned citizens about spending in the previous administration? Where were they when a war that cost trillions was waged on fabricated intelligence? They were porbably awarded war contracts like the rest of them who want to control spending so they can take it all when the next republican comes to office and wages new useless wars to steal from the American tax payer.
Long live Hillary!!!
He said absolutely nothing of the sort that says his wife is running. On the other hand, every Republican probably has their stomach churning realizing the single pay candidate will keep the thieves and warmongers out for an additional 8 more years after Obama's four. Good. They earned it with selfish thievery and duties that border on treason.
Can we get through this presidency first, please?
Well, she'll have the advantage of at least 11 million more Democratic voters once Obama gives amnesty to all the illegals.
You bet Bill wants her to run he can't stand it when she is home checking up on him all the time.