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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sidestepped questions about her presidential ambitions in 2016, though she was the beneficiary of effusive praise from her boss, President Barack Obama, in a new interview on Sunday.
Neither Obama nor Clinton would address the elephant in the room — whether the outgoing secretary of state, Obama's 2008 primary opponent, should seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 — in an interview aired Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes."
"You guys in the press are incorrigible," a laughing Obama said in the interview, which was taped on Friday. "I was literally inaugurated four days ago. And you're talking about elections four years from now."
But the topic of a prospective second bid for the presidency by Clinton is already on the tongues of most political professionals of both parties. Clinton allowed a knowing chuckle at a congressional hearing last week when a Republican congressman, referring to her possible ambitions, said: "I wish you the best in your future endeavors — mostly."
Clinton leaves office as secretary of state arguably at the apex of her popularity; 56 percent of Americans expressed a positive opinion of the former first lady in January's NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, and she leaves office with a 69 percent approval rating.
But, in the rare joint interview with the president, Clinton refused to engage the speculation.
"I am still secretary of state. So I'm out of politics. And I'm forbidden from even hearing these questions," she said.
Clinton nonetheless offered a coy morsel of what she may or may not decide to do in 2016.
"I don't think, you know, either he [Obama] or I can make predictions about what's going to happen tomorrow or the next year," she said.
Should she decide to run, though, Clinton's campaign might return to Sunday's "60 Minutes" interview for clips of Obama's overflowing praise to use in campaign ads.
Obama, for instance, said that Clinton would go down in history "as one of the finest secretary of states we've had."
"I think everybody understands that Hillary's been you know, one of the most important advisors that I've had on a whole range of issues," Obama said at another point in the interview.
And the president even made a pronouncement that would have seemed unthinkable during the bitter 2008 primary campaign between the two former senators: "I consider Hillary a strong friend." (Clinton, for her part, described her relationship with the president as "very warm" and "close.")
"Look, that is just ancient history now," Clinton said of the animosity from the 2008 campaign. "And it's ancient history because of the kind of people we all are, but also we're professionals."
Still, as Clinton mulls her future options during the time she's expected to take to relax upon leaving office, other potential Democratic candidates might move forward with their own campaigns-in-waiting.
That includes another administration heavyweight, Vice President Joe Biden, who's seen as likely to preserve his own option to seek the Democratic nomination in 2016.
But lest Obama's praise for Clinton be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of his secretary of state over his vice president, the president heaped praise on Biden just a week ago, too.
"One decision I know was absolutely correct -- absolutely spot on -- was my choice of vice president," Obama said Sunday at an inaugural reception. "I could not have a better partner than Joe Biden."
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Bush lied our troops died,,
ya bush lied and Obama happy to keep them dieing.
In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
What she had said there was all based on the lies Bush and Cheney had pushed for going to war with Iraq.
There was no excuse for her lying. That sounds like some crap I heard by someone who said her husband forced her to drink whiskey so she became an alcoholic.
BTW, what was the story on the Foster guy who was Hillary and Bill Clinton's friend? He ended up dead. He must have disagreed with someone over something.
Four plus years ago they had nothing good to say about each other now they're buds. I for one am sick of the hypocrits in politics and these two are good examples. Can't you just see it.....Biden for president and Hillary for V.P. God help us.
Love fest on 60 Minutes. I was waiting for Steve, Obama and Hilary to huddle for a group hug. Well, at least Hilary got her glowing endorsement for 2016. I was not surprised Steve only asked "soft" questions and then let them ramble on whether it pertained to the question or not. The main scream media have been fawning over Obama since his first campaign and do a great injustice to the American people. All they are any more is a propaganda machine protecting the administration no matter what. "what's the difference?" Well Hilary four Americans are dead because you dropped the ball and you don't give a damn. You stood over their bodies when they arrived and lied to their families. The administration lied about what happened and tried to keep it under control until after the election for political reasons and liberals are so corrupt they support him anyway. They treated the death of those men as if they were expendable for the cause. Makes me sick. Look out liberals; the next time it might be your family. Two of those men died because they disobeyed orders and tried to answer the ambassadors cry for help. They possessed a lot more integrity than the administration.
Hopefully they will both be in jail long before 2016!
Oh look its the bitch and bastard.... Both, who cares less for what the United States would get out of this debt. Kiss my Mr. President. I care for you the same as you care for what happens to These United States................
These two POS just got away with MURDER,they are scum,why dont they let OJ out to join the celebration.
No chance ,
For you repukes in 2016
Ya biden is a terrible threat,haha
Will he figure out what state he is in by then?
Murderers Row of Two. Constant witnesses to each other's crimes. The creme de la creme of cronyism, but worst of all two-headed monster of corporatism. Two fine examples of why capitalism is not surviving in the US. Hillary has learned the art of libtard deception with those McGoo glasses. I mean, really??!!
The president has the class to show his admiration and respect for Hillary Clinton and she deserves it. She has been a great Secretary of State and will be a great president if she chooses to run in 2016. It's refreshing to see people who put country ahead of politics.
HillBarry has morphed into one creature now. The poor empower them, they tax the achievers and give it back to the poor. BUT not too much!! Live the meager life libtards!
I love to,see you rabbid foaming at the mouth dogs,suffer another 12 years,with President Clinton's 8 years.
By then ,the tea bagger a$$ holes and The old redneck men will be gone
Can you say,,losers?
This just goes on the very long list of :things Obama will do for face time: If the man could run the country as well as he can smile and B.S we wouldnt be in the mess we are in! Thie person knows nothing about what the people of the country need. ITS ALL SMOKE
And the republicans are doing such a fine job. Why are they still passing unpaid for bills in congress? Aren't the repubs in charge of the house, the body where all spending and taxing bills started?
I'm sick of all of them.
Welcome to the demise of an organized, march in lockstep GOP!! They are now the proverbial cat herd that the DEMS are always accused of being.
The GOP, with their Tea Farty Moron Faction and their non-existent command of fact and truth, and their aging, centrist faction at war with their own conscience between the right thing to do and what the TP-ers want,
are now irrelevant and nothing more than an impediment to progress and a deterrent to prosperity.
Time for them to GO!
They will gain seats in the both houses of Congress in 2016. Obama on steroids will ensure that.
60 Minutes and Meet the Press are now shilling for the DNC. I no longer watch either and I do miss the days when both were credible.
Shame on 60 Minutes. This Obama/Hillary interview was all for show. These two people HATE each other. Obama owes Hillary for the Bengazi scandal. Hillary failed in her job to protect our US ambassador and three Americans. But like HIllary said ..."what difference does it matter now ..."
I thought about voting for Hillary Clinton if she decided to run in 2016, but she may have just changed my mind. She wasn't asked any really direct questions and she certainly didn't give any reasonabe statements. We don't know any more now than before. Is she protecting herself, or the Black Muslin or both? She claims responsibility, but the Black Muslim is the president, so he is ultimately responsible for every move in that office. NO ONE IS TO BLAME FOR THE INFORMATION THAT WAS RELEASED EXCEPT THE BLACK MUSLIM HIMSELF. Why can't he admit that he failed? Not the arrogant, perfect, me. myself and I, Mr. Black Muslim. The very best thing for America is for him to be sent back to Africa where he came from. Oh!!! Please send Polosi, Reid and Christie with him........
Both
They know a winner vs. a loser of a partie
Bulletman357. It's party. And they will come for your wheel gun too.
And later - anyone who thinks "Their" party is right and the other is wrong is not worth my time.
Their both Guilty of Multiple Murders !!!
They are SCUM,they are murderers,they are liars,they are democrats that's what they do.
Shame on the repubs,for getting us into the second great depression.
You should know obama is not Republican Duche Bag
The mexes have surpassed the blacks,,,
With what welfare checkes
Are you people for real? What a couple of lying liar faces! Unreal that any American would be so stupid as to believe this BS. As a former 30 year Democrat, now registered Independent since the Messiah was elected, I feel sorry for all of you who are sheep in Obama's pasture.
Well isn't it the out going communist ramping up things for another pos in the White House.
All you Obama - Clinton butt kissers need to ask the question, Who gave the order to stand down. That is why 4 Americans died. I'd almost bet not one of you know that 2 of them disobeyed the stand down order and went to aid the ambassador.
Your all a bunch of sorry excuses for Americans to just go along with " What does it matter now?" and on top of that keep blubbering on on how wonderful those two are.
Wake up and see the light. Obama and Clinton are destroying this country.
Ya ,Bush and Cheney where better,,lmao
Haha hehe hoho,four more,years to go
Dam I love this country,,
Pay backs a bitch for,8 years of the dumb fawk Bush
Hahahahahahahahaha
If President Bush was bad. Then this absolute worthless POS in the White House is SATAN on steriods.