Hillary Clinton takes another stab at cracking ‘the highest ceiling’
She began a long-awaited second run for the White House as the prohibitive Democratic frontrunner yesterday.
Clinton’s campaign for the November 2016 election will emphasise her plans to address economic inequality and will tout the historic nature of her bid to become the first woman US president, aides say.
But after decades in the public eye as the wife of former president Bill Clinton, a US senator, and secretary of state, she could face a challenge in showing a more down-to-earth side while connecting with ordinary voters.
I'm running for president. Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion. –H https://t.co/w8Hoe1pbtC
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 12, 2015
Clinton will also have to quell a controversy over her work use of a private email account while secretary of state, which Republicans have said is a sign of her penchant for secrecy.
Clinton has said she used the single email account for convenience and should have used government email, but violated no rules.
Clinton, who lost a heavyweight Democratic nominating battle to Barack Obama in 2008, will announce her campaign on video and social media. She will travel later in the week to Iowa, which holds the first nominating contest in early 2016.
In a memo made public on Saturday, Clinton’s campaign manager Robby Mook told staff while the goal was for Clinton to win the presidency, the campaign was not about her but “everyday Americans”.
“We are humble: We take nothing for granted, we are never afraid to lose, we always out-compete and fight for every vote we can win. We know this campaign will be won on the ground, in states,” he said in the campaign memo, titled We Are Hillary for America.
Many Democrats have eagerly awaited yesterday’s announcement since the day in June 2008 when Clinton pulled out of her primary battle against Obama with an expression of regret that she could not crack “that highest and hardest glass ceiling this time”.
On Saturday at the Americas summit in Panama City, Obama said at a news conference Clinton would make an “excellent president.”
Opinion polls show Clinton has a huge lead over potential 2016 Democratic rivals, and few are expected to enter the race.
A Reuters-Ipos tracking poll shows Clinton backed by more than 60% of Democrats. US senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a favorite of liberals but who says she is not running, is a distant second at 18%.
So far, former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley and former US senator Jim Webb of Virginia, whose support languishes in single digits in polls, are the most prominent contenders to take steps toward challenging her.
Republicans have been gearing up for the battle, and a big field of Republican presidential contenders is expected. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky have been the first to formally enter the race, and senator Marco Rubio of Florida will jump in today.
Clinton operatives have already begun reaching out to top bundlers to urge them to start calling people in donor networks, a source said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
