Despite her denial of rumors that she will participate in the next presidential election, Hillary Clinton is being discussed by those who are taking guesses about 2016.
Clinton’s age and recent health problems have led some to question her suitability for the job. Regardless of these questions, though, Clinton’s experience in the White House, Senate and State Department qualify her for the presidency.
As First Lady from 1993-2001, Clinton launched a restoration of the White House. She also had a political role, heading President Bill Clinton’s Task Force on Health Care Reform. In 2000, Clinton was elected to the US Senate from New York. There, she worked to gain $21 billion for the reconstruction of the sites destroyed in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
In 2008, Clinton even came close close to winning the Democratic nomination for president. Though she was eventually defeated by Barack Obama, she raised millions of dollars and won a majority of votes in several highly-populated states including California.
Finally, as Obama’s Secretary of State, Clinton visited 112 countries and conducted public forums where she stressed the need for civic engagement and public involvement rather than mere government-to-government policy-making.
It would seem that the only thing standing in Clinton’s path to the Oval Office is her age and a recent health scare, during which she fainted and was diagnosed with a blood clot in her brain. In an interview with Salon’s Joan Walsh, pundit David Corn said, “I’m not convinced yet that Hillary is going to run because she’ll be 69.”
Others, however, contend that age won’t get in her way. As MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell put it, “she’s absolutely running.”
For now, it seems as if Clinton’s is a likely candidate for the 2016 elections. Though age certainly impacts public consideration, it is not the most important factor in deciding the most qualified candidate ready to take on the job. Hillary Clinton’s experience makes her a good choice for the Democratic nomination in 2016.
