Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton answered speculations about a 2024 White House bid this week, saying she would never again run for president.
Clinton offered the response during an interview with Norah O’Donnell on Tuesday’s “CBS Evening News.”
“No, no,” Clinton answered regarding another run. “But I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that we have a president who respects our democracy and the rule of law and upholds our institutions.”
EXCLUSIVE: @HillaryClinton tells @NorahODonnell she does not plan to run for president again, but did vow to do everything she can to ensure a future president “respects our democracy.” Adding if Trump runs again that Republicans should “grow a backbone.” pic.twitter.com/GMwJ6qMF5Y
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) September 6, 2022
The former 2016 candidate who lost to Donald Trump quickly added that he should be defeated if he runs again, calling his party members to oppose him.
“It should start in the Republican Party,” Clinton said. “Grow a backbone. Stand up to this guy.”
The former first lady was also quick to downplay recent comparisons between the FBI’s raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and her use of a private email server in her home while serving as secretary of state.
“I think it’s a really different comparison to what’s going on here,” Clinton said, claiming that the Justice Department and FBI have been “incredibly patient” with Trump regarding the “national security” issue.
Despite recent statements that Clinton would back Biden in his re-election campaign, much speculation has circulated regarding her potential run.
Rumors circulating in December led the White House to respond that Biden intends to run for a second term with Vice President Kamala Harris returning as his running mate.
Answering to a reporter’s question about Biden’s second-term plans, then-White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre offered a clear confirmation.
“He is planning to run for re-election in 2024. I don’t have any more to add to that,” she said.
The reporter pressed, “But just to be clear, when the President says he plans to run again, he means with Harris on the ticket?”
“Yes, he does. There’s no change,” Jean-Pierre replied. “Yes. Yes.”
In addition to Clinton, rumors continue to circulate regarding Democrats who could challenge Biden in this quest for a second term. Concerns have increased due to Biden’s health and “cognitive fitness” issues as well as his low approval rating.
A July CNN poll reported that 75% of Democratic voters want someone other than Biden in the next presidential election. The poll also found that among Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters under 45, just 18% prefer Biden as the 2024 nominee.
The Washington Post listed 10 top contenders for the Democratic nomination in 2024. In addition to Biden and Harris, mentioned potential candidates included Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Other rumored Democrats have included Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.