CHINA TOPIX

03/29/2024 04:50:16 am

Make CT Your Homepage

'Hello, Iowa. I'm Back': Hillary Clinton's Iowa Return Stirs Presidential Bid Speculations

Hillary and Bill Clinton

(Photo : REUTERS/Jim Young) Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is applauded by her husband former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the 37th Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa September 14, 2014.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's return to Iowa fueled speculations of her presidential bid in 2016. She told a crowd of Democrats at the annual steak fry fundraiser, "Hello, Iowa. I'm back."

Clinton visit to Iowa was the first since she lost her 2008 presidential campaign in the state. Accompanied by her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary spoke to 6,000 Democrats at the 37th Harkin Steak Fry near Des Moines after grilling steaks, reports said.

Like Us on Facebook

The crowd loudly cheered on the former first lady, who could be the Democrats' frontrunner if she runs for president in 2016.

Political experts see Clinton's return in Iowa, which holds an early nomination contest and proves important to election bidders, as a sign that she is closer to declaring a presidential bid.

However, when asked of her presidential intentions, she evaded the subject, but hinted on it.

"Too many people only get excited about presidential campaigns. Look, I get excited about presidential campaigns, too," she said.

Clinton said she also thinks about "that other thing," or her possible presidential bid other than the looming midterm elections, which is her current focus.

In her speech, she urged support for the Democrats over the "guardians of gridlock" on Nov. 4, reports said.

"In just 50 days Iowans have a choice to make - a choice and a chance. A choice between the guardians of gridlock and the champions of shared opportunity and shared prosperity," she said.

She also urged her audience to vote for candidates who would "carry on Tom Harkin's legacy of fighting for families."

Bill Clinton also spoke and implored the voters to choose the Democrats to "pull this country together, to push this country forward."

The event, held annually in honor of retiring Sen. Tom Harkin, has provided Democrats a venue to intoduce themselves in the state for decades.

President Barack Obama, who won in Iowa, attended the event in 2006.

Real Time Analytics