Not long after Clinton stepped down as President Barack Obama´s secretary of state this year, the "´will she or won´t she" question is already following her around like the supporters who held "Ready for Hillary" signs outside speeches this week in Washington and New York City — her first public talks since stepping down.[break]
The runner-up of the 2008 Democratic presidential race is already the focus of the 2016 one.
Tina Brown, editor in chief of Newsweek and the Daily Beast, which sponsored the Women in the World conference where Clinton spoke Friday, captured the buzz when introducing her. "Of course," Brown said, "the big question now about Hillary is, what´s next?" That elicited loud cheers — but no answer.
Pointing to the U.S., Clinton said America´s position as a world leader demands that it devote full attention to empowering women to participate in the economy and society fully. She called for equal pay for women and encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in math and science.
This image released by Women in the World shows former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaking at the Women in the World Conference on Friday, April 5, 2013, in New York. (AP)
"This truly is the unfinished business of the 21st century, and it is the work we are called to do," Clinton said. "I look forward to being your partner in all the days and years ahead."
The 65-year-old former first lady has said she has no plans to pursue the White House again but has refrained from ruling anything out. Many Democrats view her as a worthy successor to President Barack Obama, with whom she waged a fierce struggle for the party´s nomination in 2008.
Her popularity soared as secretary of state, although that may have been in part because she cast aside the sharp brand of politics that made her a polarizing figure at times in the past, in favor of diligent diplomacy.
Some Clinton loyalists note that the last presidential election was only six months ago. But James Carville, a former adviser to Bill Clinton, signed on with the Ready for Hillary political action committee on Thursday, urging supporters to help lay the groundwork for a Clinton campaign. Carville said the "enthusiasm and hunger" for a Clinton presidency was "unlike anything I´ve ever seen."
"We need to convert the hunger that´s out there for Hillary´s candidacy into a real grassroots organization," Carville said.
Clinton is not expected to make a decision anytime soon and has outlined plans to write a memoir about her time at the State Department, advocate on behalf of women and girls and give speeches. With her book due out in the middle of 2014, she´ll have an opportunity to travel the country in the months before the midterm elections in 2014.
Her biggest splash was her video announcement in support of gay marriage last month, a move that put her in line with most Democrats. Clinton had limited her comments on domestic policy as secretary of state, and her departure has freed her to speak more openly.
What remains clear is that until she makes a choice, her every word, appearance and association will be scrutinized. And she´ll get plenty of encouragement.
"I´ve been waiting for five years — all of us have been waiting for five years," said Aaron James Darr, a 22-year-old actor who recently formed a Broadway for Hillary 2016 group.
Democrats see Clinton in a uniquely powerful spot and are willing to wait — for now.
"It´s the most enviable position to be in because all you have to do is breathe the air every day," said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist who advised her husband´s presidential campaign. "What political figure has that luxury?"
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