Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave her first extended interview since leaving the State Department to New York Magazine, and she had some sharp words for the contingent of Democrats clamoring for a Clinton presidential bid in 2016.
“I’m not in any hurry,” she told the magazine in a story published Sunday. “I think it’s a serious decision, not to be made lightly, but it’s also not one that has to be made soon.”
Clinton pointed out that the general election is more than three years away, and said she doesn’t think the political process driving such early speculation in the 2016 presidential race is good for the country.
“It’s like when you meet somebody at a party and they look over your shoulder to see who else is there, and you want to talk to them about something that’s really important; in fact, maybe you came to the party to talk to that particular person, and they just want to know what’s next,” she said.
Asked if she wrestles with running for president, Clinton said “I do.”
“But I’m both pragmatic and realistic,” she told the magazine. “I think I have a pretty good idea of the political and governmental challenges that are facing our leaders, and I’ll do whatever I can from whatever position I find myself in to advocate for the values and the policies I think are right for the country. I will just continue to weigh what the factors are that would influence me making a decision one way or the other.”
