House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that sheassumesHillary Clinton will bethe 2016 Democratic presidential nominee anddismissedthe suggestion that infighting stirred by the populist wing of the party could derail her candidacy.
If Secretary Clinton runs, I believe that she will win and she will be one of the best-prepared people to enter the White House in a long time, in terms of her experience and her knowledge, Pelosi told MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell during a live interview from Capitol Hill on Tuesday. [But] that doesnt mean that the party is devoid of other voices getting ready for what comes beyond."
She added: "And to help President Clinton, should that be the case, be a great president."
Even as President Obama prepares to deliver the 2015 State of the Union address Tuesday evening, political operativesare turning their attention to the 2016election, wondering how the president's addresssets up a Democratic rubricfor the next election. The speech is slated to focus heavily on economic policy the strengthen the middle class.
But Hillary Clinton, who has long been considered thefront-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination but has yet to formally declare her candidacy, has come under fire from progressives dissatisfiedwith her political allianceswith Wall Street. It's worth noting that the WhiteHouse despite its strong pivot to middle-class issues has also frequently faced criticism from the party's progressive wing over its relationships with corporate interests.
The debate as to where the party comes down on certain issues is certainly a lively one. And Ive had my own disagreements even with the White House with some of the proposals that have come forth. But thats why were the Democratic Party. We love each other; let other versions exist, Pelosi said.
Do you assume that [Clinton]will be the nominee? Can she win an election? Mitchell asked.
Yes. Yes, Pelosi said with a smile.
Jose DelReal is a blogger for Post Politics.
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Pelosi: 2016 is Hillary Clintons for the taking