Mediaboss Marketing

The eyes of the political world turned to Iowa on Sunday as Hillary Clinton took the stage at the 37th-and-final Harkin Steak Fry, a political cattle-call and Democratic fundraiser spearheaded by longtime Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

Clinton, joined onstage by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, began her speech with an ebullient, "I'm baaaack!"

Play Video

Hilary Clinton visits the Hawkeye State for the first time since her 2008 presidential campaign, while Vice President Joe Biden will be there nex...

If those watching were hoping that Clinton would take a step closer to confirming a 2016 presidential bid, they were likely disappointed. But that didn't stop the former secretary of state from teasing the audience with the possibility.

"When Tom Harkin called and asked me to come, I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to say. I've got a few things on my mind these days," she said with a knowing grin as the audience laughed and applauded. She mentioned the imminent arrival of her grandchild, and then clearly nodded at the 2016 buzz.

"Then of course there's that other thing," she said. "It is true, I am thinking about it. But for today, that is not why I'm here. I'm here for the steak."

Clinton offered ample praise for President Obama during her speech, dashing speculation that she might use the opportunity to distance herself from the relatively unpopular president.

"When it comes to moving America forward, we know what it takes," she said. "We've seen it. We've seen it in Tom Harkin, we've seen it in Bill Clinton, and we have seen it in Barack Obama."

"Under President Obama's leadership, our country is on the road to recovery," she continued. "Here in Iowa, for example, exports are up. For farmers, they are way up. Unemployment is down....renewable energy production has quadrupled in Iowa, which means more jobs and a cleaner environment."

Original post:
At first Iowa event since 2008, Hillary Clinton teases presidential buzz