Mediaboss Marketing

Last September, Hillary Clinton strode to a podium in Philadelphia to deliver what she advance-billed as a policy speech addressing the roiling controversy over government surveillance in a digital era.

We are once again in the middle of some big, noisy debates. What are the demands of Americas global leadership in a changing world? Clinton asked. How do we provide both security and liberty at home and abroad? Every era faces its own questions and has to fashion its own answers, and we are no different.

She spoke for 11 more minutes that night but never actually provided any concrete answers as to how the balance between security and privacy should be struck.

And she hasnt since.

(PHOTOS: Whos talking about Hillary Clinton 2016?)

Clinton aides indicated at the time that she largely abandoned her planned speech at the National Constitution Center because President Barack Obama decided to address the nation that same night about his decision to seek congressional approval to use force in Syria. Indeed, she mentioned Obamas imminent White House address and called for a strong response to the Syrian crisis.

While Clintons decision to put aside her original speech that night was understandable, her near silence on the issue since has been more open to question. As the national debate over the National Security Agencys broad array of data collection programs has rolled on, courts, lawmakers, blue-ribbon panels and even Obama himself have weighed on the legality, effectiveness and wisdom of the snooping. Clinton has not.

But its not clear how long she can keep up the silent treatment: As she mulls a bid for the White House in 2016, shes beginning to face pressure to outline her views on the surveillance issue more clearly.

(PHOTOS: Stars line up for Hillary Clinton 2016)

Other potential 2016 contenders ranging from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) to Gov. Martin OMalley (D-Md.) have weighed in. Paul, who has taken a staunchly libertarian stand against the NSA programs, filed a class-action lawsuit over the surveillance last week. By contrast, Christie and OMalley have warned about the dangers of retreating in the battle against terrorism.

Continued here:

Hillary Clinton goes mum on NSA, skirts surveillance fight ...