Hillary Clinton Says the 2016 Election Is on Her Mind
Policy + Politics

Hillary Clinton Says the 2016 Election Is on Her Mind

REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday night that she is weighing another presidential campaign and is “very much concerned” about the direction of the country, citing climate change as a particular focus.

Clinton, who would be an overwhelming front-runner for the Democratic nomination should she seek it in 2016, made her comments in response to a question from a student at the close of the Clinton Global Initiative University conference at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

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“If you don’t represent women in politics in America as future president, who will?” the student asked Clinton.

The former secretary of state and former first lady responded: “I appreciate the sentiment. I’m obviously thinking about all kinds of decisions.”

“Look,” Clinton added, “I am very much concerned about the direction of our country – and it’s not just who runs for office, but what they do when they get there and how we bring people together and particularly empower young people so that we can tackle these hard decisions we’ve just been talking about.”

Clinton also spoke forcefully about climate change, saying she hopes the millennial generation sparks a “mass movement” to bring environmental issues to the forefront of American politics.

“This is not just some ancillary issue,” Clinton said. “This will determine in large measure the quality of life in so many places around the world. I’m hoping that there will be this mass movement that demands political change.”

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Clinton’s comments came during the Clinton Global Initiative University, a charitable gathering of about 1,200 college students sponsored by the Clinton family foundation. She spoke out about climate change during a wide-ranging family interview that late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel conducted on stage with Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.

Kimmel asked whether the Clintons ever do “frivolous” things together, to which Hillary Clinton responded, “Boy, have we fooled you!” 

The Clintons said they enjoy watching “Antiques Roadshow” together, and that Hillary especially loves home decorating shows.

Bill Clinton said they like to play card games together and do jigsaw puzzles. “We do a lot of silly things,” he said.

Hillary Clinton added, “I wouldn’t mind one of those grandchildren we’ve been talking about,” at which point 34-year-old Chelsea interjected, “Shameless.”

This article originally appeared in The Washington Post

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