OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Hillary Clinton may smell blood in the water with the Democrat Party and some people believe she is eyeing a possible campaign for president.
With inflation the highest it has been in four decades and the disastrous approval ratings of both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris she could be in line as the heir apparent.
And now she has a major speech planned for the New York State Democratic Convention next week, CNBC reported.
Clinton, who previously represented New York in the U.S. Senate, is likely to take the stage in front of party leaders at the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square, these people said.
The development comes as Clinton, who also was secretary of State during the first half of President Barack Obama’s administration, works to maintain relevance in a party that could be headed for defeat in this year’s midterm elections.
It may also stoke speculation about a potential new Clinton bid for elected office. Two of her allies last month had an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal suggesting Clinton could run for president in 2024 as President Joe Biden’s approval ratings have fallen dramatically. Clinton has said she would not run for president again after her loss to Donald Trump in 2016.
But she could be rethinking that idea as she may be the only chance the Democrats have of keeping the White House in 2024.
“She’s beloved by the mainstream members of the Democratic Party and her popularity is likely higher than that of President Biden. It’s good for her because it keeps her relevant and her appearance is likely meant to galvanize the party and the audience,” one of the sources said.
Chris Melnyczuk, the chief of staff for the chair of the New York State Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs, did not deny that the former Secretary of State would be speaking at the event.
“We’ve reached out to a number of people to speak and, you know, we’re waiting back on confirmation from a number of people. So there are a few things in the works,” he said. “We’ve reached out to a number of folks, we’re not going to say who we’ve reached out to.”
During an interview with NBC’s Willie Geist on his podcast ‘Sunday Sitdown,” Clinton seemed to suggest the White House is not “stable” and “sane.”
Clinton’s comments came in response to Geist asking about the progressive wing of the party costing Democrats in swing elections in next year’s midterms.
“So what do you see as the state of the Democratic Party right now?” Geist asked.
“I think that it is a time for some, you know, careful thinking about what wins elections and not just in Deep Blue districts where a Democrat and a liberal Democrat or so-called progressive Democrat is going to win,” Clinton said.
“I understand why people want to argue for their priorities, that’s what they believe they were elected to do. So, look, I am all about having vigorous debates. I think it’s good and it gives people a chance to be part of the process,” she added.
“But, at the end of the day it means nothing if we don’t have a Congress that’ll get things done and we don’t have a White House that we can count on to be sane and sober and stable and productive,” Clinton said.
Clinton also spoke about Donald Trump running for president in 2024.
“If I were a betting person right now, I’d say Trump is going to run again. He seems to be setting himself up to do that. And if he’s not held accountable, then he gets to do it again,” she said.
“I think that could be the end of our democracy. Not to be too pointed about it, but I want people to understand that this is a make-or-break point. If he were, or someone of his ilk were once again to be elected president, and if especially he had a Congress that would do his bidding, you will not recognize our country,” Clinton added.
