Hillary Clinton 2016: Why the Political Icon Would Crush GOP Opposition in the Next Election

Impact

Oh look, another Hillary Clinton post! 

Hillary Rodham Clinton has become a household name after holding almost every level of clearance there is in Washington: executive first lady, congressional senator, presidential candidate, and now cabinet level secretary of state. She’s a tumblr star, a women’s icon, and the deserved frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination in the next cycle. But the question remains for Clinton: Does she want the office? It would certainly be in the Democratic Party’s best interest if she assumed the torch in the post-Obama era.

For starters, Hillary’s outstanding record and experience is unmatched by any other prospective candidate on the rumor mill currently. She has been in the world of politics for over 40 years, in both domestic and foreign fronts. In her last four years she has certainly garnered enough foreign policy savvy to fulfill the president’s primary mandate as commander-in-chief. Her two terms as New York Senator in the beginning of this century add to her firm grasp of domestic policy and congressional politicking.

Also let us not forget that there was good reason why Hillary Clinton was almost Barack Obama before he was the historic 2008 Barack Obama. Clinton performed extremely well in her campaign and carried her campaign into the last day of primaries back in June 2008 in a bitter battle with Obama. She was a graceful loser and handled her post as secretary of state gracefully, even biting the political bullet in taking partial responsibility for the Benghazi attack in September. Most importantly, she still very much has a base of strong supporters, even loyalists, and a framework for a second run awaiting her if she decides to announce in 2015.

Granted, Americans may be wary of another Clinton dynasty (the same argument that might hinder a Jeb Bush candidacy), but the former president’s unabated support for Obama in the 2012 campaign has garnered goodwill and an aura of high approval for the Clinton brand. Lest we not forget that Bill Clinton did major groundwork for this cycle, and few could argue that the Clintons haven’t done enough for the party. The Clintons are enjoying a high approval rating at the moment, and Hillary’s promised resignation from the public-political sphere will leave her going out on top, riding the coat-tails of her part in the apparent cease-fire in Gaza, with little chance of damaging her current popularity.

Hillary Clinton’s resume alone warrants her a shot as the Democratic flag bearer, but her main calling card is one of history. Democrats should realize that while the Republican Party continues to soul search, they could keep up the pressure by nominating the first female for the American presidency. Republicans appeal to women voters would instantly become much harder if Clinton and her strong female support reawakened. Riding the wave of social liberalism and progress, it’s not unreasonable to think that the U.S. could match what 20 other countries have currently in place: a female elected leader of their country.