'I'm Baa-aack!': Clintons Give Hillary's 2016 Efforts an Unofficial Start in Iowa

INDIANOLA, Iowa — -- If and when Hillary Clinton runs for president again, history will record that her campaign began in all but name with a swarm of young and "ready" activists, stage-managed banter about grilled hunks of Iowa meat, and a concession that she's "thinking about" what she referred to only as "that other thing."

"Hello Iowa -- I'm baa-aack!" Clinton told a crowd of more than 6,000 gathered to honor the retiring Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, on a field outside Des Moines that's used for ballooning competitions.

"I've got a few things on my mind these days," Clinton added, drawing rising applause from the group of Democratic activists. "First and most importantly, Bill and I are on constant grandchild watch."

She said she just might have to sprint off the stage if Chelsea goes into labor, and added: "Then of course -- there's that other thing. Well it is true, I am thinking about it. But for today, that is not why I'm here. I'm here for the steak."

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Framed by a giant American flag, a few tractors, and bales of Iowa hay, Clinton's speech doubled as a tribute to a retiring liberal stalwart and an initial reintroduction to Iowa's party faithful.

Her calls for populist Democratic policies and elected Democrats who can help in "moving America forward" received polite, though only occasionally enthusiastic, applause.

Harkin, the event's host, offered to build on the "Comeback Kid" nickname Bill Clinton famously earned in 1992, after he exceeded expectations in the New Hampshire primary.

"President Clinton and Hillary Clinton are now the 'Comeback Couple,'" Harkin said.

There was nothing approaching an announcement of candidacy, of course, and no hints about a timeline. Both Clintons parried questions about whether their appearance at an Iowa institution like the Steak Fry means the former secretary of state is running for president again.

"It's great to be back in Iowa," Hillary Clinton told reporters who swarmed near her after her designated time behind the steak grill.

Peppered with questions about 2016, she rolled her eyes for dramatic effect.

"This is about the people running right now -- 2014," she said.

But the former president couldn't help but effuse when asked about the "Ready for Hillary" volunteers who crisscrossed the Steak Fry grounds, about 20 miles outside Des Moines.

"Just like Energizer Bunnies. They're everywhere," Clinton said.

Pressed by ABC News on whether his wife would disappoint those supporters by not running, the former president spoke loudly with his no-comment.

"I will not be baited. I cannot be baited," he said. "I'm waiting to be a grandfather, and I want a happy grandmother."

Clinton's appearance drew more than 6,000 Democratic activists -- and more than 200 journalists -- for the 37th and final Harkin Steak Fry, held on the grounds of the annual National Hot Air Balloon Championships.

As Clinton's first visit of the year to an early-voting state, the event offered a glimpse of what a potential second Hillary Clinton presidential campaign would look like, with all its strengths and weaknesses.

Conversations with a range of attendees revealed more acceptance than eagerness about another Clinton campaign.

Virtually all said they'd likely support Clinton. But several attendees offered up other potential Democrats -- notably Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts -- as people they'd like to see run as well.