Democrats, Republicans Gear Up for Hillary '08

April 12, 2006 — -- It seems that Democrats and Republicans alike constantly talk about Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign these days.

Not, of course, her Senate reelection campaign in New York, where she leads overwhelmingly in the polls and in raising funds and has drawn a little-known former mayor of Yonkers as her main opponent.

What has the chattering class chattering is Clinton's prospects as a presidential candidate. And though the former first lady will not make a final decision about a presidential bid until after her November election, she is clearly doing many of the things that anyone considering a national run has to do to keep the option open.

And in case anyone doubted that she is the perceived front-runner for the Democratic nomination -- even among Republicans, look no further than the three stern press releases issued by the White House, the Republican National Committee and House Speaker Dennis Haster, R-Ill., on Tuesday in an attempt to rebut a speech on economic policy she delivered in Chicago that evening.

"I think a return to fiscal discipline, living within our means is essential for our long-term health. It is also critical to whether or not we control our own destiny as a nation," said Clinton, attempting to present herself less like a red-meat partisan and more like a substantive pragmatist.

"Over the long-term and maybe the medium-term, red-ink fiscal policies will undermine America's competitiveness. We have to ask ourselves whether our taxing and spending policies are in line with our economic goals. Do we have the right priorities and values in the federal budget?" she asked rhetorically.

Democratic strategist Steve Elmendorf says policy pronouncements and speeches are exactly the kind of thing Clinton should be doing right now.

"I think anybody who wants to be considered a significant national candidate needs to be out getting into the debate on policy," says Elmendorf, who also served as a deputy campaign manager on John Kerry's presidential campaign.