Hillary Clinton Looks Like a 2008 Candidate

Feb. 18, 2006 — -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., simultaneously one of the most revered and reviled people in the country, is the subject of perhaps the most burning question in politics: Will she run for president?

There are more than 20 people, Republicans and Democrats, laying the groundwork for a possible presidential run in 2008. Some of them are open about it.

Clinton, however, insists she hasn't made up her mind, but she's sure acting like a presidential candidate. This month, Clinton, who's up for re-election in New York in nine months, will be campaigning -- in Florida.

A few weeks back, it was California, Oregon and Washington state. Before that it was Michigan, Kentucky, New Orleans and Massachusetts.

Clinton also is ramping up the anti-Republican rhetoric.

Among her recent quotes:

The Republican Party already is developing its anti-Hillary talking points.

"Whether it's comments about the plantation or the worst administration in history, Hillary Clinton seems to have a lot of anger," Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" recently.

First lady Laura Bush has reacted to Clinton's recent comments.

"I think it's out of bounds," she said, "but also about politics."

All the tough talk and travel looks to many like a presidential campaign in all but name.

Even President Bush acknowledged the possibility. When CBS News' Bob Schieffer said: "You know, if Sen. Clinton becomes president …" Bush said: "Yeah: Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton," referring to his father, former President Clinton, himself, and Hillary Clinton.

But Clinton says she's undecided. And of late, when asked, her response has been simply to chuckle. She declined to talk to ABC News for this story.