It’s no surprise that Hillary Rodham Clinton’s friends and foes were at the ready on Sunday to respond immediately to the news that she is officially a presidential candidate. For every warm welcome to the race, there was Republican vow to stop her. Here’s a roundup:
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., Democratic National Committee chair: “While we expect a competitive primary for the Democratic nomination, one thing is for certain — next November, voters will face a choice between Democrats who will continue to build on the middle-class economic success of President Barack Obama, and Republican candidates who want to bring back the failed, trickle-down economics of the past. I look forward to the contributions that Secretary Clinton, and all of our eventual candidates, will bring to this debate between two very different visions for the country.”
Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee chairman: “We are prepared to use every resource to stop Hillary. We have a deep reservoir of research from her entire time in public life, documenting every failed policy and political scandal. Our communications team is ready to make the case against Hillary in every community and every state.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex.: “Hillary Clinton represents the failed policies of the past and there’s going to be a very clear choice to make in 2016. Does America want a third Obama term or are we ready for strong conservative leadership to make America great again?”
Carly Fiorina, Republican and former Silicon Valley executive, : “I think our nation is at a pivotal time, so anyone who wants to be president or commander-in-chief needs a track record of leadership and accomplishment and trustworthiness. Hillary Clinton is a highly intelligent woman, hardworking, she’s dedicated her life to public service. But unfortunately, she does not have a track record of accomplishment or transparency.”
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Republican, (in email to donors): “Moments ago Hillary Clinton officially announced her White House bid — and it’s up to us to stop her.”
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., on Twitter: “Hillary Clinton has the same Washington-knows-best mentality people around the country are looking to move beyond.”
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.: “I know Hillary Clinton. I served with Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton does not have the right vision to lead America.”
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Democrat, (via his spokeswoman, Lis Smith): “Governor O’Malley is seriously considering running for president, and he will make his decision regardless of what other people decide to do. All across the nation, he’s heard from Democrats that they are looking for someone who offers strong progressive values, new leadership, and the experience of getting real results. The Democratic Party will benefit from a robust issues debate, and — should Governor O’Malley decide to enter the race — he will bring one.”
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.,: “Whoopee, Hillary is off and running! I’m ready for Hillary. And America is ready for Hillary. She’s going to break that glass ceiling once and for all.”
Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president: “Secretary Clinton has a long and distinguished career in public service, and has been an inspiration for tens of millions of women in America and around the globe. We applaud Secretary Clinton’s decision to begin her campaign by going directly to voters and listening to them first. We urge all presidential candidates, in both parties, to follow her lead.”
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on CNN’s “State of the Union”: “I do think that there is sort of a history of the Clintons sort of feeling like they’re above the law. They said they weren’t going to take donations from the Clinton Foundation during the period of time she was secretary of state, and there are questions whether they did.”
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Republican, on “Fox News Sunday”: “You’ve seen in polls and in discussions across the country a feeling that Hillary Clinton is just not trustworthy. This whole story about her having erased all of her e-mails even though they were subject to recall and review by Congress, I think that’s made people remember that with the Clintons it’s always something. And I think also the fact that she’s been there a long time — she’s a creature of Washington… . I think people want to see change, want to see something new and Hillary Clinton is just not that person.”
Secretary of State John Kerry, Democrat, on ABC’s “This Week”: “The secretary of state happily is able to not be involved in the presidential hurly-burly. I’m not going to get involved in it now. But I will say that Secretary of State Clinton did a terrific job of rebuilding alliances that had been shredded over the course of the prior years… . She will defend, I know, her own record for herself. It’s not my job to do it. But I wish her well in this race, and I look forward to being able to stay well away from it.”
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