Could Hillary Clinton be the next US President?

In light of recent news, Hillary Clinton declaring she will run as a Democratic candidate in the next US Presidential Elections in 2016, there has been discussion and debate over whether she can become the next US leader.

Hillary Clinton was a United States Senator from New York from 2001 to 2008, serving as Secretary of State under the Obama Administration from 2009 to 2013. As the only First Lady to have ever run for office, she's a political figurehead. Clinton has been central to the promoting of 'smart power', economic and military power in conjunction with diplomacy and soft power techniques in regards to foreign policy, and is outspoken about the empowerment of women. As a liberal politician, Clinton may draw large support from minority communities, due to her support of gay marriage and citizenship for illegal immigrants stands in stark contrast to traditional Republican views.

However, there is very little opposition to Hillary Clinton within the Democrat Party, which has become less divided during Barack Obama's administration since 2008. However, it has been rare throughout history for a new candidate to attain a third term for either Democrats or Republicans, examples being Al Gore in 2008 and John McCain in 2000, respectively. This could pose a problem for the Democrat Party generally, no matter who is in leadership of the party.

With the campaign line, "Everyday Americans need a champion. I want to be that Champion." Hillary Clinton appeals to the average citizen, as Bill Clinton did from 1993 to 2001. The legacy of her husbands Presidency can be construed as beneficial or detrimental to her campaign. Positively, Bill Clinton in responsible for achieving the largest budget surpluses and debt reduction in American history by 2000 using tax cuts on the wealthiest and spending cuts. Also developing the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement to allow free trade and cut down barriers between neighbouring states, Clinton also demanded welfare reforms as put in place by previous governments. His efforts to regulate gun control, equal rights somewhat reflect the policies of domestic policy, this consensus could give Hillary Clinton an advantage, particularly due to her experience in the White House. But their ideas differed in foreign affairs, claiming "We cannot, indeed, we should not, do everything or be everywhere." His approach to intervention has been less decided than Hillary's support for the 2003 Iraq War. This may be negative for her campaign, as this is a pivotal point for a large amount of the electorate. Furthermore, the links between scandals and the Clinton administration has made support of Hillary very much polarized. Alongside claims that American politics has become a Clinton-Bush game, with the possible candidacy of Jeb Bush for the Republican Party.

However, positively, the idea of Hillary Clinton being the US President has been an underlying theme of US politics for nearing on a decade as though her previous bid failed to Obama, it has been regarded by some as only a matter of time before she becomes to power with the Democrats. Furthermore, while a disillusionment of the population can cause a problem for long time political figures, Clinton seems to be a vote that furthers democratic and more modern values as US citizens perspective of politicians and political culture is changing in what some could say is general popular support of the Democrats. It has never been questioned legitimately whether Hillary Clinton could be the US first female President, following the election of Barack Obama.

Ultimately, the campaign in 2016 will be a difficult one for Hillary Clinton, but this could be said of any candidate at this point. She will struggle to convince some voters of her ability in terms of foreign policy and other policy concerns, it is clear that she is more likely than ever to become Democrats candidate and therefore win the election due to uncertainties with the Republican party, the legacy of the previous Clinton administration and the advocating of liberal policy.