Gallup: Hillary Clinton more popular than Obama, Biden

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds a higher favorability rating than either President Obama or Vice President Biden, according to a survey released Tuesday by Gallup.

Sixty-four percent of those surveyed had a favorable impression of the former first lady. By contrast, 55 percent said they had a favorable impression of President Obama, and 45 percent said the same for Vice President Biden — Clinton's potential foe in a 2016 Democratic primary. Former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who assumed Clinton's job at the State Department, was seen favorably by 44 percent of those surveyed.

The survey was conducted before last week's bombing at the Boston Marathon, and the subsequent capture of a suspect following a daylong manhunt. It is not clear how the terrorist attack and its aftermath could affect the president's popularity rating.

Nevertheless, Clinton's edge is indicative of the conventional wisdom in Washington — if the former New York senator chooses to run for the White House, she should have a relatively easy path to the Democratic nomination. The survey found that a staggering 91 percent of Democrats had a favorable impression of Clinton, versus just 76 percent for Biden. "At a time when many political analysts are floating former Secretary of State Clinton's name as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, her favorability rating outshines those of current Obama administration officials, including the president himself," said Gallup's Andrew Dugan in a statement. "Vice President Biden is also reportedly considering running in 2016, but as of now, his favorability rating is not nearly as high as that of his possible competitor, among rank-and-file Democrats and among the public in general."

That said, Clinton's popularity is likely due, in part, to the political advantages of retirement and having previously worked as the nation's top diplomat. Clinton's approval rating hovered around 50 percent in the years preceding her appointment to Obama's cabinet, as she served in the U.S. Senate and campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.

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Hillary Surges, Reince Priebus escalates GOP war on women, Americans demand jobs

Hillary Clinton has taken a commanding position in national politics, and as I wrote in my latest column, it would be spectacular if Bill and Hillary Clinton would work with the Clinton Global Initiative to devise major new jobs proposals.

Meanwhile, both parties should be embarrassed by the latest depressing jobs report. And Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus escalated the GOP war against women with his intellectually dishonest but highly revealing cheap-shot against Planned Parenthood that misrepresented the group's position on abortion.

It was another week in American politics highlighted by the overwhelming and deep yearning by Democrats that Hillary should run for president in 2016, and the overwhelming and powerful support she would receive from Americans if she does.

My hope is that various Democrats who want her to run and would work for her minimize their cable television chants in support of her. Let's give Hillary some time and space and peace for now.

Hopefully, rather than focusing on political tactics and news cycle spin, we focus on creating jobs. The Clintons have a brilliant job-creating (and deficit-reducing) record from the years of the Clinton presidency and can play an extraordinary role in generating new ideas.

Hillary Clinton did say there is much unfinished business regarding the advancement of women and will no doubt be motivated even more by Reince Priebus's clumsy and dishonest attack on Planned Parenthood.

One Planned Parenthood lobbyist did make an unfortunate comment, and Planned Parenthood's national leadership did promptly correct the record and make things right. Priebus should have known better than to imply that Planned Parenthood supports infanticide when the charge is transparently false and dishonest.

He should not lower himself or his party by making scandalous attacks without checking his facts and setting the record straight. He should not be whining like a crybaby about how unfair the media is, and he should instead apologize to Planned Parenthood.

He should never again support Republican Senate candidates who make ignorant comments about rape. He should reflect on why female voters so overwhelmingly reject his party and its candidates.

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Hillary Clinton pays off 2008 campaign debt

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has finally paid off the debt from her 2008 presidential campaign.

According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, Clinton paid the remainder of her debt in the last days of 2012. Clinton's campaign committee paid a total of $73,000 to polling firm Penn and Schoen on New Year's Eve, ending a debt to the firm that had, at one point, reached $5.4 million, according to CNN.

Clinton's campaign committee at one time reportedly owed $12 million to creditors and over $13 million to Clinton herself after she loaned the campaign money.

Clinton's campaign raised $158,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012 and began 2013 with $205,000, CNN also reported. Those funds can be used for future campaigns for federal office.

Observers have speculated that Clinton might run again for president in 2016. Clinton, however, has repeatedly said she plans to end her career in public office after she finishes her term as secretary of State.

"I have been on this high wire of national and international politics and leadership for 20 years," Clinton said in October. "It has been an absolutely extraordinary personal honor and experience. But I really want to just have my own time back. I want to just be my own person. I'm looking forward to that."

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Hillary Clinton Discharged From Hospital

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Hillary Clinton admitted to hospital after doctors discover blood clot

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized on Sunday after doctors found a blood clot.

Clinton is receiving treatment at Presbyterian Hospital in New York where doctors will monitor her for the next 48 hours, her spokesman Philippe Reines said in a statement. 

The clot, resulting from a concussion she suffered earlier in December, was found during a follow-up exam on Sunday, according to the State Department.

"Her doctors will continue to assess her condition, including other issues associated with her concussion. They will determine if any further action is required," Reines said.

Clinton fainted and suffered a concussion earlier in the month when she was suffering from a stomach virus. At the time, the State Department said that she would continue her recovery at home and was being monitored by her physicians.

The illness forced the secretary to cancel a trip to the Middle East and an appearance before Congress.

Clinton was due to testify before Congress on Dec. 20 about the investigation into the September attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which killed four Americans.

Two senior aides to Clinton testified on her behalf, but Republicans, who have been sharply critical of the administration’s handling of security for the Benghazi mission, have said they still expect Clinton testify in person.

Clinton has said she will step down from her post as the nation’s top diplomat, and President Obama has nominated Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to succeed her.

— Amie Parnes contributed to this report.

— Updated at 10:03 p.m.

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