Could Hillary run as an independent?

[2952-0-0]

I have a nagging feeling that given that Hillary has been denied the Democratic nomination she had felt entitled to for many years, she could eventually say, "screw it", and run as an independent.

Then things will get really nasty.

[Alcon]

I doubt it.  Clinton is not deluded.  She really would stand very little chance of winning, and pretty much eliminate her chance of winning much of anything else in the future.

She doesn't want to become a pariah.

[WalterMitty]

no chance.

i love hillary more than any human should, but even i would have a hard time finding a rationale to support an indy candidacy.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

She's not so deluded as to do so.  She and her husband don't want to lose what's left of their power in the Party.

[Eraserhead]

no

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Ballot access would be a problem even if she were to try.  A number of States don't allow people who ran in a primary and lost their party's nomination to run as a petition candidate.  Not only that but there are already several states where it is too late now to get the signatures needed to run.  Incidentally, even if Clinton somehow pulls a rabbit out of her hat, Obama could still be on the ballot in South Carolina.  The United Citizens Party has nominated him for President.

[J. J.]

Unless they change the law, she can't in PA.

[Verily]

Ballot access would be a problem even if she were to try.  A number of States don't allow people who ran in a primary and lost their party's nomination to run as a petition candidate.  Not only that but there are already several states where it is too late now to get the signatures needed to run.  Incidentally, even if Clinton somehow pulls a rabbit out of her hat, Obama could still be on the ballot in South Carolina.  The United Citizens Party has nominated him for President.

I think I posted that here at one point. However, Obama said at the time that he'd reject the UCP's ballot line if he didn't win the Democratic primary.

There are all sorts of states Clinton couldn't be on the ballot in, including very large states such as Texas and Pennsylvania.

[Ronnie]

That would be political suicide.

[Stranger in a strange land]

That would be political suicide.

I agree. She'll run in 2012, regardless of who wins this time. She'll try a primary challenge against president Obama if she has to.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Clinton may be a huge HP, but she wouldn't do that to the party.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Not a chance in Hell, Hillary will run as an Independent in 2008. Firstly I don't think that Hillary Clinton would be that stupid and embark on an Independent candidacy in 2008 and secondly,  It would be political suicide. Thus, she'll kiss goodbye her chances at running for the Democratic Nomination in 2012, if Barack Obama loses to John McCain in 2008.

[Beet]

Basically, it'd be a dumb idea, and I doubt it. But if it did happen, I would have to switch my opinion of her and conclude that her critics were right. Which is why I'm 100% confident that it won't happen.

[The Mikado]

That would be political suicide.

I agree. She'll run in 2012, regardless of who wins this time. She'll try a primary challenge against president Obama if she has to.

Does NY allow her to run for President and Senate at the same time?  If not, that would be one hell of a risky proposition.

[MaxQue]

Does NY allow her to run for President and Senate at the same time?  If not, that would be one hell of a risky proposition.

The filing deadline for the primary election is in July in New York, this year. Perhaps the date will not change.

Hilary could run for democratic nomination, and, if she loses, she can be candidate for the Senate.

[skoods]

No, I don't think she would. She knows that it would be downright impossible to win the election, and it would ruin her chances of ever becoming anything in Democratic politics and would dash Bill's legacy as well.

[The Mikado]

All this reminds me...as an independent, starting her effort in June, how many states could she reasonably expect to get ballot access in?  I know that my homeland of TX, along with its lesser neighbor, OK, would be nearly impossible.  Any other states like that?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

All this reminds me...as an independent, starting her effort in June, how many states could she reasonably expect to get ballot access in?  I know that my homeland of TX, along with its lesser neighbor, OK, would be nearly impossible.  Any other states like that?

Here's a link to a list of requirements and how well the third parties and Nader are doing in gaining access as of May 1: http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/050108.html#14.

Technically, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are the only states that if she were to start June 4th to collect signatures that she would be legally unable to get on the ballot, if she had not already run as a Democrat.  Oklahoma has the toughest ballot access laws and was the only State to have only Bush and Kerry on the ballot in 2004.