A group of supporters of Hillary Clinton have launched a campaign to push the top American diplomat to run for presidency in 2016.
Clinton is scheduled to leave the State Department as the Secretary of State on February 1.
The Center for Public Integrity yesterday reported that a group called ‘Ready for Hillary’ was registered Friday with the Federal Election Commission.
Its chairperson is Allida Black, a George Washington University professor and historian, who has been a vocal Clinton supporter for years.
In an e-mail to the Center for Public Integrity Black described ‘Ready for Hillary’ as “a small group of skilled and dedicated Hillary supporters and Obama supporters” who are ready to devote their “organisational expertise and energy to helping Hillary become President.”
Black said: “Our purpose is simple: we are ready to work for Hillary to be President when she is ready to run. When our Web site launches in a few weeks, we plan to reach out to our grassroots networks and contributors to mobilise them to support her.”
While the Web site would be launched in a few weeks, the twitter of ‘Ready for Hillary’ by yesterday had nearly 50,000 followers and its Facebook page was liked by 30,000 people.
“We’re Ready for Hillary — Are you? Ready for Hillary is an idea five long-time friends came up with: one a former aide to Hillary, one a former adviser to Hillary, one a social media guru, and two local Democratic Activists. The goal? Get Ready for Hillary!” the group said on its Facebook page, which was launched on November 10, 2012.
According to The Week, Black and Judy Beck, two veteran Clinton fundraisers, are spearheading the new organisation.
They recruited Adam Parkhomeko, who helped launch a ‘Draft Hillary’ movement in 2003 and was later hired by the campaign, to corral the far-flung vestiges of the Clinton campaign organisation.
NGP Software, which designed the Clinton campaign Web site in 2008, has been hired by the PAC, The Week said.
“We believe Hillary will see that 2016 is the right year, for the right woman for so many different reasons. The goal is to be as organised and ready as possible for Hillary at that time,” it said.
“We will keep the numbers we want a secret for now, but we will spend all the time between now and then to ensure she is the strongest candidate when it comes to who is ready to who is the most organised both online and on the ground. Stay tuned for the official launch of ReadyforHillary.com in January 2013!,” the group said on its Facebook Page.
The group yesterday unveiled its new logo.
After four years of successful stint at the State Department, Clinton is expected to hand over the baton of American diplomacy to Senator John Kerry next week.
Kerry’s nomination is likely to be confirmed by the Senate by then.