Harkin: ‘No idea’ what Clinton will decide on 2016 run

CEDAR RAPIDS - He has no personal insight into Hillary Clinton's 2016 plans, but Sen. Tom Harkin said whether or not she runs he likes the idea of Iowa Democratic leaders pledging to remain neutral in the presidential nomination process.

'I just honest-to-God don't know what her plans are,” Harkin said Thursday during his weekly conference call with Iowa reporters.

He spoke with his former Senate colleague when she attended his annual Harkin Steak Fry in mid-September and again on the phone when she was campaigning in Iowa for Democrat Bruce Braley.

'I have not talked to her about Iowa at all,” Harkin said. 'I just don't know. I just don't.”

There's been much speculation about the former first lady's plans and the timing of an announcement if she is going to seek the Democratic nomination. News that she's added three paid speeches in January and February suggest to some that a decision about a presidential run will come after she's honored those contracts.

Some advisers have said there's no rush for Clinton to announce her decision. Others have said announcing sooner would end the appearance Clinton is being coy with Democrats.

Harkin reiterated that he won't be surprised whatever Clinton decides.

'As I said before, I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't run because I know how much she cares about her family and her new grandchild now,” he said, referring to Chelsea Clinton Mezvinsky's daughter, Charlotte. 'But I wouldn't be surprised if she does run.”

Regardless of her decision, it will be important for the Iowa Democratic Party to remain neutral in the precinct caucus process, Harkin said.

The Republic Party of Iowa State Central Committee members have signed a pledge not to 'publicly endorse a U.S. presidential candidate during the 2016 Iowa caucuses.”

'If the Republican Party has done that, yeah, that's wise,” Harkin said. 'I think the Democrats should do the same thing.”

The state Democratic Party has never had that policy, 'but I'm just assuming that's what will happen - that the Iowa Democratic Party will be supportive of any Democrat who wants to come out and seek a caucus nomination,” he said.