Harkin: Hillary Clinton hasn’t made up mind about 2016 presidential bid

JOHNSTON - Sen. Tom Harkin doesn't think Hillary Clinton knows whether she'll run for president in 2016 and said Friday he wouldn't be surprised by whatever decision she makes.

'I don't know what Hillary's going to do,” Harkin said about the former first lady and secretary of state who, along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, were his guests Sunday at his 37th annual - and final - steak fry Sunday.

Her decision could be affected by the arrival of her first grandchild - later this month, perhaps, Harkin said during taping of Iowa Public Television's Iowa Press Friday afternoon.

Harkin recounted Clinton watching as he and his wife, Ruth, played with their grandchildren before speaking at the steak fry.

'She just wistfully said to me, ‘That looks so wonderful,'” Harkin said.

'When big moment comes, I'll drop everything,” Clinton told the steak fry crowd.

Referring to Clinton's book, 'Hard Choices,” Harkin said there are 25 chapters, 'but we know there are plenty more chapters” whether or not she runs for president.

He also discounted speculation that Clinton already has made her decision.

'I don't think so. I think this is weighing heavily,” Harkin said. 'I wouldn't be surprised one way or another.”

Later, Harkin who is retiring after 40 years in Congress told reporters it's hard to know which way the Nov. 4 midterm election will go, including the race to succeed him. He's made clear he wants Democratic U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley to succeed him, but said it wouldn't be a personal affront if Iowa voters who gave him five terms in the Senate and 10 years in the House elected GOP state Sen. Joni Ernst.

'Personal offense? Nah,” he said, 'although I certainly hope Iowans elect Bruce Braley, of course.”

Former Iowa governor and U.S. Sen. Harold Hughes told him there are only two things to remember in politics: 'Don't take it personally and when you get up in the morning, be sure you can look yourself in the mirror.”

Iowa Press can be seen at 7 p.m. Friday and noon Sunday on IPTV, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday on IPTV World and online at www.IPTV.org beginning this evening.