Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took a jab at Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Tuesday, saying he didn’t want the bin Laden raid to go forth — and making, in the meanwhile, what some political watchers have perceived as an offensive maneuver to stake out her 2016 claim to the White House.
Mrs. Clinton said at an Atlanta conference that she was strongly in support of the Navy SEAL mission, while Mr. Biden was much more cautious, The Daily Mail reported. Audience members picked up on the political jab, saying it appeared as if she were staking out her White House claim now.
“I know she’s running for president now, because toward the end, she was asked about the Osama bin Laden raid. She took 25 minutes to answer,” said state Rep. Tom Taylor, a Republican who was in the audience and reported the exchange to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Without turning the knife too deeply, she put it to Biden.”
Media wasn’t allowed in the room for Mrs. Clinton’s remarks. But Mr. Taylor said Mrs. Clinton set herself forward as the strong leader type — in contrast to Mr. Biden’s more indecisive leadership. She also reportedly harped on Mr. Biden numerous mentions of opposition to the raid, Mr. Taylor told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Mrs. Clinton hasn’t formally declared her presidential bid.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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