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Washington:
Ailing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has repeatedly ruled out her second run for president in 2016, but a latest opinion poll shows that if she decides not to retire, she would be the Democrats' top bet.
According to a CNN/ORC International poll, 85 per cent of Democrats and independents who lean towards the Democratic Party say they would be very or somewhat likely to support Clinton if she runs for the Democratic nomination.
CNN said if 65-year-old Clinton "eventually changes her mind and decides to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016," the new national survey indicates that the vast majority of Democrats would consider backing her as their party's nominee.
There was a slight gender divide, with 93 per cent of Democratic women saying they would be very or somewhat likely to support the former first lady. That figure drops to 79 per cent among Democratic men.
Clinton, who was admitted to a New York hospital on Monday after doctors discovered a blood clot related to a concussion she suffered earlier this month, has repeatedly said that she intends to retire to private life once her successor as secretary of state is confirmed by the Senate.
She has emphasised that another run for the White House is not in the cards for her.
In the 2008 presidential nomination race, Clinton won more primaries and delegates than any other female candidate in American history, but narrowly lost to Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
"Look, I'm flattered. I am honoured," she told CNN earlier this year about calls by other Democrats for her to consider another run in 2016. "That is not in the future for me, but obviously I'm hoping that I'll get to cast my vote for a woman running for president of our country."
Meanwhile, two-thirds of Democrats questioned say they would be very or somewhat likely to support Vice President Joe Biden if he runs for the White House.
Biden, 75, has not ruled out a third bid for president (he ran unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination in 1988 and 2008). On Election Day, when asked if it was the last time he'd vote for himself, the vice president said "No, I don't think so."
According to a CNN/ORC International poll, 85 per cent of Democrats and independents who lean towards the Democratic Party say they would be very or somewhat likely to support Clinton if she runs for the Democratic nomination.
CNN said if 65-year-old Clinton "eventually changes her mind and decides to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016," the new national survey indicates that the vast majority of Democrats would consider backing her as their party's nominee.
There was a slight gender divide, with 93 per cent of Democratic women saying they would be very or somewhat likely to support the former first lady. That figure drops to 79 per cent among Democratic men.
Clinton, who was admitted to a New York hospital on Monday after doctors discovered a blood clot related to a concussion she suffered earlier this month, has repeatedly said that she intends to retire to private life once her successor as secretary of state is confirmed by the Senate.
She has emphasised that another run for the White House is not in the cards for her.
In the 2008 presidential nomination race, Clinton won more primaries and delegates than any other female candidate in American history, but narrowly lost to Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
"Look, I'm flattered. I am honoured," she told CNN earlier this year about calls by other Democrats for her to consider another run in 2016. "That is not in the future for me, but obviously I'm hoping that I'll get to cast my vote for a woman running for president of our country."
Meanwhile, two-thirds of Democrats questioned say they would be very or somewhat likely to support Vice President Joe Biden if he runs for the White House.
Biden, 75, has not ruled out a third bid for president (he ran unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination in 1988 and 2008). On Election Day, when asked if it was the last time he'd vote for himself, the vice president said "No, I don't think so."
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