Hillary: 'Hello, Iowa, I'm Back!'

Hillary Clinton on Sunday made her first appearance in Iowa since her 2008 presidential run, shouting, "Hello, Iowa, I'm back!"

Clinton appeared at retiring Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry fundraiser along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Both Clintons where there ostensibly to rally the crowd of more than 6,000 Democratic activists for November's midterm and state elections.

But few could help but think about Hillary Clinton's possible run for the White House in 2016. Clinton herself did little to dampen the speculation when she said, "I've got a few things on my mind these days. First, and most importantly, Bill and I are on constant grandchild watch. I'm calling Chelsea every 5 minutes to make sure things are going all right."

Then, she said, "There's that other thing. It is true I am thinking about it."

Like members of both parties thought to be eyeing a 2016 White House run, Clinton said she currently is focused on helping others get elected this year. An official decision isn't expected from her until early 2015.

"I'm here first and foremost for Tom, for Ruth (Harkin), and for the great candidates that you have a chance to elect," she told the crowd.

"In just 50 days Iowans have a choice to make — a choice and a chance. A choice between the guardians of gridlock and the champions of shared opportunity and shared prosperity," she said, urging voters to elect leaders who would "carry on Tom Harkin's legacy of fighting for families."

Still, she said, "It's really great to be back. Let's not let another seven years go by."

President Barack Obama defeated Clinton in the state's leadoff presidential caucuses in January 2008 — Clinton finished third behind the future president and then-North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. Those in attendance at Sunday's event form the backbone of Iowa's presidential campaigns every four years.

Republicans who themselves have said they haven't yet decided on a 2016 run have taken to campaigning against Clinton more than they do each other. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz repeatedly refers to "Obama-Clinton" foreign policy and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has called her a "war hawk."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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