It's not just that she was first lady for 8 years. She was active politically alongside her husband the whole time. Or, at least, that's what it seemed like, and that is what she is saying. Sure, she COULD have taken been an apolitical matron of the arts and manners, but in fact, she wasn't. It was and is apparent that during those 8 years or Clinton presidency, she delved into all the machinations of her husband's job, also learning plenty when she attempted the healthcare reform. So the experience argument is cogent--who really doubts that she knows more than most people in the world about White House politics?

Clinton Administration Secretary of Defense William Cohen told Wolf Blitzer that Hillary Clinton was never in the room when he briefed President Clinton and he only saw her for social functions.