WASHINGTON — Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina said today that if she enters the presidential race as a Republican, Hillary Clinton wouldn’t be able to use the gender card to get into the White House.
“If Hillary Clinton were to face a female nominee, there are a whole set of things that she won’t be able to talk about. She won’t be able to talk about being the first woman president.”
Fiorina said at a DC breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, “She won’t be able to talk about a war on women without being challenged. She won’t be able to play the gender card.”
Fiorina believes it’s time for a woman in the White House — just not Hillary Clinton.
Without gender on the table, Clinton will have to run on her track record, candor and trustworthiness, Fiorina said. And on the issues, Fiorina argues, things have gotten worse when Clinton was in charge.
“There’s no question the world is more dangerous today than when Hillary Clinton became secretary of state and when Barack Obama became president of the United States,” Fiorina said.
She also went after Clinton on domestic policies.
“Hillary Clinton of course is channeling the populist fervor of an Elizabeth Warren. Every single policy that this administration has pursued has made it harder for the middle class,” Fiorina said.
In a very crowded GOP field, Fiorina is poised to be the only female Republican candidate.
After leaving Hewlett-Packard, she launched an unsuccessful run in 2010 against Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), running as a pro-life conservative.
Already Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida have officially joined the race. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is campaigning in early state New Hampshire on Thursday.
Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson is expected to announce in Detroit next month, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich is also making preparations for a run.
Other potential candidates are Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former New York Gov. George Pataki.
Last month, Fiorina said there was a 90 percent chance she would enter the race.