By Aaron Blake
The Washington Post
Hillary Clinton disclosed Monday that she hasn’t driven a car since the year 1996.
“The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996,” Clinton said at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting in New Orleans. She then joked: “I remember it very well. Unfortunately, so does the Secret Service, which is why I haven’t driven since then.”
Clinton’s lack of experience behind the wheel isn’t all that unusual for a person who has been in public life as long as she has. Before stepping down as U.S. secretary of state almost a year ago, Clinton served as first lady, then senator and then secretary of state, with no time away from public office.
“I have to confess: One of the regrets I have about public life is that I can’t drive anymore,” Clinton said, before joking: “My husband thinks that’s a blessing, but he’s the one who should talk.”
Former presidents and first ladies have Secret Service protection for life after leaving office, which means they have very limited opportunities to drive.
Bill Clinton said in 2012 that driving was the one thing he missed most about everyday life. He said he always drives the golf cart during golf outings to get his fill.
George W. Bush often drove his pickup truck, but only within the confines of his ranch in Crawford, Texas. When the truck was sold in 2009, Bush said: “I haven’t driven on a street in many, many years, but I have been able to drive this truck on my ranch.”
Updated at 12:22 p.m. Video above was posted by the GOP group America Rising.