Former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton may already be building a 2020 election platform, in the form of a talk show.

Ed Klein -- New York Times bestseller and author of the controversial Clinton-focused book "Guilty as Sin" -- posted quotes from someone he describes as a "close Clinton source" on Thursday, and the published excerpts indicate the Chicago native could be eyeing a new endeavor as a way to kickstart a 2020 election run.

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As a group of Clinton's friends gathered with her at her Washington home of Whitehaven, the defeated 2016 election candidate raised a glass and exclaimed "I'll be back," in an imitation of Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator. According to Klein's source, Clinton's potential return could come in the form of a talk show -- something the career politician has reportedly been mulling.

"She's been talking very seriously about the idea of having her own television show," said the source to Klein. "As a TV host, she'd discuss the issues of the day from a progressive point of view, have top guests, interview world leaders and progressive thinkers.

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6 PHOTOS Possible Democratic 2020 candidates See Gallery Possible Democratic 2020 candidates Former Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders thrusts his fist in the air as he arrives to speak during the first session at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar Senator Al Franken (D-MN) is seen at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 27, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo speaks at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night party at Javits Center on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/FilmMagic) California Attorney General Kamala Harris arrives to address delegates during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Housing Administration", on Capitol Hill in Washington February 11, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS REAL ESTATE BUSINESS) PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 28: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) delivers remarks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

"She thinks being the host of a popular TV show would energize the Democratic Party base and her tens of millions of fans," continued the source. "It's a way to make a comeback and position herself for another run at the White House starting in a year or so."

The source's comments also detail Clinton's intentions to "stay in the limelight" as a Democratic leader, and contrasts her ability as a leader with that of former president Barack Obama.

"She knows Obama is going to be out there fighting too," said the source." "But frankly, she doesn't think he's a great leader or a great fighter, which leaves an opening for her to be the acknowledged leader-in-exile of her party."

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Reports also swelled in the wake of the 2016 election that Clinton was being pressured to challenge Bill de Blasio as mayor of New York.

This reported plan to run from Clinton stands in contrast with insights revealed by Clinton ally Neera Tanden earlier this month. On. Jan, Tanden appeared on CNN's 'State of the Union' where she told host Jake Tapper that she doesn't expect her to ever run "for any elected office" again.

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22 PHOTOS Hillary Clinton's final day of campaigning See Gallery Hillary Clinton's final day of campaigning U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton addresses supporters at the Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse in Allendale, Michigan November 7, 2016. (REUTERS/Rebecca Cook) Supporters await the arrival of US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and US President barack Obama for a rally on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 07, 2016. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images) An elderly woman smiles as Hillary Clinton, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, not pictured, speaks during a campaign event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. Clinton leads Donald Trump by three percentage points among likely voters nationally, the latest sign that her campaign's painstaking focus on women, Latinos and blacks could help propel her to the White House. (Photographer: Pete Marovich/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Audience members listen as U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, U.S. November 7, 2016, the final day of campaigning before the election. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) Bruce Springsteen performs during a rally in suport of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 07, 2016. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images) U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is greeted by her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, at the airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. November 7, 2016, the final day of campaigning before the election. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) People gather on Independence Mall for a campaign rally with U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and U.S. President Barack Obama in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. November 7, 2016, the final day of campaigning before the election. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) Recording artist Jon Bon Jovi performs during a campaign event for U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. November 7, 2016. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria) U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton acknowledges the crowd at a campaign rally at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, U.S. November 7, 2016, the final day of campaigning before the election. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) Supporters cheer as U.S. President Barack Obama campaigns for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during a rally at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, U.S., November 7, 2016. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque) NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Madonna holds a rally in NYC to support Hillary Clinton at Washington Square Park on November 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images) U.S. President Barack Obama is embraced by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama as former U.S. President Bill Clinton looks on during a campaign event for U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. November 7, 2016. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria) People react as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton leaves after a rally at the Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse November 7, 2016 in Allendale, Michigan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton poses for a selfie with supporters after a rally at the Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse November 7, 2016 in Allendale, Michigan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) People listen as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally outside the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning November 7, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) People are seen in a reflection as they listen to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaking during a rally outside the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning November 7, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) U.S. President Barack Obama campaigns for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during a rally at the University of New Hampshire Durham November 7, 2016. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque) People watch from a nearby building overlooking Independence Mall as people gather for a rally with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, former US President Clinton, and US President Barack Obama, November 7, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) Former US President Bill clinton adresses the crowd during a rally for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, on Independence Mall, November 7, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 40,000 people flooded Independence Mall in Philadelphia for Hillary Clinton's rally with her husband Bill, President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle at her side, a campaign aide said. The attendance set a new record for Clinton, with the previous high point a rally in Ohio that drew 18,500 people, a campaign aide told reporters traveling with the candidate. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton arrives for a rally at the Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse November 7, 2016 in Allendale, Michigan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) Musician Bruce Springsteen performs at Independence Mall at a campaign rally with U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and U.S. President Barack Obama in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. November 7, 2016, the final day of campaigning before the election. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is joined by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) (R) at a campaign rally at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, U.S. November 7, 2016, the final day of campaigning before the election. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

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