Republican U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois, who earned a reputation for candor during 13 years in office, says he believes Democrat Hillary Clinton — one of America’s most popular and polarizing political figures — will win the U.S. presidency next November.

“I think that she will energize the conservative base of our party, but I believe that she’s going to be the next president,” LaHood told Reuters in an interview on Thursday at the U.S. Capitol.

“These things are cyclical,” LaHood said. “The country likes a change. I think she’ll get the nomination, and at this point our party is not energized about any of our candidates.”

LaHood said he backs the White House bid of Republican Sen. Johh McCain of Arizona — “he has the most experience of any candidate running for president” — but sees Clinton positioned to prevail.

“People are tired of the (Iraq) war, they are tired of Republicans,” said LaHood, 62, who announced he will not seek reelection to an eighth term next year.

LaHood said Clinton is being given a big lift by the fact she has the support of “the most powerful, the most influential people in the Democratic Party.” They include, of course, her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

File photo: Congressman LaHood chairs the Impeachment debate before the House of Representatives December 19, 1998/Reuters Television.