What's Next For Clinton?

Washington Post: If She Loses Nomination, There Is No Clear Map For Her Political Future

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Shailagh Murray and Paul Kane.

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In August 1980, with no hope left of winning the nomination, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy conceded defeat to incumbent Jimmy Carter in the Democratic presidential race.

"For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end," Kennedy said at the Democratic National Convention in New York. "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

And with that, at age 48, Kennedy returned to the Senate, where he committed himself to a career as a legislator, crafting landmark bills on health care, education and immigration. Many Democrats are now pointing to the Kennedy model as a path for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to reshape her own political career, assuming she is unable to wrest the nomination from Sen. Barack Obama.

"I loved the Senate before I ran for the president," Kennedy explained in an interview before his recent cancer diagnosis. Losing to Carter, he said, made him appreciate the opportunities in Congress all the more. "I think I became a better senator, with greater focus and attention," Kennedy said. But he added: "It all depends on the attitude, what's in the mind of the person."

Clinton, Kennedy continued, must decide where her heart lies. "She's got great capacity -- she was a good senator before, and she can be a great senator in the future," he said. The question, he said, is "what she does with this experience."

When Kennedy returned to Capitol Hill before the 1980 election, the Massachusetts Democrat was in a similar fix. Like Clinton, he was the heir to a powerful political legacy. But the climate was volatile, and voters were in the mood for change. Kennedy was rejected by many of his Senate colleagues, despite Carter's sagging popularity, and he won just 10 primary states. But like Clinton, he hung on until the bitter end.

Yet Kennedy was an 18-year Senate veteran who had already risen to chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a health subcommittee. Clinton faces few options for quick advancement should she give up her presidential bid, prompting some to speculate that she may look elsewhere for a prominent political post, possibly the governorship of New York.

The climate on Capitol Hill has changed considerably in the 18 months since Clinton began her presidential campaign. The Senate leadership path that she had once viewed as a viable alternative is now all but blocked. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) has gained clout in his role, and he will grow even more powerful if Democrats succeed in expanding their narrow majority in November by up to half a dozen seats.

Reid's deputies, Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.) and Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), also have enhanced their status in recent months and are quietly laying the groundwork to succeed Reid whenever he decides to step down.

"Within the caucus, there's strong support for Senator Reid, and those who speculate otherwise don't undersand the Senate," said Durbin, who was the first senator to endorse Obama. When Clinton returns to her old job, assuming she does not win the nomination, Durbin added, "she will be an important part of the future. But I can't tell you that anyone has approached me, or anyone in the caucus, with any specific suggestions about what she would do."

When Clinton announced her bid in January 2007, she was the prohibitive favorite, and most of her Senate colleagues appeared ready to rally to her side. But as her primary battle with Obama draws to an end, with the senator from Illinois almost certain to emerge the victor, Clinton has discovered that the reservoir of Senate goodwill was not so deep after all.

Clinton collected 13 endorsements from her Senate colleagues, compared with 15 for Obama, and she has not added a name to her list since early February, even though she has won significant contests since then.

"I'm sure she'll remember, for the rest of her life, who was with her and who wasn't," said Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), who ran unsuccessfully this year and then endorsed Obama.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, many Democratic senators said they expect Clinton to work doggedly for Obama this summer and fall, and they agreed that if she does, whatever hard feelings that linger from the primary race will vanish.

But a bigger question is whether, like Kennedy, she will shelve her presidential ambitions, especially if Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wins in November. The 2012 election would coincide with the end of Clinton's second Senate term, effectively turning her into a lame duck. A run for New York governor would hasten Clinton's departure by two years.

But if Obama wins in November, her next likely opportunity for the presidency would be in 2016, when she would be 69. If Clinton makes it clear her future is in the Senate, she could find several paths open to her, aides and colleagues said.

One would be to champion a major piece of legislation, such as the health-care bill Obama has promised early in his first term.

A member of three prominent committees, Clinton remains a junior member on all three panels and does not stand to become a committee chairman for at least another decade.

But another option would be to assume the chairmanship of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a demanding but high-profile post that is an appointment by Reid. Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.) is a potential successor to Schumer, who has led the committee for four years, but Democratic sources said Clinton could get the job if she wanted it.

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.) pointed to the late Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minn.) as one example of life in the Senate after a losing White House bid. A senator in the 1950s and '60s, Humphrey became vice president in 1965 and then narrowly lost to Richard M. Nixon in the 1968 presidential election. He won another Senate term in 1970 and returned as the most junior member. "He realized he could command an audience anywhere in the world. He threw himself into the issues. He had the time of his life," Leahy said.

On the other hand, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) returned to the Senate after his failed 1988 presidential bid and became a formidable voice on both the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees.

With or without a prominent post, Clinton will possess unrivaled clout, her colleagues said. "She is the single most powerful woman in America, and that will be solidified by this race, not diminished by it," said Biden, who has not endorsed a candidate after dropping his own bid earlier this year.

As the former first lady, Clinton arrived in the Senate in January 2001 already a political celebrity, and her status was acknowledged with an appointed leadership position as head of the Steering Committee, with the task of interacting with outside liberal groups.

But colleagues said Clinton showed no interest in using her perch to work toward more powerful posts inside the Senate. Rather, she spent much of her time traveling the country to help Democrats in presidential battleground states, and raising money through her leadership political action committee, HillPAC. She also committed herself to advancing New York state interests, numerous colleagues and senior aides said.

Regardless of which route she now chooses, colleagues who have run failed campaigns said she must first readjust to life in the Senate.

"When you're out on the campaign, you've got to make decisions every hour, every minute," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). "Then you come back to the Senate and it's like a cocoon."

[mjvw2]

maybe she can bake cookies

[lasurfgrl]

Hillary is staying in because she knows that if Obama gets in he will destroy America. He does not hold his hand over his heart when saluting our flag because he wants a one world government. He is more communist than he wants us to know. We do not need a president such as him. Hillary is staying in the race because we need her, America needs her. She is the only one that can get us out of the financial mess we are in, the only one that can take strong leadership in the world and even the military brass are voting for her. I think it is time to get different people in the democratic party because the ones that are voting for obama I do not believe really are true Americans. You have to put America first and Hillary would. Obama calls Africa everyday several times a day. He cares about them more than us. We need someone who puts America first. Real Americans do.

[jeffstersf]

lasurfgrl: Go do more drugs and watch more FOX news. Jees, you fly-over state freaks are killing our country!

[gopsoccermom]

Maybe she can stay home and cook and clean and become a real woman.

[omega39-2009]

Hillary is staying in the race because we need her, America needs her. She is the only one that can get us out of the financial mess we are in, the only one that can take strong leadership in the world and even the military brass are voting for her.

Posted by lasurfgrl

Yep, next time I need another NAFTA signed or the H1B1 program expanded in this dismal job market I''ll call a Clinton.

[cbs4me3]

Look for Hillary and Michael Bloomberg to team on an independent ticket. As a Hillary supporter, I would be thrilled with such a powerful ticket. I see this ticket as drawing the important voters to win in November. The Jewish and hispanic voters would join with white working class to include Small-Town America and rural America. I see white males joining with white females with enthusiastic support for the ticket. What a powerful ticket that can solve this Nation''s problems. It takes the process out of the hands of the leadership of the parties and super delegates and allows voters to decide. Beautiful.

[jack3213]

Why in heck would anyone care after this?

[singingrick]

At this point, Hillary could only be running to help John McSame.

[gocubs58]

lasurfgrl: You need to put a spam blocker on your email - that way you will no longer get the junk emails that state: "Obama doesn''t put his hand over his heart" ...maybe then you could concentrate on the REAL issues.

[notopennshut]

After all that has gone on over the last year, and after all the unpleasantness introduced by both Hillary and Bill, many people have come to see her in a totally different light, including many of her colleagues. Even if she has more clout, how would many of the above now view her? It could be that many will not come out and openly voice their feelings right now, they need her for the party to win, but after all is over, what kind of reception would be awaiting? It would really be interesting to see how the Clintons would be regarded thereafter! After all, they brought it on themselves - even at this moment - they are still blaming everyone and everything else!

[boatdocster]

"It takes the process out of the hands of the leadership of the parties and super delegates and allows voters to decide. Beautiful."

Posted by CBS4me3

CBS4me3, that''s the whole issue with this campaign. "The voters" as you refer have voted and the majority have voted for Obama, in every measure.

Hillary''s campaign has been poorly run and not focused. She is a smart and capable person, but she is in second place, mostly due to her and Bill''s actions (too bad she wrote off Florida and Michigan in a heartbeat when she thought they did not matter).

Now she wants to say I ran, I did not get my way, the agreed upon rules did not favor me - so I''m going to try and change the rules that I agreed to. That is a bitter loser, no matter which way you slice it, and is damaging her chances in 2012.

If she is a smart general, she will regroup, do a lessons learned and run again in 2012. She can still be the first woman President, but to do so she must first run a successful primary campaign for the office.

[lewiston14]

I have to disagree. Clinton has to be one of the worst senators New York has ever had. Her promises never kept. She said 200,000 jobs for upper New York. We never saw a single new job and actually lost another 150,000 under her watch through the years. She is very loyal to downstate where all the big money is but could care less about anybody else. Why she had to pick New York as her camping grounds is beyond me and we would gladly put her on EBay for free for another state or in fact anybody that%u2019s wants her , we would even pay for shipping.

[cfin5]

The path the DNC has taken with regards to the Michigan and Florida disqualifying their constituents vote, seeing Clinton has won all the big red states so far, the momentum that is now behind Mrs. Clinton because of Obama''s historical relationships with Islamofascists,.....if she does not win the democratic nomination, it will cause such an uproar among democrats she will easily win the Presidency on an Independent ticket. I do not think democrats will vote for McCain if Hillary is still in the race, rather the opposite. McCain will be defeated by his arrogant apathy towards conservatives as well as his own campaign laws he pushed through back a few. It''s gonna come down to the "America First" democrats this cycle, not us conservatives,.....the GOP has thrown us away and "spent" ALL of their political capital. And we know who spent that don''t we? Their only chance this cycle was RON PAUL, but he''s not a progressive republican. He''s an "America First" republican.

[lewiston14]

I forgot to say all three of the candidates are not worth a dime. This election will be a joke at best a disaster at worst.

[briannorwood]

The longer Hillary stays in this race, the more she looks like she''s only interested in Hillary rather than ensuring a Democratic victory in November. As her situation becomes ever despirate, her seeming maniacal belief that a "miracle" will propel her to her the nomination looks even more so.

This is sad because if Obama loses in the fall, most Democrats will remember how divisive she had been throughout the primaries and will surely lay the blame (and rightfully so) at her feet.

If this is part of her long-term game plan with a hope of running again in 2012, she is mistaken. As high as her negatives were in 2008, they will be astronomical in 2012.

[stn_sage]

Who cares?! As a candidate, she''s a dismay failure!
She started out with huge advantages; ran a red-ink campaign, managed to alienate a large segment of the Dem party while alternately playing the race, gender, and victim cards, placed herself above party, and isn''t smart enough to ''get out'' when it''s over!

More times than not, she''s on the wrong side of issues in the Senate, SO---my recommendation to her IS, retire to private life where you can do the most good for us---the public---BY NOT HURTING US ANYMORE!

You can write a book about the campaign, go on the lecture circuit, and complain that you lost the election because everyone was sexist against you!

With the Clintons, it''s always the same! Blame everyone else for their mistakes! Just like George Bush! In fact, I think they took this strategy from him!

[shayjo-2009]

Hillary is staying in the race because we need her, America needs her. She is the only one that can get us out of the financial mess we are in, the only one that can take strong leadership in the world and even the military brass are voting for her.

Posted by lasurfgrl

Like the brilliant way in which she conducted her campaign? Like being 30million in debt? No we don''t need that at all. If Hillary wasn''t divisive before, she really is quite so at this time. I don''t see her being a great overall candidate for any office in America. She lacks discretion and has been a disappointment. Also, you can''t change the rules in mid-stream to suit you. She has blind ambition and to be perfectly honest, I don''t see her coming back in the political scene with much power. I think the days of the Clintons are coming to an end. She is just being tolerated now for political expediency, but she is over.

[walker1209]

Maybe she stays in the race because some of us who support her don''t want her to get out!!! Some of you are so very disrespectful it is not even funny. I will either write Senator Clinton''s name in on my ballot in November or vote for Senator McCain. This is one Black female who has not been caught up in the rapture called Barack Obama. As far as I am concerned he is no more than another empty suit who has been able to sweep the country with his empty rhetoric.

We live in America and can vote for whom we please, but we also know that it doesn''t always work out in the best interests of the country. Look at President Bush, he was selected by the judiciary in his first run for POTUS, but the country elected him in the last Presidential election and look what it has gotten us. As my Grandmama used to say, everything that looks good is not good for you. Be careful who you vote for America - we all have to live with it. As far as the good junior senator from Illinois is concerned, watch out for you new found friends - most of them used to be Clinton supporters. When the novelty has worn off and real issues arise, they will drop you like a hot potato. (Nothing loyal about this group). They are fond of sticking their fingers in the wind to see which way it blows. The Clinton''s didn''t change - some of their supporters did.

[stn_sage]

Note- The first line of previous post should read, Who cares?! As a candidate, she''s a dismal failure!
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I forgot to say all three of the candidates are not worth a dime. This election will be a joke at best a disaster at worst.
Posted by lewiston14 at 10:25 AM : May 27, 2008
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I tend to agree with you on this. We could be in some serious trouble in the future.

[rosesnpearls]

Maybe she will finally go home. If she thinks she cannot run again, she will probably ditch Bill. She''ll keep him if she plans to run again. If Obama pulls off a miracle and wins, she''ll ditch Bill because she will not be able to run until she is 69.

[cfin5]

Fidel Castro is the latest communist to endorse Senator Obama,.......Good, that''ll swing the Cuban democrats into the Clinton camp for sure. Keep those foreign socialist and islamic endorsements coming!

[omega39-2009]

Bill and Hill are salivating to get back in the White House and it''s not about fixing Americas wrongs it''s about payback to those who have "betrayed" them by endorsing Obama and denying them what they feel is rightfully hers.

[shayjo-2009]

walker1209,

The time has come for you to "see" what is going on and take necessary action. You are free to vote for whom ever you like in this country and we who support Mr. Obama are free to say so in no uncertain terms. Your candidate has done more harm to divide Black America than any presidential nominee in history. When she leaves this race, with few exceptions, many in the African American community will NEVER lend their support to any policy or campaign that has the name Clinton attached to it. It is disappointing that she came from the ranks of Democrat and it is painful as well. I had been a huge Clinton supporter in the 90''s, but though we see through a veil dimly at times, we are no ushered to really "see" and mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of Obama!

God bless you!

[stn_sage]

Some of you are so very disrespectful it is not even funny.
Posted by walker1209 at 10:37 AM : May 27, 2008
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My response: Respect IS EARNED! She HASN''T earned it!
Her litany of actions during the campaign has CAUSED people to disrespect her! Her whole attitude is WRONG!
Until she corrects it, she''ll never again have the respect of the public she may have previously enjoyed!

[sistatee-2009]

Oh oh! Hillary has slipped from presidential candidate to presidential hopeful. Can presidential dreamer be far behind?

[grannyl4]

I respectfully point out to the DNC and CBS that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. To dismiss the will of the people flies in the face of democratic principles. And I also suggest that the Ted Kennedy''s and Jimmy Carter''s and the media that is in their hip pocket NOT to assume they will lead me like sheep to vote for Obama or McCain.

[truthspeake2]

The Clinton''''s didn''''t change - some of their supporters did.


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Posted by walker1209 at 10:37 AM : May 27, 2008


Your candidate became her own worst enemy and I, aprofessional black male supported her too but am at a lost to understand why she never apologized for her vote on Iraq, and how she financially mismanaged her campaign and those are the issues that made me change my support to Obama. As for your empty suit and voting for McSame comments, sorry you feel that way, but you obviously don''t really care about your party or your country but I hope you have plenty of body bags preserved for your kids and grandkids when they go marching into Iran over another misguided war for YOUR team!

[eroosevelt08]

Hillary Clinton will be fighting for the unrich for the rest of her life, wherever she is.

[bluestardad]

WHO CARES?

[credibility2]

The millions of Clinton supporters shouldn''t be dismissed or trivialized as to the impact they''ll have on the outcome of the general election, should Obama get his party''s nomination. They''re impact is especially being underestimated by the delusional and lovesick media. The Clinton supporters will not vote for an inexperienced, phonied-up candidate like Obama. The Republicans will also squelch any delusions of grandeur this braggadocio has been convinced he has of garnering the Presidency by his frenetic handlers. Clinton would also demean herself by accepting a subservient role as VP to an Obama; she''d end up functioning as the President without benefit of the title, which is a very typical scenario for a highly qualified, experienced and intelligent woman such as Clinton. Obama would continue wearing his training wheels throughout the four years, assuming he even gets that far.

[minnick8-2009]

The media has been having a love affair with Obama. Whomever the media loves is who is ahead, so I wonder if Hillary would be ahead if the media decided to stop being prejudiced against Hillary. That is just a thought, I don''t really care; I just love it that she has stayed in the race and split the party. Keep it up, Hillary.

[honestabe8]

Hillary will not win the nomination and will go home and still be stinking filthy rich. Do we really want Billy Boy walking around the White House with nothing to do?

[zoroeltoro]

Psychotherapy. That''s what''s next for HRC. Not a moment too soon.

I think it is well past time for Hillary to just go home and bake some cookies like a good little girl.

[bluestardad]

does anyone give a BUSHIT?

[pollroller1]

It''s all a matter of ego. Most politicians are too full of their on self importance.

[kfitz77]

cfin5 you cant read is this why you support Sillary Clinton the artical says that Fidel Castro does not support Obama Fox news and the Washington Post
learn to read then post facts.
Obama will win and most people can''t accept a black man in charge of the World. AKA "H N I C"

[o_nolan1]

truthspeake2 hits the nail on the head. Hillary''s support of the war has been and will be her biggest undoing.

[walker1209]

For anyone out there who disagrees with me and my choice to continue supporting Senator Clinton - that is fair and I won''t get into a name calling contest with you. I just refuse to be caught up in the idol worshipping of Senator Obama. As for her apoligizing for her vote on Iraq; while I did not agree with her on that particular vote - she did it and has to live with her choices. Since he has been in the US Senate, Senator Obama has voted for every spending bill for this war.

I happen to believe that no matter what she has done, how good she has been, or what her positions are, there are some in this country who would never vote for her and that is their choice. And as for not caring for my party or my country - you don''t have a clue what I care about. I don''t have to march lock step with the Democrats because I am a Democrat. They make silly/and wrong choices as well as the Republicans!! I care a lot about my country even when my country has not cared about people who look like me. I will serve in whatever way I can for the betterment of all citizens of the US not just Democrats, Blacks or Women.

[remco82]

Every time she appears in front of a crowd, Hillary gets all bug-eyed and begins to drool. She had a taste of Presidential power with Wild Bill, now she''s totally obsessed with it. Go home, Hillary! Bake some cookies! It''s over!

[o_nolan1]

walker1209, except for that one huge decision Hillary made to support the war, she is a better candidate and deserved the nomination based on her experience and committment to the democratic party. Obama speaks in platitudes most of the time and I feel his policies are riding on the backs of others like Hillary who developed them.

[obamagrls-bf]

I''m happy to see Clintons and their supporters are crying out of desparation.

all over for liars.... the end of POLITICS in POLITICS

now the real fight begins

- True experience (McCain)

vs

- True Change (obama)

can McCain win over Change??hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm may be

[o_nolan1]

remco82, Hillary would probably bake some very good cookies. I think she would do anything that she sets her mind to very well.

[down-ndirty]

I forgot to say all three of the candidates are not worth a dime. This election will be a joke at best a disaster at worst.
Posted by lewiston14 at 10:25 AM : May 27, 2008
________________________

You hit the nail on the head.

[ksh1022]

Hillary is the best choice for president. I support her completely. I have voted Dem for 28 years. I won''t be voting for Obama if he is the nominee. I will either write in Hillary or vote McCain. Obama is too inexperienced and too far left!

[hdinsight]

To: Credibility2 -- Thank you for offering some intelligent dialogue to read. In between the sexist comments suggesting Hillary go home & bake cookies to the name calling (Sillary, Hitlery) it is refreshing to see that adults are occasionally posting on the blog. Again, my deepest thanks.

[o_nolan1]

linymo, I wouldn''t want to get on your bad side. I never equated the Clinton''s with pure evil.

[down-ndirty]

Fidel Castro is the latest communist to endorse Senator Obama,.......Good, that''''ll swing the Cuban democrats into the Clinton camp for sure. Keep those foreign socialist and islamic endorsements coming!
Posted by cfin5 at 10:42 AM : May 27, 2008
_____________________________

...and your source is...???

A search on "castro" AND "Obama" reveals that Castro "chides" Obama for his plan to continue the embargo, and calls Obama speech "formula for hunger."

On the other hand he prefers Clinton to McCain.

[obamagrls-bf]

VP choice for OBAMA is down to two ? as per washington insiders

- Pelosi
- Kansas gov

at least these tow ladies seems trustworthy.

and good news is Kennedy is firm on his stand that no chance to Hilalry Clinton... Obama has to respect his stand as Ted Kennedy''s endrosement gave the major boost to Obama..

OBAMA-Sebelius is a winning ticket

[kfitz77]

sicdagit I think he will win 77% of the military support Obama that alone will make-up enough to get him in. I will be tight but I have faith. I cant take $10 a gallon gas I cant afford $2 for a ear of corn. and most people in this country fell the same. Also McCrazzy''s wife is going to make a few Billion $ very soon she has put Anhaser Bush Up for sell see the WSJ.