What's next for Hillary Clinton?

[DonViejo]

The secretary of state has made it clear she'll be stepping aside as President Obama prepares for his second term

Hillary Clinton has said she looks forward to some rest and relaxation after leaving her post as secretary of state, but no one's buying that she'll leave the public stage for good.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's southeast Asia trip with President Obama, which ended Tuesday when she jetted off to the Middle East, is scheduled to be her final overseas tour with the president before she steps aside after four years as his top diplomat. Clinton began the job fresh off her bitter rivalry with Obama in the 2008 Democratic primaries, but over the course of Obama's first term the two became effective allies. Clinton's aides say she's weary after traveling back and forth across the globe, and looking forward to some time to rest. They expect her to be back after her batteries are recharged, though — Clinton says she wants to get more exercise, travel for pleasure, and see if she can get beyond simply feeling tired. The question is, what will be her next role on the public stage? Here, four possibilities:

1. Dems want Hillary for president
Hillary "has said repeatedly that she will not run again," says Suzanne Goldenberg at Britain's The Guardian, but she "remains the top choice of many Democrats" to be the party's presidential nominee in 2016. The early odds make Clinton a runaway favorite over Vice President Joe Biden and all other possible Democratic candidates. "Her approval ratings are inching towards 70 percent, her highest in 20 years in political life," and she has built up "a huge reservoir of goodwill" as she traveled the globe representing Obama and the U.S.

2. She should be Treasury secretary
"The chatter over who will be the next Treasury secretary has heated up now that the election is behind us," says Mark Dow at Business Insider. The last four years "were about financial repair," so we needed a financial whiz "to fix the plumbing of our financial system." The challenges of the next four years "will be predominantly fiscal, not financial." The person who gets the job should be able to push "sound fiscal policies straight through Capitol Hill." The ideal candidate will have the confidence of the president, the respect of Congress, strong international experience, and — this is key — should know "where the bodies are buried on Capitol Hill." Hillary Clinton doesn't want the job, but she's "far and away" the best candidate.

3. She will remain an advocate for women
"If she really does drop out of politics and move on," says Gail Collins at The New York Times, Hillary could devote herself to "championing the cause of women, continuing her mega-listening tours around the globe, having serious conversations about issues of great import and minimal glamour." During her tenure at the State Department, Clinton has "dug deep into the bureaucracy, trying to ensure that American diplomacy will be promoting women's empowerment many secretaries down the line." As the "most famous woman in the world," it's reasonable to expect that she'll never really abandon that work, no matter what role she chooses next.

-snip-

read more:
http://theweek.com/article/index/236662/whats-next-for-hillary-clinton

[Warpy]

1. She'll probably sleep 12 hours a day for the first 2 months.

After that, she will most likely start to write and lecture.

[cloudbase]

2. Supreme Court justice. n/t

[baldguy]

19. Bill *AND* Hillary

[Tx4obama]

27. Her age is factor.

I doubt anyone born before 1960 will be appointed to the next open seat.

Current Supreme Court Justices, their age at appointment is listed, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States#Current_justices

[DURHAM D]

3. The Hillary Clinton Foundation

Focus - women and girls

I can't wait until she calls for a national or international gathering. I hope it is in NY or DC. I will be there.

I assume she will also join up with the Clinton Global Initiative to continue her life long interest in economic issues to empower women all over the world.

I guess they will need to add a wing to the Clinton Library for her stuff. Can't wait to order the coffee mug and go visit.

yeah Hillary

[NYC Liberal]

4. A good long rest and some time away from the public eye.

Then I think she will start considering a run in 2016. She may or may not run, but she'll consider it.

[Old Codger]

5. Clinton

How about Clinton /Warren .. Clinton/ Grayson or Clinton/and almost anyone

[libdem4life]

9. ...Clinton/Castro sounds good, as well.

[Tutonic]

6. How about helping O and Joe to push Boehner and McTurtles over the Fiscal Cliff

[Whisp]

7. about when will the names for running become serious. in 2 years?

besides all the silly rumours.

Hillary Clinton will not be a shoe in as some (especially the wrong headed media idiots) think. Not by a huge long shot.

but it's close to Christmas and the time for wishes.

[former9thward]

20. Candidates are running right now.

Just not in the open. They are lining up big donor bundlers, operatives and polling firms. No one who wants to win will wait 2 years.

[center rising]

8. Lobby Congress for women's issues!!

[boingboinh]

10. Her Ego will not Resist the Chance of Being the First Woman President

If there was ever going to be a time for her to almost certainly win as President it would be in 2016 now that her biggest hurtle (Obama) is out of the picture. There is no bigger name on either party than her. And with Obama and Bill campaigning with her, and likely using Obama's brilliant campaign styles, voter records, and limitless money making machine she is a shoo-in.

She'll run. It's one of the worst kept secrets and most obvious career move.

It's Hilary Clinton. Her ego won't allow her to not grab at this easy opportunity.

[flamingdem]

18. Being older will give her pause, as well as younger others in the field

who in four years will make her look dated.

I agree she is the heavyweight now but what about in four years, if she's not that visible for four years that would also be a problem.

Mainly I think she is sane enough to know the demands involved and isn't going to want that in her 70s.

I hope I'm wrong and I hope she goes for it.

[Beacool]

23. Her ego????

Yeah, because a two year senator who ran in 2008 did so because he was ever so humble.

Please.........

[Hekate]

11. Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton -- has a nice ring to it

That woman could kick ass among the Opus Dei clique.

[former9thward]

21. Way, way too old for the Supreme Court.

Unless Obama wants to throw away one of his nominations and I doubt that.

[Tx4obama]

26. I doubt anyone born before 1960 will be appointed to the next open seat. n/t

[whistler162]

12. She is going to Disneyworld to repair the damage from a visit

by a certain failed Presidential candidate!

[RichGirl]

13. If you read her book....

You know she's been socially conscious since high school. Always thinking of others and how she can make their lives better.

What I hope Hillary does is....rest. Enjoy her life. Be a mother/mother-in-law, maybe a grandmother. Travel with her husband. She has contributed more than her share...she needs and deserves some "me" time.

[Sunlei]

14. I hope Mrs Clinton teams part-time w/ the new SOS...to much work in todays world for one person.

Even with Mrs. Clintons excellent Aids, there are to many hours for one SOS.

[hrmjustin]

15. 2016

[davidpdx]

16. I hope she'd take at least a year vacation, I'm sure she is tired

As for her running for president, she may or may not do that. No one should assume all Ds are supporting her. It's too early to be supporting anyone at this point. I plan on taking a look at everyone before making an informed decision the same as I did in 2008.

I think no matter what she should advocate for women's issues and she should start a foundation like her husband did. She is influential enough she could make a difference for women in poorer countries.

[DFW]

17. What's next? A heartfelt "THANK YOU" from a grateful nation and world, and then.....

Whatever she wants. I doubt that running for the presidency will be part of that, but on the off chance she'll want it (which I'll bet she no longer will), it's hers for the asking, although the campaign and the job starting at age 69 is probably not what she wants.

[Beacool]

22. President in 2016.

At least I hope so and so do millions of her supporters.

[Aristus]

24. Take a nice, long rest, and then return to Washington D.C.

to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She's earned it.

[Tx4obama]

25. She said last year that she wants to work on Womens' Rights Issues Internationally. n/t