Wild speculation about Hillary

[TygrBright]

(Made ya look, right? heheheheh)

Okay, here it is:

Joe Biden has ruled out running for President when he is 74.

While it has not happened in recent decades (with the exception of Agnew's resignation and replacement,) it is by no means unprecedented for a President to change Vice Presidents for a re-election campaign. (Paging FDR...)

It's very rare for a Secretary of State to serve for two full Presidential terms. I honestly can't see Hillary committing to eight years in that role, and I can't see her giving up a powerful leadership track in the Senate just for a few years as Secretary of State.

Wild speculation:

Putting Hillary in the SOS slot gives Obama the option of swapping out Hill and Joe in 2012; tracking Joe into a respected and highly useful "Senior Statesman" role, and tracking Hill directly into the 2016 nomination. It would be really, really tough to dismiss a candidate whose credentials include the Senate, a SOS stint, AND a term as Veep.

The "too old" argument will not be useful with Hillary; here's the kicker: "Too old? Go ask your mother if she thinks Hillary is 'too old' to do the job, bud."

Of course, that's just wild speculation and many things can change between now and 2016.

speculatively,
Bright

[babylonsister]

1. Hmmm. But will Joe Biden be 'too old' in 4 years? I'm thinking 'no'. nt

[TygrBright]

2. I don't think Joe would mount a primary challenge to Obama.

He's really not that kinda guy.

Seventy is a great age for "Senior Statesman" type appointments-- a stint as SOS, maybe UN Ambassador, Ambassador-at-large for this and that, maybe a Special Negotiator slot here and there. Joe would be stellar at that kind of assignment, and I'm thinking it would suit him down to the ground, far better than another four years Veeping, followed by retirement.

Just speculatin'...

interestedly,
Bright

[babylonsister]

5. No, I didn't mean a challenge to Obama, but if he proves a success

as VP, and I don't know why he wouldn't, he could stay on for another 4 year stint.

Just speculatin', too!
;)

[TygrBright]

7. Wouldn't bother me a bit. I love Joe.

Useta live on the Eastern Shore, where he was regarded as sort of the "honorary" Senator for all of Delmarva.

Top quality human being all the way through, and I'm glad he's serving in any role. But I'm thinking this might play out rather differently than the usual two terms.

imaginatively,
Bright

[blue_onyx]

3. I think this is unlikely

Hillary may (if she is even picked in the first place) serve only one term as SOS. But she doesn't need to be VP to go for another strong run at the presidency. I'm not sure she evens wants to run for president again...she said it's unlikely that she will run again.

[onehandle]

4. More likely is that Hillary serves through 2012. Maybe into 2013.

She helps him get re-elected and then she has 3-4 years to crank her campaign back up.

And Obama, a grateful and popular President, will help her get elected in 2016.

[karynnj]

11. If she is SoS, she cannot campaign

It would violate the Hatch Act

[Jennicut]

6. No way will Obama put Hillary in as VP in 2012, he didn't in 2008 for a reason

SoS is one thing but his Veep will be his direct advisor, I don't see Obama and Hillary having that type of a relationship.

[jrockford]

8. I find this speculation to be scary. nt

[TygrBright]

10. Why? n/t

[quinnox]

9. doubt it

Hillary isn't going to run for president again IMHO. This way she gets to be a part of the presidents administration and be a major influence as secretary of state.