Hillary could have a long and storied career in the Senate in the Democratic leadership

[MrScorpio]

If she wants it

[Sherman A1]

1. Absolutely

and there are other places she could serve as well, including a cabinet post. She is not my choice for VP, but then I don't make that choice, Barack Obama will be doing so and I will leave it up to his judgement, since that is part of the reason I will be voting for him in the autumn.

[Bobbieo]

2. I believe she could serve her country far better in a cabinet post

than as VP.

[cali]

3. Maybe, but that's really not how the Senate works. Seniority is

nearly everything, and she's still quite junior. She doesn't realistically stand a chance of becoming chair of an important committee like foreign relations or judiciary when there are Senators like Biden and Leahy with 30+ plus years in the Senate. And she really doesn't stand a chance of becoming Majority Leader.

[Raven]

5. I think you're right, Cali. NPR was discussing this today and

it was pointed out that she is still very junior. Ted Kennedy had much more seniority when he returned to the Senate is 1980.

[SeaLyons]

9. you never know....

I guess if Obama can get the nomination after being in the Senate for 5 minutes, Hillary could become Majority Leader. Anything is possible.

[cali]

10. Sorry, no. exceedingly unlikely.

And based on a false premise. Obama had been in the Senate for over 2 years when he announced.

[SeaLyons]

11. "quite junior " nevertheless

[mdmc]

4. She just needs to work hard for the people

like the Great Liberal Lion

[ShortnFiery]

6. "For the People" NOT "for the Clinton Legacy" will be the test. em

[karynnj]

8. Oddly, given all that happened this year

the only way to redeem the Clinton legacy might be to do things for the people. There may be - at least for a while - a synergy.

[karynnj]

7. Kennedy already had been in the Senate for I think 18 years,

when he lost in 1980 - compared to HRC's 8. In addition, he was in his late 40s, while she is 60. This makes it harder in two ways:

Kennedy had the seniority to make an impact in 1980 and he had more years ahead of him. His personality is also better suited than hers for reaching consensus with others on important issues. If there is someone likely to be called today's Kennedy, 10 years from now - it might more likely be his own junior Senator, who has the seniority that she lacks, a better record and with the decline of the Clintons, the respect often shown in Senate committee's might become more public.