Looking ahead to 2016

[BlueStreak]

I don't take the Obama election for granted, and the 2016 scenarios don't really depend on Obama's reelection, as Obama has not groomed an obvious successor.

There has been a lot of speculation about Hillary. I doubted that for 2 reasons:

1) I wasn't sure she would want to take that on at her age. She isn't "too old" for it, but she has been working awfully hard for a long time.

2) I doubted that America would want to "step back a generation" after turning to Obama's generation.

But recently I am more convinced that is a viable scenario. Bill Clinton has been very engaged in this campaign, and there are some rumors that he is actively encouraging Hillary to prepare for 2016.

I think this makes sense on many levels.

a) America will one day have a female President. Hillary is by far the most experienced woman at that level, and probably more qualified than any woman we will see for a generation.

b) The "back one generation" issue is not a big problem, especially if the ticket bridges generations. After all, that is the same as the Obama/Biden ticket -- experience and youthful energy.

c) Clearly there is an effort to promote Julian Castro. I cannot see him being viable as a Presidential candidate in 2016, but he could certainly be in line for VP. If they go that route, he will probably take a cabinet position during the second Obama term (presuming Obama wins). Clinton/Castro would be a dynamite ticket. It would be very solid with the Latino community and with women. It would be soft on old white men, but they aren't with us very much today. And a lot of them must have a certain level of respect for Hillary. She's earned that.

d) Can you imagine that ticket being pushed by their top four surrogates? Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Michelle Obama? Talk about an A team.

[JimDandy]

1. K & R

[Terra Alta]

2. I adore Hillary

but I think her ship has sailed as far as becoming President goes. I would love it if Obama appoints her to the Supreme Court, though. I think she can be more effective there, anyway.

[BlueStreak]

3. She would only be 69 upon taking office

That really isn't too old these days if her health is good.

I wouldn't have thought she'd run, but there are some rumors that Bill is encouraging it. I don't know if that is true.

But let's say Obama wins re-election. I could see Hillary resigning her SoS post in the new year. That would give her a year to recharge her batteries and then start building the campaign.

I take your point about the SCOTUS, but there have been a lot of women on the court already. Would being the first female President have special appeal to her?

As a practical matter, there is no heir apparent for 2016. Andrew Cuomo's name comes up. Schweitzer of Montana is getting more visible. Patric of MA might try it. I'm sure there are others, but no really obvious choices. I could see a strategy where she agrees to do one term, bringing along an attractive VP that could take over in 2020. And as long as we are fantasizing, she could still take a SCOTUS position in 2021 (although the pattern is to go for 50-year-olds so that they stick on the court a long time.)

We really need a term limit on the SCOTUS. 10 years ought to be enough for any Justice.

[Revolutionary Girl]

4. Missed opportunities

Biden's probably too old now to be considered, which is a shame. I dearly love that man.

[BlueStreak]

5. How about Hillary as Pres, Beau as VP?

This one actually makes a lot of sense to me. I think it is fair to say that Joe is beloved. He is trusted. There are jokes about him being crazy, but people know he isn't.

Beau is good looking, has the military thing, is getting AG experience, and is about the right age. He would be 47 upon taking office. He could take a cabinet position in the second Obama term to increase his Beltway visibility and experience. I think that could be a very strong ticket. Any question about his experience would be offset by the fact that Bill Clinton and Joe Biden would be nearby.

Compare Hillary/Beau to, I don't know, Chris Christie and Marco Rubio. That's probably one of the stronger tickets the GOP could put together, if Christie doesn't drop dead from a heart attack by then (and I am not wishing for that.)

[Whisp]

6. no

Bill has had his 2 terms, this is just another way for him to get his third. Hillary is not very good at standing up to men that walk all over her - like her husband and Mark Penn, for eg.

bad idea all around.

Although it does feel like clinton made a deal with Obama along these lines - just before the DNC.

I certainly hope this does not happen.

You don't need years of political experience to be a good President - Obama proves this.

[sadbear]

7. I'm pushing for an actual progressive in 2016.

(Yes, I'm supporting President Obama 100% this year, as in 2008, but we must try to make the best of any opportunity.)

[BlueStreak]

8. Any names in mind?

And how will they rise to the point of being able to win this?

We have a system that is very much rigged as an insider's game. And with the importance of big money, it is very hard these days for anybody to come from the outside.

I'd love to see a real progressive, but I think the reality is that our best shot is to get an insider who is at least a little left of center, and then work like hell to make sure he or she takes our progressive issues seriously.

[sadbear]

9. Well, there is reality...

No names yet (other than Dr. Dean), but is there any rule that says the Democrats can't nominate a progressive? At this point, I'd be happy with someone more liberal than President Obama. That can definitely happen.

[BlueStreak]

11. Well, Obama would have been more liberal if he had a more liberal Congress

I don't think it is the President that determines these things. Look at LBJ. He ended up doing some very progressive things, but only because the nation elected a Congress that would support that.

We are part of the way there. Most of the Blue Dogs are gone. We need to concentrate on electing more progressives in each seat. There are some high profile ones in the current crop, with Warren being the best example. We should get Grayson back.

[Motown_Johnny]

10. Snipergate disqualifies her for Commander In Chief.

That just won't go away.


I'm sorry but Hillary Clinton won't ever be President.

[68 Rex]

12. Get away!

I'm having enough jitters getting thru this election!

[craigmatic]

13. She'd unify the party and could win in places where Obama has struggled.I'm for her if she runs.

[madinmaryland]

14. Gov. Martin O'Malley in 2016 for POTUS!!

[oppressedproletarian]

16. Promising

I saw Gov. Martin O'Malley being interviewed (I think on Cspan) and was very impressed.

[zappaman]

15. Ralph Nader?

[ibegurpard]

17. Christ not more 2016 threads...

did the past few weeks teach you nothing?