Looking ahead to 2016

[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.