Reporter Jonathan Alter is running a story just posted to Newsweek.com that is sure to send the Hillary Faithful into a purple rage: within DNC circles there is talk of a possible consolation prize for Hillary should Obama win the nod: the New York governorship.
From the story:
The travails of New York Gov. David Paterson have opened up a new potential career path for Clinton, according to well-informed Democratic Party insiders who refused to allow their names to be used when discussing contingencies. They want her to consider the option if she concludes after the April 22 Pennsylvania primary that she cannot overtake Barack Obama for the party’s presidential nomination. Hillary Clinton, while fully committed to continuing her presidential campaign, was said to be open to discussing the idea, while Bill Clinton rejected it out of hand.
Interesting. But here’s how it could happen soon, like, THIS YEAR. Again, from the story:
In the event that Paterson had to resign, the New York State Constitution calls for a gubernatorial election this November. Clinton would be the favorite in that contest if she were interested. Were a politically wounded Paterson to serve out Spitzer’s term, which ends in 2010, Clinton would no doubt be a strong potential candidate to succeed him.
Gubernatorial experience would be valuable, and let’s just say for argument sake (argument…ironic) that McCain wins, she would be poised to run for president again in 2012.
So this is what the people in smoke-filled rooms do…
Filed under: National Politics
I’m not surprised someone came up with this. But I doubt Hillary would do it. I think she’s a lot more comfortable in DC than Albany.
I kind of liked the Hillary for Senate Majority Leader conspiracy theory myself. She would have very little influence as VP in an Obama administration, or vice-versa, it would be a shotgun wedding basically.
Crazier things have happened.
And it is not as screwball an idea as some MSM types in NYC might believe. A couple of years in Albany - cleaning up the mess from two frisky predecessors (subject matter that is all too familiar to her) - would be a great P.R. move for HRC.
Economic conditions throughout Central and Western New York are not great. As Senator, she really couldn’t do much for the Owegos and Oswegos of the Empire State, but to try to get some pork earmarked. However, as Gov., she could actually DO SOMETHING and have concrete achievements…take claim for turning around the state’s economy, bringing in new industry and jobs to depressed areas, etc. etc.
Over the next several weeks, scan the NY tabs (especially, the NY Post). If the fortunes of Gov. Paterson sour further, Hillary could be approached to run for Gov - the key is keeping the governorship for the Dems - something they’d not been able to claim since 1994 when Mario Cuomo was defeated by George Pataki.
Plus, she’d have a blast taking on State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R-Troy). Joe is old-school, bare knuckles, takes no prisoners. He loathed Eliot Number 9. Trumping (or to use a Clintonian concept, triangulating) Joe B. would be a remarkable feat. Certainly, it is something she could pull off. And that would be an achievement no one would question.
She could still run for prez 4 or 8 out…in much stronger stead, and with a list of executive-government achievements (she could actually claim as her own).
2 cts.