After watching tonight's State of the Union and accepting my girlfriend's confession, I asked this very premature question:
"What do we do with Barack Obama after this term ends?"
I just don't see a Clinton-style global initiative or a Carter-style senior statesman role for Obama. Neither seems like something that would interest the intellect and introverted personality of this man. So, what is next for the finest Democratic mind of our generation?
Hillary or Biden have to win in 2016. But when they do and a right wing (Scalia or Thomas) justice finally retires due to health issues, our next President will have an opportunity.....
To place Barack Obama on the Supreme Court.
William Howard Taft was appointed Chief Justice 8 years after he left the White House by a fellow Republican, Warren Harding. He served from 1921 to 1930. While few of his decisions were memorable, the precedent of placing a politician on the Supreme Court has been well tread by Republicans. So if a Democrat places Barack Obama's name in nomination for a seat.......
Watch Republican heads explode.
Obama should leave office (barring a silly scandal) with fairly high approval ratings. These ratings should slightly climb as nostalgia sets in for a few years. But then if President Clinton taps him for a seat on the court, a perfect opportunity for an introverted, hyper intelligent man to the shape long-term future of the United States through the law. I cannot imagine a better place for our Constitutional Lawyer Commander in Chief. Anyone know if he's interested?