Seems the talking heads all think Hillary is staying in the race to win (just in case the Earth opens and swallows Obama whole) or to maintain a position of power if she loses.
We're hearing a lot of chatter about Hillary as potential VP and Obama helping her to retire her debt. There are other options out there as well. I'm interested in discussing some of those.
Personally, I can't picture Hillary as a net-productive VP, for a variety of reasons. Most of those are rooted in the concept that HillandBill as VP would turn Obama's presidency into a drama-laden media circus with Obama as chief cat herder. Obama runs a disciplined organization, he's already fully aware of the toll distractions take on goal achievement.
I think it makes sense to help her with fundraising so she can retire her debt. That would bring the good will of her supporters while opening the space for her to vigorously campaign in his favor.
I also think it would be a good thing to negotiate some of the policy differences between the two. It seems a number of experts think Hillary's health care proposal is stronger than Obamas. That's something she obviously cares about very deeply, she's had that mission for a long time. Even though I think it would be a financial disaster for me personally (self employed, single, cancer survivor and barely squeaking by without a mandate to make me pay for something that probably won't offer useful coverage) I can see that for the country as a whole mandated health care is probably for the best, even if some of us will have to struggle a little harder while it settles out.
A lot of voters seem to feel Hillary is stronger on the economy. I'm not sure exactly why they feel that way, unless they're nostalgic for the booming days of Bill. Whatever the reason, she's got something that's resonating with people and it might be valuable to incorporate that into Obama's policy decisions.
What are your thoughts on the subject?