Senate Majority Leader Clinton?

I've heard rumors floating around that Sen. Minority Leader Harry Reid has quietly offered the former First Lady the job of Democratic Senate Leader following the 2008 elections, provided she does not make an ill-fated attempt at the presidency. Today the rumor surfaced, prominently, in the L.A. Times.

Clinton's path to the presidency isn't an easy one. But the road to Senate leadership may be. Clinton possesses qualities that could turn the thankless, grueling realities of congressional preeminence into something glamorous and powerful. She's a human megaphone, for one... allowing her to set the agenda and advance her priorities even from the minority.

Second, she's an extraordinary fundraiser, far and away the best the Democrats have...

Perhaps most important, her ability to bury enmities and forge alliances has been astonishing. She's reached out to the bitterest foes of her husband's presidency, seeking rapprochement with everyone from impeachment manager Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to bête noire Newt Gingrich... she's that rarest of creatures, able to conjure partisan passions when elections beckon but also to resurrect constructive relationships when legislation need be passed.

The article makes some very compelling points about how the position would serve both her interests and talents. I think it's a terrific idea. Like many informed democrats, I have grave doubts about her ability to win the general election. With the new caucus-primary schedule stacked in John Edwards' favor, Majority Leader (let's all be optimists for a moment) seems like a very attractive alternative. Will she take it? Lets hope so.

Read about the new DNC Primary/Caucus schedule, which puts Nevada and South Carolina at the top with Iowa and New Hampshire.

Also in national news, two promising polls put Democrats in position to contend in the critical Virginia and Tennessee Senate races. With Democrats already leading in MT, MO (toss up), OH, PA and RI, winning Virginia or Tennessee would put us into the majority.

-Aaron