Tom Edsall takes a look at what Clinton could gain from dropping out quickly. The Obama campaign, he suggests, will help Clinton repay the personal loans she took out to finance her campaign. Moreover, a quick withdrawal would better position her for a shot at the Senate leadership. And hanging over all those prizes is the vice-presidency. The debt repayment, though pretty odd in theory (why exactly should Clinton be compensated for pumping personal funds into her flagging campaign so she could spend a few more weeks trashing Obama?), seems likely enough. The ascension to Senate leadership is less so, given that a fair number of Senate Democrats who endorsed Obama might fear retribution. The big get, of course, is the vice-presidency, but it's not clear why she would actually want it. If Obama loses, she'll be tarred by the defeat. If he wins, she'll be marginalized in the White House. The overarching reality here is that Senator from New York is actually a pretty good job. It's a safe seat from a fascinating state in a body that wields actual power. And Clinton, with her media power and national profile, is more effective than most. In other words, the reason that Obama and the party don't have much leverage is that Clinton's got it pretty good, and on some level, knows that. Debt repayment might be nice, but Bill Clinton can make $11 million in a month of corporate speaking gigs. Indeed, the one thing that Obama actually can give Hillary is...his help. Legislation(in most cases) requires a presidential signature. In fact to be considered in the Senate, it often requires the president to call the majority leader and ask that it be added to the agenda. If Obama has anything to offer Hillary, it's a recognition of her importance to the party and a serious promise to focus on a couple of her pre-chosen policy priorities or legislative initiatives. A good working relationship between the two of them could be extremely powerful, and in the end analysis, even historic. A toxic relationship would destroy her chance to effect real change and better the lives of those she claims to represent while depriving Obama of a needed and eloquent ally in the Senate and the press.
