It appears to me that 2012 may be the last year Clinton considers herself young enough to be elected President. She turns 61 in October of this year, 65 in October of 2012, and 69 in October of 2016. Given the harsh manner in which this country treats women as they age, Clinton has to be worried about her prospects if she runs for President at the age of 69. (Plus, there will be unending jokes about Bill and "69".)
If Obama wins this November, he will be our party's nominee in 2012. If Clinton joins his ticket and ensures his victory this year, she may never get the chance to lead her own ticket.
By kneecapping Obama in the primaries, and giving the White House to McCain, Clinton becomes the leading contender to face an elderly John McCain in four years. If McCain pursues GOP economic policies, an America in ruin will surely elect her as President. Does she regard a Bush-McCain appointed Supreme Court and WW3 in the Middle East to be a small price to pay for that opportunity?
I've tried to understand why she fails to acknowledge the reality of her current position, and this is the only explanation that doesn't cast her as delusional. Unfortunately, it makes her seem like a person who would hurt the party, the country and the world to advance her own ambition.
posted by Dogger 
