If Hillary beat Obama in 2008, then won twice...

[IceSpear]

Would Obama be the current beloved Democratic figure that currently polls at 60-70% support?

I'm going to say yes. Despite the interpretation of many pundits about how Hillary, Obama, and their voters all despised each other and split a giant chasm into the Democratic Party that would never heal, the vast majority of Democrats liked both candidates in 2008. In fact, Obama could even potentially be in a better position than Hillary is now, since age or health wouldn't be an issue for him.

[Maxwell]

I don't think that's the case, especially since Obama won a very healthy victory in 08 (and a relatively healthy one in 12). That being said, Obama might run for Governor of Illinois, and dealing with the problems Illinois currently faces could cause his numbers to drop.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I don't think that's the case, especially since Obama won a very healthy victory in 08 (and a relatively healthy one in 12). That being said, Obama might run for Governor of Illinois, and dealing with the problems Illinois currently faces could cause his numbers to drop.

^^
It all depends on whether he runs for Senate again or for Governor.

[badgate]

It's fairly well known that he disliked the Senate. I could see him, if not being nominated to SCOTUS or AG, going for Governor in 2010.

However there is no reason to assume his track record would be as bad as Quinn's. Therefore, the stipulation that "dealing with the problems Illinois currently faces could cause his numbers to drop" comes under a false premise.

Say Clinton won in 08 and 12. I could see Obama being the frontrunner in polls. But who is Clinton's VP? And does that VP want to run for President?

[Maxwell]

It's fairly well known that he disliked the Senate. I could see him, if not being nominated to SCOTUS or AG, going for Governor in 2010.

However there is no reason to assume his track record would be as bad as Quinn's. Therefore, the stipulation that "dealing with the problems Illinois currently faces could cause his numbers to drop" comes under a false premise.

Say Clinton won in 08 and 12. I could see Obama being the frontrunner in polls. But who is Clinton's VP? And does that VP want to run for President?

I'm not saying it'd be as bad as Quinn, but I'm saying his 70% ratings definitely would not hold. Probably drop to low 50s upper 40s.

[moderatevoter]

It's fairly well known that he disliked the Senate. I could see him, if not being nominated to SCOTUS or AG, going for Governor in 2010.

However there is no reason to assume his track record would be as bad as Quinn's. Therefore, the stipulation that "dealing with the problems Illinois currently faces could cause his numbers to drop" comes under a false premise.

Say Clinton won in 08 and 12. I could see Obama being the frontrunner in polls. But who is Clinton's VP? And does that VP want to run for President?

Wasn't the Conventional Wisdom that Clinton was going to pick Bayh or Warner for VP?