If Kerry had won in 2004, what would Hillary Clinton be doing now?

[Joe Republic]

Let's say that John Kerry pulled a narrow victory in 2004, and is currently running for re-election this November.

It's fairly common knowledge that the only reason Hillary Clinton ran for Senate in 2000 was to position herself for an eventual presidential campaign of her own in 2008.  However, in this scenario, she would either have to challenge the incumbent John Kerry this year, or wait to challenge Vice President Edwards in 2012 (who would most likely run for the nomination regardless of whether Kerry/Edwards won re-election this year).

How do you think a Kerry victory in 2004 would have affected Hillary's gameplan?

[Хahar 🤔]

She could pull a Kennedy 1980 if Kerry was unpopular, but I think she would wait until 2012. Of course, this would have the effect of making her a one-term President.

[Lief 🗽]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Introducing articles of impeachment.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Kerry would be unpopular, not as unpopular as Bush is now, but unpopular and on his way to defeat at the hands of John McCain or Jeb Bush. Hillary would be preparing for a run in 2012.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I honestly don't think that Hillary would run for the Presidency in 2012, had Senator John Kerry been elected in 2004. Hillary's time was in 2004 and 2008 not 2012.

I think she'd stay in the Senate until 2019, after her third term in the Senate. She could possibly become Senate Majority Leader after the retirement of Harry Reid, whenever that may be.

[The Hack Hater]

Kerry is such a hack politician.  He would be unpopular but unpopular enough for soembody else like Clinton to run for the nomination? Possibly, even though she probably has less chance of pulling out the troops if she's president by 2009, than Kerry would in 2005.

[Wakie]

Waiting for 2012.

[Mr. Morden]

I think she'd stay in the Senate until 2019, after her third term in the Senate. She could possibly become Senate Majority Leader after the retirement of Harry Reid, whenever that may be.

If Kerry had won in 2004, then what's the earliest that the Dems could realistically get the majority in the Senate?

[Meeker]

I think she'd stay in the Senate until 2019, after her third term in the Senate. She could possibly become Senate Majority Leader after the retirement of Harry Reid, whenever that may be.

If Kerry had won in 2004, then what's the earliest that the Dems could realistically get the majority in the Senate?

2078

[Michael Z]

Waiting for 2012.

[phk]

Kerry would be an unpopular one-termer on his way to defeat.

She'd prepare for 2012 against the new Republican.

[redcommander]

Kerry would have retired in 2008, and Clinton would have ran and won. She would now be preparing for a landslide reelection after a successful first term.

[Paul Kemp]

McCain defeats Kerry in 2008. The 2012 Democratic nomination puts Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and former Vice President John Edwards against each other. Talk emerges of a potential retirement from McCain but nothing has been made official.

[NHI]

Kerry is defeated by McCain in 2008.

R: 321
D: 217

McCain steps down after one term. Romney is the nominee, Clinton runs with Obama has her running mate.

D: 303
R: 235

In 2016 Clinton goes up against Paul Ryan.

D: 354
R: 184