The question is: what is the best way for her to further her agenda at this point? Continuing to fight for the presidential nomination is, from a purely strategic standpoint, a poor decision at this point and time. Doing so would only increase the chances of the White House returning to the hands of John McCain, George W. Bush, and the Republican Party whose policies are are the opposite of those that Hillary Clinton has championed throughout her remarkable career. So even if that's what you want her to do, bear with me and let me know what your second choice would be. I am not sayng she should be forced to concede. If nothing else, she has earned the right to turn the delegates she has earned into a substantial say in the party's platform and into a prominent position at the forefront of the party. The question I am trying to get at is: what position should she be using her leverage to obtain? In my mind, there are four general options she could push for:

1.) The vice presidency. This is a position that has increased in importance over the last 16 years, as Al Gore and Dick Cheney have had an enormous influence over policies... and to some degree have been tasked with crafting the policies they care most about. If Clinton had this role, and was given the chance to work on universal health care and other policies she cares the most about, I could see her jumping at the opportunity. And as an open Obama supporter, I wouldn't mind one bit. In my mind, if she wants the VP slot, she's earned it. (She still has to ask nicely, but IMO it should be hers for the taking.)

2.) Formal/informal leader of the Senate. If I were advising her, this is what I would recommend she angle for. Why? Three reasons: First, with their numbers in the high 50's/low 60's, POTUS is going to have to ask permission of Senate Dems before doing anything more complicated than choosing which turkey to pardon at Thanksgiving. Its likely that whoever leads the Senate Dems will be the 2nd most important person in Washington. Second, Clinton can do this for a loooong time. After re-defining herself as a champion of the rural working class, she will be almost impossible to beat in future New York elections. Third, this seems to be the best use of all her talents. She has an uncanny ability to reach across the aisle to Republicans with one hand to pass legislation while keeping the other one ready to put the smack down if (when, really) the Republicans take up policies that are against the best interests of the country. She also could still retain a great deal of the spotlight, and would serve as an incredibly important campaigner throughout the country, particularly in her strongholds of New York, California, Arkansas, and pretty much all of Appalachia.

3.) A position in the cabinet. This is apparently John Edwards's choice, as rumor is he's angling to be Attorney General. I don't think this fits Clinton as well, because it has more potential to be a dead-end position. She wouldn't have the notoriety of the Vice Presidency to build on, and wouldn't have a long career in the position to look forward to. She could use this to vault her into an executive position (president in 2016 or NY Governor before then). I've been wrong before, but I could see Bill Clinton taking a cabinet position, however.

4.) Run for Governor of NY. I think this is another role that would suit her well. She is going about as formidable of a gubernatorial candidate as she is a senatorial candidate, and would be able to become an executive, if that's what she really wants. I also think she'd make one heck of a governor, and would be able to accomplish a lot of wonderful things for the people of that state. However, I don't think this role has as much of the public stage as the Senate or the VP, and I think Hillary enjoys the limelight... and I enjoy having her in it - she's a good voice for us all when the cameras are on her.

So what do other people think she should do? I clearly think she'd be best suited for and best served by being the figurehead in charge of a strong Democratic majority in the senate and put herself in place to the first woman to ever be our nation's Senate Majority leader come the next election for that position.

In the interests of full disclosure, I'll admit that I volunteered and voted for Barack Obama in the PA primary. But that's also why I'm posting this diary and why I'm posting it here: I want to hear from Clinton supporters on this: its your voice she wants to hear on her website, not mine. I love Hillary Clinton, but not nearly as much as you.

So...