I agree that Hillary would love to sit on the SC, but do you really think she'd get through the nomination process? I'm convinced that some deal was worked out between the Clintons and Kerry, but getting her approved by a Republican controlled congress seems like too much to promise. (GOD HELP US ALL IF IT HAPPENS THOUGH!!)
With Specter chairing the committee, and the kind of reception that senators give other senators (except of course for Ashcroft,) I am certain that she would get a vote of the whole senate. In a close senate like this one (51-49) you can count all the Rinos (Specter, Snowe, Collins, the Rino from R. I. that I can never remember his name, McCain, Hagel, Graham, etc. and who knows who else on the Republican side that owes her or is afraid of her) to vote with the Democrats and she is at least a shoo in by 55-60 votes. I don't think there is any way she would not be approved whether Republicans or Democrats are in charge.