[ctonious]

If there is a deadlocked Democrat Convention, and Bush looks beatable, she will step in.

Wow. Hadn't even considered the deadlocked convention scenario. And no way would it happen by accident, either. The Clintons are no amateurs at political assasinations. Perhaps they will deftly secrete the poisons from their bulging FBI files on the front runner of the moment - just to handicap all of them so they're short of a winning number at the finish line.

I hope somebody on our side has this forecast as a possible Clinton hit job, and will be ready to give strategery to the hopelessly stupid and cowed deer 'Rats staring at that Arkansas semi's headlights.

[gg188]

I think she and Bill have come to realize that running and LOSING against Bush is better than risking another Dem running and WINNING. If Hil runs and loses, the Clintons will still run the party until 08, and she will be the choice then by acclaimation. If, however, Clark or Dean manage to beat Bush, Hil wouldn't be able to run until '12 at the earliest. The Clintons are hoping to have Chelsea groomed for '16.

[speekinout]

Hadn't even considered the deadlocked convention scenario.

That's the scenario I believe in. Hillary doesn't want to run in an extended primary (I don't think she could stand the scrutiny). But she could be the "party savior" at the convention.

And the GOP convention is so late (early Sept?) that the real race will be quite compressed, and she can hope to get by on the "celebrity factor".
That's the message they took from the CA recall - a short campaign and a celebrity factor are winners.