I could not agree more. To go a step further, she's going to adjust from Kerry's sad senate record, and try and be as moderate as possible in the senate (won't matter, she is still just one senator, either she's on the winning side of popular bills or losing side).
She's going to make it hard to label her record leftist, she's a believer in triangulation and with the leftwing in her back pocket begging her to run in 2008, she can start running to the middle now.
There is absolutley no reason for her to want to run in 2004, I've said this since she declared she was running for the senate. To many freepers think of her the way the dems think of Karl Rove and Bush, evil, brilliant and stupid. She learns, adjusts, and modifies herself. She knows political innoculation techniques and how to campaign, and how to not repeat public mistakes.
Look for her try and be in the middle slightly left of center in the senate, while still blasting republicans, with more polish and then in 2008, finally give in, and make a run, while making the media foam with anticipation, thus drowning out competition that might be had, and insuring a nomination victory.
I don't think Hillary has the 2008 nomination locked up at all. The democratic party will continue to move left. You will have serious challenges from Dean and maybe even some surprises from the likes of Brock Obama.
There will be some very formidable repubicans running then too.
nick