“She’s no doubt a placeholder and will be strenuously opposed in the 2010 primary”
That’s the main benefit of this. In fact, she is quite liberal, that’s a phony concern. It’s about who gets to move up power. it would be nice to see:
1) Republicans take the house seat she vacates.
2) Democrats to have a primary train wreck in 2010.
3) Rep Peter King score an upset and win the Senate seat.
If the Democrats are unpopular enough by then, it could happen.
That would be good!