As she quits, what now for Hillary?

Published on Friday 6 June 2008 23:58

HILLARY Clinton formally throws in the towel on her presidential bid today, as millions of voters still wonder – just what does she want?

Mrs Clinton's supporters, led by her husband, are pushing hard for Barack Obama to name her as his vice-president, the so-called Dream Ticket that would bring her blue-collar white voters on board.

But the Dream Ticket could be a nightmare, Mr Obama's supporters fear. Neither he nor Mrs Clinton have concealed the mutual loathing that built up over a long and bruising campaign, and Republican John McCain will pounce on any split. The same antagonism could also rule her out of a senior cabinet post.

On the heels of Mrs Clinton's private meeting with Mr Obama in Washington yesterday – of which few details have emerged – there is renewed speculation that her greatest motive for today's endorsement could actually be money.

The Clinton campaign is estimated to be 10-15 million in debt, including a loan of 6 million of her own money. Mrs Clinton may be hoping Mr Obama will campaign with her for donors to pay off this debt.

Mr Obama himself has kept tightlipped on his VP choice. "We want to catch our breath, we want to take stock of where we are," he said yesterday. "I will make my decision in the weeks to come." The smart money says he will refuse to consider Clinton seriously.

She could try and persuade the party to make her the new leader of the Democratic controlled Senate – but she faces stiff competition.

An ambassadorship, top Nato post or freewheeling foreign envoy are baubles that Mr Obama might offer, but carry only limited prestige and would take her out of the political mainstream.