THE CLINTON MYSTERY – AT 10:45 A.M. ET:  If in fact there is one.  The internet is alive with the sound of...noise.

Ed Klein, author of the bestseller, "The Amateur," a negative look at Barack Obama, informed us that Hillary Clinton had indeed been asked two weeks earlier if she'd consider replacing Joe Biden on the Dem ticket.  According to Klein, Clinton rejected the feeler.

Now the entire Dem establishment, possibly including the dearly departed, is denying the story.  The State Department even made up a little rhyme to deny it.  The White House has once again reaffirmed that the kid stays on the ticket.  After all, who cares if the man one heartbeat away from the presidency is prone to one gaffe a minute.  What could he start?  World War III?

The fact is, Clinton would be nuts to go on the ticket.  If the ticket wins, Obama would take all the credit and she'd be stuck with four more years of the legacy of a man who, even now, has a below-50 approval rating.  If the ticket loses, she's toast.

But if she stays out and bides her time, she's fresh for 2016.  A little toning.  Maybe some new dresses that are less than 20 years out of date.  Yes, she'd probably have to fight for the nomination against Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, but she would probably win.  Women's groups, who felt cheated in 2008, would demand it.

Get ready for 2016.  We don't predict here, but we can contemplate.  (is that a cop-out, or what?)  Romney versus Clinton or, if Romney loses, Ryan vs. Clinton.  May the best Republican win.

August 18, 2012