Alternatives to Hillary

[IceSpear]

Kubler-Ross

Does it count as the five stages of grief when you never leave denial?

Anyway, if Hillary died or had to pull out for health reasons (since let's be honest, that's the only way she isn't the nominee), Dems would still be under tremendous pressure to nominate a woman after all the hype about the first female president. Women also tend to make up 55-60% of the Democratic primary electorate. It's not a group they can exactly afford to alienate, particularly after the near miss in 2008. So in that sense the R-NY guy is correct. In 2016, it is extremely unlikely the nominee will be a man (though I don't think this applies indefinitely for the future like he does).

Anyway, of these options, I'd say Gillibrand would be strongest.

[IceSpear]

I'm guessing Gilibrand.

She seems to handle media scrutiny well, and would be an attractive candidae for the left: A potential first female President with appeal to younger voters and policy accomplishments on a serious issue (sexual assauly in the miitary).

She's very unlikely to run against Hillary, but if party leaders provided backing, she'd be one to scare Hillary, as well as Republicans.

As for other choices, Hassan might be too green with four years as a small state Governor. Klobuchar's an unknown quality (she hasn't gotten much media attention.) Patrick's electoral record is weak. O'Malley was also followed by a Republican. Warren has baggage. Brown's probably not demographically appealing. Webb hasn't been impressive as an announced candidate.

It's not "very unlikely" that Gillibrand would run against Hillary, it's very impossible.