Dems: Would you be mad at Hillary if she didn't run?

[Beet]

I understand why some would, but I wouldn't, for two main reasons. One, it's not her responsibility that the media and others have been blowing her up into this inevitable colossus without her really doing anything except writing a book and campaigning for other candidates. It's true she hadn't issued a Sherman statement, but it should be her perogative to seriously consider a campaign (which includes doing things like visting Iowa or talking to close advisors) without ultimately committing to it. Two, it's still freaking early! The GOP primary was still highly volatile in late 2011, with unknowns like Herman Cain briefly surging into the front of the pack. A week is a long time in politics, let alone a year. There's plenty of time for a field to emerge, and there still would be in March or April.

But the biggest reason is that the absolutely worst thing that could happen is Hillary doesn't feel up to another six years/ a decade of campaigning / being on politics (mentally or physically), and her heart isn't into it, but she runs solely out of fear of disappointing the frankenstein of expectations that have built up around her.

[Beet]

Probably the wrong place to ask this, considering most Atlas Dems would likely be thrilled if she didn't run.

But from the perspective of a Hillary supporter, I would be pretty annoyed with her. However, you do bring up some good points. The thing is, I don't really see why 2013 and most of 2014 wouldn't be enough time for her to seriously consider if she wants to run a campaign, go through the meat grinder, etc. Hell, back in 2013 the vast majority of people thought Hillary was more likely not to run than to run. But this entire year we've just had a steady "drip drip" stream of news and events pointing to the fact that she's going to run, with virtually nothing pointing in the opposite direction (besides the fact that she'll give a paid speech in February, or whatever). I feel like for the vast majority of people, regardless of what they say in public, their decision on whether or not to run has already been made (though there are some exceptions...Jeb this year seems to be one). So had Hillary truly decided not to run months ago, it doesn't make sense to drag out the announcement this long. It's not like she's an attention whore who needs to make some money selling books like Cain, Gingrich, Huckabee, etc.

Very few people alive today (including the "vast majority of people" you refer to) have any idea of the rigors and hard choices involved in being president. George W. Bush, his father, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, and the Clintons might be the only people on earth who do. This is deciding the next decade for Hillary and possibly for the nation. You can't just quit in the middle of the presidency (unless you're a Palin, I guess).

If any decision is consequential enough to warrant the fullest consideration possible, this is it. No matter what the speculations, not one of us is or will ever be in a better position than judge whether Hillary is matched to this role than Hillary herself. Only she knows herself. It's important for the rest of us that she makes the right decision, not the decision we think we want. I think she deserves pressure free space for a few more months to carry out that responsibility.

[Beet]

Here was my conclusion in March, 2015. Alas, by then the die was cast:

Just what I have been saying all along. Just as the media destroyed DWS, they will destroy Hillary. Hillary should not run. Repeat. She should not run.