If Obama had picked a different VP...

[Jerseyrules]

Al Gore might've been fun.  And minus Rielle Hunter, I feel like John Edwards could've been a solid choice.  Good-looking, fairly charismatic, solid liberal credentials, national exposure from being Kerry's number 2 in 04.  But what would've become of Joe Biden?  Secretary of State instead of Hillary?

[Jerseyrules]

Al Gore might've been fun.  And minus Rielle Hunter, I feel like John Edwards could've been a solid choice.  Good-looking, fairly charismatic, solid liberal credentials, national exposure from being Kerry's number 2 in 04.  But what would've become of Joe Biden?  Secretary of State binstead of Hillary?

I was wondering the same thing. Would Obama have pick Biden as SoS instead and appoint Hillary to another cabinet position (Secretary of Defense perhaps), or does she remain in the Senate?

I mean, her time as SoS played a huge part in her current position right now. Would she still be the prohibitive frontrunner if she had remain a Senator or served in the Cabinet in a different capacity?

I feel like if she wasn't appointed Secretary of State, she wouldn't have a political incentive to take another cabinet position.  Other than State (and potentially even State), no position would offer her the national coverage that she'd receive by staying in the Senate, supporting (or on perhaps a few occasions opposing) the President's agenda.

She'd also maintain the independence to distance herself from the President if/when necessary to keep herself clear of any association with the administration come 2016, but that offers up a greater chance of being challenged from the left.  Warren v. Hillary 2016?  Or would Warren still believe the benefits of having the first female President outweigh ideological impurity?

[Jerseyrules]

Al Gore might've been fun.  And minus Rielle Hunter, I feel like John Edwards could've been a solid choice.  Good-looking, fairly charismatic, solid liberal credentials, national exposure from being Kerry's number 2 in 04.  But what would've become of Joe Biden?  Secretary of State binstead of Hillary?

I was wondering the same thing. Would Obama have pick Biden as SoS instead and appoint Hillary to another cabinet position (Secretary of Defense perhaps), or does she remain in the Senate?

I mean, her time as SoS played a huge part in her current position right now. Would she still be the prohibitive frontrunner if she had remain a Senator or served in the Cabinet in a different capacity?

Apparently Obama offered Biden his choice of being Veep or Secretary of State.

Clinton might not be the prohibitive frontrunner if she hadn't served as Secretary of State. It gave her a higher profile, while allowing her to take credit with Obama supporters for working in his administration. If she wasn't given this chance, the biggest opportunity for her might have been Governor of New York.

This is a What If, so we could just imagine Biden rubbing Obama the wrong way, and Obama still picking Clinton as Secretary of State.
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That's really interesting, I didn't know Obama had such a deep respect/preference for Biden.  Were the two really close during their time in the Senate together?