In early February 2007, Senator Hillary Clinton of New York announced her intention to start a conversation with the American people. She wanted to talk about her vision for leading the country as president in an announcement was delivered over a web-based video as she sat in a living room style space, talking about addressing real issues of health care, our role as a world leader and a better life for the American people.  

I don’t think the conversation ever took place. I don’t think Clinton expected a truly calculating opponent who could really challenge her for the Democrat Party nomination. We know from a steady stream of news reports that the Clinton campaign organization was built on an expectation of inevitability.

But the consultant driven, top-down approach did not work. Discounting the impact of caucus states was a critical mistake. Trusting a polling-centric consultant named Mark Penn was a critical mistake. We have seen the Clinton campaign hemorrhage money and stab each other in the back in the dark shadows. I don’t know how we could look at the Clinton campaign and think, “Yes, that’s the kind of leadership I want.” If her name was not Clinton, a candidate facing her troubles would have been let go from the race following Obama’s run of 11 wins in a row. I dismiss the suggestion that she was treated unfairly. 

While I believe a significant reason Al Gore lost in 2000 was his refusal to include Bill Clinton in the campaign, I think one of the greatest mistakes Hillary Clinton made was to include the former President. He took the spotlight. His failings were always on the edge of the conversation. He became her apologist. Yet when he would try to work around flaps such as her mistaken comments about snipers in Bosnia, he made things worse.  

It has been said, “What’s past is prologue.” So what’s next? Where do the Clintons go from here?  Bill Clinton burned through South Carolina like Sherman through Georgia. The former President, once referred to as our first black president, has been cast by some as racially insensitive. Was he playing games to attract support for his wife? Sure. But were his words meant to really suggest that as a man of color, Senator Obama was not qualified to be President? I don’t think he was. I think it was a move toward typical campaign rhetoric, to play on fears we don’t often speak of or even recognize.

So as the primary season comes to an end today, what do the Clintons do next? Where can Hillary go? What kind of leader is she now? What is there for Bill?  

Sen. Clinton’s transition to Obama supporter from Obama opponent and detractor is critical. One issue which hurt her in the early months of 2008 was a feeling among some of authenticity. Can she exude a feeling of authentic support for the Democrat’s presidential nominee? How does she move past the constant attacks on everything Obama? After suggesting that Senator McCain would be a better choice than Obama, does she really expect to be asked to join the ticket as vice president?  

I would offer they reach return to the stage they were on prior to her February 2007 announcement. Sen. Clinton was in line to find her place as the grand dame of the Senate. Even before Sen. Ted Kennedy’s illness, observers could see a growing chasm for leadership in the senate. Like Kennedy has been the “lion of the senate” since he last ran for president in 1980, she can play the role for the next 20 years as the dominant leader and power broker for Democrats. The senate setting would allow her leadership style to thrive. Sen. Clinton is an amazing policy wonk. She does bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with a variety of constituency groups. Outside the limelight of the presidential campaign, she does not have to worry about the absurdity of national stereotypes and the weight of the Clinton’s baggage. Since her election to the senate in 2000, she has won acclaim for her by-partisan approach with colleagues. America needs her to play a strong role for the legislative needs ahead of us. The next president needs her experience and skill within to return America to greatness. 

As for the former president, he needs a vacation and a trip to the cardiologist. We know that after cardio-related illnesses such as he faced in 2004 and quite possibly since then, the person changes. There are emotional and psychological differences in Bill Clinton today and the Bill Clinton of seven years ago. His role for the future is much vaguer than his wife’s.  

President Clinton should return to the important work of the Clinton Foundation. His work and leadership there is so close to what so many of us love about the former president. There are plenty of people who admire his leadership on issues around the world. And the world needs him on that stage and in those back rooms, making deals and helping those in need. Bill Clinton will need to move of the stage of American political life and find his place as the great advocate we all know he can be.  

Sen. Clinton would not be a good vice president. She would wake up every day reminded she failed. The former president would make life hell for a new Democrat president. These three great leaders for the Democrats should this week shake hands, part ways and work from a distance to make the world a better place.