I don’t normally link to other blogs, but this post on “The Razor” got my attention.

The Razor » Blog Archive » If Hillary Loses the Nomination… I don’t have a dog in the Democratic fight since my mind is set on voting for John McCain. Whether the Democrats choose Hillary or Obama to be their standard bearer in November won’t make much difference to McCain. Each one has strengths – and weaknesses – as a McCain opponent. But one thing’s for sure. If Hillary loses and goes back to being a senator from New York, the Democrats are going to have one heck of a time shutting her – and Bill – back into their cages. Hillary has enjoyed the limelight since Gore’s defeat 7 years ago as the next best hope for the Clintonistas to return to power. Meanwhile her husband has trotted around the world, enjoying his role as Nice Guy in Chief.

I think this is an interesting topic to discuss, but I doubt if either a libertarian or a conservative can really anticipate what will happen in the Democrat party if Hillary does lose the nomination to Obama. It’s certainly worth reading Scott’s take on this, but I see it a little differently.

If Hillary loses the nomination battle to Obama, I think she will lose her long-held position as “front-runner” for the nomination even if Obama loses the general election. Democrats are as notorious for abandoning their “losers” as Republicans are for embracing and re-nominating theirs. I see no reason that Hillary should buck this historic trend.

In general political power follows the money trail. And if Hillary loses to Obama, her fund-raising machine will most likely be dismantled and absorbed by other up-and-coming Democrats, including Obama himself. I predict that if Hillary loses to Obama, she may find it difficult to even remain her party’s nominee for the role of junior Senator from New York.

I would not lose any sleep over that result. I am not a Hillary basher, but I’m no fan of hers either. And in general I think both the Democrat party and this great nation would be much better off if both of the Clintons faded into the history books.