Hillary Clinton's Career if Bill had Lost in 1992

The POD is New York Governor Mario Cuomo jumps into the 1992 Presidential race as expected and he crushes Tsongas and Clinton in the New Hampshire Primary. Unlike in OTL where Clinton's surprise showing in NH allowed him to become "the Comeback Kid," his humiliating defeat to Cuomo sucks out all remaining momentum in his campaign and before long he drops out of the race. Seeking to put a white Southerner on the ticket, Cuomo passes over the disgraced Clinton and instead chooses the comparatively clean cut Al Gore as his VP nominee. The Democratic ticket defeats Bush in the general election, and Bill Clinton never becomes President. At best he is remembered as a footnote in political history, the promising young up-and-comer whose career was ruined by his sexual indescretions.

So, where does this leave Hillary Clinton? Could she still seek out higher office had she never become first lady?
 
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I think she might try for the US Senate from Arkansas in 1996 when David Pryor retires.

Probably her best bet as far as electoral politics go, depending on just how badly Bill flames out in 92. If he still has decent support in-state, it wouldn't be a bad move, but if he really gets hammered for his various affairs and scandals, it may not work out too well.

I know it's kind of a trope, and maybe a shameful one at that, but I always wonder if she might divorce Bill if he flopped really badly. Not that she's a single minded, totally politically driven monster, but if he proves to be less of an asset and more of a liability, coupled with his infidelities, it might be wise.
 
Probably her best bet as far as electoral politics go, depending on just how badly Bill flames out in 92. If he still has decent support in-state, it wouldn't be a bad move, but if he really gets hammered for his various affairs and scandals, it may not work out too well.

I know it's kind of a trope, and maybe a shameful one at that, but I always wonder if she might divorce Bill if he flopped really badly. Not that she's a single minded, totally politically driven monster, but if he proves to be less of an asset and more of a liability, coupled with his infidelities, it might be wise.

She wouldn't divorce him. That would devastate whatever political support she had in Arkansas and possibly elsewhere. She stuck her neck out for Bill in the early primaries, turning on him after the election would do her no favors. Plus based on my research they do genuinely love each other, even if their relationship has been deeply problematic as she herself admitted in her memoir "What Happened". After he leaves office in Arkansas, Bill Clinton would use all his political influence to elect Hillary to the Senate if she wants it. Depending on how President Cuomo governs, the general success of the Democrats in 1996, and Clinton's campaign she could pull off a Senate race and use that as a platform to run for President later.
 
She wouldn't divorce him. That would devastate whatever political support she had in Arkansas and possibly elsewhere. She stuck her neck out for Bill in the early primaries, turning on him after the election would do her no favors. Plus based on my research they do genuinely love each other, even if their relationship has been deeply problematic as she herself admitted in her memoir "What Happened". After he leaves office in Arkansas, Bill Clinton would use all his political influence to elect Hillary to the Senate if she wants it. Depending on how President Cuomo governs, the general success of the Democrats in 1996, and Clinton's campaign she could pull off a Senate race and use that as a platform to run for President later.

It's not that I think they don't genuinely love each other. Simply that, with a much less successful Bill at her side who has committed (and is likely to continue committing) adultery numerous times, she may make the decision that their marriage is not only standing in her way, but not something he takes all too seriously himself. I don't think it's unfair to make that statement, though I do admit that based on the times, it probably wouldn't be the move to make unless Clinton somehow became totally toxic and hated in the public eye. If they were to divorce, she'd probably seek office elsewhere (maybe her native Illinois) of course. All in all, I think you're right though - both that 1) they'd stay together, and 2) her best bet might be to seek that Senate seat, which could quite possibly be won.
 
It's not that I think they don't genuinely love each other. Simply that, with a much less successful Bill at her side who has committed (and is likely to continue committing) adultery numerous times, she may make the decision that their marriage is not only standing in her way, but not something he takes all too seriously himself. I don't think it's unfair to make that statement, though I do admit that based on the times, it probably wouldn't be the move to make unless Clinton somehow became totally toxic and hated in the public eye. If they were to divorce, she'd probably seek office elsewhere (maybe her native Illinois) of course. All in all, I think you're right though - both that 1) they'd stay together, and 2) her best bet might be to seek that Senate seat, which could quite possibly be won.

So if she tries for the Senate and wins in 1996, she could position herself to be the VP in 2000 or for a presidential run in 2004 or 2008.
 
Arkansas isn't electing a transplant from Illinois to the Senate after a full term of northern liberal Pres Cuomo.

This isn't OTL we're talking about. The Clintons don't have the gift of US Senate seats in their power. She's just a regular former first lady of Arkansas ITTL. Probably having just left office under the cloud of the local GOP pursuing whatever emerges from the 1992 campaign. So, the froth of Whitewater, Bill's 'little problem with the ladies.'

Best case scenario is they leave office in 1995 under a rather large cloud. Worst case scenario is they get outright Jim Guy Tucker'ed.

Assuming there's still the political stock to pursue the 1996 Senate seat - which as per above, I'm doubtful about - I don't know why the assumption here is that Bubba voids his political ambitions in favour of hers. He only turns 50 in 1996, you know.
 

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Arkansas isn't electing a transplant from Illinois to the Senate after a full term of northern liberal Pres Cuomo.

Hillary Clinton moved to Arkansas in 1974. By 1996 she would have been living in that state longer that any other in her life
 
Hillary Clinton moved to Arkansas in 1974. By 1996 she would have been living in that state longer that any other in her life

So let's say that HRC wins the 1996 Arkansas Senate race. By 2000, she could be in contention to become Al Gore's running mate. (Without the Lewinsky scandal Gore wouldn't pick Lieberman, another New Englander like John Kerry or Jeanne Shaheen would be more likely). IMO, the Democrats would win in 2000 after eight years of President Cuomo. Unlike Clinton who was tainted by scandal, Cuomo would probably campaign with Gore who'd tie himself closely to the popular incumbent. Of course, butterflies resulting from the POD could result in a different GOP candidate in 2000, but it's still likely to be Dubya. If Gore makes the unlikely surprise move of picking Senator Clinton as his running mate, she could end up as VP for four years. If not, she would be up for re-election in 2002 and 2008 - her first chance at the Presidency as in OTL.
 
Hillary Clinton moved to Arkansas in 1974. By 1996 she would have been living in that state longer that any other in her life

You think not being a native, not having the accent, doesn't matter in a small, southern state like Arkansas?

We're a few years past the stage of this board having a fixed belief that Hillary has some deep upper south appeal beyond other northern dems.

There's some manifest problems with a neophyte candidate, with no political record, no votes cast, hailing from the north, running for statewide office in the south when we're four years into the administration of a northern liberal like Cuomo. But I sense we won't have much addressing of that. Or any of the other points I note. All a bit strangely pre-2016.
 
Maybe she could be a state senator or something. I can't see her being successful in higher level politics though. If she's very lucky, she may get a cabinet appointment in some future 00's Democratic administration.
 
I'm interested, btw, in how we think Senator Hillary possibly keeps herself nationally viable in the Dems into the late 2000s, while simultaneously representing a deep Southron state.

Because she has such amazing political skills to pull off that, right. And everybody loves Hillary. :D
 
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