Would be Hillary/Obama/Powell in some combination as Pres/VP. With cabinet level posts taken by McCain, Powell (if not pres/vp), Clarke and Bill Clinton.

Why Clarke? I used to hate the guy, but I've actually dug up some speeches he has given when hes NOT actively running for resident, and I have been seriously impressed with the guys knowledge of issues and the challenges facing America moving forward in the mess that we are in.

Why Bill Clinton? Lets face it- the guy has significant global respect, knows how people tick both personally and politically, and knows how to forge agreements. Beyond that, he has had 8 years of dealing with all the global leaders and knows how to engage both enemies and allies- something that has been desperately lacking in the current administration.

So I would want Clarke as the Secretary of Defense. He's a long time insider, and has been out and in service in many different and sticky 'non-traditional' military campaigns.

I would want B. Clinton as the Secretary of State.

Having a republican dealing with commerce would not be the worst thing in the world, as long as he is appropriately checked from above by progressively oriented people- so there I would put McCain.

For homeland security, I would want a very honorable person who has obvious respect for history and the constitution. I believe Powell fits the bill here. This post has become something of a 'little dictators' position, and unless things change, we need a very high integrity person to sit there. I don't agree with Powell most of the time, but I consider him intelligent, well considered and honorable (if perhaps a bit to trusting of authority).

obviously all of these are virtually impossible (except for the pres/vp combos) for a number of reasons- including that Clarke, Powell and McCain would never accept a pissy little cabinet post when they have presidential fish to fry. so don't even bother. This is, afterall, a dream team... Not a real possibility.

Obama would make a great VP- but he's really done almost nothing so far politically. He needs tenure. I disagree with Hillary on a lot of things (like supporting the war in Iraq), however- the Woman has some serious steel. She probably throws off comapsses as she walks by. I appreciate her obvious force of will. She can be too political from time to time- but her experience in the Clinton W-House would be golden.

Hillary would be near the top of my list, if I was a politico, of 'last people in the world I want to F with'. Yet, unlike Bush, despite her iron will and firm values- she obviously listens to whats being said (it was obvious in the senate debate I caught part of). For me, what floats my boat is the willingness for a politician to engage on a battlefield of ideas and not just one of ideals. In a nutshell, that is the greatest failing of this presedency and the greatest success of the Clinton presidency. Compromise is not weakness- its recognizing that intelligent people disagree and a willingness to engage political opponents, not paint them as cowards, liars, baby-killers etc.

Earlier in her career in the senate, she seemed overly concerned with adapting her platform to popularity (the same mistake Bill made in the first 3 years of his presedency)- but some recent, blunt, unambiguous statements shes made as of late have made me think higher of her.

Anyway- I think Hil has the experience to be a great president. FDR in a dress. Obama would make an excellent follow-on if they keep him involved in the game and not marginalized. I don't want another Cheney- he has way too much power for a VP... but certainly not a Quayle...

As to the practicality? Yes, Hillary is about as much of a lightening rod as there is. But when the hell did democrats start believing that the way to power politically was to not piss people off? Bush I, Reagan , Bush II have all been highly charged characters with whom there was ALWAYS some people in their own party who were never pleased, and with whom there was a large chunk of the opposition who hated them with an almost irrational zeal. Think FDR for chrissakes! Yet these people were elected, two of them twice.

Put Hillary up, and the democrats will grumble, but they'll get in line and push. The Wingnuts on the right will scream bloody murder, but after the gigantic f-up of this republican adminsitration, the votes will be there. Besides, the right wing always screams bloody murder over anyone to the left of Rush Limbaugh.

Practically, if we want a Hillary presidency, then a prominent seasoned republican for a running mate would be a great idea. McCain or Powell comes to mind.

Anyway- what I would like the most about a Hillary presidency is that the clinton 'gang' and policy thrust would likely re-emerge. We had an awesome 8 years under Clinton. Our foreign policy was effective, our economy was productive and our alliances not only were maintained but grew.

Anyway. Enough woolgathering.