It's not too soon to think about 2016

Let's think positively for a moment, and assume that Barack Obama will be re-elected in 2012.

I was reading some comments at Lynn's blog in response to her post on the election of Barack Obama, in which people were speculating on whether and when we might have a gay president. With Joe Biden unlikely to run after two Obama terms at the age of 73, it's highly likely that the Democrats will nominate a woman to succeed Obama. But which woman?

By 2016, Hillary Clinton will be 69 years old, and unlikely to be the nominee after eight years of a young president. There are a few terrific young Democrats such as Donna Edwards who may by then be in the running (though alas, Darcy Burner is not likely to be one of them, having been defeated in her brave race for Congress in Washington's 8th district; Jesse has more on that travesty). But I'm thinking that one particularly telegenic, ferociously smart, thoughtful, poised, strong progressive, and yes, gay, woman might be just what we want in 2016:

Rachel Maddow in 2016!