Needing to think of something else for a few minutes than 11/2, and anticipating Clinton's return tomorrow, I want to throw out an idea.
If the Dems retake the House (yes, unlikely, but so was the GOP victory in 94), the Dems should elect Bill Clinton Speaker of the House.
You say, ridiculous, he needs to be a member. Well, no, he does not have to be - House rules state that members are free to select whomever theyt want.
He would fill the role more as a statesman than as the day to day party leader (keep in mind Tom DeLay, not Dennis Haster, is the leader in the House now, and the real power), but could help push Kerry's agenda and provide behind the scenes leadership to Nancy Pelosi and others who would be first-timers in this position.
Denying Pelosi the chance to be first female Speaker of course is not to be taken lightly. And if the GOP retains the Senate (hard to imagine that if a tidal wave brought the House to Dems). then with Clinton not eligible for the Presidency again (at least for no more than 2 years), then Ted Stevens (R-Alaska, 81) would be next in line.
On the other hand, if the Dems regain the Senate, Robert Byrd, if he remains a Senator, is President pro-tem. Oh, next in line is Ted Kennedy.
One other thing - the idea of Clinton staring down at those many GOP impeachment leaders still there does my heart good.
OK, back to the race at hand....