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Clinton

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By Anne Gearan

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON -- The Republican takeover of the Senate could be good news for at least one Democrat: Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Clinton campaigned hard this fall for Democrats and spent much of her time trying to preserve a Democratic majority in the Senate -- an effort that failed dramatically in Tuesday's GOP midterm rout.

But many Democratic strategists said the switch to Republican control may have a silver lining for Clinton, helping her better define herself as she shapes a potential 2016 presidential campaign. By providing a convenient foil for her and other Democrats, a GOP-run Congress would make it less imperative for Clinton to highlight her differences with President Barack Obama, these strategists said.

Obama's damaged, lame-duck condition also makes Clinton the strongest Democrat left standing.

A Republican Senate is likely to "spend a lot of time trying to repeal some of the progress made in the Obama administration," Democratic strategist Erik Smith said.

"That would be a great situation for her, because she could both make the case against the Republicans while currying favor with the Obama base."

Original post:
Why the GOP takeover may help Hillary Clinton