Even though she finished second for her party's nomination, Hillary Clinton remains one of this nation's most remarkable politicians. And even though Barack Obama's people might wish otherwise, Bill and Hillary Clinton will remain formidable fixtures in the Democratic Party. Their approval ratings with the Democratic faithful hover around 80 percent.

She came achingly close to being the first woman to be the presidential nominee and retains a dedicated base of support and impressive appeal to blue collar voters.

Recall that she survived scandals - Filegate, Travelgate - that would have sunk a lesser mortal and then went on to win a Senate seat in a state, New York, notorious for its convoluted politics, where she had never lived and had no real connection. Her effortless re-election was a sign that she can have the Senate job as long as she wants.

If she does stay in the Senate, she might choose to take up the torch that Sen. Ted Kennedy is passing as that body's great liberal lion - in her case, lioness. She has said she looks forward to passing universal health care and having Obama sign it. And the fact is that Obama, who was less collegial with his fellow senators than she, will need her advocacy in Congress.

A chapter in a gripping American political biography is closing in Denver this week, but it is far from the final chapter.