But that may be the price of the Clintons' determination to remain a powerful presence in the capital. There's never been this situation before. She's not just another senator, she's also an ex-first lady, and they have to have something that's a little bit more than an apartment away from home. Clearly, the Clintons will straddle the worlds of celebrity and politics in a manner unique among former first families. Things are wide open as to what kind of role he'll have, but he'll be very much in the public eye - because he'll put himself in the public eye.
Historical parallels are few.
Teddy Roosevelt took part in an African safari after leaving the White House in 1909, then ran unsuccessfully for president three years later on the Bull Moose ticket. Herbert Hoover was tapped by Presidents Harry S. Truman and Eisenhower to study ways to reorganize the executive branch. Jimmy Carter does good deeds all over the world, rebuilding houses for Habitat for Humanity, writing books, monitoring elections, and brokering peace agreements. Clinton himself has identified Carter's as a worthy post-presidential model. But the lure of elective politics may be too strong for him to leave behind.