Hillary Clinton faces bright and uncertain future

By Thomas Ferraro - Analysis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - What does Hillary Clinton want and what will she get -- other than, perhaps, returning to the U.S. Senate where she's still a star?

The answer may emerge soon as Clinton gets ready to finally concede defeat as the first viable woman contender for the White House -- amid signs she may like to be the vice presidential running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Paul Light of New York University's Center for the Study of Congress said Clinton must quickly end her historic presidential bid or face party backlash.

"But if she withdraws gracefully, she will have an enormous range of opportunities," Light said. "She could eventually become a Senate leader or end up on the Supreme Court."

Others have suggested she might want to be New York governor -- or make another run for the White House in 2012 if Republican John McCain defeats Obama in the general election.

Clinton riled some Democrats by declining to concede when the Illinois senator wrapped up the nomination on Tuesday. She has since announced she will do so on Saturday.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who backed Clinton, said, "I have no doubt that if she comes back to the Senate -- as opposed to becoming the vice presidential nominee or whatever -- she will continue to be a tremendous senator."

"And that's not too shabby," Feinstein said.