The same is true of Mrs Clinton, whose sense of betrayal is said to be overwhelming. That may partly explain why she is dipping her toes into the public waters again. The weight of being remembered as the person who delivered America to Mr Trump is too great to bear. Her anguish is understandable. The only way she can heal is to run for something and win. But the loss to Mr Trump was hers. She failed to spell out what she would do with the presidency.

The third factor is that it would serve Mr Trump's interests for the Clintons to return to the public eye. Barely a week goes by without Mr Trump attacking his former opponent. This week he tweeted about Mrs Clinton's advance knowledge of a question at a Democratic primary debate with Mr Sanders more than a year ago. Observers can hardly believe America's president is still obsessed with this.

But there is, in fact, method to Mr Trump's madness. The more he reminds America of Mrs Clinton, the more he muddies the waters. Most Americans have lost interest in the investigations of Russia's role in the US election. Mrs Clinton's return would make it much easier for Mr Trump to divert attention from the Russia scandals. Distrust of the Clintons is almost as widespread as it is for Mr Trump.

Then there is the damage to American democracy. It is easy to forget that last year's election was expected to be a contest between Jeb Bush and Mrs Clinton, the two leading political dynasties in the land. Now the Trump dynasty has taken over.

Chelsea Clinton is friends with Ivanka Trump, and It is easy to imagine her sitting in the same spot had her mother won the election. Mark Lennihan

The hit to the western democratic brand is hard to overstate. I have lost count of the number of diplomats from what used to be called the Third World telling me how familiar they find Mr Trump's Washington. Access to the president's bloodline is the priority. There is no pretence of meritocracy. Patronage and clientelism are in the air. Does anyone think the Clintons could help cure this ill?

The question answers itself. Yet Mrs Clinton is being urged to run for a big New York job, such as mayor or state governor. Her daughter is being encouraged to run for an open congressional seat in New York next year, or possibly a Senate vacancy in 2020.

They may not be aware of how their candidacies would strike the world outside of their echo chamber.


The Clintons are surrounded by admirers who would profit from their return to public life. They offer instant name recognition that promises plenty of dollars. But their name also generates resentment. To many Americans, the Clintons are the epitome of elite preachiness.

Susan Sarandon speaks at a rally outside the US District Court. Some even blame her for Donald Trump's win. AP

Their best line of attack on Mr Trump would be to retire altogether from public life. The Clintons have had their turn. They should not blot out the sunlight for future leaders.

edward.luce@ft.com

Financial Times