I missed this when it was posted, but here's Robert Reich's prediction for 2012:
My political prediction for 2012 (based on absolutely no inside information): Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden swap places. Biden becomes Secretary of State — a position he’s apparently coveted for years. And Hillary Clinton, Vice President.
So the Democratic ticket for 2012 is Obama-Clinton.
Why do I say this? Because Obama needs to stir the passions and enthusiasms of a Democratic base that’s been disillusioned with his cave-ins to regressive Republicans. Hillary Clinton on the ticket can do that.
I don't dispute this prediction. Frankly, it makes sense. I don't think the party will want Joe Biden running as the president's successor in 2016 (that is if he's re-elected). He's just not that strong as a frontrunner. [Insert wide array of Biden weaknesses here.] Hillary Clinton is, in many ways, the presumptive nominee in 2016 anyway, and therefore the "Biden Campaign" would be hobbled out of the gate, thus weakening the Obama legacy and rekindling all that crapola from 2008. Hence, if they swap roles, Vice President Hillary Clinton will have the perfect springboard for 2016, with the White House backing her endeavors.
Wait a second. Holy hell, I just wrote "Obama legacy." Way early, but oh how time flies.