Why the Senate GOP takeover might actually help Hillary Clinton

Clinton campaigned hard this fall for Democrats and spent much of her time trying to preserve a Democratic majority in the Senate — an effort that failed dramatically in Tuesday’s GOP midterm rout.

But many Democratic strategists said the switch to Republican control may have a silver lining for Clinton, helping her better define herself as she shapes a potential 2016 presidential campaign. By providing a convenient foil for Clinton and other Democrats, a GOP-run Congress would make it less imperative for Clinton to highlight her differences with President Obama, these strategists said.

Obama’s damaged, lame-duck condition also makes Clinton the strongest Democrat left standing.