No special post in Senate for Clinton yet

WASHINGTON, June 5 (UPI) -- Democratic leaders say they are not yet carving out a special leadership position for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's return to Washington.

Clinton's departure from the presidential race and new expressions of openness to being Sen. Barack Obama's vice-presidential nominees has led to speculation about what might happen if she is not offered the No. 2 spot, reported The Hill Thursday.

Some observers have predicted that Democratic leaders might find her a special spot as a way to appease her supporters and bring the party together. But Clinton has not sought such a role and that has apparently not yet been considered.

"We've had a lot of senators return to the Senate that have run for national office and they are welcomed with open arms and given the possibility to work with us, and will continue to," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said to The Hill. "And Sen. Clinton has tremendous knowledge on many issues, and is tremendously respected in the Senate and I assume that she will be capable of leading us ... wherever she is."