Now that she’s back to being a Senator, some New Yorkers are proud of having Hillary Clinton as their champion on the Hill.

Phil Wagner, a cherry and apple grower — and a Republican — who sent the message to Mrs. Clinton said that the moment was bittersweet.

“I told her, ‘I’m sorry you lost your presidential campaign, but I missed my senator,’ ” Mr. Wagner said. “It’s saddening, because I was looking forward to our first female president. Us guys have mucked it up for a pretty long time. But I’m glad we have her back.”

I don’t think he means “have her back” in the sense of covering the Senator’s blind side, but I could be wrong.
This guy echoes the sentiment that surprised me so when I read this piece. Mrs. Clinton’s supporters are bi-partisan.

Several people, including Tom Ferraro, who heads a regional food bank that runs a farm in the area, said that they were especially struck by what they described as Mrs. Clinton’s resilience.

Mr. Ferraro is a Republican, but he traveled to Iowa earlier this year to campaign in rural communities on behalf of Mrs. Clinton.

After watching her greet the crowd in Geneva, he said she seemed to be taking the loss better than many of her supporters.

He showed up with a basket of cucumbers and other vegetables to present to Mrs. Clinton.

“I think she is amazing,” he said. “I don’t know how many people have the chutzpah to get back in the saddle so quickly. You’ve got to get back in the saddle after you fall. But this was quick.”

I do think there’s a strong feeling of optimism among the GOP. Senator McCain would’ve had a much tougher time against Senator Clinton, or John and Elizabeth Edwards (they very much are a two-fer even if they’re not united in worshiping at the altar of the Chosen Precious), or Senator Dodd, than he’s likely to have against the unseasoned “presumptive Democratic nominee,” and Dennis Kucinich as a Democratic nominee would give the Republican choice fits.