After a lifetime of chasing power, Hillary Clinton is faced with the dreadful reality that it was all for nothing.

According to a Rasmussen survey, just 12 percent of Democrats want the political has-been to lead the party if President Biden is forced out before the 2024 presidential election. 

The top choice was Michelle Obama, who has been the target of rampant 2024 speculation, with even notorious incompetent Kamala Harris coming out ahead of Clinton.

Clinton's sobering loss

That's a sobering reality check for Clinton, a professional politician who spent decades chasing the presidency, only to be denied her life's aspiration by a political outsider and reality television host.

Democrats are in no rush to embrace Clinton again after 2016, but she remains an active voice in politics, largely because of the threat Trump continues to pose to her party and its hunger for power.

While the party's elites appear to have rallied behind Biden, nearly half of voters believe Biden will be replaced, the Rasmussen survey found.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama gathered support from 20% of Democrats in the poll, while Harris was the second choice at 15%.

Clinton placed third at 12%, followed by California governor Gavin Newsom at 11%.

Democrats squirm in Biden's defense

Still, 27% of Democrats said none of the candidates would be a better alternative to Biden, underlining the confusion among Democrats about who, if anybody, should take Biden's place.

Given Kamala's reputation, Michelle Obama and Gavin Newsom have been two of the most commonly cited names. But Michelle Obama has repeatedly shut down speculation of political ambitions, and Newsom has done the same, at least for this election cycle.

The governor squirmed in defense of Biden in an interview Sunday, describing the 81-year-old's age as an "asset."

“I think he’s doing everything he needs to do,” he said. “I mean, he’s got an extraordinary record."

Democrats have struggled to quiet doubts about Biden's age, especially after the release of a Special Counsel report that highlighted his memory issues.

Clinton recently acknowledged that Biden's age is a "legitimate issue", but she offered her unyielding support regardless.

“I’m for Joe Biden for reelection on the merits because I think he’s done a really good job as president,” Clinton said. “So, I think he should continue to get out and campaign."