Well, this didn't take long:

Just six weeks after reluctantly surrendering to Barack Obama in the brutal 2008 Democratic primary race, Sen. Hillary Clinton has begun raising money for what she says is her 2012 New York Senate re-election campaign.

The report acknowledges that some Hillary backers are "balking" at throwing their financial weight behind Obama--so it's only natural that Hillary would ask to keep the change:

Now, the New York Observer is reporting early this morning that the former first lady has sent out a special message to supporters who donated up to $2,300 to her anticipated 2008 general election campaign. Since there won't be one, she must return that money to the donors by Aug. 28, unless she gets their permission not to.

Her new appeal includes a photocopy of a handwritten note from Clinton that says, "Dear friend, your commitment has meant so much to me over the course of my presidential campaign. You were there for me when I needed you the most and I'll never forget it. I hope you'll help me continue to fight for the issues and causes we believe in by filling out the enclosed form in support of Friends of Hillary."

The form, once signed, allows Clinton staff to transfer the money from the 2008 general election fund into the 2012 senate re-election treasury' where it can earn four years' of interest.

Four years from now, of course, could be an even bigger, better election. As Calvin Coolidge once said, "Nothing can take the place of persistence." The former first lady certainly has it in spades.