While memories of her travails in office will fade with time, political analysts say Swift would fare better campaigning in the Berkshires, where she was a favorite daughter, than in the sharp-elbowed ring of statewide politics. Many expect her to run for US Representative John Olver's seat when he leaves office.

Embracing her rural roots, Swift stood with Vixen, one of her family's three horses in the pasture at her home.