Given the split between the parties and their cultures right now... it was likely her only choice. There was no way independents, liberals or progressives would ever vote for her, even before her admitting to wanton animal cruelty. So if she wants power, she has to suck up to the people whom applaud her for her complete psychopathy: trumps cult.
But psychopathy isn't an excuse for failing math class. The cult is not, and will never be enough to get into to or stay in power now. 2016, sure, now? Nope, too much is known, and culture is changing too fast, too fast AWAY from their jive.