Clinton Campaign Manager 'Blessed' Group Pushing For Unity Ticket

Marc Ambinder:

The effort by two former Clinton aides to launch a draft unity ticket (VoteBoth) movement believes it was quietly blessed a few weeks ago by Clinton's closest aide, her campaign manager, Maggie Williams.

According to three sources with knowledge of the conversation, Williams telephoned VoteBoth founder Adam Parkhomenko after the Indiana and North Carolina primaries and asked for an update. Williams indicated that she personally supported the efforts and urged Parkhomenko and his VoteBoth founder, Sam Arora, to continue, according to two of those sources.

The sources would not say whether Williams discussed the personal feelings of Sen. Clinton. It's not clear whether Williams offered any help -- and, in any event, because the VoteBoth organization can't coordinate with another political committee, it might have not been proper for her to do so.

Read the whole story: Marc Ambinder

Comments

[Maddy08]

This morning, Wolfson would not even acknowledge (when shown the NY newspapers) that Obama won the nomination. In addition, another Clinton supporter said, "He MAY have become the nominee!"

What the heck is going on here?????

[Subway]

There is someone who has quietly earned the Vice Presidential nomination. From changing the way politics is done in this country in 2003, to being the driving force in the 2006 Democratic victories all the way down to the Statehouses.

Howard Dean is best suited for helping to bring about the change that President Obama would want to deliver for America. Just imagine what America would look like after two terms of an Obama Presidency followed two terms for Howard Dean! Progressives should get behind this, because he's earned it.

Obama/Dean 08
"Fast, Long Lasting relief for the Fierce Urgency of Now!"

[Testtubebaby]

The republicans are her base and everyone is in denial about it. They are causing her to look more ridiculous than she did last night.

[Testtubebaby]

Lanny Davis has lost his mind (a long time ago really) and her supporters need to stuff it. It's over and he can choose whomever he wants. If you read that NYT article, (I hate them as much as her) they really don't know whom they are messing with.

[partyofone]

Will the self-centered Hillary Clinton and her equally mean-spirited, dishonest, calculating followers ever recognize that this election is not about her, its about the nation and its future, and that SHE LOST. End it. We need to move on.

[SouthFloridaDem]

I don't give a DAMN what Maggie Williams has blessed. She's also blessed a lot of the boneheaded moves that the Clinton campaign has made over the past months -- moves that are directly responsible for Clinton LOSING this election. Yes LOSE. Let's say the word now, since Clinton doesn't seem to want to say it. LOSE. LOST. She lost. It's over. And this childish behavior on Clinton's part is setting back women in national politics. Nice legacy, Hill.

[HerbTee]

I sure hope Obama and his campaign will not cave into Hill-Dog's strong-arm tactics to force her way onto his ticket as VP. If he allows this, he'll show weakness that others, including McCain and the Republicans can exploit against him in the GE. If he's too solf and too agreeing with each and every thing, people will try to take advantage of him. The whole world's watching his nomination, including our Nation's enemies. If Obama appears too much of a soft touch against the Clintons and her supporters, what's to stop the Republicans, other world leaders, terrorist groups and thug regimes like Iran and North Korea from trying to push him around until he caves in.

Don't do it Barack!!! Don't let Hill-Dog, her campaign and her remaining rabid supporters intimidate and bully you to place her on the ticket! Be STRONG Brother Barack, be your OWN man, make your own decisions for VP and pick who is best suitable for you personally, politically and geographically. Don't let the Hill-Dog on your ticket!!

Obama/Webb for 2008
OR
Obama/Sebelius for 2008

[windwalker1984]

How to lose an election: Put Hillary on the ticket as VP

1) Nothing will make Republicans that dislike McCain get out to vote for him more than Hillary. She has very high negatives with Republicans and many Independents as well as a lot of Democrats. Neither presidential candidate can win without support of Independents.

2) The Republicans are already, according to CNN, running a campaign ad using Hillary's infamous "I have experience, McCain has experience, Obama has a little speech he gave" speech to say Obama doesn't have what it takes to be president. I knew that would come back to bite the Democrats. You cannot have a VP that's own words are being used to destroy your candidate.

3) Hillary has too much baggage. Obama ran a fair, positive campaign. The Republicans will not. They will use every scandal, every dubious business deal of Bill's, no rock will be unturned looking for and running ads on the dirt.

There are a lot of talented Democrats that can bring strength to the ticket, that will work for and support Obama not compete with him. Please, stop the self destruction of the Democrats and let Obama select a VP on his own -- he has shown superior judgment in most of his campaign and I am sure he will also in his VP selection.

[partyofone]

Excellent statement of reality. Please be sure Obama gets it, in case he loses his resolve and begins to think seriously about Hillary as a running mate.

Hillary, Bill and their mean-spirited self-serving followers would distractm, disrupt and derail an Obama victory faster than anything I could imagine.

[Maddy08]

UPDATE!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

Just spoke to Obama headquarters! Obama is not going to select Clinton as VP. He CAN win the Presidency without her two cents. I was advised to tell all Obama supporters not to lose sleep, that everything is being handled and we should continue our support of Obama as he moves forward.

[Beachrunner]

I think she can force herself on the ticket as VP during the convention . . . .

[obamajusrocks]

No ! No ! No !

Obama couldn't make a worse decision than to decide on Hilary as VP candidate.

It will only serve to bolster accusations that he isn't strong enough to stand up to strong headed opponents and can give in to arm-twisting tactics (especially given the certainty the McCain camp will try to use Obma's willingness to talk to political and foreign opponents).

Go for Change Obama - this is the one time compromise can be best served by looking at another candidate with similar positives that Hilary could bring but avoiding the negativity her name to the ticket would surely attract...­.

Good luck and God's speed

[lvogt]

Clinton and Obama have very similar policy positions, however.
Clinton is about working the system, Obama is about changing the system.
Clinton's supporters love her, everybody else really dislikes her.
Clinton has been trying to pressure Obama and that is not a good characteristic for a VP.
What sane individual thinks the second best option to Clinton is McCain? None. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
Clinton would be an excellent Cabinet member or head of a dedicated task force on some issue.
She knows how to get things done. Find a good job for her and get her on the team but not as VP.

[Testtubebaby]

you were kind, "hates her" is more like it.

[Maddy08]

Just In: Lanny Davis has a website designed as a petition to have Clinton put on the ticket!

The democratic party and yes, Nancy Pelosi, has to speak out!!! This is going too far!

The suggestion is that he can't win this race without her! Well, he won the nomination on his own and he CAN win the Presidency as well.

Someone needs to put a petition against her as VP!

[skepticalindenver]

And if you think Lanny did it without marching orders from the queen then your wrong. Every Dem leader needs to hammer her in the hardest possible manner. She needs to really get it that it is over or she will go down in history as an unremarkable 2 term senator.

[sierrarisings1]

Obama Headquarte­rs........­..........­.....866-6­75-2008 press#6...­..........­..........­....NO VP........

pass this on

[Maddy08]

I just called the number (thank you for providing it) and was told "no messages can be recorded at this time."

Is there another way we can contact the headquarters?

[peggio]

I called, pressed 6 and spoke with a woman named Marjorie. Try, try again and again and again.
Lanny Davis might just be even crazier than Shrillary, just might be!

[VOTER]

Don 't offer the Vice Presidency to any other woman?

Duh! Huh?

All of the women I know are as intelligent as Hillary and far superior to her.

They have integrity.

Thank goodness there are numerous women qualified to become our

Vice President! HIllary isn't among them.