NYTimes: Clinton Is Being Vetted

Buried in an article on the veep-vetting process comes this piece of information:

Democrats said they thought it was less likely now than it was a month ago that Mr. Obama would choose Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York as his running mate, though they said she remained in consideration and that she was being vetted.

If he does not choose Mrs. Clinton, several Democrats said, it would be difficult for him to name any woman -- like Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, someone for whom he has had warm words. Both Clinton and Obama advisers said such a move could create a backlash among women who supported Mrs. Clinton.

Clinton adviser Howard Wolfson said recently that she was not being vetted "as far as I know." The Huffington Post reported on Hillraisers who aren't bundling money for Obama but say they would if he picked Clinton for VP.

Comments

[Mark99]

The Clintonistas' cries of sexism will never subside. This doesn't mean they're right; it's just the natural result when those who mindlessly idolize someone don't see the same reverence in others. The fact is that sexist attacks on Clinton during her campaign were extremely rare.

The corresponding complaints of racism against Obama are much more valid. One need only recall CNN's clip of the West Virginian saying she couldn't vote for him because "we have so much [sic] problems" with that "other race" to know who was the real victim of bias. Skin color trumped issues or experience or anything else for that lady, and we all know millions of others feel the same way. And Clinton herself couldn't have made her racism any clearer when she huffily declared that hardworking hhhhwhite voters (she pronounced it exactly thus, adding to the snideness) delivered WV for her. It was beyond repugnant, but nobody called her on it. Clinton eventually lost the primary because she was the inferior candidate, not because she had no Y chromosome.

Clinton very obviously won't get the VP slot, but the main reason isn't that she'd be a liability. The main reason is that she doesn't actually WANT it. If she did, she'd be putting herself in the public eye, but look around -- she's nowhere to be seen. She's not even campaigning for Obama as she said she would. She's the same self-absorbed spoiled child as before. Good riddance.

[WFV]

She will not be picked for VP. Not gonna happen. Too much baggage.

[sf94127]

What I find interesting is that Hills biggest antogonists still are Osupporters. Makes no matter that Ohisself has praised her and stressed that she is needed to win. They don't care they just hate, hate, hate.


Yo, Olovers: The Dems have always had an uphill battle winning the WH. Arguably, FDR was the last Dem to sail through w/o much effort. Bubba is a close second and you guys hate him, the most succesful Dem president since FDR.

Olovers, you will lose the election for your messiah. I don't like either candidates. I say that cuz anyone that does not drink the Okoolaid is labeled a racist, McCain supporter.

[DaveC19]

Maybe some of us are tired of the Cl1nt0ns. Maybe we are tired of the corporate DLC and B1lderburg elitists and want no more of it. We want something new, not more of the same old same old establisment. I don't think we hate bubba. I think he was a decent pres save NAFTA and the telecom act.

Don't forget though, nothing motivates a Rep to go vote more than a Cl1nt0n, they will rise from the dead to do it. She has way too many negatives. As VP her and bubba would be running things and O would be marginalized and weakened. No to H1ll4ry, No way.

I also don't think of 0b4m4 as a "messiah", he is too right-wing for me with his FISA vote. I think he is the least of the two evils compared to McPain though.

[grumpygranny66]

sf94......­..........­........An­d your point is??????????

[JerryG1]

McCain names Al Gore VP, though a Democrat, proclaiming, "How better to shore up my technology weakness than adding to the ticket the guy who invented the Internets."
Obama names Genghis Khan, though a Mongol and deceased, to his ticket saying, "What better counterweight to the Republicans than having the warmonger of all warmongers down the hall?"
Obama staffers claim the deceased part won’t cost them support vs. Gore.

[MonicaL]

Wouldn't it be easier to simply choose Chelsea Clinton? Surely, one of that family isn't tainted, and she probably hasn't had time to be sleezed up yet. (I would have suggested Bill's brother, but since he's a convicted felon, he can't serve.)

[MonicaL]

I read in the newspaper that Hillary and Bill have something on Obama, and are threatening to release it if she's not on the ticket. The story speculated that the "vetting", mentioned here, is not really "vetting", but instead is dirt digging by Obama's people on the Clintons, to be used to counter the Hillary-for-VP extortion.

I sure hope so. I don't want Hillary hurting Barack's chances by being on the ticket. I can't stand her.

And I tried to link to the newspaper story I read, but couldn't get it to work. But it's in the same paper that has the story about John Edwards leaving his lover's hotel with their love child. You can Google it.

[Softnsweet]

The Clintons do not have anything on Obama. Don't you think that she would have used it to become the nominee. Give me a break!

[HallStyle]

I really doubt she is "REALLY" being vetted!

[NikkiT]

if bo is serious about party unity, he will pick hillary for vp. otherwise, he obviously doesn't care about the other 18million people

[Quotidien]

When I last checked, America's population is 304 million.

[grumpygranny66]

NikkiT....­......Plea­seeeeeeeee­eeeeeeeeee­e Don't go there again we have had enough.

It's never gonna happen......

[Softnsweet]

Nikki the 18 million that you are talking about is only you and a few others. We got over it a long time ago. Please stop with the 18 million that was mostly republicans.

[cadbury]

I am really tired of the posters and people like Pelosi who tell HRC's supporters to get over it re: VP. What if the situation were reversed? What if Obama had gotten half of all votes cast, but had fallen just short of the nomination. Would people be angry and upset that HIS supporters were adamant about him being offered the second spot on the ticket? Would they be disparaging his black supporters the way HRC's female supporters have been disparaged? The smart money says that choosing him would be a forgone conclusion--even with the Obamas' own considerable baggage (Rev Wright, Rezko, etc.). And if she wasn't leaning toward him, his supporters would be screaming endlessly! And yes, there'd be charges of racism.

[andre06]

After she gets vetted, I think that they will come up with too much dirty laundry to extend her the VP position. Hillary has some issues privately, Paul vs Clinton is real. Also her brother have a case pending for taking money for political favors. This would be a huge distraction for the change candidate. Furthermore she could make more noise as member of his cabinet.

[thecanadian]

Yes andre06. 100% agree with you. Too much dirty laundry for both Clintons!

[Softnsweet]

Don't forget abou the foundation that is hiding money. Her supporters don't see that. Obama, please do not pick Hillary.

[soundfury]

At the Astrologers' Convention, a group of them did O's chart separately and all predicted he will win, but something bad is coming in January that will interfere with his Presidency.

This is the worst case scenario: H will become President in his place or she will interfere with his Presidency.

Do not tempt fate.

[evalpor]

If that happens, I'll be there to film it. My documentary film about the PUMA organization has just been green-lighted.

[StopSexismNow]

Oh good. Maybe it can play back-to-back with one of the three documentaries already in production detailing ALL the FRAUD that took place in every caucus state in the country. If yours just got green-lighted though, I would imagine your film won't be ready well in advance of the convention in Denver like the others.

[WFV]

Be sure your film includes footage of your new candidate as well. You should all be so proud.

[soundfury]

Can someone please tell me why she should be "entitled" to the VP slot and Kathleen Sebelius shouldn't. Who pray tell has the most experience? Kathleen that's who. If it comes down to picking a woman, then she should be that woman.

I'm sick and tired of this entitlement issue. Entitled why? Because she was a First Lady? Or because she's a Cl in ton?

Get over it once and for all.

[sharonh]

Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents

She should be in the top spot. Not entitled, deserving.

[WFV]

Should? Why? She lost.

[olivia]

Nobody is entitled to anything.

Voters picked Obama, so he gets to pick his VP. Period.

[NCMan]

yes, you're right. He gets to pick. And, once he does, then the ball goes back to the voter's court and they have every right to show their displeasure with his choice if they don't approve of it. Because, as you say, he is not ENTITLED to anyone's vote in November.

[StopSexismNow]

I would NEVER want her to take VP with Obama because I think her star is entirely too bright to hitch to his sinking wagon, but to answer your question, Kathleen Sebelius did not win more votes than any other candidate in Democratic primary history - over 18 million. This is more than half the Democratic Party ranks right now and he won't make up the loss he will take with the folks he is expecting to woo in Idaho and Utah. Also, Kathleen Sebelius, as nice as she may be, has as much charisma as a cantaloupe. She reminds me of another dud that could not close the deal on the race for Governor of MD a few years ago - Kathleen KENNEDY Townsend.

Folks, the backlash is very real and very large and very powerful and if you haven't felt it yet, brace yourself. Oh, and I recommend investing in some ear plugs now because the chorus of "I told you so" in November is going to be absolutely deafening.

[quest44]

I am so tired of hearing that Hillary won 18,000,000 votes ! First off those votes your counting are also Republican's voting as Independents with no intention of voting for her in November ,,'my own sister whose a Republican voted for her and she will vote McCain ' ,, because they didn't want to go up against Obama and felt they had a better chance up against Hillary and second your also counting all the votes in Michigan which you know darn well were never intended to all go for Hillary ,,but of course she wanted to steal them all like the good sport she is along with the rest of you who won't give up this rant and accept Obama won the nomination. So what if she is a woman and got a lot of votes .Should we make exceptions and treat her differently just because she's a woman ? Now its you who are acting like a sexist if you think so ! No candidate who has run for President in the primary and lost is automaticly entitled to the VP slot just because of how well they did in campaign ! The problem as most intelligent people can see here is you really think she is entitled to become VP if she can't be President .That is hogwash !

[SwingingFromCenter]

Typical nonsense from a jaded supporter. How's that PPUMA thing working out for you? Raised enough to take out a full page ad in the Fargo North Dakota paper yet?

[Jay20]

nobody cares about kathleen sebelius. She will not help him in any state. No one cares her dad was gov of Ohio. Hillary is a lot more popular there, and a lot more popular in south Florida. Thats almost 50 electoral votes she brings. Also, Sebelius does NOT have more experience than Hillary. Hillary has been involved with politics since the 70's, serving to impeach Nixon. Hillary IS entitled to the spot.

[Jeffin90019]

Senator Obama is in a tough spot. He's the bitter 'Hillary Was Robbed" contingency that would rather see John McBush in the White House than any other Democrat. Then he has the "Change" contingency that sees Hillary as part of everything he was running against. To embrace her now is to give lie to his promise of change. He might gain some of the Hillary Robbers, but he would lose a part of Change voters. I never want to see another Clinton as part of any administration. Her dishonesty is part of the Washington problem. That's also her biggest problem: She's qualified but distrusted. So make her Attorney General and move on!

[olivia]

Have you read those PUMA comments? They fawn over Faux News and Ann Coulter and trash every Democrat except HIllary.

They are Republicans. He'll never get their votes so he shouldn't try.

[ashenthorn]

"They are Republicans"

Hillariously so, and so very poorly disguised. Check out the hillaryis44 web site. The top 2 links are "Why Hillary?" and "Why not Obama?". The "Why not Obama?" page has about 10,000 words of ranting invective against the democratic nominee. The "Why Hillary?" page says - "COMING SOON - This page is under development."

[echo]

Step aside Clintons, you've had your fun. Well, Bill at least. I'm not sure Hillary knows what fun is.

[Twopennygal]

I hope he doesn't WANT the bundlers. Not only do they take credit for other people's contributions, but they want something in return. For once we're going to have a president for the people, not the big donors. I want to keep it that way.

Just say NO to bundlers.

[letemvote]

Obama is already taking the bundlers' money. Get a grip. Oh - and all that "I don't take PAC money" nonsense? Who do you think is paying for and hosting all the parties at the Denver convention? The $5 MoveOn children? Grow up!

[Softnsweet]

Obama does not take PAC, they can bundle it all they want. He is not obligated to them the way Clinton and McCain is. Clintons first 175 million dollars was all PAC money so get to stepping.

[StopSexismNow]

What particular strain of weed are you smoking? It must be pretty potent because He HAS bundlers already! For the people my a**. He just rolled over for FISA, campaign finance reform, embracing Bush's faith-based initiatives and he's flipping and flopping over his plans for Iraq. He's not even the official nominee yet and already he is a MAJOR disappointment! Look up from your bong long enough to check out his poll numbers. They are headed in the WRONG direction!