Why Replacing Biden With Hillary Makes Perfect Sense for Obama
Sen. Joe Biden's a perfectly appropriate vice presidential running-mate for Sen. Barack Obama. He's got 36 years of Senate experience, is a true intellect, a foreign policy expert, and a genuinely nice guy. But ever since Sen. John McCain added plucky Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to his ticket, the old adage nice guys finish last is beginning to take on new meaning in this year's presidential contest. It's time to dump Biden and replace him with Sen. Hillary Clinton. I don't care how it's done. Campaign chief David Axelrod can figure that out. And the sooner the better. Because I'm starting to think that if Team-Obama doesn't do something dramatic fast, it's gonna lose this election. There's a worrisome shift in momentum and in the polls. The Palin phenomenon, while truly unfathomable to Democrats, has energized McCain's campaign and allowed him like Houdini to snatch Obama's "change" theme right out from under him. It's time to snatch it back.
Conventional wisdom says replacing Biden with Clinton can't be done. That it's too late. That it'll make Obama appear indecisive, impulsive and lacking good judgement. Many Democrats believe this would cause irreparable harm to the campaign, ringing Obama's death knell. But this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it'd be a freakin' coup for Obama, and would instantly melt Palin's undeserving outsize political ice cap.
To be sure, a Biden-Clinton switch would cause quite a stir in the media. They'd accuse him of all sorts of things, from being politically expedient and flip-flopping to being irrational and ill-equipped to be president. The talking heads on CNN, Fox and MSNBC would be locked in a non-stop frenzied orgy of derisive rhetoric. But we also know that it would make about 18-million Hillary voters ecstatic at the same time. So, honestly, who really cares what Joe Scarborough, Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer or Brit Hume thinks? These pundits don't constitute an appreciable voting block. What they think and feel would be utterly dwarfed by the euphoria from Clinton's faithful supporters. It's a pretty safe bet that an Obama/Clinton ticket would capture virtually all of these loyal Clintonistas. It's also a safe bet that many of those highly coveted 18-49-year-old women who polls show migrated to McPalin this past week would drop the spunky little hockey mom in a heartbeat for Hillary. Lastly, it's an even safer bet that Obama's current voters would stick with him as well. So, where's the downside? Show me a Democrat, today, who'd dump Obama for McCain if Biden was replaced with Clinton? They don't exist.
Obama should do what the Republicans would do in this situation. In fact, he should do exactly what his opponent did. Shake things up. Be unconventional. Roll the dice. Out-McCain McCain. Who cares how it looks. Who cares what the media thinks. One thing's certain: there's an 18-million deep pot of gold out there waiting to be mined. An Obama/Clinton ticket would slam the door shut on this election.
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heheheheeheh - Who cares how it looks you ask? I care! It looks like you finally see some light! But let me tell you what your should be doing - scrub Obama and put in Hillary at the top if you want that 18 Million pot of Gold- picking her in third place - will get you nothing . But then what do fools usually get ? fools gold! Mine elsewhere- you blew this election back in January! We will never forgive you for it! I will bet this never gets in- You don't want the truth now anymore than you did then- I hope you all pay with four more years - just what your seserve- too bad the rest of us have to pay for your mistakes.
Actually - it would be your mistake.
My goodness you sound bitter and completely irrational. Go right ahead and hold your vote hostage... it will be you kicking yourself in the end if McCain wins.
I feel so sorry for you. You sound so miserably unhappy. I hope your life improves.
If we Obama supporters are going to help win this election, then we've got to be team players. Andy Ostroy is showing signs of panic in this piece, and it is very counterproductive. Obama, Plouffe and Axelrod have shown that they know what they are doing, and I trust their leadership. If they had decided that Hillary Clinton was the right VP choice, I would have supported Hillary 100%. They picked Biden and therefore I support Joe Biden for VP 100%. Instead of panicking and flailing around like Andy, I will instead donate $100.00 to Obama, make some phone bank calls to a swing state, and continue organizing a group of about 15 volunteers from my California home town to travel to the swing state of Nevada next month. I urge all readers to take similar action now.
- Jim Heaphy
Yes, you're right. A mass delusion cannot work unless you're team players.
this article is kind of typical of the lack of discipline Democrats have shown that prevents us from truly acomplishing our goals. we spend too much time second-guessing ourselves and come across as being weak and mealy-mouthed to the electorate, who tend to vote based on perceptions, not policy.
That being said, Byden is a perfectly reasonable choice for VP and in the long run will prove to be a great choice. The problem is all of this Hilry prognostication is being fueled by the pick of Plin, which occured AFTER Byden was chosen. BigO is a cool guy, but he does not have a crystal ball and can't see the future.
However, we can see the past, and should remember the weeks leading up to the convention with all the talk of the Clntns trying to steal the nomination from Big O, the Clntn surrogates yelling how she was robbed, and other such tom-foolery. Big O would have seemed like an idiot for choosing someone who so clearly didn't have his best interests at heart. However, revisionist history is always fun to read, on the Monday morning quarterback tip.
Clntn may have got 18 million votes, but so did BigO depending on which fuzzy math model you follow. Anyone here believe that all the BigO supporters would simply forget all that happened in the primaries and fall head-over-heels for Hilry? If you believe that, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell ya...
Please people, time to let it go. It would be a DISASTER to change VP's now. I heard Obama told Clinton early on he was going to pick someone else for VP and she was fine with it. We don't know what will happen after the election. Maybe he has something else in mind for her. Maybe she has something else in mind for herself.
What you heard would make sense, as Hillary was not vetted by Obama's VP committee. Not one of her records was requested.
Even if Biden withdrew, it would be a devastating blow to the Obama campaign -- independents and undecideds would see Team Barrack as flaky and shaky. They need to maintain a rock-solid front and let McCain's VP pick lead people to question his decision-making ability.
I keep seeing her on the Supreme Court. Now there is a justice I could believe in.
Maggie:
I agree. His integrity and thoughtful decision making are what people want, and need, to see in him.
I think she has in mind running in 2012 whether Obama wins or not. It would be very difficult for her to resign from the cabinet to do that, and virtually impossible if she were VP. I don't think she ever wanted the VP spot.
Exactly, during her convention speech she did everything but announce her candidacy for 2012.
Forgot to mention: booting Biden and harnessing Hillary would smack of "me too" -- as in, "look, we've got a woman too!"
That is NOT the kind of strong leadership message that America is looking for right now.
I'm sorry, Hillary supporters, but it's time to accept that she LOST. Try again in 2012 if everything goes south this year, but let's hope that doesn't happen. We just can't afford four more years of McBush.
Replacing Biden with Clinton would guarantee a Democratic loss in November.
Not because Hillary is "bad" or anything like that (although, to be fair, a large number of people do view her that way).
But because it would signal panic and flailing by the Dems within two months of the election.
That is NOT what we need right now. No, we need to redouble our efforts to point out McCain's lies, and Obama needs to step forward with a CLEAR plan for getting us out of the mess we're in (and needs to keep up the pressure pointing out that McCain is in part *responsible* for the mess).
Panic does not serve us well.
Agreed. Would have loved to have seen her in the presidency.
Sigh.
It ain't happening a -- so MOVE ON!!
Why is vice president the only place Hillary has left to go? I think you're niave to think she even wants it at this point. Plus, the same people that wouldn't vote for her before are not going to vote for her now. And the PUMA vote is totally McCain's and in my opinion always has been, so what's the point of looking indecisive and weak for a dubious and small advantage, if any?
Hillary will serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services or, could continue as one of Obama's economics advisors -- she was, after all, a brilliant corporate attorney and had a regulatory practice. She's already on his economics team.
I think if Obama dropped a little HINT that he was using her in some important way it would help a lot.
I think Hillary should replace Harry Reed-of-the-strongly-worded-letter
as Senate Majority leader, and lead the charge on the LEGISLATION that will be required to usher in Obama's energy, tax, and social proposals....(provided someone can find out what those ARE)
Ask yourself: Who would be best on "point" in the coming EPIC battle over health care: Hillary or St. Harry-the-mild-and-mellow?
tm
Why didn't they pick Hillary in the first place? Or vote for Obama over her?
No idea.
The only way I could see this working is if Biden dropped out. Otherwise the GOP will rip Obama to shreds. I think (or hope) that people will realize that Biden was not a trendy choice, he is actually the best candidate. That should count for something.
I wouldn't be surprised if Hillary was offered the job and declined. She doesn't want to be #2 and she could have a much greater impact either in the Senate or in Cabinet -- which is where I expect her to end up. I was hoping she'd be VP if she didn't get the nomination -- frankly, any one of the Democratic primary candidates would be 1000% improvement over McCain -- but I want her to be where she'd have the most impact. It's why I was hoping Biden would have been Secretary of State. But he'll be a great VP too.
In fact, if Obama wants to out-McCain McCain, he should go out now and announce who would be in that Cabinet. Hillary for DHHS should be a no-brainer. And I'd love to see Bill as Secretary of State, but it won't happen.
Palin was only going to play to and resonate with the foam-at-the-mouth 'basers' who'd be for McBush under any circumstance, and now that the fizz that floated her to the pinnacle of her ticket is subsiding, she'll sink on her dubious merits.
Truer words never spoken!
It would be a horrible idea to get rid of Joe. They should put him out on the stage more, but he's a great energetic choice. If Obama switched his VP choice now, I would be disappointed. His character and judgement would and should be called into question. The big question would be "Why did you choose Joe, because you think he'd make a good prez? or because you though he'd help you get into the White House?" I don't think following the Repube example of putting politics before pride, and putting on a "good show for the citizens b/c they are too dumb to realize we're not addressing real issues mwahahaha!", is a good tactic for Obama. If he loses, let him do it with some honor. He can still punch, fight, and kick, just no throwing sand, pulling hair, and spitting.
Obama has always been smarter than they could possibly imagine. They have NEVER read him right and he will always be one step ahead of them because they are so stuck in their stupid ways, they can't help themselves.
Biden is where he needs to be and Obama is loving having him as his VP. He took someone who he could trust and that is Biden. He will never in a million years give up Biden for Hillary. And I don't blame him.
Obama needs to name his top tier cabinet members now! SUGGESTION:
Secretary of State; Joe Biden (he steps down as Vice resident running mate for own personal reasons I can't think of everything)
or vice verse; make
Bill Richards- Chief of Staff...locks down Hispanic vote.
High Profile Republican: High Post
High Profile Asian: High Post
Al Gore: Newly Created Energy Zarr
Colin Powell: High Post
Bill Clinton: Ambassdor to United Nations (keeps him out of the Countriy)
Hillary Clinton has to replace Joe Biden cause he had to step down at this time but will be back in time to take Secretary of State or some other High Post.
I like your thinking. Now, let's help John McCain pick HIS cabinet. Make your recommendations at
http://snitwits.wordpress.com
Remember, deep and wide experience or education is NOT a prerequisite of any of your nominees. Known evidence of American-flag-lapel-pin-wearing gets extra points. Please, NO Community Organizers (really looks bad on a resume, per Giuliani)! Hockey moms (and dads) welcome. Maybe his Cabinet can start their own team! : )
http://snitwits.wordpress.com
"Help McCain Select His Cabinet"
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