I have no idea what's in Sen. Hillary Clinton's head as far as her endgame is concerned. But there is speculation (uninformed, probably) that she wants maximum leverage to pressure Sen. Barack Obama into putting her on the ticket. And Time reports that President Clinton is pushing his wife for VP, even though no one knows what Sen. Clinton wants.
That would be a disastrous idea for several reasons.
Wrong Message: It undermines Obama's central campaign theme of "change," that it's time to "turn the page."
Looks Weak: It would be perceived as a decision made under duress, indirectly undermining his foreign policy argument that he would maintain toughness while conducting diplomacy.
Constant Distractions: The Clintons are a continuing train wreck of psychodrama that would repeatedly distract and overshadow. (Note how far President Clinton's poll numbers have dropped in recent months.)
Iraq: Obama would have difficulty attacking McCain's foreign policy judgment on the Iraq war if his running mate displayed the same poor judgment.
The main argument for Clinton is to help bring in more white working-class voters. But just because she's doing better than Obama with them in the primary is no evidence she's the only or best option to attract those voters.
For example, Sen. Jim Webb (VA), Gov. Ted Strickland OH), Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR), former Sen. Sam Nunn (GA), Sen. Evan Bayh (IN), Sen. Jay Rockefeller (WV). Gov. Phil Bredesen (TN), Gov. Brian Schweitzer (MT), Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (KS), just to name a few.
Furthermore, I'm not convinced Obama needs the electoral college help.
He's beating McCain in seven out of eight major polls taken this month: up 10 points in yesterday's Zogby poll., others generally around 5-7.
Yes, it's early for national polls. But keep in mind polls from this month have been conducted after Obama has taken plenty of fire, and McCain has gotten off light.
He may be relatively weak in Appalachia. But he's still holds PA versus McCain. And a national lead that big should help Obama pick up states like Virginia, Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico and maybe more.
Everyone is focused on how to handle Clinton to avoid deep fissures in the party, for good reason. Obviously, Clinton should to be properly considered as any popular figure in the party would.
But expectations can't get too high either.
A quicker decision may help in that regard. Expectations won't build too much, and any bad feelings will have time to heal.
There's no need to draw out the suspense. Obama's candidacy is exciting on its own.
After Clinton concedes, the veep search should be the first order of business. And when the decision is made, and the vetting is completed, don't wait to announce.
Slightly different version initially posted at LiberalOasis.
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The only problem with this scheme is this - she's not going to be VP. Picking her as a running mate solves some political problems and possibly even an electoral one or two (jury is out on that), but it is absolutely the wrong pick on any governing, leadership level; so I don't think he'll do it. In fact, I think he'll dare her to take her fight to the convention, and I think he'd be happy to have her empty her gun and become a nobody in the party, which is what will happen when her antics cost Obama and the Democrats the election. Everyone in America will know it was her fault when we wind up McBush as president, and she will never again - ever - have any
-A questionable $500 million given to the Bill Clinton's library (Saudi, Chinese, and other billionaires who will want favors repaid), plus millions more to his charity that flies him around the world in a private jet.
-Millions for "speeches" by questionable companies and governments given to him after he left office. Any fool can imagine what he told them would happen to their interests starting in 2009.
-Marc Rich and other very shady pardons (Rich's ex-wife gave big $$$ to Clinton's library right before the pardon)
-Bill's "investment" firm.
-Peter Paul in California (look for it on YouTube, it's a Republican "nuclear option" waiting to happen).
-Scorched earth ruthless power-grabbers who believe the(ir) end justifies the means should be shown the door in our politics.
-Ruthless people one heartbeat away from the most powerful office in the world.
-"I... did not... have sex with that woman."
-"Screw 'em!"
Looks Weak
Constant Distractions
Iraq
Those are four really solid reasons for not having Clinton on the ticket, number three being my personal pick for top reason. Add to that the years of opposition research the Republican party has done on Hillary Clinton, the Clinton scandals, the Clinton soundbites from this primary, and I can't see a good reason to choose Hillary as VP. Party unity isn't good enough, because that will come about regardless. As for the Clinton supporters who are so caught up in their own disappointment that they can't see what's best for the country, let's just be thankful they are in the minority. Most people, most Democrats, care about what's happening to our jobs and our mortgages and our household budgets and our economy and our environment and our media and our energy policy and our health care system and our military personnel and our constitution—and will do the right thing.
all of her fictious Bosnian sniper tales can't hold up to his Vietnam days... him being Sec of the Navy....
no sorry Hillary, you don't match up... GO AWAY
The president must be in a position of strength in order to serve the country well; he/she cannot be a figure head. The VP must not hijack the agenda and set up a separate operation--look what has happened with the Bush/Cheney combo.
But it ain't gonna happen.
if he picks the SHREW(hillary)... I will sit out the election... plain and simple!!!
I don't trust her.. her lust for want to be POTUS will not stop with being the VP.... I predict something suspicious to happen to him and her "manifest destiny" will be fufilled....
I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM IF SHE IS ON THE TICKET