Hillary's 2012 End Game

By Wednesday morning, Hillary and Obama will up neck and neck in popular vote, give or take 100,000 votes between them.

That means the pressure will be on for him to make her his running-mate.

But she may not be interested. In fact, she will likely turn down recruiting efforts. If you take the Clintons at their word Obama is doomed to failure so why would she want to go down in flames with him this fall against McCain?

It's not like she hasn't made this perfectly clear. Her feelings about Obama's inadequacies have been articulated and broadcasted for months.

She has said he is an untried rookie who shouldn't get the nod and can't beat McCain. Her character assassination has been subtle but effective: The reference to Bobby Kennedy. Her doubts about his beliefs, (he's Christian or so they tell me). Her attacks on his manhood. Her husband's description of Obama's entire campaign as a "fairy tale."

All these statements and others will be generously splashed across Republican ads this fall to the point that some voters, who only wake up to their democracy during elections, may actually think she is McCain's running-mate.

Joining the Obama teams means she will have shot herself in the foot beforehand.

So what emerges is what I believe is the Clinton no-lose strategy.

They have used Obama's unelectability as their excuse to continue running against him even though they cannot win because, by saying he's unelectable, they help in part to bring about his defeat.

His defeat by McCain would make them look really smart and also set them up for the nomination and run in 2012. This is based on their professed logic that only Hillary can win against McCain; McCain will be a one-termer because he will be decrepit in four years and there will be a job vacancy in 2012 for the White House.

The tricky part for Hillary will be to appear to be a team player if she declines the VP slot or isn't even asked. Obama will offer both of them something in return for a few stump speeches made in between long absences from the campaign due to "exhaustion."

That's why this week will be great fun to watch because the delegate arithmetic simply doesn't work after Tuesday. And the real Hillary will be revealed in one of two scenarios:

If she becomes Obama's running mate, which makes sense to most Democrats, it will be because she never believed a word she said about his unelectability in the first place. And once in there, she and Bill will also make his life, and presidency should he win, miserable, according to former advisors like Dick Morris.

If, alternatively, she rejects offers to become the running-mate or play a major administration role, then she really believes Obama has no chance, she is not a team player and is willing to have Americans endure one term of McCain so she can take up White House residency in 2012.
Take your pick.

Comments

[BubbaC33]

Obama supporters will want whatever he tells them to want.

[paragrafH]

Obama supporters will think for themselves. They also trust that this intelligent man of integrity has a good plan and many supporters in the party who wish him well, who know the importance of having a man of integrity in the White House at this juncture, and who will work towards his election as hard as we will. It's called a concerted effort of the willing.

[BubbaC33]

Obama supporters have to trust him, Obama has not shared anything of substance or specifics.
About the ability of Obama supporters to think for themselves, I have not seen any proof on that matter. Anything his campaign staff says is repeated by his supporters on HuffPo, even when it is demonstrably false.

[JimR]

Nope. If he tells me to want Hillary as his running mate, I'm out.

[laylahb]

Yesterday's crowd outside the Marriott was all fired and ready for a big bra BBQ. The "Rueben Sandwich" piece in today's HuffPost summed up the atmosphere inside, and I learned some new facts about our presumptive nominee. He's a drug dealer, he had gay sex, he's a Nazi, he's a Socialist , he's a murderer (what?). Years and years of frustration have been carefully brought up to the surface. Sexism has taken centre stage. Those younger, photogenic men, the broadcasters, the journalists, and the candidates are still leapfrogging over them. They're making fun of their friend, too. They're "mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore." They want to get back at some man, any man.

Those feelings are not going away anytime soon. They are angry, and nobody will make them change their allegiance, their loyalty, their vote. Nobody will really try too hard, anyway. They make up 51% of the electorate. We need them to win back the White House.

John, here are the keys. Cindy, they just delivered your ballgown. See you in 2012, Hill.

[Geekboy]

You assume the people you saw at the Marriott represent women as a whole. I propose that they don't. The average woman is NOT going to take that much time and energy going to protest at an arcane party meeting that they aren't invited to.
The average woman (or man, let's not be sexist!) is not interested in hiding behind the mantra of "count every vote" to insist that states can knowingly break party rules then say "oops nevermind" after the elections have been held.
There's only one reason for people to do this: they're unhappy with outcome and are willing to cheat to change it. What you've seen at the Marriott represents a lunatic fringe, not women as a whole.
However, Obama definitely does need to understand Clinton's supporters and win them over if he is to win the election. And he will when he has a chance to!
Why hasn't he been doing this yet? Because Hillary insisted on "asserting her rights" to stay in this campaign long after she was relevant or had any chance of winning.
We just need to stop the insanity, so Obama can run the campaign he needs to run. We can't give McBush a chance to wreck the country!!!!

[Yohomegirl]

I wanted to do more. I had to cut out a section of four inch cast iron pipe in a basement this morning because it had a leak and that is my job, to fix things. Then I had to install my alternator on my Subaru, because my work van gets 12 miles to the gallon. Then I got to call 25 South Dakotans for Obama. Then bathe and go to an Obama potluck. I called 100 more Montanans and South Dakotans before 9 pm. Yes, I can, Yes, We can.....with Barack! 44 year old Southern white Obama girl!

[sangsue]

Did you hear he's really a Martian? And that the Obamas are actually a species on Mars that has come to earth to take it over? Yes, they're going to take all the humans and sell them as Intergalactic Love Slaves. After all, if I say it, it must be true, right? Just like if people in yesterday's crowd had something to say, it must be true.

They're taking all the stupid people first. Like you.

[ddoston10]

Anyone who says Clinton can run again in 2012, totally assumes the falacy that african americans will vote for her.

I argue that Hillary is less electable than Obama because no demograt can win without 90% black vote and she is getting 8%. Yet, the media obsesses over the white vote which no democrat ever wins.

I'll predict she won't win re-election in NY

[leftcoastliberal]

Hillary has lost the anti-war vote forever and all time too. Her vote for the Iraq war, the "obliterate" comment, and her vote to declare Iran's revolutionary guard a terrorist organization have made it plain she's a Neo-Con, just like Bush and Cheney.

[sangsue]

No they don't. They don't care about the AA vote. After all, everyone is talking about the blue collar white vote and about how Hillary has it all. Oh and she has all the women's votes too.

The truth is, the reason no one mentions the AA vote is because they voted 90 percent for Obama when they found out that they didn't need to settle on Bill for the "black President" and heard the garbage from his, Ferraro and Hilary's mouths.

Because only AAs, smart and young people would vote for Obama, why would they mention them?

Meanwhile, when the media discounts these people because they're so called "demographics" for Obama and Obama isn't there (because we all know that the Clinton's will get the nomination because they'll threaten to kill what's left of the Democratic party and the Dems are pu$$ies) then lets see how unimportant that demo is.

[SamThornton]

If Sen. Obama gets the Democratic nomination yet gets defeated by Sen. McCain, Sen. Clinton can say, "I told you so," and run in 2012.

Everyone can predict her defense for trashing Sen. Obama that leads to this result: "I wasn't doing anything the Republicans wouldn't do."

Precisely.

[Lafinurbis]

I cannot agree more.

I expect her to help Mccain (in disguise) with thinghs like appeals to credential committe among others, and If Obama losses she will say. "I told you so" to the democratic party.

Then make McCain life miserable from her post in the senate and her enhanced influence in the party. Then run in 2012 (she may want to became NY governor to argue her executive experience).

it is crystal clear.

[marijam]

You all need to quit stirring this pot. Hillary and Bill are going to be Obama's trump card, going into those Appalachian states and bringing in those votes during the general election.

[leftcoastliberal]

If they bring the Applachian vote to Obama I'll take back every nasty thing I said about them... but I ain't holding my breath.

[shades3]

If the slack-jawed, hard-working WHITE American vote is what stands between the country and another Bush clone, all I can say is how sorry I am that so few have functioning brains.
You get the government you deserve if you accept another liar as your next President.
Hillary Clinton not only lies, but to cover up the Bosnia lie she had her husband and her daughter lie too, to cover up her original lie.
That's what pathological liars do.
You already have a pathological liar in the White House now.
I guess that's the norm now, so good luck with Hillary Clinton/Bill Clinton and their mouth-breathing followers.

[Cathi]

You gave 2 scenarios and misstated that in general, democrats want her to be on the ticket as VP -- wrong!

I'd be really disappointed if he invited her, since her agenda is the total opposite of his -- she lies, cheats, and has some legal issues she will need to deal with that she can no longer delay -- she may just not be 'available' to hold public office...if she can't pay someone off to get out of it.

[BanjoHarry]

Lol... As a Democrat, the only "Dream Team" I care to see in the White House is Barack and Michelle.

Dems 08!

[Daisy1111]

This only shows how politcally naive you are.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

yes, you know it all, don't you? it's funny when people who support frauds accuse others of being naive. please, do continue.

[23000Days]

You forgot scenario 3: She's not asked to be his running mate, and realizes that whatever happens, continuing her campaign will not improve her chances in 2012. She then tries to undermine Obama to ensure a McCain win (plan B all along) hoping she can beat McCain is 2012.

That seems to be the most likely scenario, because Hillary can't accept defeat.

[paragrafH]

She can't accept reality, period.

[wldnswmmr]

The cruel reality is that this is Hillary's last shot. She's not going to run for President at the age of 64, pushing 65. The analysis of her motives often gets way too complicated. She's hung in so tenaciously because she realizes this is her only opportunity to make it to the White House. She's a lackluster Senator who won't attract much attention in the off season, and the Clintons are going to do a slow fade into historical irrelevancy when this is all over. She's not good at raising money, and she'll be disinclined to blow a lot of her own money all over again in 2012. Go big or go home - that's been her approach. She almost made it.

[jsq]

I agree. 2012 is a fantasy for the most diehard Hillary supporters for two reasons-
1. 64 is too old for a woman to run for president. If Hillary thinks she was the victim of the media's sexism this time around, imagine how the media will treat her when she looks another four years older.
2. Democrats dont elect losers. We are not Republicans, where you can run for nomination, come in second and get your turn the next time.
I think Hillary knows this and I think this is the reason she's running no holds barred.

[JimR]

I don't think she'll be able to run in 2012, but not because of her age. She's burned too many bridges.

[tyrdofwaitin]

I think the 'fairy tale' is that Obama cannot win the general. Mark my words, Obama will win the general in November by a LANDSLIDE, i.e, by 15% or more!

[Daisy1111]

Oh my. Can you say that again?

Win the GE by a landslide?

LOL

[BubbaC33]

Why is it folks posting about Ms. Clinton seem so unable to be honest and factually accurate. For example, you have misquoted Ms. Clinton's answer to the question about Obama's religious faith. The answer you have used is not only inaccurate, it gives a terribly wrong idea about what her real answer was to the question.
Obama has sowed the seeds for his defeat in Nov with his shabby treatment of Ms. Clinton, his insults to white voters, Hispanic voters, older voters, folks without a college education, blacks unwilling to vote for someone based on skin color, Jews, and other people unwilling to support a candidate with little substance and few specifics. Does anyone believe Obama will be able to unite over 20 million voters into the fold and enable him to win? I have never voted for a Republican and don't plan to ever vote for one. Having said that, I cannot say with conviction I will vote for Obama, though I know I won't vote for McCain or for Barr or Nader. The only vote I look forward to making is when I go home to vote for Bibi.

[gymrat63]

Actually, Bill Clinton said his views on Iraq were a fairy tale not his entire campaign. Plus, as far as Barack being a Muslim, Hillary said "as far as I know" after being pressed on the issue by several questions, not "or so they tell me". This blogger shouldn't even be posting if she is this factually inaccurate.

[snarkopolitan]

What would a solid gold good heart do when "pressed on the issue by several questions"?

"Look, this is nonsense. Neither one of us is a Muslim, but it shouldn't matter if we were. Many of my constituents are Muslims, I have Muslim friends, and they are as good citizens as anybody else. It isn't an issue, as far as I'm concerned. Why don't you ask me something about my policies?"

Hows that?

[several]

I'm so tired of reading lines like "By Wednesday morning, Hillary and Obama will up neck and neck in popular vote, give or take 100,000 votes between them."

The only way those numbers work is if you ignore all the participation of all voters in all caucus states.

Obama is way ahead by every count which actually includes all voters. Counting only primary state voters is a complete and total falsification of what has actually happened in these primaries and clueless MSM reporters and pundits, along with throngs of clueless bloggers keep parroting the lie without bothering to think it through.

Failing to fact check the assertion of politicians before parroting their talking points is a superb way to discredit yourself.

[23000Days]

Exactly right!
If you're in an apple-picking contest and the rule is the one with the most edible apples wins, what would you do? You'd figure out how to pick the most edible apples! Obama has done that exceedingly well: the goal was "most delegates".
Now here comes Hill, with fewer apples, saying "but I visited the most trees! The trees like me better! The rotten ones in my basket still count!

Ge-e-e-ez!

[BubbaC33]

When I vote it is in private. I am not forced to endure the rantings of a crowd. I do not have to ebate or defend my thinking. All I have to do is cast my vote in private. A caucus on the other hand is not really voting, it is more like mob rule.

[jfor]

If Obama picks Clinton as his running mate then he really is not qualified to be President and i will not vote for him.

As far as the republican smear machine goes, they destroyed many others without Clintons help and I am sure they are quite capable of doing it again and again.

Hillary Clinton is the junior senator from the only state she could get elected in. Let us not forget her actual experience shall we?

The hype of Hillary is now over, she is a dinosaur, thankfully her kind of politics is going extinct.

It is a little premature to consider who will run in 2012 for most normal folks, but if your interested I am sure Chris Mathews will have a special show about it very soon.

[BlueAsh]

To your very first sentence: Hear! Hear!

[BubbaC33]

Obama is not qualified to be president.

[JimR]

The Constitution disagrees with you, as does common sense and logic.

[UpstateSC]

Why would Obama even consider asking Hilary to be his running mate after the way she has treated him?

We have only the Clintons' word that Obama can't win in November and we all know how good their word is...

[lisakaz2]

She probably is angling for 2012 but make no mistake: Obama supporters DO NOT WANT HER AS VP. Sorry. To present this like that door is open is its own "fairy tale" I think.