That's the Ticket! Clinton-Obama Unity after Super Tuesday

First, apologies to all the political strategists, pundits, consultants, and media personalities who will undoubtedly hurl tomatoes at this column since it threatens their lucrative empire that thrives on political drama and divisiveness.

Second, apologies to everyone else for my being so naïve and, dare I say it, hopeful.

Lately, it seems that the Democratic Party is falling back into its bad habits and foolish ways. Just walk down the streets of NYC and mention the words Hillary or Obama and you find good friends screaming at each other, family members sleeping on couches, and more divisiveness than unity. It is sad -- but apparently unavoidable. Just look at yesterday's nasty exchanges and today's New York Times headlines.

Reality: We are a nation arguably on the cusp of a third war (with Iran) and already in an economic recession (heck, even President Bush is starting to admit it). We are overdue for another domestic terrorist attack. We are disliked (if not outright hated) by much of the world. We have made little progress when it comes to global warming. Millions can't afford health care.

Given this situation, I am sick and tired of Democrats being disorganized, self-interested, and destructive to each other and to our country. It is high-time for LEADERSHIP and SACRIFICE, which should begin with our top two candidates for president.

If Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton really want to be uniters and not dividers, then why don't they both do something so out-of-the-box and head turning that it would virtually guarantee the White House to the Democrats in 08? Namely: if Clinton is ahead in delegates after the 22 primaries and caucuses on February 5, Obama should stop running and join her in a national unity ticket. No divisive battles like the Reagan-Ford contest in 1976 or the Kennedy-Carter contest in 1980 -- struggles that probably doomed both Ford and Carter.

Democrats simply can't afford that in 2008, not after the disasters of Bush & Cheney.

Obviously, Obama won't withdraw now when he's still a possible presidential nominee. He wouldn't simply toss aside some 400,000 donors and millions of supporters who've been stirred by his words and promises.

But if Clinton takes a real lead on February 6, here are the benefits of a merger between these two titans.

First, it is the smartest long-term strategic move for the 46-year-old Obama. He spends eight years as VP, and then runs for President in 2016. Who could then criticize him for lacking "experience"? During Obama's eight years as VP he would be able to hone skills, gather experience, and produce good works. And if the Clinton-Obama administration is as good as I suspect it would be, it would assure Democrats 16 years of White House governance.

Second, for anyone who thinks this suggestion is an insult and/or demotion for Obama, I have two words for you: Dick Cheney. Not that Hillary would need a #2 to rely on as much as Bush did. But the state of our country right now really does call for a form of powerful, intelligent co-parenting. Truth be told, there is an awful lot of work to be done--too much work for one man or woman alone.

Of course, this arrangement would also require an amount of graciousness and sacrifice on behalf of Hillary Clinton. With Obama as her VP, she'd need to share the limelight with an eloquent, luminous star -- and she'd surrender the normal nominee's option of choosing a running mate only on the basis of politics and chemistry.

But just think about the message that this would send to the world. The two most popular and powerful Democrats would be putting aside their egos for the good of the post-Bush America, based on the theory that their whole is greater than merely the sum of their parts.

Sure it's hard to arrange such a result. But here's what's far worse: wasting tens of millions of dollars in the mutual destruction of our two best and brightest. Because the next few weeks have the potential to get ugly. The bickering. The name-calling. The fratricide. It is such a waste of time and money. And, frankly, we are better than that. Let's leave such antics to the Republicans.

Would this be viewed as an unseemly "deal," just the kind of thing that an untraditional Obama would scorn? If a similar arrangement worked for another Illinois legislator in 1846 -- when Abe Lincoln agreed to sit only one term in Congress and then defer to a rival to serve the next -- it should be okay for Obama. Surely Obama can frame it as surrendering his personal ambition for the larger good of the United States of America, to quote him.

Except for extreme partisans and crazed staff, the truth is that the differences between Obama and Hillary are insignificant compared with the risks of, in effect, handing the White House to the Bush Republicans for a third term.

Both Hillary and Barack are great people and they will both be great leaders. We deeply need their complementary styles, experience, personalities and vision to fix our ailing country.

Bottom line? Its either Clinton-Obama next month or (yikes) the risk of McCain-Giuliani next year.

Comments

[nannyb715]

We need this woman and she needs all of our support. Hillary is deeply commited, since her school days she has been on our sides, and still wants to help us all and now some scorn her for her very moving exhaustive speech, she is one hell of a woman and i am so proud of her.Every one has put her thru the wringer trying to do good, still she has held her head up high and proud, How can some people be so cruel as they have been to her, Why? Stop all of this character assassinations from the people she and her husband Bill have tried to help from the beginning the blacks in the USA and now they are turning on Hillary what a shame! This woman Hillary, will be the first to pay down the deficit, will get decent people badly needed raises, will help our children with ins. the repub. refused to sign when she tryed to fix it years ago. Hillary will help the elderly and Medications and the disabled and won't ignore us any more, She will help us to find a way to get cheaper gas, Hillary is this woman after all she did run the largest house (White) for 8 years and can do it right with NO excuses. This woman can get the world to respect us again, listen to us instead of making thier own wars and costing us Trillions of dollars for our babies and thiers to have to pay off. She will be understanding to other nations get the Medical Co.s to lower thier prices.hel­p get the economey and mortgages straightened out. Come on people lets get out the votes for Hillary for President we honest to God need her...and now she needs us.....

[envilliven]

This is an absolutely brilliant idea. I was thinking this very idea earlier today. What a team they would make. Two of the most intellegent people in government in the White house. Clinton would be a very good president and after eight years Obama would become without a doubt one of the best Presidents ever. Bravo to this idea.

[rrecroc]

Neither Obama or Clinton are leaders ..... leaders do what they know is right and take the flak ..... both these two vote in what they feel were "politically acceptable" ways while they have been in the senate or just vote "present" ..... they are both so beholden to corporate contributors that their presidency will be business as usual ...... ultimately the people will have to take to the streets themselves to fix the mess ...

[Nutcase]

Surely the corporations have more people to chose from than these two.

[Dajo]

Thanks Kristen,

It sounds like a winning ticket to me.

Clinton/Obama!!!!

[coloneblog]

Mrs. Breitweiser, I'm kind of leaning to the idea that the best result for the American people from the 2009 elections would be to return a Republican to the White House and super majority of Democrats in the Congress.

Iraq provides a no win condition for the next administration; the political party that inherits Iraq will be severely tarnished for the next 50 years. Anyone who believes the "Surge" is the beginning of a victory movement in Iraq is as delusional over this humanitarian disaster, as bush is. We're crazy to think Sunni and Shia families are just going forget the needless deaths of their loved ones? Ok, so you slaughtered my wife or my husband and 3 children, but hey, we expect "Joe Shia" or "Mary Sunni" to just let bygones be bygones? The 2 million ethnically cleansed Iraqis are just going to chill and go back to watching baseball? Do we really think the Muqtada al Sadirs are working on peace plans; they're plotting power shifts. Give me a break! The "Surge" will only delay the inevitable slaughter until after Cheney and bush leave office; and for that one reason, I'm hoping that another Republican succeeds those 2 crooks currently in the White House. Go Romney! Go Huckabee!!

[howdydostu]

Draft Al Gore!!
He won once and he can unite our Democratic party.
I realize how emotionally invested my Obama & Clinton friends are but I love my country enough to know the hard truth.
Clinton, though tested is still divisive. Obama may fold like a chair once the Fox folks get a hold of him.
Republican policies have damaged our nation. We can no longer afford those policies yet I'm fearful we may still get them again if the Dems don't get it together.
We know Al Gore. He is a leader, an articulate spokesman who can restore our nation's integrity.­.and set goals for us that will help us to insure our nation's security.
Under Gore's leadership the world will once again look to the U.S. for answers to our global problems..­.and we will find our national pride as we once again become a nation of achievers.

Stuart & Robert Wyman-Cahall
Las Vegas, NV 89142

[nuglet304]

greatest thing i've read on huffpo, ever. you've made it sound like the only logical decision -- and not only that, but the perfect, unbeatable ticket.

i almost hate that the idea's been publicly presented, because i don't wanna be let down if it doesn't happen (and it most likely won't). but let's hope this idea catches on and leaves both candidates without a choice by spring.

[DubiousDem]

I have long wished for Hillary and Obama to run together. It makes sense for Obama to be the veep because of his lighter resume. I worry that they are coming close to burning the bridges. However, as I understand it, Kennedy and Johnson weren't exactly bosom buddies. I like the idea of unity vs acrimony. We have had enough. I am probably naive. In 2004, I actually hoped McCain would be Kerry's veep. Since then I see McCain is too pro-war and I can't forgive him for not coming to the defense of Kerry when the Swift-Boat liars were attacking. I think Edwards would make a good Attorney General. Heck maybe Richardson or Biden for Secretary of State. Wesley Clark for Secretary of Defense. Actually I am way ahead of myself. I honestly won't be able to relax until the day after the elections. I don't trust my fellow Americans enough to be smart enough to vote for a Democrat. I am taking the day after the election off of work to either celebrate or (God forbid, if the Republicans win) cry in my beer.

[Sciguy]

Agreed. Great article, thanks!

I hate to see Clinton and Obama trashing each other. Since I'm a Kucinich fan, I don't see a whit's worth of difference between Obama and Clinton, and I'd be tickled pink to have the opportunity to vote for a united ticket, be it Clinton first or Obama first.

All Clinton and Obama are doing now is giving the Repubs ammunition to use during the real election. I wish they'd quit doing that, and start looking ahead.

[blankmw]

I agree totally. I've suggested this very thing in a number of my comments on HuffPost blog posts.

I'd go further, and invite Hillary to agree to become the VP candidate if Obama beats her for the presidential nomination.

If these two powerful Democratic politicians would agree to put aside their egos and their yen for personal power, and would focus on the well-being of our country foremost, they'd have a sure victory next November.

Clinton-Obama, or Obama-Clinton, and let the voters decide!!!!!!!!!

[xufapemu]

Obama extends the olive branch:

Per the AP, "Obama was the first to try and quell the controversy that flared in the Democratic campaign in recent days, calling reporters together to say he didn't want the campaign 'to degenerate into so much tit-for-tat, back-and-forth that we lose sight of why all of us are doing this.' Referring to Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards, he said that while they may have disagreements, 'we share the same goals. We're all Democrats, we all believe in civil rights, we all believe in equal rights.'"

[xufapemu]

Obama could never take the VP spot. Hillary has spent too much time questioning his readiness to assume the Presidency. Republicans will replay her words over and over and over again, questioning her judgement at placing him second in line. The question would be was she lying during the campaign and he is really ready to be President or is she risking the health of the nation for political expediency and placing a man she attacked as unqualified a heart beat away from the Presidency. The Clinton's short sighted strategy has destroyed any possibility of a unity ticket, unless that ticket is Obama/Clinton.

[PrdAmerican]

I would have no choice but to vote that ticket...u­nless they stop, McCain is going to make himself look like the best option....­I wish the Democrats would grow up and get past their petty egos and think about what's best for this nation...g­uess that's wrong with politics..­.it never has been about the people...o­nly egos.

[BoulderSue]

Kristen, Barack's book is called "The Audacity of Hope". You are just showing audacity and hope. Yours has been my dream, but we hardly dare speak it, thus your unnecessary apologies. I hope those two stay on good enough terms to consider it. And after eight years as her vice-president (if Bill doesn't squeeze him out) Barack will have had enough experience to satisfy both Hill and Bill, and go on with his own run for the top spot. One can dream....H­ope they're all reading your post.