Should Obama Have Picked Hillary As His Running Mate?
With Obama up in polls, the Palin narrative unraveling, and McCain embracing the mantle of underdog, events are starting to answer the question of whether Barack Obama should or should not have picked Hillary Clinton as his running mate.
In the months since Obama decided against adding Clinton to the ticket, much has transpired -- but nothing has changed. He made the right choice. He gained his current lead in spite of her and he very likely avoided big problems because of her.
First, there is -- let's just call it the Clinton factor.
True, disrespecting a woman who had made political history stirred up a swarm of Hillary supporters who swore they would vote McCain before supporting this interloper, who not only stole Hillary's moment, but wanted to award her second place.
But it quieted an equally passionate nation of Hillary-haters, who would give time and treasure to make sure the only way she got back to the West Wing is with a visitor's pass.
And then there is Bill. This is not a man who plays second fiddle easily. So playing second fiddle to the second fiddle sets up some dangerously untested dynamics. Obama must have watched his performance in Hillary's campaign and thought; "with friends like these ...". Also, of course, another national scandal and a crippling media frenzy could never be discounted.
The Clintons' combined lackluster performance on behalf of Obama so far in the general election offers a view of the kind of team members they would be in an administration. Hillary was visibly invisible until the numbers were already tilting toward Obama. Bill still seems to find it physically painful to offer anything but the faintest of praise.
But baggage aside, the rightness in Obama's call is also clear in the relative strengths of the two tickets.
If Obama had picked Clinton, it would not have helped his greatest vulnerability -- his inexperience. If you don't count time logged as first lady, (which did not resonate in the primaries and her fabrications of near-death experiences in the service of the country didn't help), then you have a four-year senator paired with a seven year senator.
McCain could have countered by finding a woman of his own. Transparent, maybe, and even sexist, but it would have given a female alternative in an election where women could tip the balance.
Would he have picked someone with the experience and gravitas of a Kay Bailey Hutchison, or would he have gone the glittering novelty of Sarah Palin? Given voter angst, economic agony, McCain's age and the excitement generated by the Obama campaign, odds are he would still have picked Palin.
Would Obama-Clinton have made a stronger counter to McCain Palin in attracting women? Doubtful.
Given Hillary's pro-choice problem with conservatives and the fact that liberals find virtually all Palin's positions toxic, most women will land where they would have anyway -- Hillary in or Hillary out. Most women have come to realize that Joe Biden has, in fact, one of the strongest voting records on women's' issues in the Senate.
Finally, remember: it was Obama who turned this race on its head. He is the one who energized the process and changed the assumptions.
Few if any vice presidential picks ever helped anybody win the White House. But as George McGovern learned with Thomas Eagleton; George H.W. Bush learned with Dan Quayle and John McCain is quite possibly learning with Sarah Palin, they can certainly help you lose it.
With Hillary Clinton, Obama would have added considerable risk to the ticket, but very little reward.
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I think Obama made an excellent choice in Biden. I liked Clinton, and liked the idea of the two of them being a ticket. But every single point made in this article had occurred to me as to why that choice would have been very difficult. Would have it been cool? Yes. And even cooler if the dynamics between all involved had allowed for it.
I love Joe Biden, he's great !!!! Obama shows a lot of strength for resisting the call to pick Hillary. Actually, if you think about it, a lot of conversati
Yes, it would be a difficult White House to run with 3 Presidents, but people are assuming that Hillary really, really wanted to be Vice President. Certainly, that impulse was present at the end of the primary, It would have been for most anyone who ran so long ans so well. But really, upon reflection, does anyone believe she really wanted to be number two after spending the last 30 years being number two to her husband, Bill?
I think it really is much more comfortable for her to be a prominent Senator, a Supreme Court justice, a governor, on her own terms. She's free to do what she wants, express what she feels, support what she favors. She is, by nature, a number One, not a numer Two.
Good luck to her. And I'm, looking forward to seeing the Clinton National Health Act signed within a few years.
I think HRC hooked her wagon to Bill way back in college ... so she could sit in the BIG chair one day. Nothing less than Commander in Chief. She thinks she earned it just by being there and playing the corrupt political game for so many years. If Hillary were chosen as VP, Obama's life wouldn't be worth 2 cents. And you can take that to your favorite flailing bank.
Obama could have picked random name from the phone book (see Palin) and would still be ahead.
Pundits have been second guessing Obama's campaign since he pulled ahead of Hillary in the primaries. "He should go on the offensive.
Obama has his own strategy, and it seems to be working just fine. In fact, it's probably working better than it would have had he taken the pundits' advice. Rachel Maddow has said he has the most disciplined campaign she's ever seen, with consistent messaging, no leaking, and no infighting.
Let's face it, he's smart. Maybe instead of telling him what he should be doing, we should sit back, watch, and learn.
No regrets.
Peggy:
You wrote:
"True, disrespecting a woman who had made political history"
Not picking her because of her high liabilities was more respectful than adding her to a ticket simply because she was a woman. It would have meant disregarding the high target value of the Clinton name in red states where they have actively voted against her husband. Respecting her as a candidate means that she gets the same vetting as any man. If Obama was disrespecting women, and Hilary in particular, he would have taken her on for her gender, and disregarded her liabilities, and the highly negative campaign that she ran against him. It would have looked, well... McCain-like.
R0ve and friends had the C!inton playbook ready to go. Why do you think F@X was pulling for her in the primaries. O winning threw a wrench into the works of the G0P smear machine.
http://www
Should he have picked Hillary? Apparently not, as he's winning. And likely winning big.
Pundits and bloggers seems to continutally underestimate the incredible insight, judgement and wisdom that is Obama. All the flak going every which way, and he just sails calmly along on course. Powerfully on course. Second-thinking this man who has accomplished such astonishing feats as overcoming the powerful Clinton machine and allowing a nation besmirched with racism to consider a black man (actually bi-racial) as its President, and then overcoming incredible odds, actually leading handily now, is well, arrogant. Everyone thinks they could do better? C'mon. :-)
I have been an Obama supporter since the start, and would not have cared either way who he picked for his VP.
However, to all those who are upset at Hilary about all the negativity in the primaries, including bringing up Ayers and Wright....
Now, Ayers and Wright are old news and no one seems to care about them as much, especially with the economic worries now. Imagine if McCain had been the first one to bring up Ayers and Wright in October. and so close to the election. It would have sunk Obama. At least this way, it's old news and he knows how to defend against it.
No, Obama is doing fine without Hillary!! By the way, the Clintons are still upset!!
Keep Biden for 4 years and have him leave for family/medical reasons and then select Hiliary before the next election.
wtf? Why?
Senator Clinton is a supremely qualified candidate in her own right. She doesn't need this type of "charity". I've been an Obama supporter the whole way but I do respect Senator Clinton. I don't think she is the type of person who sits well in the VP slot. She would do us all much more service, at this point, if she stuck out her term as Senator, bringing bills to the floor and pushing to improve our country.
I also think that we are getting ahead of ourselves here. There's a huge backlash against Republicans right now...but we're going to have an economic recession for at least a couple of years and the Democrats will likely be in control of the White House and Congress come January. We're going to have to fix things and fix them fast cause in 2010, we won't be able to lay the blame on Republicans anymore, and by 2012, we certainly will have some explaining to do if Obama's policies have not successfully engineered a turn around.
depends on the dialog. If Obama uses the bully pulpit to lay out a comprehensive 4 year plan, and hits the milestones laid out in that plan, 2010 is not an issue. People understand that these are hard things to do, and with the proper leadership, they will understand that it may take time.
If the rethugs are going to continue to filibuster everything in sight, and have no tractable positions on the issues, the democratic majority will increase.
This is not a blip, this is the beginning of a functional Dem majority for quite a few of the next election cycles. The rethugs have to retool their entire party, including deciding whether they will still be the party of jesus freaks and tax dodgers.
Hillary will no be part of an Obama admin. Having said that, I think that Bill would make a WORLD CLASS UN Head. Kofi Annan and Moon are losers, never done anyting in life except piss and moan and hold the hands of murderers. Imagine Bill Clinton - Secretary General of the UN.
Hillary makes a great senator, and she will wield increasing power in the senate, where she can assist the Obama/Democrat agenda.
Oh, give it a REST!
Never will happen. Biden is far superior to Hillary clinton, in experience and judgement. Give her a post as national dog catcher
It's ironic how things turn out. If Obama would have chosen Hillary, I am almost certain that McCain would not have chosen Palin---he would have gone for Charley Christ or Romney. They would have centered their campaign around "the Clintons" with whatever baggage the could scrape from the sewer.--an
I think you've nailed it, that is very likely the scenario that would have unfolded with Clinton as VP selection. And Palin is so outrageously "right", so extreme, so ditsy, lies in the face of facts she doesn't like, is so easy to make jokes about, she's definitely has turned off so many people, actually scared them ( thinking of McCain's age & medical problems), it turns out having her on McCain's ticket became sold gold for Obama.
Well stated and true. Another factor is that now HRC is free to be a part of the Obama Administration with much more power and effectiveness than the VP. She should have any cabinet position she wishes. I didn't vote for her in the primary but she is without a doubt an accomplished leader and is very politically astute.
I agree with Peggy Drexler and xmontreal - Hillary's baggage and ability to enrage the right wing - at least fundraising-wise (I'm still not sure why) were problematic to begin with. Add to that Bill Clinton - who may be beloved among certain ranks - but is also a lightning rod and probably not psychologically incapable of playing second-fiddle to ANYONE.
Obama made the right choice/decision - despite the enormous pressure he was under to go with Hillary (and by the way, her inevitable rise to Majority Leader in the Senate is a much more powerful position.)
While it's true that McCain probably wouldn't have "Hail Mary-ed" Sarah Palin as his VP had Hillary been on the ticket, but somehow I can't see him sharing the stage with his nemesis, Mitt Romney who is like a foot taller than him and makes him look even older than he is.
Joe Biden (even with his "foot-in-the-mouth disease") might be the most qualified of the whole bunch to be president. But Obama brings a freshness, enthusiasm and new vision that this country desperately needs.
Obama did the right move... a mature VP candidate.
This does not mean she is not qualified.
Not that it even matters anymore, but...well
Yes?
Then this question about whether Obama should've picked Clinton is, I believe, moot. No?
Who cares? I mean, come on, why bring this up now unless you wish to further incense the already pissed off Hillary voters not looking to come over to Obama? Let's move on and get Obama elected.
I think the pissed off HRC supporters will vote for Obama, whether they admit it or not. The PUMAs are republicans, plain and simple.
Any democratic woman who votes for McCain because Hillary lost, they will have to live with themselves.
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