Hillary Clinton and the Veepstakes -- a Logical Move for Her

With the last chances of winning the Democratic nomination slipping away, the question increasingly arises whether Hillary Clinton should hope for the number two spot.

The answer is a clear yes.

I am a big fan of Josh Marshall and Talking Points Memo and often agree with him, but I disagree with his conclusion that there's nothing in the two spot for her. He makes good points about her stature, but getting the number two nod helps by denying a stature-boost to someone else.

Look at things from the Clinton point of view -- she presumably would like to run for president again, and wants to best position herself for a 2012 or 2016 run.

Say that Obama-Clinton wins, meaning her next opportunity comes in eight years. As vice president she is the near-certain heir apparent and front-runner for the Dem nod in eight years. See: Gore, Al; Bush, George H. W.; Mondale, Walter; Humphrey; Hubert; Nixon, Richard. Sen. Hillary Clinton or Gov. Hillary Clinton would likely still have the stature to challenge a sitting VP, but if she were the vice, the field of Dems on her par would be narrowed.

Say that Obama-Clinton loses, meaning she runs in 2012. She is the presumptive front-runner anyway ("I warned Democrats what would happen and did everything in my power in the primary and general elections to prevent it ..."), but again -- whoever does run with Obama gets a stature-boost. Better for her to be on the ticket and deny a possible rival the spotlight boost.

To be clear: I'm not saying that Obama should select her (I actually have my doubts on that) or that such crass political calculations should be the main basis upon which to seek or accept the VP slot (they shouldn't); or even that the VP slot is inherently worthwhile (in point of fact it should be abolished). But ... crass political considerations remain unavoidable, and there they are.

Comments

[MegHK]

No to HRC-would create utter confusion in the WH if a visitor knocked on the door asking to speak to the President and Obama has to race 2 other people to the door....

[ProudLiberalDemocrat]

The tone of discussion continues to indicate to me that we remain a party-divided.

Transformational leadership vs. experience (status quo).

If you are a Hillary supporter, it is understandable that you believe she creates a dream ticket in the VP slot. And if you are a Barak supporter, you may have become even more disgusted with hardball politics.

But either way, the choice will be made by Mr. Obama. This is your first chance to simply have faith in Mr. Obama's judgement - this will become his first real test.

Have faith in his political instincts - it's what can get us all past his lack of experience.

[robynuva]

Hillary? NO, NO NO, NO NO, NO NO, NO

How about General Batiste? I think Sen. Obama needs a military guy, and someone who doesn't look so much older than him that he might be considered the grown up behind the curtain.

And as a Virginian, I think Jim Webb would be amazing, but I really like having him as my Senator, so I am torn. But, having said that, I think Obama/Webb would be a truly winning ticket. And, Sen. Webb or General Batiste would make great "attack dogs" in he GE.

[BassMent]

Logically, this is not a "move" she is ever going to be able to make.

Obama's entire raison d'etre has been a new style of politics... actually, more than just a new style, a new political paradigm. Given the stature (or perhaps former stature) of the Clintons in the Democratic party, he certainly can't ignore them going forward. But it would make no sense for him to bring that "old school" baggage into his administration. Besides, I don't see how he could trust Bill to remain on the sidelines. Yes, it would be a good move for Hillary, who has jeopardized her future in American politics with the way she has run this campaign, both strategically and tactically. But Obama's decision is not about what's good for Hillary. It's about what's good for America.

Furthermore, in his run against McCain Obama needs to fill in a gap in his ticket in the area of military and foreign policy expertise. Hillary would be way down on his list for this skill set. I'm thinking Webb and Richardson are both looking pretty good. But I wouldn't be surprised if he picks someone I've barely heard of. It seems that more often than not in my lifetime, choices for VP have caused me to respond, "Who?!?"

[verlaine]

Hillary's campaign is based on race baiting and fear mongering. She worships at the altar of the politics of personal destruction. She has forfeited any right to be given consideration for the VP slot.

Hillary has no conscience, no moral compass, no sense of decency, no integrity, and no gravitas.

[jade7243]

Barack Obama should choose his running mate based on what he thinks will be best for the country. Political expediency brought us Cheney (bad) , Gore (good, but overshadowed), Quayle (very bad, "potatoe" and "what a waste it is to lose one's mind), Bush (bad), Mondale (mediocre), Agnew (yikes!), Rockefeller (rich), Ford (okay), Humphrey (okay), Johnson (good), Nixon (if only we knew where that led)... you get the picture.

The Clintons have not earned a place on the ticket. She lost it after the "commander-in-chief test" comment, and sunk further into the toilet with her latest " white people" comments.

Choosing Clinton because of some trumped up issue is wrong. Time for her to go... If she leaves now, she can get a head start on McCain chasing Bin Laden to the gates of hell.

[SeriousBlack]

Robert, you're so wrong about so many things. I won't even address the most important ones (like, is Clinton now "entitled" to be vice-president the same way she was "entitled" to be president?!).

As if the vice-presidential position should be abolished... That makes about as much sense as theater people deciding that having alternates who are rehearsed up for major parts in a play aren't necessary. That's just plain dumb.

[sheisme]

Hillary has not earned a VP spot under Obama. She has earned her loss. This week she has sealed her fate as one of the most divisive candidates ever running in the Democratic party. I for one do not care what she does after this campaign. I do care that she has created a "do not cross" line for her supporters against Obama. This needs to be addressed .... not by Hillary, but by a good choice of VP by Obama. My short list would have John Edwards at the top. Obama/Edwards. That ticket is a winner!

[Gemma08]

Didnt she offer him her VP slot before Texas and Ohio, even though he was the frontrunner??? Now she has her media gofer Stephanopolous (sp?) pitching to get her the VP slot?

We must forgive. (All the good books say so! And so does the (unwritten) book of How To Be a Good Human Being). And most Obama supporters will forgive Hillary Clinton her unbelievable betrayal to her fellow party member, his supporters, but also HER supporters. But we can never forget.

She cannot be rewarded for her betrayal. Even if its 'just' the VP slot (relative to the Presidential spot, that is), the message cant be sent that her kind of behaviour will get rewards, albeit second place.

Its the principle, dammit.

From what I read here, there are many more worthy female and male candidates for VP who will represent the US with dignity and have the credibility the world is looking for in the new American leadership.

[LITU]

Clinton as Veep to Obama is like Jefferson to Adams. NOT a good working relationship.

[SuiginTou7]

After all this does anyone really believe Obama will offer the VP to her? Come on back to Earth.

[soonerdru]

All this talk, 'she's owed this, she's owed that,' 'the presumptive future president.' Most people don't enjoy being told what's 'inevitable.' She took her shot, it didn't work out. Why does everyone now have to throw themselves at her feet? Pay off her debts? She created them. With that logic it would seem like all of us could say 'oh well, I bought this stuff and took a chance I'd get a better job, but I didn't and so now I can't pay, so who will pay this off for me? Give me a break. Perhaps that charitable organization run out of her 'estate' could come to her rescue. Hey Bill, Chelsea, perhaps you should convene a board meeting. I'm wondering, does she have a history of being a team player and taking direction from others? If not then maybe she shouldn't get in the way of a reform minded presidency.

[soonerdru]

All this talk, 'she's owed this, she's owed that,' 'the presumptive future president.' Most people don't enjoy being told what's 'inevitable.' She took her shot, it didn't work out. Why does everyone now have to throw themselves at her feet? Pay off her debts? She created them. With that logic it would seem like all of us could say 'oh well, I bou

[SaddieMcCall]

It doesn't seem that our mainstream media cares about Hillary's comments - but she is making the news in foreign nations. Unfortunately it is not good for her. Obama would be good for international relationships, Clinton would do harm.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8702190391

[Mogamboguru]

Wesley Clark - white, bright, militarily experienced. THAT's a VP to cover Omaba's sides and complete the picture. And the best point is: The Republicans can NEVER, EVER attack Clark on lack of experience or, lack of patriotism. He simply is IMMUNE to these innuendos!

[kawika]

Dan Inouye has the Medal of Honor and Inouye unlike most of us understands what a concentration camp is.
While he was fighting in Europe, his friends and family were in Detention Camps in the US.
Yes, he and his cohorts fought for the Flag...But never flagged in their devotion to the
ideal of being an American...They became the most decorated unit in the history of the
United States ARmy (The 442nd and 100th Battilion...better known as the One puka puka)...
Do you want a foil for McCain?
Dan is the man!

[LITU]

My first choice, too. I think kawika's comment below fails to note Inhouye's entrenchment in Capital Hill politics. A great patriot ONCE and long ago. Clark is the one.