Dear Barack: The Veep Choice That Could Shock the World

Dear Barack,

If you truly want to electrify the country with your Vice Presidential choice, I've got two words for you: Choose Hillary.
I realize you're never going to do this, because it runs contrary to your play-it-safe nature, overdetermined nature, but let me offer my rationale.
1. It's a Display of Strength
As a political gesture, it's essentially Lincolnian in nature. You're saying to the world: I'm secure enough to make my central rival into my partner -- my junior partner. It's a way of co-opting her, rather than allowing her (and her husband) to be perceived as waiting in the wings for your failure. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, capiche?
It also shows that you have the courage to take a chance, to ignore the droning pundits. Oddly enough, it would be so surprising as to make you look like a maverick.
2. It Makes Sense Strategically
On a practical level, nominating her will insure the fierce loyalty of the 18 million folks who voted for her. It's the surest way to harness the massive potential energy of her partisans. And to appeal to the millions of "undecideds" who remember the Clinton era as one of peace and prosperity.
3. She (and Bill) Will Make Incredible Attack Dogs
None of this John Edwards French poodle stuff. They'll tear the stuffing out of McCain and his second-ran. And give you the space to set out your positive agenda.
4. She Is Ready to Lead
In announcing her as your choice, you should stress one point: she is the most qualified candidate you could find. Not only will this make you look upright and gallant, but it addresses the underlying concern about your inexperience. Whatever might be said about Hillary, it's accepted that she's a pro.
5. Catharsis
Hillary may have gotten hammered for saying so out loud, but she's right. Her true believers want catharsis. They want a sense that her historic candidacy has been validated. And that the two of you have made up, and joined forces. The pundits will mutter complaints, but because this option has been virtually eliminated in people's minds, the overall reaction will be ecstatic. Hillary's presence at the convention will be triumphant, rather than aggrieved.

My advice would to withhold naming a VP selection until the convention itself, and to nominate her on live TV, during primetime. Can you imagine how insane the energy will be if you show the guts to do this? To stand on-stage and tell the nation, "I have thought long and hard about who the most qualified candidate for Vice President is, and there is no question in my mind that her name is Hillary Rodham Clinton." As a piece of theater - and the political conventions are nothing but, at this point - it can't be topped.

Hoping you'll ditch the script & write your own ticket,
Steve

Comments

[Jey]

NNNNOOOO! I want change. Yes we can!

Obama/Biden 08

[spiderbucket]

Hmmmm. After much deliberation, I think I could get excited about that but what about "change?" Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton is not really changing things. But still better than anyone else being floated unless Colin Powell is coming on board or Oprah or George Clooney. :)

[butchie65]

Did any of you Hillary supporters ever check what she is about. All you have to do is read. They are corrupt as anyone could be. Is that what you truely want for this country ? I voted for Bill twice and I'm sorry I ever did after seeing and reading what these two are really about. READ ! Hillary was never close, she made you think she was by her counting votes that weren't hers. Only in her dreams was she close.

[justobserve]

There are many but some come to mind: Dick Morris " Because he could" about Bill and Sally Smith's book about Hillary.
The Clintons have been fighting off the truth because they don't want to be exposed as earning the credits from whatever the Clintons did for themselves but made people think those are for them. When their benefits are being threatened that they would show their true selves as in the case of comparing Obama with Jackson even though Obama had won the whitest state of all: Iowa or mocking Obama by praising McCain's Commander-in-Chief's test. The irony is Hill claimed to be experienced by her residing in the WH but failed the test of conducting an efficient and successful campaign like Obama's.

[Chatto]

Whatever Barack's nature is -- and I take some issue with your categorization of him as "play it safe," since his entire candidacy has been a risk -- it got him to the nomination, so I don't think he should change now. Second, while Barack's win was just as, if not more amazing that HRCs, the HRC people just won't acknowledge that or face the reality that every time we mention her name, we are giving ammo to the GOP and to McCain's chances. This is NOT all about the Clintons anymore, and the right wing DLC folks just need to get with the program, or go join the GOP themselves.

[2Nurselady]

Hillary Clinton will get my vote in November whether it is voting for a ticket with her name on it or just writing-in her name on my ballot.

My family and friends will be doing the same.

[elmoor]

I hope you and your friends enjoy endless wars, the loss of a woman's right to choose, the continued loss of our respect and leverage around the world, and the total collapse of our economy,

[justobserve]

The Clintons won two terms did have a reason: no matter what truth has been exposed about them, there are still some who support the Clintons. That said something about the Clintons' ability to pull wool over people's eyes. But this time, no more excuse of "politics as usual". People are reclaiming their power to choose someone who is decent, ethical, uniting a divisive country for their own sake.

[MrTessier]

I respect this decision (especially because I went with the green party and libertarians since I was allowed to vote!). I always lived in a state that was going one way or the other regardless of my choice, but now I live in a swing state. I hope that if you do live in a swing state, and it looks close, you would reconsider, if not, then I think it's something that all of her supporters really should do. If she gets enough write-ins, then she will be able to be an even greater power in the Senate which benefits all. However I think she would rather have not run at all then have McCain in the white house, I think she'll say as much at the convention.

[imfedup]

How childish.

[Gogetter]

"Listen" carefully. SHE ENDORSED MCCAIN OVER OBAMA DURING THE PRIMARIES!!!!

[LillianB]

She did not. The producers of Fox News just want you to think she did. What she did was highlighting her own experience, trying to dismiss Obama's. An attempt that failed, because certain news outlets used it to underline that McCain is even more "experienced" than herself. Not that his experience has made him qualified for anything but oil-digger-in-chief, but nevertheless...

[remc]

Her statement is on film. It was not media spin (for once).

[justobserve]

So, you didn't hear the last part of her sentence when she said she and McCain passed the test of CiC "... but I don't know about Obama"? That was not Fox News' comment.

[JimR]

Yes, she did. She said McCain would be a better commander-in-chief.

Hillary's "experience" is as a lawyer, 7 years in the Senate and being married to a public official. Obama has been a lawyer, a community organizer, has taught constitutional law, served 8 years in the Illinois State Senate and 3 years in the United States Senate. In addition, her legislative accomplishments pale in comparison to his.

[davidly]

Let me get this straight: We need that one perfect VP choice to get us the presidency? And we need a filibuster-proof majority to get anything done on anything? Can't be a senator then. Hmmm, jeepers, sheesh! What're we gonna do!?!? Aw gee! Those darn Republicans have got us no matter what we do!!

Oh wait, I forgot: Hagel! What a coup! An unbeatable team! He's the 20th Century McCain of the 21st Century! What, that McCain is gonna beat this one? Puhhhhleeeez! LOL! Take that Republicans!!

[MrTessier]

It would be interesting! I think Hagel's the guy at this point. It reinforces everything Obama's been saying about getting beyond the old political battles.

The most intriguiging choice I think would be Powell. He comes way out of left field, there's not a lot of time to pick him apart, he's pretty darn popular, and it really inforces the bi-partisanship aspect of the campaign. It'd be tough to turn down the VP also.

Of course, I'm sure he's getting a similar offer from the McCain camp!

[JimR]

I think that would be a great pick. But I doubt it's going to happen.

[jfor]

Ecerything you have said is conventional wisdom, not fact.
1. Its a display of Hillary's strength.
2. it makes sense Clintonianly.
3. She and Bill are incredible attack dogs.....for Hill and Bill.
4. She is ready to lead. Right, I forgot about her 35 years experience. Funny no one yet has offered exampoles of her actually leading.
5.Catharsis, it cannot be said better than you if chosen its all about Hillary. Unfortunately for You, Hillary and the rest of her supporters have fnot igured out that this election is all about OBAMA not another sour, angry, conniving Clinton.

Picking Clinton would help Obama and his plan for change, how? Tell us how another Clinton in the WH is change? Let it go already. Reading this only reinforces the belief that the right will whip out another Bush family member in the future which is exactly what the World and Country does not need.

[cuzkate]

BINGO!!! Now that's a fairy tale! Hillary, SIT DOWN.

[BigBen]

Hillary as Vice President.Chelsea as NY senator, and Bill as UN rep. What a hand for Obama to play.

[Hekerui]

Makes my heart jump. Great advice.

[Freesia2]

I know it's a new week. We have a new one of these articles.

No.

It won't make him look strong and unscripted. It will be the opposite.

No.

[hb100]

Hillary Clinton would be a bad choice. While your reasons are logical, there is one overriding reason that outweighs her as the VP pick. In addition to the fact that such a pick would be a bridge to the past, if he picked her, Obama would need to build a second White House, as the present one and the Vice President's residence would not be large enough to store her and Bill's baggage and Machiavellian plotting. Secretary of Health would be a more appropriate post for Hillary.

[justobserve]

Hahaha!
"After her kitchen sink attacks of her fellow Democrat in desperation."
Why put her in a porfolio that she HAD FAILED before? It's her attitude of "my way or highway" that failed it. She has been "humble" in the Senate but once she got the power, will she use it again to destruction?

[joe973]

Dear Steve Almond, You are so RIGHT!!! I am glad to find someone who fully grasp the rational of a Clinton VP nomination. for the past couple of weeks I thought I was insane and leaving in the twilight zone with my vp assessment which was fairly similar to yours. Thank you for validating my thoughts but again you might also be living in the twilight zone :-).....

p.s: I am far from being Clinton but this is politics, reason must prevail over passion.!

[Faith101]

Wow ErinBerin84:..........you make a great point. I never thought about it like that.

[Faith101]

Hillary is not my first choice, but if he picks her even after all of her shannigans I still would vote for him. Hillary is so sure of herself, Obama better not lose if she is on that ticket. We just need to find a home for Bill. I am more interested in the repub and indep about Hillary as a VP pick, do we have any on this site willing to voice the indep voice on this?

[truegreen]

Interesting, but the scenario is highly, highly unlikely. But these days in politics u never know.