In Dreams

An Obama-Clinton dream ticket could unite the viciously divided electorate and form a juggernaut to defeat McBush and his fractured and failed Republican policies, heralding a new era of progressive cultural and political evolution not seen in this country for decades.

Or it could become a nightmare of an administration, its structural bedrock being the sniping, dysfunctional relationship between its two profoundly dynamic components, rendering the Democratic party incurably inept, demoting the presidency even further from its Bush curb level credibility and causing the rest of the world to finally write off America as a punch-drunk old pain in its ass.

But in actuality, the idea of Obillary or Hibama or whatever the presidential partnership would inevitably be dubbed is nothing more than another media construct, another treacly, commercialized version of a momentarily interesting but critically flawed notion generated by the 'round-the-clock news/entertainment divisions of the Mainstream Media; graphic designers and computer artists in their employ are abandoning their foosball and X-Boxes and already starting to come up with catchy chyrons and poignantly patriotic banners that will wave, pulse and pixelate across our screens and into our reliably reflexive hearts. And the days and years would be filled not with the lusted-for change but with more cover story fodder, glitzy, gossipy innuendo and inane reductions of its monumental significance to mass-consumed, mindless, distraction, a.k.a. business as usual.

Why not let the presumptive nominee presume to choose his own administration with the same sound judgment with which he assembled the team that waged the powerful, inventive campaign we've witnessed? Why not trust him to do as he's shown, having already remained imperturbably positive despite being kneecapped by the sundry spiritual advisors and invective-hurling knuckleheads that are drawn to anyone who dares activate the up-till-now hopeless millions? Hasn't he already administered his way through terrain that would have hobbled all others to arrive at this historic and epiphanic point in our country's ongoing transformation? By giving in to novelty store suggestions of an Obama-Clinton dream ticket he would turn his hard fought struggle into a clunky, three-legged race one would find at a rickety state fair.

Still, after all their War of the Roses level squabbling, Obama and Clinton's agendas have barely a whisker's breadth between them. Perhaps he would do well to embrace her core issue of health care as she defines it, thereby embodying his promise to consolidate and heal and leading this country's citizens to the brighter, cleaner, healthier, stronger, wiser future they deserve.

For her part, Ms. Clinton should loudly sound the call for unity, allaying the zeal of those whose dreams of a woman president may have been presently deferred but certainly secured in the very near future by her own powerful and impassioned campaign. Hillary should not be marginalized by the presumptive nominee nor their solidarity-craving party but rather used to her greatest effect as an exemplar of everything the Republicans have not been in decades and might not be anytime soon. She may have been defeated in this battle between candidates but she will have been instrumental in the triumph over the disfiguring ideology that held this nation hostage for 8 grim years.

So, no shotgun weddings, no concocted couplings. Let the courage and character of both democratic champions flourish without the fetters of banality, so unworthy of the talent, patriotism and hope their lives and work personify.

Comments

[personalpolitical]

Yes, hell no on the nightmare ticket

And no, he shouldn't take up her healthcare plan because her plan is crap. Her mandates are worthless and ill-conceived, all they would accomplish is making the plan ammo for Republican attacks. Listen, both of their plans don't go nearly far enough, if you want him to borrow someone's health care plan, have him borrow Kucinich's, because that is the only one that is truly universal

[Cactusflower]

I think an Obama-Clinton ticket will certainly make him lose the election. Definitely a nightmare ticket.

There are women candidates that would make great VPs, but not for Obama. He is already dealing with race biases. He needs a white male for a running mate- preferably an older one, but not too old (otherwise it works against 'Change'). There are millions of old fashioned folks out there that will say- a black guy or a woman? i would rather vote for McCain. For Obama a white male for a running mate is the safest thing. If he really wants to pick a woman to win back those disgruntled women voters, I hope it will be someone other than Her Royal Clinton.

[ShockedSHOCKED]

And, in all candor and with great respect to those involved, it looks like we are going to have some openings for senior leaders in the Senate sooner than we would like.

[Header]

Word.

[starkravingmadeleine]

I don't believe in the "dream ticket". I don't think that will appease the man-hating Hillary supporters in the slightest. The best thing he could do is pick a female VP that has the grace, dignity, power, and real feminist backing that Hillary never had. Someone like Kathleen Sebelius would be amazing!

[Rosanneofpgh]

I think Barbara Boxer would be good.

In the past, I would have also said nancy pelosi but she lost me when she took impeachment off the table. I have absolutely NO respect for her whatsoever!!

[appleknocker]

I'm no Pelosi fan, but let's face it: impeachment was never on the table. Where were the votes? And a failed impeachment attempt would have spun by the Repubs as a vindication.

[BarryChamplain]

BET founder Robert Johnson has now weighed-in on Hillary as Veep, as well. A rabid Hillary supporter, Johnson would not even be out there, saying what he's saying now, if this weren't a surrogate action on the part of Hillary. These people can't do anything straight-out in the open and above-board.

Obama's success, contrary to CW, is NOT predicated on wooing a fringe of disgruntled older females (the angry lady at the Rules Commitee hearing). This is a HYPE. NOR is he beholden to Robert Johnson's insinuation that he's any kind of "typical" voice of the Black community. He's made his share of bomb-throwing statements and there's always been a clean-up on Aisle 9 necessary afterwards. And we're expected to take this seriously?

I trust Obama's team will make their own moves, and not get pressured by any of these little Astroturf pro-Hillary campaigns that are popping up today like gophers.

[BlueAsh]

I agree.

He was quoted as responding to a question "what kind of a leader are you" with "watch how I run my campaign and you will see what kind of a leader I am" (my paraphrase). Hopefully he continues to make good decisions and win in November.

[palealien]

Well done, Stephen!

[StephenKMack]

Three cheers for Steven!!!!!!!!!

[GunnyJ]

If the Obama team was smart enough to beat the Clintons, you can bet they are smart enough to select the best person, male or female to be VP. Many people speak of Obama's inexperience, but I see it as a plus. Why?
1. He owes few political favors to sway his decisions.
2. Since he is not clouded by "years" in Washington, his views are fresh and more citizen oriented.
3. His youth, with just enough age to see all sides of an issue.
4. His youth will enable him to surround himself with solid free thinkers.
5. He understands the United States is part of the world and that the United States does not own the world.
6. He will lead all Americans not just some Americans.
7. He gives all elected officials in Washington the opportunity to serve their communities!
The page is being turned America! It is time to think new century, new quality of life in a global environment and cleaner environment and government in touch with the people! I am excited and I hope we all get excited!!!!!!

[DMW1]

Having enjoyed your work as an actor, it was a pleasant surprise to read your articulate, well-thought article.

You echo an argument I have frequently used. In defeating the established Clinton machine and winning the Democratic nomination, Obama has not only proven that he and his team possess the judgment to make their own decisions, but they have now earned that right.

[Gma11]

Amen.

I would like to see Hillary active in an Obama administration. I'd prefer NOT to have her as VP, but that is Obama's choice.

But what I would like to see for Hillary (and selfishly for my grandchildren) is to see her become the Lioness of the Senate, ala Ted Kennedy. That seems the perfect niche for her, IMO.

[CelticMajic]

Lets see, Why not let the presumptive nominee presume to choose his own administration with the same sound judgment with which he assembled in his Chicago power base, a wonderful uniting preacher or 2 or maybe even 3, and heck we could get an admitted domestic terrorist as maybe SECDEF, what with all the great experience with bombs, and Mr. R. is a ready made HUD secretary. Yep Why not let the presumptive nominee presume to choose his own administration?????

[mkmpanic]

man even an actor gets it! kidding

[57andfemale]

What a great post, as usual. Spot on, laser-like insights for everyone to ponder on both sides.

Hillary and Barack both have a lot to offer. Let's stop stomping into the ground the talent available to us and put it to good use.

Thanks, Steven.

[DennyCrane]

I agree 100%. The dream ticket is entirely a media creation and they win no matter what the outcome. If Obama picks Hillary, the media gets to talk about it from now til the end of time, even if Obama loses. If he does lose, they can write endlessly about whether it was Obama or Hillary who cost them the election. If Obama wins, they get 4 or 8 years to talk about real and perceived conflicts between them. And if he doesn't pick her, they get to write nonstop about how Obama dissed Hillary, how her supporters think he's sexist, and how Hillary will try to keep Obama from getting elected so she can run in 2012. It's a win-win for them, but a nightmare for us since it would mean that Hillary will remain part of the discussion no matter what her role.