This has just hit me like a ton of bricks- but I am pretty sure Hil will be VP

I absolutely did not want it to happen, but I can see where it might be the only thing to do to guarantee winning this election. It is not about balance, other than the fact that a man and a woman, a black and a white will be on the ticket. Common sense says that two Sens on a ticket is a bad idea, and I would normally agree, but this situation is well beyond normal. I don't normally swallow what the MSM says about anything, but this talk about huge numbers of Hillary supporters voting for McCain may have some merit. I know that time and reasonable common sense will win out in some cases, but I fear that a rather large number of disaffected Clinton supporters may actually sit out this election (I think very few would actually vote for McCain). Putting her on the ticket would make tons of sense as far as it would retain most, if not darn near all Hillary supporters as Democratic voters. I would think names such as Gen. Clark, and Sen. Biden would be bandied about as Sec of Defense and State, respectively.

What's in it for Hillary? Well, an inside track to the Presidency in 2016, that's what, for starters. She'd be 68, and would be quite able to run and win, if she was a valuable part of a harmonious and productive two terms with Sen. Obama. The eight years in the meantime would find the Clintons back in the WH, even if in a lesser role. Bill could choose to become an incredible asset by being an ambassador of goodwill and even giving Obama some pointers now and again, if needed and asked for.

I realize there'd be a certain amount of perceived hypocrisy here, what with the ethics changes Obama is seeking, and the fact that he'd be teaming up with "the same old Washington politics", but it is a chance that we may need to take as a party. Sen. Clinton is tenacious and smart, and could help restore the Clinton name in some of the eyes that now see her and Bill in a poor light. The lessening of negative speak about Obama is a start, and it MUST continue to June 3 and beyond for this to be a viable ticket. In the end, they will both do what is most likely to further their careers, and to help this nation out of its' enormous problems. I believe the powers that be may have broke to them both that this is close to the only way that the Dems can take back the WH. If that is the case, then they both would be advised to listen. I have decided that personally, I can live with Hillary as VP, as it should increase the chances that the Democrats take back the WH. Please let me know if I am making any sense.

I don't see her playing second fiddle. JMHO.

Wont work. No different than the damage Hillary has shown by changing message and Triangulation by Poll campaigning.

His NEW democratic base wont buy it.

Many of her own words will be used against them by the Republicans.

If shes not on the ticket her words won't matter.

of going from change back to the same old. I'd like to be wrong about this, but I don't think I am. I believe there'd be too much public pressure (not DU) to ignore.

He's not going to do it now.

if this happens, as i said earlier- i would be much, much less enthusiastic.

no DLC. period. no more clintons. period. i have supported barack obama because of his message that he'll bring change- i am cynical and distrusting, and it took me until only recently to get behind him unenthusiastically, and when we reached PA, i was ready to support him in full and even got excited about it.

if she or any other DLCer ends up on his ticket, not only will i go back to my blah support, but i will seriously lose a lot of trust- while i never fully trust a politician, i actually have felt hopeful that maybe things will change. DLC/hillary means more of the same.

Hillary "is" the establishment, just like Edwards used to say. If Obama took her as the VP it would send the opposite message of hope and change! He needs someone as a VP, that would carry on his agenda if something should happen to him, and that's not Hillary!

McCain would tear that team apart, and Limbaugh and the other taking heads would have a field day using everything she has said against Obama in their attack on a ticket with Hillary on it. It would also bring out the republican base simply because they would not want the Clintons back in the Whitehouse, no matter what spot they held, and they would not want Hillary second in line to run this country in case something happened to Obama.

Nope, a ticket with Hillary would not work, and I think she knows that, and that's why she is not going to drop out. She still wants the job of president, and the only way that can happen is if Obama is damaged enough that he can't win in November. I hope the leaders of the party put an end to this, but I am not holding my breath!

I don't think she wants VP, but I'm sure she could leverage for Clark

stop it already

I have not at any time, until now, stated this. It just seems ridiculously obvious to me today. Maybe I should sleep it off, as I just got home from work.

Unless she can demonstrate that she will bring people to him, there is no reason to give her squat. She can't just say "Make me VP or I'll fuck you up"

i dont think itd be hard to pull off.

(sry sleepy dog on lap)

but maybe a cabinet position

for the love of humanity.... NO!

You may be making sense, but after these last few months, I just cannot bear the thought of Hillary as VP.

.. that we need to get beyond the Clintons and the Bushes, I dont see HOW she can be on the ticket

It would negate much of his theme the past 16 months.

Ambassador to some remote backwater, but not VP!

:rofl:

It would be contrary to his beliefs that we can change the way Washington works and every message he's given.

My hope is that Obama assumes her campaign debt, which he can easily do, which will allow her to suspend her campaign and get to the work of attempting to unify the party behind Obama.

"change the politics in Washington" while nominating a member of the Presidential dynasty families.

I don't see how it would do that. Sure, we'd lose some of her supporters without her on the ticket but I doubt as many as claim that today. Like Obama or not we've got one, maybe two Supreme Court justices who are likely to be replaced over the next few years and the price of a McCain win is pretty steep for a pissed off gesture. When it comes to it I think most will be there.

On the other hand Clinton on the ticket might lose us a lot of the crossover and independent voters who like Obama because he's something "different" but who don't like Clinton, and it would energize the right about as much as her heading the ticket would. We'd lose at least as much or more by putting her on the ticket as we'd gain, it's a wash at best and a burden to the ticket in all I'd think.

And that's without even considering the risk of conflict, nothing in this campaign suggests she is willing to take a back seat to anyone and after years of Cheney demonstrating how much power the VP can wield there seems to be a decent reason for concern with power struggles, them wanting to pull in different directions and that turning into a problem.

I can't say it won't happen if the public really wants it or something, but personally I think it's a real bad idea and in no way helps us to win.

The president can't just fire the vice president if things go sour between them. I don't think those who propose this are thinking much past the campaign.

of MANY votes. I know there are many compelling reasons to NOT have this ticket, as I have basically argued that position up until now. I feel very conflicted on this. Whatever must be, will be. I am as staunch in my support of Sen. Obama as ever, though. Please be assured of that!

it might have worked, but in her egomaniacal fight for the top of the ticket, she eliminated herself from VP consideration. I don't want him to do it, but as I said, I see some of the raw logic in it.

about having her on the ticket. Scorched earth and all.

the Republicans would use it to drown out Obama's message which has served his so well. It would political suicide; Obama DOES NOT need Hillary on the ticket as VP.

an f-ing landslide.

of course, there's the small matter of her ego and she and bill going behind obama's back trying to run things. they would totally undermine him at every opportunity as a way to get him out in four years and have herself installed as pres.

can obama use her to win the election, then fire her?

VP can be impeached and convicted, but not simply fired. They are an elected official just like the President or any other.

to drop out if he would make her the VP candidate? It occurred to me after she closed that debate (so long ago!) with such kind words for him. She had the pundits, and many here at DU, thinking she was ready to drop out. Then in her very next speech she made her 180 degree turn, and began striking the bitter notes about celestial choirs and going rapidly downhill from there.

Like everyone else I wondered what could have made her change her tune so drastically and suddenly, turning on him overnight. I began to think that she might have made him an offer then to drop out in exchange for the spot on the ticket, and he declined, and that's when her acrimonious campaign began. Perhaps her strategy has been to show him he should choose her before she did more damage.

Then again, maybe I'm way off base.

Wat

It'd undercut his whole message quite badly and I don't see her accepting "second best", y'know?

Never heard him say anything substantive about that issue.

That seems a little out of character for him given his own shady track record. The broken system works well for Obama right now I can't imagine him changing it.

Obama supporters should be careful about reading more into his speeches than is actually there.

That he owes nobody anything? That he has no lobbyist, and big businesses to do favors for?

who bundle corporate donations for him and tell him what his position should be on issues. Sorry, this is well documented.

He owes plenty to Wall Street and other big businesses who have helped fund his campaign.

Is he planning to give all that up?

Obama talks about 'change', and he relates having 'change' to Sen. Clinton and the time she has been in the White House. He'll speak about Clinton's lobbyist and how he owes nobody anything.

How would it look if Obama goes from 'change', to the 'same'? And then running against McSame, with Clinton as the VP.

or whatever she said, and all the other not-so-nice things she said about Sen. Obama will be used against both of them.

I just can't see it working. The republicans will have a field day.

It would feel like hiring ABC to moderate his debate, after the fact.

I think he'll pick someone in her camp, maybe Wes Clark.

Personally I think all politicians should retire by age 70.

They deserve to take things easy in their retirement.

Younger candidates deserve a chance to break through.

Sorry if that sounds like discrimination.

There is also a minimum age-limit for candidates!

She's divisive and despised by just about everyone to the right of James Carville.

Is by invitation by President Obama for the private reception after the Inaugural Ball.

After that, Hill and Bill can take the DLC wing of the Republican Party and pass into irrelevance.

Keeping Clinton around keeps the Republicans motivated against her, and brings along her train cars of baggage. Under this scenario I think the media would focus more on the VP candidate than Obama, and that would be disastrous in the fall.

he may put her on the ticket. It would increase his chances of winning in November. Obama supporters need to remember that she is loved and admired by millions who voted for her over the past several months. We need to keep them in the party. Don't forget that many voters who do not love politics like we do, think that John McCain is very independent and will vote for him. The media is portraying him as an independent maverick. Oy vay.

not be VP as Clinton bashing. Many people have voiced strong reservations (as have I) about her being on the ticket.

Personally I also don't imagine the Clintons would want to play second fiddle to Obama. In the long run, she is better off staying in the US Senate and trying to gain some kind of leadership role there.

I also agree with the people who have said that having Clinton on the ticket very much under-minds the change message.

My feeling is there are many very qualified people who Obama could pick as VP that are Clinton supporters. That in itself would be a unity ticket.

that's the deal they'll strike with her.

There are many other people who will bring what she would bring to the ticket WITHOUT being a lightening rod to the hard right.

I couldn't tolerate her in the top position at this time, she still has a lot of integrity to learn, and maybe Obama will show her the way. Can you imagine that? A 60 year old woman learning from a 46 year old political newbie!

...one of her supporters will be the pick...possibly one with a military background...

Don't be so effing gracious

remember what you're fighting for

there is another way

don't forget this is a fifty state process

WE are going to register more voters than ever in history

Clinton's negatives will thrash his candidacy in MHO

The people that would prefer McCain need to go

AND STAY GONE

Republicans have been champing at the bit the past few years, salivating over the chance of energizing their base to come out and vote against her. Not to mention, there are segments of the population who will not vote for a woman and segments who will not for an AA. These are small percentages, but adding them together to work against an Obama/Clinton ticket would not be good.

plus she would never accept the vp.

way they should go.

She represents the EXACT thing he's trying to change, the old style of politics in Washington. She showed her true colors with the gas tax holiday pandering. McCain can use the fact that Obama has Hillary on his ticket to negate his 'change' message. Plus 2 senators on the same ticket won't be good. Not enough executive experience.

is part of the gamble to get this far.

This is the liberal left, Kennedy et al - they LOATHE the Clintons and care only about their agenda. If Obama gets it, take your loss in November.

"If I was a Republican, I'd already be the nominee". Go become one, then. Christ, will she EVER learn. I want to believe the Clintons can be an asset to this party, but at this late point, if she wants to be this way, there is no saving them. Obama can probably win with a host of different VP's anyway- namely Wes Clark or Bill Richardson.

She just keeps going and going....

‘Dream ticket’ coming, trust me
By Rich Lewis, Sentinel Columnist, April 25, 2008
http://cumberlink.com/articles/2008/05/07/opinion/columns/rich_lewis/doc4811edc6da97b648228914.txt

Pennsylvanians must love drama, because they did exactly what they needed to do on Tuesday to keep the Democratic primary balanced on a razor’s edge of uncertainty.
Right down to the decimal points.
Most observers declared that Hillary Clinton needed a “double-digit” victory to stay in the race.
Did she get it? Well, that’s the beauty of the numbers — you can say “yes” or “no” to suit your taste.The Associated Press shows Clinton with 1,260,060 votes or 54.7 percent of the total. Obama got 1,045,148 votes or 45.3 percent.
The Clinton camp rounds 54.7 up to 55, and 45.3 down to 45.
Voila! A 10-point, double-digit victory.
But hold on, says the Obama camp. The difference is 9.4 percent, a “single-digit” that rounds down to 9.
Voila! No double-digit victory....

But round and round we go and onward to Indiana.
Obama continues to be the “winner” who cannot claim victory and Clinton, like the Glenn Close character in “Fatal Attraction,” keeps popping up from the bathtub alive after everyone assumes she’s dead.
Which is why I am now convinced that Obama will be the nominee and Clinton will be his running mate.
Just about everyone has dismissed this as impossible. They say that Clinton won’t settle for the second spot; that Obama’s supporters would never stand for it; that she has attacked Obama too much to become his partner.
Baloney, baloney and emphatically baloney.
It doesn’t matter what Obama or Clinton “want” — the leaders of the Democratic party will force the deal, because they recognize the dangers of the present impasse and the potential power of a “unity ticket.” They do not want this dragged to the convention.
And exit polls are very clear: A scary percentage of both Clinton and Obama supporters say they will vote for John McCain or not vote at all if their favorite is not the nominee. Putting Clinton on the ticket will almost certainly pacify her supporters, especially those who feel strongly that it’s time for a woman to crack the political glass ceiling.
Clinton will accept, because a good shot at becoming the first female vice-president in history beats the daylights out of being a senator from New York.
The Obama supporters will scream for a few days and then calm down. What else are they going to do? Not vote for Obama?
So the only serious question is whether Clinton can credibly campaign alongside Obama after she has spent months attacking his readiness for office, electability and patriotism.
Please. This is politics, where the bitterest of enemies on Monday are best buddies on Tuesday if it serves their interests. It happens all the time. The 2000 Republican primary between George Bush and John McCain was one of the filthiest ever. Bush won the South Carolina primary after his supporters claimed that McCain was a homosexual and had an illegitimate black child (quite a pair of accusations), and McCain condemned Bush as being just like Bill Clinton.
But now the most famous picture of McCain is the one where he is bear-hugging Bush and leaning his head on the president’s chest.
The speech that Clinton will use to bury her attacks on Obama is already written and sitting in a desk drawer:
“For six months, I fought as hard as I know how to find a weakness in Senator Obama. I tested him at every level, raised every challenge that he will face in November and in the Oval Office. And he passed every test, met every challenge. I said, ‘Senator, show me.” And he did. And now I am convinced and you should be convinced that he is ready to lead this country back to greatness blah blah blah....”
Piece of cake.
He, on the other hand, has been scrupulously polite to Clinton and could give her that hug without backtracking at all.
And the fact is the two lock together politically like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
There are no significant differences in their positions on the big three issues of the day — the economy, the war in Iraq and the need for change in Washington.
The only difference is that each appeals to a different constituency based on race, sex, style, experience and other intangibles. Conflicting policy positions are hard to reconcile — but personal characteristics are not. Each would legitimize the other.
So that’s my prediction — Obama/Clinton.
It’s not a certainty — but I’d say the chances are... well... in the double digits.

Rich Lewis’ e-mail address is:
rlcolumn@comcast.net.

As of today, she's STILL whining on the campaign trail about "I'd have the nomination if we used Republican rules."

She's spent too much time trying to convince voters that Obama is unelectable and less experienced. She's still doing it.

Why would she want to run as his VP after that? Why would Obama HAVE her after all that she has done to tear down his candidacy?

She showed today that she will continue to be a pain in the ass, so I say forget it.

This is the same person who claimed as a candidate, Barack Obama had no experience to be President, how can she now run on the same ticket with him running for that office?

This is the same person, who had claimed, McCain had more experience as President, Barack Obama only had a speech.

Who will you vote for in November?

I am John McCain and I, and Hillary Clinton approved this message.

I don't agree that this is a chance we need to take.

Her negatives are higher than McCain's for God's sake.

If he picks Clinton, the GOP will argue for the whole campaign that he's not strong enough to win by himself, and makes his decisions at the mercy of circumstances. It would be a fatal mistake.

There can be no CHANGE if we continue to appease the DLC. Hillary is trying to DESTROY this party. Why the Hell should she be rewarded for it, and why should we give up on the best opportunity we have ever had to get the corporatist cancer out of this party?

I sympathize with the sane Hillary supporters, but Hillary is a deal breaker. We need to turn the page on the 28 year downward spiral of this country NOW, or we may not get another chance.

adds baggage. Clinton's supporters will vote for Obama after everything cools down and those that refuse would likely be more open to voting McCain anyway to spite Obama.

IT WON'T.

even Nancy Pelosi has said no way.

not gonna happen.

HRC offers neglible "experience by proximity to power" and 50% negatives. She is the antithesis of what Obama has been campaigning for. Plus a black and a woman on the ticket is pushing the envelop too far.

Obama needs:

- a white male
- someone who didn't vote for IWR
- someone who is not DLC
- someone who supported HIM, not HRC's negative, poll-driven, pandering, kitchen sink campaign
- someone who will ENHANCE his appeal to independents especially in the South and West
- someone with military or foreign affairs experience

Besides what will Obama do with Bill?!