In a recent campaign event Bill Clinton told reporters that Hillary was 'very open to the idea' of Barack Obama as her running mate. This followed Hillary's statements to the news media that a joint ticket "may be where this is headed".
This may sound like good news to Democrats who want this so called 'dream ticket' and to those who are worried about party unity. Clinton's offer suggests that she does not want the race to get irreparably negative. However the strategy behind this recent VP buzz is more tactical than altruistic.
Why Obama is not interested:
It is quite uncommon to see the front runner being offered the post of VP by the trailing candidate. Even though Sen. Obama is ahead by all measures in the race so far, Clinton's offer undercuts Obama's achievements and gives the illusion that she is ahead. It also puts him in an awkward spot where he either has to show some warmth to the idea or make a counter offer of his own to Hillary.
Let us assume for the sake of argument that Obama was trailing Clinton. Even in this scenario Obama cannot accept the offer because it would fly in the face of his entire platform. He has gotten this far by promising change and vowing not to allow the same old people to run Washington. By accepting the offer he would not only support the same old people, he would in fact facilitate the process as VP. Obama would also ruin his chances of running again in 2012 or 2016 because his message of change would be exposed as hypocritical.
Why Obama cannot counter the offer:
With Hillary as his running mate Obama would still be seen as facilitating giving power to the same old faces in Washington. He would also be worried about Hillary trying to undermine his authority. Denials aside, Obama will require on the job training if he becomes President. One can safely assume that he will not want the Clintons to be his trainers.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Clavos
EXCELLENT analysis, Krutic!
You nailed it! Right on the head.
The devious and clever Clintons strike again.
I hope Obama is smart enough to counter the move immediately.
2 - Winston Apple
Of course there is no way of knowing for certain, but I share your view that there may be an element of calculated scheming on the part of the Clintons involved in their comments about a “joint ticket.” I still think Obama would be wise to take them up on the offer, assuming that it is mutual.
Over seventy percent of the Democrats polled have indicated a preference for both Obama and Clinton to be on the ticket. We already have a president who ignores the will of the people. It would be nice to see the two leading Democrats respond to the preferences of their supporters.
I disagree with your statement that Obama would have to deal with “an ugly power struggle where a seasoned former President and First Lady outshine and out maneuver the rookie President.” The vice-presidency is an office that is defined by the president. It would be great if Obama made effective use of the knowledge and skills of both of the Clintons, but apart from Hillary Clinton acting as president pro-tempore of the Senate, if they seemed to be causing trouble, he could give them absolutely nothing to do.
I just hope the Democrats can avoid doing anything that makes it easier for McCain to win. Even if Obama and Clinton don’t agree that whoever comes in second will fill out the ticket as the vice-presidential candidate, they should conduct themselves as if that is going to be the case. They should refrain from any and all attacks on each other.
The number of new voters participating in the Democratic primaries and caucuses this year is a real tribute to both of these candidates. The excitement that they generate among their supporters needs to be maintained through November and beyond. Even a minor mud-slinging contest between Obama and the Clintons has the potential to turn off some of the supporters of the other candidate to the point where they stay home in November.
- Winston Apple
3 - JustOneMan
Good Job...
Hillary comes across as a uniter...and he comes across as the inexperienced loser that he is...
JOM
4 - Dr Dreadful
Who was it you were going to vote for, JOM?
5 - Dan Miller
"I hope Obama is smart enough to counter the move immediately."
I think he just did, at least I hope that is the correct reading of his statement. But, don't worry. Sen. Clinton has lots of other potential VPs: the current Democrat governor of New York, for example. That would certainly make a few headlines and might perhaps even garner the oldest profession vote.
Were Sen. Obama to give even a passing thought to running as Sen. Clinton's VP, or having her as his VP candidate, he would forfeit every gram of luster he has so assiduously cultivated. It would not be too different from Sir Winston Churchill throwing a Tupperware party for Joseph Stalin just after the Fulton, MO speech coining the "Iron Curtain" phrase.
I am afraid of Sen.Clinton, very afraid. My concerns about Sen. Obama are rather (no, not Dan Rather) less. I may well vote for Sen. McCain, but I would really like to have a viable choice. A Clinton-Obama or an Obama-Clinton ticket would not, for me, provide a viable choice.
6 - bliffle
Hillary is a poison pawn on the Obama/democrat ticket.
If one hypothesizes that half the people in the USA hate Hillary and half love her (which is kinda the impression I get from what I've read about polls and blog writings) then her entire strategy depends on getting complete loyalty from the pro-hillaries and figuring that some anti-hillaries will stay away out of apathy. A pure hillary vs. mccain battle yields a hillary win in that case, because there is plenty of mccain apathy around.
But Hillary may get knocked off by Obama so she offers this ticket thinking to dissuade pro-obamas from from defending Their Man with a 'safe' second best finish. Doesn't even matter if she's sincere (she can easily rescind the offer upon winning the primaries). The offer is only purposed to ding the obama position.
Obama, of course, cannot accept such a sally, or at least not on it's own terms. But there may be a way to offer a new initiative that seems to be as well-intentioned and turns the tables. A clever politician can figure that out.
For example, Obama might offer Sec of State to hillary, thus stating both respect and proper ranking of their relative positions. this would avoid splintering obama support (surely some of which is made up of anti-hillaries who would desert him if he conceded too much to the clintons).
But I'm sure there's a better play. And if the obamas are half as smart as I think they'll be up and about figuring out what that play is.
7 - Dr Dreadful
JOM has not yet endorsed a candidate...
Don't make me link to that comment, JOM.
You know which one I mean.
8 - Bennett
Dr. Dreadful,
Please link to it. Anyone with the extreme lack of class to bring someone's mother into the argument, especially in such an abominable fashion, needs to get hung out to dry.
9 - Dr Dreadful
Happy to oblige, Bennett.
Drum roll, please...
For your delectation and wonderment, the verdict of the slobbering Right:
Comment #3 on this thread.
Enjoy!
10 - Clavos
Thanks for the link Doc.
This is easier:
#3 " February 3, 2008 @ 10:34AM " JustOneMan
"Obama is the best the Dumbocrats have had in years..and in fact if it comes down to him and "The Angry Old White Man" McCain -- I WILL BE VOTING FOR OBAMA...."
11 - jacksmith
Breaking News!!! Major Political Scandal!!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And because they feel that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket would be unbeatable.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama's. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. I suggest a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket now! All democrats need to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton. So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
Fortunately the Clinton's have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton's. Only the Clinton's are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
You should be angry America. "This is not a game" (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith...
12 - Bennett
Well, what I've read runs 180 degrees counter to what you write. In Texas, repubs were voting for Clinton in order to keep the primaries going long enough to let the dems self destruct.
Check out this story from the Dallas Morning News.
13 - Clavos
You're right, Bennett.
jacksmith has it bass ackwards...
14 - REMF
"In Texas, repubs were voting for Clinton in order to keep the primaries going long enough to let the dems self destruct."
Actually, the real reason being they know Obama would be harder to beat in the General than Billary.
15 - Bennett
"Actually, the real reason being they know Obama would be harder to beat in the General than Billary."
Point taken.
16 - Krutic A
I think it is a great strategy. They are using Obama's predicament to their full benefit.
Think about it - the whole day yesterday was full of this story. Obama spent the day before the MS primary talking about obvious things like how he is ahead and she is behind.
His message has gotten lost in the past couple weeks.
17 - V Selesele
Makes little difference which one of them gets it. The US is headed down a path of decresing economic wealth and reduced standard of living. The response from Washington is going to be more spending, more regulation, higher taxation and more inflation. In other words, more of the same. The political philosophy is set and the machine will continue to operate as it does presently. This nomination business has been entertaining though.
18 - The Obnoxious American
Krutic,
Absolutely right, (in terms of the article and your last post). His message has gotten lost, he shouldn't have to explain that he is ahead and yet he does.
I think Hillary has learned how to ruffle him a bit, since the last debate in Ohio. In that debate, the first ten minutes he was talking over her, obviously enraged by her. Someone in the audience must have tipped him off because he made a face to someone like "who, me?" and then was better behaved from then on.
In terms of VP selection, you're right, he can't have her as VP, but she would really need him as a VP. That said, the real VP question that we should be caring about is who will McCain pick!
V, I really hope you are wrong but a part of me fears that you arent.
19 - Dave Nalle
Jack. The fact is that Republicans are crossing over to vote for Hillary NOT Obama. He'd have won Texas without that crossover vote, no question. As for 'cheating', that's usually saved for the general election, though I suppose it's possible that both democratic candidates are engaging in the usual vote guying and registration fraud which is the hallmark of the party.
Dave
20 - Krutic A
I do have an article planned about McCain's VP choices...watch for it!
21 - Dave Nalle
Krutic. I have only one name for you. J. C. Watts. End of story.
Dave
22 - Krutic A
I suppose..although name recognition is an issue. Very few people know who he is and McCain is likely to need some sort of 'star power' to counter the Democratic enthusiasm.
But he does fit the profile that McCain should look for: young, conservative and no political baggage. Being a minority is also an asset but it might not sit well with the base (or it might)..I haven't figured that out yet.
23 - Krutic A
I guess I shouldn't say very few people know him because he does make TV appearances. But I still think he is relatively obscure
(Congressmen usually are).
24 - Dave Nalle
We know him pretty well down here in the Southwest, plus he's a personal friend of McCain. He's also very well spoken and could go one-on-one with Obama pretty well if Obama ended up as VP.
Dave
25 - Baronius
Krutic - I think that Obama did a great job of responding to the "dream ticket" idea. He said that, if Hillary is claiming he doesn't have the qualifications to be president, why should she think of him for VP? He caught her in a lie, a transparent political maneuver. If he's smart, he will hammer away on this point for a while. It's exactly the kind of political gamesmanship that alienates people from the Clintons.