A Clinton-Obama Ticket: Remember Justin and Kelly?

Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...

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A Clinton-Obama Ticket: Remember Justin and Kelly?

Posted Feb 1st 2008 2:00PM by Mo Rocca

"This ... is the Democratic Debate!" When Wolf Blitzer introduced last night's Kodak Center debate with the same intonation that Ryan Seacrest uses to introduce American Idol and Hillary and Barack came bounding onto stage, I positively squealed: "They're just like Kelly and Justin!" It really took me back to Idol's first season finale. (For an instant I wished that Hillary would be declared the winner of the debate and Wolf would hand her a mic for a choked up rendition of "A Moment Like This.")

The prospect of a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket was a hot topic, really the only hot topic, last night. But judging from last night's excruciatingly nicey-nice performance, they're a deadly pairing. Individually Clinton and Obama - like Kelly and Justin before them - are compelling figures. She's a tough lady. He's a fiery orator. But when they're not clashing, their edges disappear. They end up sucking the life out of each other.

If you need further convincing, consider the debacle that was From Justin to Kelly. The legendarily bad post-season film pairing of Guarini and Clarkson should serve as a deep dark omen for the Democrats. From Barack to Hillary would sink the Democratic Party for good, even if it would make for the best convention film ever. Each of these candidates has risen above being the "black candidate" or the "female candidate." But together? It's a ticket crying out to be mocked as a liberal wet dream. Cloyingly self-congratulatory. Likely to dominate precincts in Berkeley, Cambridge, New Haven, and ... nowhere else.

(above) A scene from last night's debate

The whole debate, of course, was a snooze. The most controversial moment: the cutaway to Isaiah Washington in the audience, trying his best to look thoughtful.

At the start Wolf tried to lend the proceedings gravitas by reminding us all that this was the first time that a woman and African-American had gone head to head in a debate. History was being made - and brought to you by CNN! (Seemed pretty arbitrary to me. Wasn't history made at Wednesday's Republican debate? Wasn't that the first time a Mormon, a Vietnam vet, a wacky Libertarian and a guy who'd lost 110 pounds debated in a foursome?) When Senator Obama mentioned our "planet in peril", I was sure that CNN would cut to a shot of Anderson Cooper and Jeff Corwin in tight black tees rescuing a kinkajou. Miraculously the network resisted plugging itself.

The star quotient in the audience was middling. LA's lothario mayor, Antonio Villaraihorndog, sat tantalizingly close to Lauren Holly. (If they ever revive ABC's "Hot or Not," he should definitely replace Lorenzo Lamas.) Stevie Wonder did add major wattage. Wonder, of course, is a former AI mentor. (Next time CNN should include videos of stars coaching the candidates.)

The most interesting face in the crowd was Pierce Brosnan, who only became a citizen in 2004. Kudos to Brosnan! It's obvious he became a citizen for reasons greater than convenience. (Just for sitting through that debate, he deserves to vote twice.) There may have been more stars there, milling in the lobby like they do at the Oscars. Some of the people in the audience were clearly seat fillers.

One thing I'd hoped to see: The debate equivalent of the Oscar dead people montage. That's always been my favorite part of the Oscar telecast. A mournful video montage of all the candidates who'd dropped out would have added a lot. John Edwards would be last, with the biggest round of applause. (Mike Gravel has not dropped out. But he could have been acknowledged with a lifetime achievement award.) Of course Idol has its own video obits. They would have worked, too. A video of Bill Richardson's best moments, set to Daughtry's I'm Coming Home?

The most interesting takeaway: Obama is left-handed. Four of our last six presidents have been southpaws: Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. (The country has turned increasingly left-handed. Before Ford, only James Garfield and Harry Truman were lefties, though Truman could throw a baseball with either arm.) This would seem to bode well for Obama.

Okay, I've got to go. My neighbors are getting baked and unless I get out of here, I'll get a contact high. For now, I leave you with a scene from the Clinton-Obama convention video:

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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)

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1. Yes this debate was essentially a bloated American Idol contest except far more mind numbing. The only tense moments were perhaps when Stevie Wonder proposed the 'ticket' option to Hillary and Barack upon which, they both gave their scripted answer of such an idea as being premature. Although at the end of the debate, it was good to see Hillary and Barack giggling and laughing at the end. They were probably throwing jovial and good hearted jeers at each other. I always want to hear what they say after the debates but of course, their microphones are gone before that. We’ll never get the unscripted, uncensored, unhidden off the cuff talk.

As for Ted Turner's news network, CNN is becoming way too 'prime-time' and aiming for younger viewers. The whole 'CNN=Politics' campaign is a vain attempt to grab the youth's attention with quick buzzwords (As McCain might call it) and overall, the urbanized, almost gritty look of the logos and graphics they've been using for the debates kind of makes me want a throwback to more traditional, less hyped up debates.

Before you know it, they’ll be using adorable animals to market CNN to toddlers.
Just look at this secret advertisement I uncovered from digging through the old online CNN archives!
http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/2/1/cnnpolitcs128463726352500000.jpg

And because I’m too lazy to conclude with something poignant, here’s my ‘American Idol’ parody song, ‘Beautiful Senators’

You're way too beautiful senator,
that's why you'll never get elected.
You'd do better on American Idol.
American Idol, where the vote isn’t overlooked.
Darn all these beautiful senators,
They keep bringing up old dirt.
They’d do better on American Idol.

See his world started out dark,
Obama wasn’t known but he made his mark.
Oh he took all those Nebraskan hearts.
But his blackness was questioned and it fell apart.
We’d thought his popularity would last forever,
But now he trails in the polls, he’s not too clever.

See it's very define, Rudy
you make my world shine.
As a former mayor of New York
you eat terrorists with a fork.
Too bad his hair is nearly gone,
Oh Lord...
The G.O.P. is driving me crazy.

It was back in 99, and Bill Clinton was facing his sexual crime.
Hillary wasn't happy being on TV’s prime time.
Bill slept on the couch, Hillary’s health care plan slouched.
The president was getting impeached,
But Hillary got back and her cleavage kept us speechless.
She promises us the world,
But is she our girl?

Senator Dodd, with the intellect of a metal rod.
He’s kind of odd, with a noggin in the shape of a dirt clod.
Oh no, he’s running for the presidency.
That’s downright idiocy.
He wants good education for our kids,
But sometimes I think he’s a bit stupid.
At least Edwards has a normal sized head,
but I don’t know how he is in bed.

You're way too beautiful senator,
that's why you'll never get elected.
You'd do better on American Idol.
American Idol, where the vote isn’t overlooked.
Darn all these beautiful senators,
They keep bringing up old dirt.
They’d do better on American Idol.

Blayze at 4:00PM on Feb 1st 2008

2. whats with the prozac??come on mo..kick it up ah notch!!

suoiresos at 4:01PM on Feb 1st 2008

3. I thought the most notably odd cut-away to the audience was when they showed Topher Grace, trying his best these days not to look like Eric Foreman.

A few good points/lines were made throughout the evening (Obama gets a nod for the "being right on day #1" thing, Hillary for "it took a Clinton to clean up after the last Bush White House", etc.), but what distracted me throughout was that every time Obama made a point that Hillary could not deny, she got a big scary ventriloquist's-dummy smile complete with rows of Charlie McCarthy teeth that, coupled with bugged-out eyes, made for a really freaky image. It reminded me of the logo for Coney Island. So in the future, Hillary: Smile for the camera, yes. Clown-from-hell face, no.
~Shannon

Shannon at 4:13PM on Feb 1st 2008

4. Remember Mo......

Hillary can change! Obama might be a lefty but I'll bet you a dollar Hillary's practicing her ambidexterity today!

DameBuddyBoo at 4:44PM on Feb 1st 2008

5. Who understands us better than our mother? Who is more intimately acquainted with our peculiarties, our faults and failings, our weaknesses and our hurts. Who bandages our cuts when we are young? And who is ready to forgive us when we desert her in her time of need. I am very happy to say that our state Florida did not! We hear you Hillary, we know you will nurse this country back to us. Mr. Obama, put your star power and liberal thinking aside, think for the security of our country, take the second place- don't ruin our chances. Hillary is bigger that what you think she is- her fans will not stand at your side when you ran against a republican- your drugs, homosexual accusations, your muslims faith and your ban-white church will surface. If you are in the second place it might not matter- but as our president it WILL!

Jaki Baez at 5:34PM on Feb 1st 2008

6. Great analysis again, Mo!

You nailed it better than Fantasia on "Summertime":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WWtGpEqpV4

Oh, and I just found this clip of Barack & Hillary campaigning together in Orange County... they sure have gotten close:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1y3kP0NcIQ

Rocca the Vote '08

"The Search for a Superstar!"

FINN at 5:39PM on Feb 1st 2008

7. mojo,

that was the most gaseous and long-winded blogg I've ever read.

Willet at 6:11PM on Feb 1st 2008

8. Dear Mo,

"The most controversial moment: the cutaway to Isaac Washington in the audience, trying his best to look thoughtful."

ah,Clem at 6:37PM on Feb 1st 2008

9. Dear Mo, so sorry
can't post today...not AOL's fault just mine...

"The most controversial moment: the cutaway to Isaac Washington in the audience, trying his best to look thoughtful."

I woke up my husband with my choked laughter when I saw that. I couldn't help but wonder if he would attempt Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" at the next cut-away.
Easily distracted, I also was transfixed by Hillary's experimental "Phyllis Diller" laugh.

Any way you slice it, --it makes for great lunch break conversation. So who will Obama pick to run with?
I like to know... *!NOW!* quite frankly...

Ah, Willet, you see...Mo had a rather large order from IHOP to process...and we all get a tad expansive post prandially right?

ah,Clem at 6:56PM on Feb 1st 2008

10. mo, i am a southpaw. i used to get one of those mail order catalogs for stuff aimed just at lefties...my favorite thing in it was a t-shirt that said...

left handed people are the only ones in their right mind :)

for those of you not privy to the top secret lefties catalog and did not know this, yes, science has in fact found that the left half of your body is controlled by the right side of your brain. lefties are also known to be more creative and tend to "think outside the box" easier. besides our former presidents, some of the greatest minds in history were lefties...leonardo da vinci, einstein, aristotle, henry ford, marie curie...all lefties. i am sure mr. obama's being left handed has little to do with his ability to lead though...but it may explain his eloquence.

as for running mates, i don't see a clinton/obama ticket. i don't think she would ask and i am pretty sure he would not accept anyway. hillary will probably go outside the pool of men who ran against her and pick a washington player who may not be well known to the public. if she really wants to cause a stir she has 2 choices
1. another woman. maybe nancy pelosi?
2. bill clinton. clinton/clinton o8. lol. hey, he can't get president again, but he is still open for vp. i know it would probably never happen since hillary does not want to be overshadowed...but since bill is already playing a strong role...and would be the ultimate vp support...you never say never.

as for mr. obama, he needs someone who does have a strong political background. this would shore up his lack of experience and give him a stong vp to send on foreign trips. let's see him really make history-cross tickets and ask condi rice. she would finally get the credit she deserves. she is one of the strongest players in washington. this move would show the republicans that the democrats would finally like to work together with the republicans and get america moving...

k. kids...now i am done playing kreskin. can't wait to see how this pans out...

bobbleheaddoll at 7:46PM on Feb 1st 2008

11. A man on a call-in show on NPR yesterday vioced something I have thought about but this guy said it out loud on national radio. If Obama gets the nomination the GOP will set him up for assassination. I truly believe in the evil ways of the GOP and there is no way they will let a black man get near the White House. Do not underestimate the long-standing power of the "good ol' boys." I do not want it to happen but I fear the worst.

Two Ponies at 8:28PM on Feb 1st 2008

12. The problem with an Obama-Clinton ticket is who would wear the pants in that relationship? Or, who would be on top? I mean to say, who would be P and who would be VP?

Maybe they could have a co-presidency a lá Odinga and Kibaki.

mo-NEEK-a at 10:18PM on Feb 1st 2008

13. I'm with ya, Bobbleheaddoll. I can't wait either. All of this drama is exciting!

Speaking of drama...

As much as I admire Obama, I still think Ms. Clinton should get in the White House first to smooth out the rough patches for Obama's run in 2012 or 2016.

However, my mom, my rock, the most cherished person in the world to me, is a huge Obama supporter. (She bought me both of his best sellers.) She can't understand why I support Clinton.

Mom is tired of the Bush/Clinton dynasties. (Yes, mom saw your segment on CBS Sunday Morning, babe. She loves you too, BTW.)

Anyway, it has gotten to the point where we can't even talk about the race anymore. She has reminded me more than once during our "discussions" that JFK didn't have experience either. She also pointed out Earl G. Graves Sr.'s article in the January edition of Black Enterprise magazine as if to say, "See, I'm right". (Enough, mom!)

Yet I insist that in business, sometimes (Dare I say most of the time?) you have to put emotions aside because it's all about the bottom line.

Who is the most qualified?
Who do you trust to get the job done?

I love Obama, but running a nation is SERIOUS BUSINESS folks.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

giftedgirl at 10:40PM on Feb 1st 2008

14. Barack Obama/ Colin Powell would make a pretty tasty combo.

Carole Hock at 11:47PM on Feb 1st 2008

15. Mo, I just love reading your blog!!!!!! You crack me up! I actually watched the videos, laughing my rear off, before I realized that I was actually watching the videos!

BTW, that's the worst part of apartment living: the second-hand smoking. When mine aren't baking up, I swear they are hanging out at the air vent blowing cigarette smoke into it & laughing hysterically.

Keep making me laugh!

Patricia Moya at 2:27AM on Feb 2nd 2008

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Mo's Bio

Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.