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'Dream Ticket' Fantasy
By Mark ImpomeniJun 12th 2008 10:00AM
Filed Under:eHillary Clinton, Barack Obama, 2008 President, Veepstakes, Face Off
It's the question on every political pundit's mind: Should Barack Obama choose Hillary Clinton as his running mate on the Democratic ticket? Most of the arguments in favor hinge on Sen. Clinton's performance in swing states in this year's primary, her support among women voters, a key demographic for Democrats, and her nearly 18 million total votes received in the primary contests. But the answer to the Clinton question may come from Sen. Obama's general view of the Clintons, rather than from any reading of this year's primary results. Fundamentally, Sen. Obama must first decide which view of the Clintons he ascribes to before making his decision.The Clintons are viewed by many as a force for good in American politics. Nostalgia for the less complicated times of the 1990s is running high. When the Clintons were in the White House, so the popular history goes, there were no wars, no mortgage troubles, and no rocky economy. If Sen. Obama agrees with this view of the Clintons, than he should choose Sen. Clinton as his running mate. But if he adheres to a different view, one held by an equally large number of Americans, he should back away from that ledge slowly. The Clintons are also viewed as a selfish and ruthlessly ambitious couple willing to do almost anything to secure their own power. Mrs. Clinton's large following from the primaries may serve to kindle all the worst instincts in her, with potentially disastrous consequences for the Obama campaign.
First off, nostalgia should mean nothing to Sen. Obama. He has built his appeal around the idea that he is uniquely suited to bring change to Washington. Fresh blood and fresh ideas are the hallmark of his message. Choosing Hillary Clinton, and by extension Bill, would drown out that message and embroil the campaign in debates over the scandals and partisanship of the Clintons' reign. Those debates, and the necessary engagement in them by both Bill and Hillary, could overshadow Obama himself. Obama may find it difficult to cut through the noise, even at the top of the ticket. Additionally, Sen. Clinton's presence on the ballot would serve as a powerful motivator for the Republican base, more powerful even than the Republican candidate. In an election season in which one of the built in advantages for the Democrats is Republican voter apathy about their standard bearer, Obama should not look to give disaffected Republicans and conservatives a reason to come out and vote against his Vice-Presidential selection.
But the greatest danger that the Clintons pose for Obama comes not from their detractors, but from the Clintons themselves. And, ironically, it is here that Sen. Clinton's large following argues against her selection as Obama's running mate. In the primaries, Sen. Clinton did overwhelmingly well with rural working-class whites, women, and Hispanics. Her dominance among these groups gives her a ready made coalition from which to challenge Obama, even from the bottom of the ticket. She will be able to use her influence among these traditionally Democratic voters to shape policy and direct the campaign in ways that Obama may not like but will have to accept. In other words, Obama needs Clinton's voters to win in the general election, and her outreach to those groups on his behalf will come at a price. That price will surely be a very high profile Vice-Presidency with control over certain policy items, and may even include some decision making authority. Obama may find himself as the junior partner in a tri-presidency with Hillary and Bill.
Sen. Obama has run a good campaign with a focus on the future. He has carefully crafted his image as a practitioner of a new kind of politics, and has inspired millions of new participants in the political process. Choosing Sen. Clinton would virtually erase all that hard work in an instant. Having come this far, Obama should resist the temptation to win at all costs by selecting Hillary Clinton as his running mate. There are no guarantees that the ticket would win in November, given Mrs. Clintons' high unfavorability ratings, and even less of a guarantee that the partnership would work in practical terms. His campaign, and his potential future administration, would be much better served if he pays the Clintons their respects, but politely refuses their charms.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 2)mimi12:03PMJun 13th 2008
Obama's vetting team for a VP is all window dressing for the fact that he needs Clinton to win the white house.....you are right, we'll see how ambitious he is to get the presidency. After months of reading posts by you and you're fellow journalists, its absolutely ironic that now you have to change gears and soft pedal the crap you've been writing about the Clinton's. As a Clinton supporter, I've always said Obama will never make it w/o Clinton and her constituency......just a fact. I personally struggle with supporting an Obama/Clinton ticket, but I do agree with you that she will overshadow him if he prevails, and that gives me some comfort....I've observed that he is absolutely a product of the old political machine, just "dressed up" differently to fit the age-old campaign mantra of "change".....Obama is the vehicle these old politicians are using to motivate a new voting block....energizing the youth and black vote to coalise around a new product. This "posturing" that they are "vetting" a choice for VP is comical....can't toss the Clintons aside that quickly...the very audience you and the political machine wanted to convince its time to move on are finding themselves in quite a pickle.....now what....back pedal...go forward w/o them....What? You failed to understand that although we are somewhat influenced, we eventually figure it all out and sometimes rally around the very people you tried to demonize. Whatever happens, I've always trusted that good will prevail, and somehow, we the people tend to do the right thing.
Kenneth12:24PMJun 13th 2008
mimi,
WELL SAID...I totaly agree! YOU are absolutly correct!
Kaler1:21PMJun 13th 2008
NO NO NO TO HILLARY AND HER SIAMESE TWIN BILL
rayhous1:31PMJun 13th 2008
Let's see, the Clintons are viewed as a selfish and ruthlessly ambitious couple willing to do almost anything to secure their own power.
This versus the Obama's who are a deceitful and dangerously ambitious couple with radical Marxist views who will and have done everything they can to not only secure power but to destroy those that get in their way.
I'll take the Clintons anyday!!!
Pete2:33PMJun 13th 2008
Mark,
I'll go ahead and echo your sentiments. One prime advantage that Obama has over McCain is that his base is far more energized. Clinton as a Vice President might have the dire consequence of energizing McCain's base for him. I think a far more sensible choice would be either Richardson or Biden. Both of those men have huge strong points, and neither of them have the stink of obviousness that an ex-military candidate like Webb would have.
Likewise, an Obama/Clinton ticket would be similar to an action blockbuster that starred John Travolta as the dashing hero and Nick Cage as the plucky comic relief. Cage would be trying to wedge his way into every damn scene.
Mark Impomeni3:04PMJun 13th 2008
Pete,
Thanks. I know how hard that was for you.
Sincerely,
Mark Impomeni
Crystal4:26PMJun 13th 2008
If it means Hillary can't run in 2012, then I hope Obama doesn't make the offer and if he does, Hillary doesn't accept it. She has enough supporters who are willing to wait four more years. As for me, I will never vote for Obama. He and Michelle are gutter rats. And, I hardly think I would vote for McCain either.
Crystal4:29PMJun 13th 2008
OMG Tim Russert has died!
Rebecca Diem5:03PMJun 13th 2008
Many of Clinton's supporters have already "come home" to Obama as they voting McCain would give us nothing but 4 more years of the same. Obama doesn't need Clinton. What he needs is a V.P. experienced in foreign affairs...Gen. Wesley Clark, perhaps? Or a popular and powerful 2 term state governor...Ed Rendell, perhaps? There are many more people on the list of possible candidates, why do you pundits and Clinton die-hards insist on making all about Hillary Clinton?
Joyce5:24PMJun 13th 2008
You say Obama "has run a good campaign." What a bunch of crapola! He was put on a pedestal by the media & manipulated his way. He's no winner. He's the epitome of craftiness along with certain media representatives. I would prefer that Hillary stay as far away from that smooth talker as possible. I've been a Hillary supporter all along & always will be, but I do not want her on the ticket with BO as my conscience will never allow me to vote for him. She is far superior to Obama. She truly loves America. All of you choose to condemn the Clintons when they both have more intelligence than you'll ever have & a determination to do as much as possible for the millions of concerned citizens. Obama will never be president. As time goes by more will be learned about this "stranger" who was "handpicked" & "given" the "presumptive" position. Hillary & Bill will make their mark again no matter what. They have both been treated with utter disrespect. That alone has angered a LOT of people as not everyone hates them (as is led to believe). Obama is not worthy of the presidency as he has not "earned" it. Eventually we will all know how he got to where he is. The Reps will make sure of that & I will be cheering them on. There is no such thing as a "dream" ticket because this entire election process has been a "nightmare" & it's time everyone wakes up & sees the light or we will have some dark days ahead of us with Obama in the driver's seat. No Obama for America....ever!
Susan11:39PMJun 13th 2008
They can lie all they want and say Obama is ahead in the polls. Not true. Look at the AOL straw poll. He can't even get near McCain.
Those who say democrats will come home have not been paying attention. There are about 50 Democrats for McCain sites as we speak and millions have joined. You are dreaming if you think Obama can win.
PJ\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Mom6:13AMJun 14th 2008
Joyce5:24PMJun 13th 2008
You say Obama "has run a good campaign." What a bunch of crapola! He was put on a pedestal by the media & manipulated his way. He's no winner. He's the epitome of craftiness along with certain media representatives. I would prefer that Hillary stay as far away from that smooth talker as possible. I've been a Hillary supporter all along & always will be, but I do not want her on the ticket with BO as my conscience will never allow me to vote for him. She is far superior to Obama. She truly loves America. All of you choose to condemn the Clintons when they both have more intelligence than you'll ever have & a determination to do as much as possible for the millions of concerned citizens. Obama will never be president. As time goes by more will be learned about this "stranger" who was "handpicked" & "given" the "presumptive" position. Hillary & Bill will make their mark again no matter what. They have both been treated with utter disrespect. That alone has angered a LOT of people as not everyone hates them (as is led to believe). Obama is not worthy of the presidency as he has not "earned" it. Eventually we will all know how he got to where he is. The Reps will make sure of that & I will be cheering them on. There is no such thing as a "dream" ticket because this entire election process has been a "nightmare" & it's time everyone wakes up & sees the light or we will have some dark days ahead of us with Obama in the driver's seat. No Obama for America....ever!
Please shut this bonehead up, she is STUPID. You call BO a smooth talker and state the Clinton's should stay away! Are you serious? The Clinton's are the biggest 'smooth talkers' in the political game today. 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman'...
PJ\\\'s Mom6:16AMJun 14th 2008
Crystal4:26PMJun 13th 2008
If it means Hillary can't run in 2012, then I hope Obama doesn't make the offer and if he does, Hillary doesn't accept it. She has enough supporters who are willing to wait four more years. As for me, I will never vote for Obama. He and Michelle are gutter rats. And, I hardly think I would vote for McCain either.
You my dear are the biggest trailer park trash idiot I have ever encountered.
Joyce8:45AMJun 14th 2008
PJs mom:
Do you feel better now after you've flipped out? Poor PJ.
What I said stands. No Obama ever.
OhReally11:14AMJun 14th 2008
GOOD -BYE HOUSE and SENATE
“The DNC has responsibility beyond the presidential campaign—to senators and governors and members of the House of Representatives as well as state parties
--and when you dismantle the DNC and move it to the same location of the presidential campaign
headquarters, there could be an implication there that the move is being made to capture the DNC
wholly for the presidential campaign,” said Donald Fowler, who served as DNC chairman during
the 1996 presidential election.
George Soros "Its my party now to do with as I please" ? Does anyone care that he bought the party?
Now that the Obamamaniac has turned Howard Dean into nothing but a gopher and placed the party in the
hands of the corrupt Chicago Political Machine we can say good-bye to not only the Presidency but majority in the House and Senate.
No doubt they will put Diebold on the campaign committee along with other corrupt chicago mob organizers so that polls and votes won't really matter. and the Democratic party becomes but a memory.
Fidel Castro Move Over - Here comes Obama Boy
The Obama boy campaign gives new meaning to the phrase
BY HOOK OR BY C R O O K!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lp84751:17PMJun 14th 2008
NO OBAMA...TO HELL WITH ALL OF THEM...
OF COURSE THEY NEED SENATOR CLINTON TO WIN THE WITHE HOUSE,BECASEU HE IS A BIG..LOSSER, LIAR, FRAUD..YOU NAME IT..
THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE THEY WILL SITTING IN OVAL OFFICE NEXT YEAR, DREAM ON, I GOT NEWS FOR YOU, GO BACK TO CHICAGO AND STAYED THERE...
MCAIN/8
lp84751:26PMJun 14th 2008
READ MY WORDS THE MAN OBAMA WHATEVER WILL NOT BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF U.S.A.
WHAT THEY DID TO SENATOR CLINTON WAS A VERY LOW BLOW.
WHY SHE WILL HELP HIM , TO HELL WITH HIM AND ALL OF THE SUPER DELEGATE WHO BETRAY HER...
GO MCAIN08
Erik2:39PMJun 14th 2008
People don't vote for (or against) a vice presidential candidate, it's all about the president.
Jo in SoCal4:30PMJun 14th 2008
Mark,
You better be right about this. My face depends on it.
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tfitz101710:36AMJun 13th 2008
"Sen. Clinton's presence on the ballot would serve as a powerful motivator for the Republican base, more powerful even than the Republican candidate."
Well said.