Clinton as Obama's V.P.

[barryllium]

Clinton says she's open to be Obama's VP, but then she says she's not dropping out yet:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/03/election.democrats/index.html

I can't help but think this would be a terrible idea for Obama. This was touched on in a thread earlier today, but I think she would just be an easy target (as she has been) for the Republicans. Her stance on some major issues seem to contradict with Obama too much, as well. The only positive I see is that having her as the VP would most likely unify the Democratic vote. What are everyone else's opinion on this?

[Danno]

I think it would be a terrible idea considering how much mud she, bill, and her campaign have flung at him. That and I still maintain she should no get back in the white house...


I think Obama is going to have enough challenges to need her baggage along for the ride.

[devils advocate]

i agree with both of you.Clinton is not the best choice for VP in a practical sense,but to be sure he gets elected,this would put him over the top.The first man of color with the first woman VP.Kinda hard to beat that ticket.

[barryllium]

i agree with both of you.Clinton is not the best choice for VP in a practical sense,but to be sure he gets elected,this would put him over the top.The first man of color with the first woman VP.Kinda hard to beat that ticket.

I tap into my ignorance of national politics here - is Hillary the only "qualified" female candidate to be his V.P. - or is there another woman that stands closer to Obama's ideas on the issues?

[thefo0]

I think it makes sense in as much as it might be the only way to get her to go away quietly and he'll be able to preserve some of the female voters who would otherwise go to McCain.

From Obama's standpoint, I would be scared. If he wins there will be at least four years of having two VPs (Bill and Hillary). That would not be fun to deal with.

[thefo0]

I tap into my ignorance of national politics here - is Hillary the only "qualified" female candidate to be his V.P. - or is there another woman that stands closer to Obama's ideas on the issues?

I'll help you out, since I'm in the beltway. There are a few. If you are interested, here is a good article from the Politico (we get it everyday -- very stereotypical DC nonprofit of us) about 3 other possible female VPs:

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=317A7C45-3048-5C12-00F40E6CCDDD945D

[Eleden]

I tap into my ignorance of national politics here - is Hillary the only "qualified" female candidate to be his V.P. - or is there another woman that stands closer to Obama's ideas on the issues?

Absolutely... a woman who I think is definitely on Obama's shortlist for VP's:

Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)

[xxlt]

I don't recall her name but the Governor of Kansas is supposed to be on the short list.

Hillary cons: the "negative" energy many have for her
she is a link to "the old style" politics that Obama wants to move away from
her campaign is in debt (last I heard)

Hillary pros: she is a tireless campaigner, as is her husband
many will vote ticket with her just because of her plumbing (sad but true)
her supporters would be hard pressed to vote for McCain with her on D ticket

[xxlt]

Eleden knew that name though...:lol:

[xxlt]

For some time I have suspected that the DEMS wanted to keep both campaigns going just so McCain and the more specifically the RNC and their PACS would have less time to unleash attack ads on Obama. This would explain Hillary staying in even as she knew she couldn't get the nomination. It held off the attack ads, and was perhaps a party strategy. Plus, the "battle" - even though there really wasn't one - got Obama and Clinton more press than McCain. So, politically it was perhaps shrewd and not as detrimental and destructive as many have said. Now, will she be offered the VP slot?

Her "machine" and supporters have been kept engaged. So, if she is the VP candidate those supporters remain active and easily swallow the disappointment of her "losing" since she still can "make history" as the first female VP. That is kind of like wanting the first scientologist or the first llama farmer (or black) in the White House, but that is the mentality of many. Even if she isn't offered the VP, I think with November so close the enthusiasm of her supporters is more easily tapped since she kept their hopes alive. So, I think either way they do back Obama because she is going to endorse him even if he isn't going to put her on the ticket. As far as her attacks on him, all she has to say is, "I thought I was the better candidate to beat McCain, and while I lost a close election for the opportunity to do that, now I want to do everything I can to make sure that Obama beats McCain." Voila, they are allied.

[devils advocate]

Well I don't believe Oprah has much experience in the political realm.

I made the obsevation based on how the democratic race has been close and more popular,in terms of coverage.

I just think it would be a very popular ticket thats all that matters,afterall.

[barryllium]

I'll help you out, since I'm in the beltway. There are a few. If you are interested, here is a good article from the Politico (we get it everyday -- very stereotypical DC nonprofit of us) about 3 other possible female VPs:

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=317A7C45-3048-5C12-00F40E6CCDDD945D

Thanks for the link. My initial inclination is to say that Napolitano sounds the best - someone that thinks through everything as thorough as she does would be something that would help people deal with the whole "inexperience" issue (which I think is BS, but oh well).

[Chavez15]

Thanks for the link. My initial inclination is to say that Napolitano sounds the best - someone that thinks through everything as thorough as she does would be something that would help people deal with the whole "inexperience" issue (which I think is BS, but oh well).

The thing about Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) or Napolitano being the VP is that the pro Hillary people are so pro hillary that any other women is like an insult to them. "If it's going to be a female why not Hillary?" The threat is that they would vote republican out of spite. Whch I'm sure would make most of the people on here happy.

One rumor that has been tossed around is the possibility of Hillary as a third party canidate.

[kevin28_1962]

Absolutely... a woman who I think is definitely on Obama's shortlist for VP's:

Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)

I like this choice!

[thefo0]

One rumor that has been tossed around is the possibility of Hillary as a third party canidate.

I think it would be way to hard for her and Bill to give up on being royalty in the Democratic Party

[bengalrex]

I thought Obama wanted to change the way Washington operated.And if he picks Hillary he just contradicated himself.:hmm:

[xxlt]

I thought Obama wanted to change the way Washington operated.And if he picks Hillary he just contradicated himself.:hmm:

Everyone says this, but it isn't necessarily so. If you are trying to create a bi-partisan and solution focused government that really isn't a "new" idea, it is how Washington used to be in better times for our country. And if you are going to return us to those days you are going to need experienced people on both sides of the aisle to join in.

So, including Hillary and people like Chuck Hegel (the one R I know of I might have voted for other than Ron Paul) in your effort to reform Washington is essential. They know what is wrong and regardless of the degree to which they were part of the problem you need them to be part of the solution. So, it isn't necessarily selling out your values - cooperation is critical for change and that means working with the people who are in the Congress now.

Obama isn't going to abolish the Congress when elected. (Although we are lucky that Emperor Bush didn't try that.) I think Hillary (in spite of her ego and other flaws) ultimately believes she can help America move in a better direction and I think if asked she will accept VP slot and if not she will still heartily endorse Obama and do what she can as the junior Senator from New York to help Obama gain the Presidency.

[EatonFan]

I thought Obama wanted to change the way Washington operated.And if he picks Hillary he just contradicated himself.:hmm:

I believe that's the way it would be viewed publicly and that's why I do not believe she'll be the VP nomination. He'd be cast as someone who gives lip service to change in Washington and yet picks as his VP one of the biggest insiders.

[Whatever]

Everyone says this, but it isn't necessarily so. If you are trying to create a bi-partisan and solution focused government that really isn't a "new" idea, it is how Washington used to be in better times for our country. And if you are going to return us to those days you are going to need experienced people on both sides of the aisle to join in.

So, including Hillary and people like Chuck Hegel (the one R I know of I might have voted for other than Ron Paul) in your effort to reform Washington is essential. They know what is wrong and regardless of the degree to which they were part of the problem you need them to be part of the solution. So, it isn't necessarily selling out your values - cooperation is critical for change and that means working with the people who are in the Congress now.

Obama isn't going to abolish the Congress when elected. (Although we are lucky that Emperor Bush didn't try that.) I think Hillary (in spite of her ego and other flaws) ultimately believes she can help America move in a better direction and I think if asked she will accept VP slot and if not she will still heartily endorse Obama and do what she can as the junior Senator from New York to help Obama gain the Presidency.

Trying to go the "bi-partisan" solution route would be a crippling mistake on Obama's part,though. McCain's track record is ridiculously strong in that area,and he has a reputation as a troublemaker in the Republican party for stepping over party lines. All he has to do is say,"Look at my record. I've already proven that I can do what you're TALKING about doing." Hillary as a running mate would be a nightmare. It would create so many contradictions in his policies,that he couldn't recover. Plus,if he did get elected with Hillary as VP,he'd never be able to control the Clintons.

[Samhain]

Once again, I'm gonna throw out a dark horse. Joe Sestak, Congressman from Pennsylvania. He's the highest ranking military official ever to serve in the house (Navy vice admiral). His knowledge of geopolitics and the military would be valuable. He's also in a state that Obama lost, so it couldn't hurt. I've also heard Ted Strickland mentioned.

[xxlt]

Trying to go the "bi-partisan" solution route would be a crippling mistake on Obama's part,though. McCain's track record is ridiculously strong in that area,and he has a reputation as a troublemaker in the Republican party for stepping over party lines. All he has to do is say,"Look at my record. I've already proven that I can do what you're TALKING about doing." Hillary as a running mate would be a nightmare. It would create so many contradictions in his policies,that he couldn't recover. Plus,if he did get elected with Hillary as VP,he'd never be able to control the Clintons.

Yeah, Hillary would want revenge on Bill in the form of some cunning linguist entertaining her in her office with his oral acrobatics. And now all play and no work, Slick Willie would be playing the sax in the halls and puffing on a big medicinal blunt - but now he would be inhaling! GASP!

FOX would probably film a reality show in the White House - sort of a reverse Diff'rent Strokes crossed with The Simple Life with Obama as the square authority figure and the Clintons as the incorrigible pair that he can't reign in. Maybe they could call it "Can't We All Just Get Along!"

Perceptions are interesting. I really don't think the Clintons are that bad!:lol:

[Whatever]

Yeah, Hillary would want revenge on Bill in the form of some cunning linguist entertaining her in her office with his oral acrobatics. And now all play and no work, Slick Willie would be playing the sax in the halls and puffing on a big medicinal blunt - but now he would be inhaling! GASP!

FOX would probably film a reality show in the White House - sort of a reverse Diff'rent Strokes crossed with The Simple Life with Obama as the square authority figure and the Clintons as the incorrigible pair that he can't reign in. Maybe they could call it "Can't We All Just Get Along!"

Perceptions are interesting. I really don't think the Clintons are that bad!:lol:

My only real gripes with the Clintons are NAFTA/WFTA,which labor unions complained would open the door for our manufacturing jobs to leave the country...and did,and slashing funding to the intelligence community,opening the door for 9/11 and numerous other screw ups in the Middle-East as part of their budget balancing.

On another note,NAFTA would be another crippling blow to an Obama/Clinton ticket. Obama has at least made mouth service to opting out of NAFTA,which the US can do in '09. This runs contrary to a lot of his policies,for example,part of driving down costs in his health plan involves allowing US citizens to legally purchase prescription drugs from other countries. Personally,I think it's just a line of BS he's throwing out there to try and get the blue-collar vote,but that goes completely out the window when you've got the originator's of that policy as a running mate.

[xxlt]

My only real gripes with the Clintons are NAFTA/WFTA,which labor unions complained would open the door for our manufacturing jobs to leave the country...and did,and slashing funding to the intelligence community,opening the door for 9/11 and numerous other screw ups in the Middle-East as part of their budget balancing.

On another note,NAFTA would be another crippling blow to an Obama/Clinton ticket. Obama has at least made mouth service to opting out of NAFTA,which the US can do in '09. This runs contrary to a lot of his policies,for example,part of driving down costs in his health plan involves allowing US citizens to legally purchase prescription drugs from other countries. Personally,I think it's just a line of BS he's throwing out there to try and get the blue-collar vote,but that goes completely out the window when you've got the originator's of that policy as a running mate.

Careful my friend, people are going to start calling you a communist!

But me? No, it warms my heart to hear someone championing the cause of labor!

It is strange how labor loves Hillary, in light of your observations.:hmm:

[pookdogg7]

Yeah, Hillary would want revenge on Bill in the form of some cunning linguist entertaining her in her office with his oral acrobatics.

:rotf::Clap:

Here's a video for all on the topic approaching 10 million views on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMs-p5y6cvo&feature=related

And by topic I mean Clinton being under Obama...