Hil and O's friends say if she can't get the Dem's prez slot, will try to get VP slot

Northstarmom · 05-11-2008, 06:33 AM

By Carl Bernstein
CNN Contributor

Friends and close associates of both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are now convinced that, assuming she loses the race for the presidential nomination, she is probably going to fight to be the vice presidential nominee on an Obama-for-president ticket.

Clinton "is trying to figure out how to land the plane without looking like surrender," a prominent figure in the Obama camp said Friday. This means, in all likelihood, bringing her campaign to a close in the next few weeks and trying to leverage her way onto an Obama ticket from a position of maximum strength, said several knowledgeable sources.

A person close to her, with whom her campaign staff has counseled at various points, said this week, "I think the following will happen: Obama will be in a position where the party declares him the nominee by the first week in June. She'll still be fighting with everybody -- the Rules Committee, the party leaders -- and arguing, 'I'm winning these key states; I've got almost half the delegates. I have a whole constituency he hasn't reached.... I'm going to press my fight, because he can't win without my being on the ticket.' "

Another major Democratic Party figure agreed: "It's not going to be a quiet exit. ... Obama has got a terrible situation. He marches to a different drummer. He won't want to take her on the ticket. But he might have to, even though the idea of Vice President Hillary with Bill in the background at the White House is not something -- especially after what [the Clintons] have thrown at him that he relishes. I believe she'll go for it."

However, several important Democrats aligned with Obama predicted that he -- and Michelle Obama -- will vigorously resist any Clinton effort to get on the ticket. Rather, Obama is more likely to try to convince Clinton to either stay in the Senate or accept another position in an Obama administration, should he win the presidency."
Analysis: Could Clinton land the VP nomination? - CNN.com

emeraldkity4 · 05-11-2008, 08:46 AM

I dont want to see her on the ticket & I dont' see how she could expect it after her type of campaigning. Better governor of NY

momofnewP · 05-11-2008, 09:36 AM

Clinton "is trying to figure out how to land the plane without looking like surrender," a prominent figure in the Obama camp said Friday. This means, in all likelihood, bringing her campaign to a close in the next few weeks and trying to leverage her way onto an Obama ticket from a position of maximum strength, said several knowledgeable sources.

It may look worse for her if the plane is repossessed.

sherpa · 05-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Clinton "is trying to figure out how to land the plane without looking like surrender..."

I'd expect more sniper fire on this landing than there was in Bosnia.

VeryHappy · 05-11-2008, 10:41 AM

I'd rather see her in a powerful Cabinet post in an Obama administration.

arachnophobia12 · 05-11-2008, 10:51 AM

Hillary as VP? Does Obama WANT a (political) death sentence? Honestly, either way, neither Hillary nor Obama (or the two of them together, for that matter) will probably beat McCain in the general election-this is America, after all. :/

2VU0609 · 05-11-2008, 12:11 PM

While many have been voting for Obama based on his message for change, I suspect just as many have voted for him as the viable "anti-Hillary." I agree with arachnaophobia - selecting her as his running mate would be political suicide.

vicariousparent · 05-11-2008, 06:27 PM

I have some naive questions that demonstrate that I did not take AP US Govt and Politics.

1. Can the President fire a sitting Vice President?

2. What intrinsic power does the office of VP really have other than presiding over the US Senate and being next in line for President?

The reason I ask is, couldn't Obama name her as VP if 'forced' to, but still marginalize her if he didn't want her to meddle in his government?

coureur · 05-11-2008, 07:18 PM

^^

1. No, the VP holds the office in his own right. He (or she) could be kicked out only through the same impeachment process that would be used to remove a president.

2. Votes to break ties on the Senate. That's about it.

In modern times the VP has become something of a professional mourner - regularly being sent to represent the US at funerals of prominent people in foreign countries.

VeryHappy · 05-11-2008, 07:23 PM

Just remember, though, that whoever is elected VP is, in fact, just one heartbeat away from the presidency. And as those of over 50 have seen, anything can happen, anytime.

calmom · 05-11-2008, 07:51 PM

I think it would be a HUGE mistake for Obama to take Hillary as a running mate for a number of reasons. The primary reason is that it undermines the appeal that Obama has -- the reason that Obama has gained such support is that he is pushing a message of inclusiveness and an end to the partisan divisiveness that has characterized the last 2 administrations. There is no way that he could follow through with that with a Clinton on the ticket - way too much history and baggage.

I think that he should privately promise her a cabinet-level position, and leave it at that. She will have more power and influence that way. (Personally, I think she should stay in the Senate where she could be a driving force behind the legislation that he will sign as President -- she would have even MORE power that way -- but I don't know if she's got the sense to realize that. If she really cared about the policy differences they have expressed, like differences in health plans, that's what she would do -- because Congress, not the President, writes the legislation. )

As to a running mate: preferably he should appoint someone from a southern state with strong foreign policy credentials, military experience, and who would appeal to independents as well as dems. It needs to be someone who fills the right gaps but is also going to be perceived as trustworthy, honorable, and part of the "change" message.

momofnewP · 05-11-2008, 08:19 PM

Calmom I think Sen Obama making any 'private' promises to Sen Clinton goes way against what he professes to believe in which is transparency in government. I hope its not something he would do.

ADad · 05-11-2008, 08:21 PM

I don't expect Obama to take Clinton as VP or in the Cabinet. After this campaign, he could never trust her.

Zamzam · 05-11-2008, 08:22 PM

At least having Hillary as Veep would assuage the fears of people who don't want to vote for Obama for fear of him being assassinated.

calmom · 05-11-2008, 10:02 PM

Momofnew, I don't think talking to people about possible cabinet positions is in any way underhanded -- no appointments can be made until the person is in office, and all have to be approved by the Senate - but obviously it makes sense to be vetting people along the way. I wouldn't want a president who is running without a clue as to who he (or she) might want in their cabinet-- at the same time it would be unprecedented for the candidate to announce their choices in advance of the election.

In other words, I can't imagine any competent presidential candidates NOT having private discussions with potential cabinet appointees well in advance of the election.