<p>Hillary would bring all the Clinton’s baggage with her (in other words, if you think Rezko is damaging enough to Obama, just think for a moment about what all of Bill’s questionable dealings—both past and present, would do to galvanize the Republican attack machine).</p>
<p>It’s been said of Bill Clinton (over and over) that he sucks all the oxygen out of a room with the force of his personality. It’s certainly true too, of the two Clintons in the same room. What does a President need with a VP whose husband is former President, Bill Clinton? What is Bill expected to do—sit in the corner and play nice? I don’t think so. He’s already shown that he can’t govern his tongue during his wife’s campaign. Don’t you think the press and media will be constantly asking the former President how he thinks his VP wife’s boss should be handling any given issue? Do you see Bill declining to comment? Any nominee (Obama or not) would be nuts to hang that Albatrose around his own neck.</p>
<p>Those are negatives, Poetsheart, but there are positives, too. Like I said, it’s a balance. In hindsight, considering what Obama has accomplished this year, I’m inclined to trust his judgment.</p>
<p>I don’t think that there’s much of an issue with the possibility of Bill being the V-P’s husband, and expecting to be included in day to day workings of the administration. Why would people expect that? Hillary has been a hard-working and effective Senator for several years without any interference from Bill. He doesn’t show up in the Senate to give his opinions on what she does. I can’t recall him even giving his opinion on Presidential matters for the past seven years (when there were SO many opportunities to do so!) so why would it be expected that he’d do that with a Democrat in the Oval Office? He doesn’t have to “sit in the corner and play nice”. He has a busy life, with his speaking engagements and foundation work, from which he’s taken a break to campaign for his wife. I don’t think there’s much doubt that he’ll resume that work when the election is over.</p>
<p>Bill Clinton will always be asked what the President should do or not do, simply because he is a past President. His being the spouse of the Vice President would not give him any more visibility or influence.</p>
<p>Alwaysamom, you make an interesting and little noted point. </p>
<p>Living in NJ, I don’t recall any instances of Bill stepping on Hillary’s toes --quite the contrary. And as I reflect on that fact it strikes me as almost a Herculean achievement on the part of that husband and that Senator. Who amongst us in those circumstances could imagine being that hands-off. It is almost inconceivable. She had more influence on his presidency that he had on her as the junior senator of New York.</p>
<p>Otoh, more and more I am coming to share Poetsheart’s point of view on the matter. </p>
<p>Obama is not just a candidate, he is a celebrity.
Even more, I believe he is largely a successful candidate due to his natural appeal as a celebrity. Particularly with the youth vote. I haven’t seen anything like it in politics in my lifetime…but Bill and Hillary combined would come damn close. </p>
<p>Beyond that, Hillary as VP and Bill as “Bill” would have their hands on a lot of the levers of power in DC. It could have a debilitating effect on the ability of Obama to get anything accomplished in that Byzantine world without them.</p>
<p>I completely agree with Woodwork on the prospect of 2 Clintons overshadowing Obama. I don’t see her becoming the VP candidate for that reason, at minimum.</p>
<p>Supreme Court, HHS, something. Not VP. (Or at least, for the sake of the GE, I hope.)</p>