Kerry/Clinton 2004! We need you Bill !

[tobius]

repost by mod request to GD 2004 Primary----

March 2, 2004, 10:34PM
Bill Clinton could be just the ticket for Kerry
By STEPHEN GILLERS
With John Kerry's success in Tuesday's primaries, the race for the Democratic nomination for president is all but over -- and speculation about his choice for vice president can now begin in earnest. <snip>

Clinton's strengths would compensate for Kerry's weaknesses almost perfectly. Not only is Clinton the most talented campaigner of his generation, but he is also a Southerner -- and since 1948, when Harry S. Truman chose Sen. Alben Barkley of Kentucky as his running mate, every successful Democratic ticket has included a citizen of a Southern state. <snip>
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/outlook/2430461

True, if Clinton were vice president he would be in line for the presidency. But Clinton would succeed Kerry not by election, which the amendment forbids, but through Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, which provides that if a president dies, resigns or is removed from office, his powers "shall devolve on the vice president." The 22nd Amendment would not prevent this succession. <snip>

For Clinton, the appeal of the vice presidency is both political and personal. First, he could help his party win. Yes, Clinton remains a divisive figure in American politics -- but not so much among Democrats. And surely many voters long for the strong economy and economic stewardship that was one of the hallmarks of his administration. <snip>
And from a purely personal standpoint, it might be especially gratifying for Clinton to be part of the team that defeats the man who four years ago promised to restore "character" to Clinton's own White House.

Bill, please say yes !

[molly]

1. Bill Clinton cannot run

[jeffsurfus]

2. Did you read the article?

Bill Clinton cannot run for PRESIDENT. There is nothing in the constitution that prohibits him from running for Vice President. If he became President, it would not be through election.

I think the whole thing is a long shot. The ego of a man running for President has to be incredibly big and for a Presidential candidate to select a running mate who would likely stomp him in an election would be a hard thing for his ego to take.

But an interesting idea.

[Monte Carlo]

3. Bill Clinton can't be the VP.

From the 12th Amendment...

"...no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."

It's a nice thought, but it's not going to happen. In any future Kerry Administration, I think Clinton would better be suited as an advisor, an ambassador, or an envoy, doing the behind-the-scenes work.

[ringmastery]

4. secretary of state

the job was made for Bill, though I think he would prefer to be secretary of state under a hillary administration.

[jeffsurfus]

5. You're right...

I can't believe that a law professor from a prestigious university writes an editorial column for the NY Times and doesn't even bother to read the Constitution that he is citing!

[LLewellyn]

7. splitting hairs

Let's split some hairs shall we ...

The Twelfth Amendment says

"...no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."

The Twenty-second Amendment says

"...no person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice."

Those two statements are not mutually-exclusive. The requirements to be president are laid out in Article II. You could argue, and do a pretty damn good job of doing so, that it is those requirements that the Twelfth Amendment is referring to.

In other words, The Big Dog is ineligible to be elected president, but he's not ineligible to be president. I think Gillers alluded to this issue when I read his Op-Ed piece this morning but he didn't say it outright.

On Edit: typo fixed, emphasis added

[ArkDem]

8. That depends on what the meaning of is is.

.

[tobius]

11. 12th amendment does not prohibit

him from running as VP. It is constitutionally acceptable to become President if it is by succession.

"sounds good to me"

[NNN0LHI]

6. I suspect Clinton will be assigned to resolve the Israel/Palestinian issue?

That is just a guess though.

Don

[Robb]

9. This has a certain genius to it, actually.

As I alluded on another thread, the biggest problem for Kerry now is being newsworthy for the next 8 months. Barring a scandal, or (as I said elsewhere) something fascinatng to the press like Dean re-entering the race, it's going to be hard to compete with a sitting president* for free media time.

This would certainly do the trick. :)

[BootinUp]

10. Ridiculous -eom-

[IrateCitizen]

12. NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!

Seriously, do you want to completely alienate EVERY SINGLE PROGRESSIVE within the party?

Bill Clinton had his time in the sun for eight years. He had a few small-to-medium accomplishments, but no major ones. But his time as a politician has passed, and he is now an ex-President full-time.

This is one of the BIGGEST problems with the Democratic Party today. It has come down to consisting of two singular things: fundraising, and idol-worship of Bill Clinton. Lost in the shuffle are such trivialities as producing leaders for the FUTURE and tying issues together into a broader, coherent societal vision.

[Fridays Child]

13. He'd be a lightning rod. The 'pukes wouldn't know what to do.

Nothing would take the wind out of their sails quite like a Bill Clinton vice presidential bid. Their entire plan of attack would have to be revamped, and it would re-emerge diluted, at best.

By the way, remember that Cheney's eligibility for the VP slot was questionable. That whole Wyoming versus Texas residency thing stunk to high heaven. And it could be revisited with a vengeance, if Clinton's eligibility were to come under fire.