LAT: Barack Obama doesn't rule out Hillary Clinton for vice president

[highplainsdem]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-veep12-2008jul12,0,3540067.story

WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama told a potential donor to his campaign that Hillary Rodham Clinton is on his list of possible vice presidential running mates, but that her husband's status as a former president makes matters "complicated."

Jill Iscol, a faithful Democratic donor who was an ardent supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, said Obama reached out to her because he heard she was unhappy about the way the New York senator had been treated by the Democratic Party and the media.

Iscol turned their phone conversation Thursday to the vice presidency -- something the Obama campaign has refused to discuss publicly. She said she told him that Clinton would be his best running mate.

Obama replied that she is on his list, Iscol recounted, and that it would be a mistake not to have her on such a list. But he also explained that he was thinking through a potential "complication" -- Bill Clinton.

"He said once you're a president, even if you're a former president, you're always a president," Iscol said.

-snip-

Still, Iscol hung up believing Hillary Clinton had a shot. Obama didn't say that Bill Clinton would be a disqualifying factor, but he conveyed that he needed to grapple with what it would mean to have a former president as second spouse.

-snip-

Along with many Clinton supporters, Iscol is closely watching the Obama campaign to see how it treats Clinton.

Asked if she might donate to Obama in the coming months, Iscol said she wanted to see if his campaign followed through on commitments to help Clinton pay down her debt.

Then there's the matter of the vice presidency.

Iscol said she may wait to see who Obama picks.

[gateley]

1. And if the debt doesn't get paid down and if Iscol doesn't like

Obama's pick for VP?

For whom will this "faithful Democratic donor" vote in November?

[romantico]

2. There is still hope

I can not think of anyone else more qualified and Obama would unite the Democrats. WIth a team like the two of them NO ONE could beat them. If they just try to swiftboat Obama, Hillary will step in an open up a can of woop ass. I PRAY Obama picks her.

[elkston]

51. Duplicate Post n/t

[Hoof Hearted]

95. I do believe together they would be an unstoppable ticket.

[Tarc]

4. Then that's a pretty good reason for Obama to smarten up and pick her

[gateley]

9. Or else?

[jenmito]

33. This woman wants Obama to kneel down and kiss her ring. HE WON. Hillary lost. How long do they

expect Obama to kiss their butts??? She was NOT entitled to the nomination. It's now obvious some people believe it was "stolen" from her-that it was her "turn." Hillary and her campaign must've felt the same way since they planned on "wrapping it up" Feb. 5th. No plan B. Too bad. "Plan B"=Barack.

[Colobo]

38. The "coronation" mentality is still around...

[CTyankee]

65. No, the realpolitik is that Hillary received 18 million votes, period.

That is is a vote getter of that magnitude is the major reason that Obama is considering her. Plus, of course, her fundraising capability that, combined with his, is pretty impressive. I'm sure Obama sees it in these terms because he's a very smart man. I agree with him that Bill Clinton is a huge stumbling block, though. Obama knows that Bill literally would be unable to keep out of trying to run things in Obama's administration and that would be a distraction that could be ruinous.

As you can see, I am of two minds about HRC. I voted for her in our Super Tuesday primary (my first choice, John Edwards, was not by then on the ballot). I was not happy with lots of her campaign stuff but I also see the reality of the situation now...

[Radio_Lady]

72. CTyankee, I totally agree with you. See my posts #70 and 71 downthread.

Thanks so much for your breath of fresh air.

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Hieronymus]

82. Thanks, it's the feeling of entitlement together with not running for change

that beat her.

[Bake]

88. Uh, excuse me, but Obama called on her as a POTENTIAL DONOR

If you want somebody's money, butt-kissing IS usually involved.

As far as "entitlement mentality," it seems that some here think Obama is entitled to everybody's MONEY. Note that I didn't say OBAMA HIMSELF thinks he is entitled to the money, just that some DUers seem to think so. Obama knows how the game is played.

Bake

[quantass]

3. It's clear he's made up his mind -- Hillary is NOT going to be selected. (and thank god)

she's a disaster.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gateley]

18. Hillary would help go a long way in uniting the Party, I agree.

But rather than what WE want, we need a strategic choice for VP. Someone who will woo the Independents, unhappy about McCain Repubs, etc.

Hillary has a high negative rating (I've heard about it for years), so strategically she might not be the one to help us win in November.

But I could be wrong. Which is why it's a good thing Obama isn't listening to my 'advice'.

[mattclearing]

63. Yeah...uniting the Republican Party.

She earned a place on the ticket, don't get me wrong...I just cringe at the prospect...it really doesn't do Obama any favors...he needs someone with foreign policy/national security experience, someone moderate Republicans and independents can embrace, and I don't think Hillary is that person.

Now that Webb is out of the running and Clark got media smeared because of his deft slam of McCain's getting captured, I don't know who fills the slot better than her.

[Radio_Lady]

71. I'm going on record, Tasteblind. Obama-Clinton takes it over McCain and whoever.

If I had any money, I'd make a bet on it.

Regrettably, we've already lost thousands in the stock market and I'm tapped out! :sarcasm:

Stay tuned...

Radio Lady in Oregon

[CTyankee]

85. Tell me about the stock market deal! Stay in there they say...

How ya doing Radio Lady?

I've been doing lots of travel this spring and summer and there'll be more in October with a trip to northern Spain (I can't wait!).

I'll be turning 69 in September. You and I have similar points in our life as I see it, based on what you have shared here on DU. Something about age that does this "thing" to you, I don't know how to explain it, so I'll just say it's a grinding out of knowledge from the windmills of experience over the years. But I feel I've got it and I'll bet you do too!

[Radio_Lady]

94. Hi CT Yankee. Husband manages our finances. He decided that market was heading south and

he backed out after we had lost all of the gains of this year, which was probably = $50,000. We're retired, own our home, have a 30 yr. mortgage at 6%, an equity line of credit and no outstanding debts. We're in good health and have Medicare coverage plus Kaiser Permanente's Senior Advantage. No dental insurance, however. We were socked with tooth problems last year.

We're in money market funds at the moment. Fidelity is supposed to pitch us tomorrow about taking over and investing our nest egg for us for their yearly fee. But their record is not that great in this market. Maybe we'll consider CDs.

I don't know what's good now, but I try not to hyperventilate about it. I'm driving less, walking more, eating less, exercising more, shopping more thrifty. Lots of yard sales here. Summer movies are out. The weather is beautiful. We're working on making our small lot more "easy care" and I've cut our personal spending on things that I feel I can't afford.

We tried to sell our house from April to June 2008. A contingency agreement was signed, and we put up $5,000 earnest money on a newer, smaller house, built by the same company who built this home for us in 1998. It is their speculation house, all completed inside, with just a few modifications. No real buyers came forward -- just lookers -- and we had one offer that was rock bottom, which we refused.
I almost fainted when I picked up the Portland Oregonian newspaper in early June. Regrettably, the builder was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy because of purchases of land in other states. We scrambled to get our money back. Although this is one of the biggest builders in Oregon, with a good record back to 1965, it's hard to rebuild the relationship when the future is unknown.
It was just too scary a situation -- and we asked for and got our earnest money back.

(To see what is happening, go to www.foreclosure.com and type in your ZIP code. Ours shows 14 pages of properties currently in or near foreclosure. We're supposed to be in an area which has maintained more stability than other regions. However, the number I heard last night on TV is said to be between 8,000 and 9,000 homeowners going into foreclosure each month. That's the national figure.)

On another topic, yeah -- we're "older than dirt" -- That's what someone said yesterday. We're headed to "three score and ten".

Here's the good news! We've got a website and a logo already prepared. Apparently, there are others just like us -- and more arriving every day!



www.olderthandirt.org

SeeU@theDU and have a good summer!

Radio Lady in OR

[Radio_Lady]

70. Gateley, at least you admit that you could be wrong. I'm seeing it from a different angle.

Not a blue collar woman, but a groundbreaking career in radio -- which might have been in politics, as my father was a councilman, vice mayor and judge.

I am 69 years old so Hillary is somewhat junior to me. But I proudly supported her husband as President and her as First Lady, all through her personal turmoil with her husband (echoes of that in my past which shall go unexplained at this moment), and then into places where no First Lady had gone before and right to the end. There is talk of Hillary Clinton asking for a role call vote at the convention. So, maybe this has not happened as gracefully and smoothly as she might have planned, but she got so many freakin' votes. How can we ignore her? Why would we want to ignore her?

That's the way I see it. Bill Clinton may be a "complication" but I honestly feel she and Barack Obama could just handle that. Bill will get used to it. He had a few brushes with the press during the campaign and his face got red. Everything about the Clintons was totally out of proportion. The man has light skin. Maybe he had had a drink, causing flushing of the skin.

Additionally, I don't understand the complications of "vetting" people, but whatever financial dealings they have could just be put in trust or whatever else has to be done. Why are the holdings of a spouse considered anyway? What about Cindy McCain? No discussion of her being "vetted" -- or Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2004. Why all the focus on Bill all of a sudden? So he's an ex-President and the spouse of the Vice-President.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Barack can't or won't work with her. The party has to decide. We'll just have to see what happens.

Cordially,

Radio Lady.

PS. If somebody attacked my spouse in the press and I felt it was unjust, you'd bet your booty I'd be talking about it all over town and getting reporters to act reasonably. I actually did that with both a national non-custodial mothers group I organized in 1981. Later, I started a grandparents' rights association in Massachusetts and we marched down to the State House. I had to call out a stepchild in our family who ignored our desires to see our grandchild for no reason at all. We fought tooth and nail in Massachusetts for changes in the law. There were pictures in the paper of our granddaughter as a baby with her face blanked out. The daughter capitulated because she didn't like the publicity. Finally, we did get at least some visitation for awhile. Regrettably, a court in the state of Washington -- decided against one grandparents' rights test case (the Troxell decision). Grandparents were marginalized by their children and it was upheld pretty much nationwide.

Did you happen to see "The Clintons" television profile which played this weekend, hosted by Anderson Cooper on CNN. It was quite illuminating, although I did have to go to sleep before it ended.

[Sensitivity]

87. Not unusual for the runner up to expect consideration. Kerry was pressured into choosing Edwards!!

But that does not meen it would be wise. Let's hope Obama can resist the pressure.

[blogslut]

30. Obamamaniacs?

Stunning. Just stunning.

[CakeGrrl]

53. And why does coming a close second automatically make someone the best pick for VP?

If you get enough votes, it's yours?

Vetting and compatibility be damned, I guess. Never mind who might actually work best with the President once in office...

:crazy:

[Colobo]

58. The party is united around Obama, and you know it.

[Radio_Lady]

81. Katzenkavalier, prove to me how "united" this party is. We are still in disarray and

we know it because we could be sandbagged by some people who can't see the forest for the trees.

Hillary has millions of supporters. Bill Clinton was a good president with personal problems. I've had similar problems in my life, but let's overlook that.

We are never going away. Hillary Rodham Clinton will get through this. She will be selected for something, you mark my words.

Obama is having some problems. It's only an inkling of what is to come. Ultimately, we are stronger with these two people together rather than apart.

We've thrashed over the VP choices. Each one of them is flawed in some way.

Go to: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady/238 for my viewpoint over the past few months.

I'm 69 years old going on "three score and ten." I have been in and around politics since I was eight years old.

Curious... how old are you?

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Faygo Kid]

5. The next time she condemns the 100 hate sites expressing support for her, will be the first.

They are everywhere, they are proliferating, and she says not one word about them. Try hillaryclintonforum.net, or capitalhillforum.com, or dozens of others. Not a peep from Hillary about these hate sites, that are worse than free republic on its worst day.

I don't apologize for this. It's the truth. I'm all for Dem unity, but the hate out there is palpable, and her actions are far less than inadequate. This is ugly, and we dance around it here at DU in the interests of "unity," but it's denying reality. I welcome unity. I always admired her. But this is ridiculous.

No VP nod.

[PBS Poll-435]

15. Fringe sites on the internet have you FAR too "concerned."

[newmajority]

34. Those fringe people, as you call them, used to post here until they got a pizza

Some of them are still here. And a few are blatantly opposing the nominee. (though I would not count the OP among that group)

[PBS Poll-435]

35. I would applaud you on that.

The OP has made some really great posts this week. :-)

[slinkerwink]

61. I agree. I regret some of the accusatory comments I made earlier this week.

[Radio_Lady]

73. It's been very hot and heavy in here. But hopefully, Obama will take a good look at this.

See my posts #70 and 71. I'm late to the party today (crap, it's already Sunday) -- I spent my time going to the movies with my grandkids to see a preview of "Space Chimps"!

Also, I bought myself two new pair of shoes. Baby needs 'em!

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[CakeGrrl]

54. Good point. And I'll bet the Obama team is very aware of her inaction

in 'denouncing and rejecting' all the anti-Obama sentiment going on in her name. What would you make of a constituency that fundamentally hated your guts but wanted their candidate shoved onto your ticket? Why would that be?

[adoraz]

6. This woman needs to get over it already.

It's really pathetic (the woman in the article, not Hillary).

Obama has been reaching out to Hillary and his supporters every day for the past month. He is even helping her with her debt. What more do people want?

To the Hillary supporters not supporting Obama, I'm sorry your candidate lost but this is politics and there are important things at stake during this election.

[romantico]

11. *sigh*

This is why I am still not 100% on the Obama band wagon. Its sad because its his supporters who are doing more harm than good. Bullies, nothing more.This is why I raely post on DU. I use to love this site. Post several times a day. But since the Hillary hatred began its a place I no longer feel welcome.The right wing who spew hate towards the Clinton and the left wing. I can not see the difference between the two anymore.I just winder how long before they turn on Obama?

[adoraz]

17. WTF does that have to do with Hillary?

Look, I'm sorry Hillary lost, but enough is enough. People need to support Obama. He has done so much reaching out, and I find it quite sad that many Clinton supporters still aren't fully supporting him. Its almost like they want McCain to win (which many do).

All I hear all day is Obama praising Hillary, he is even helping her with her debt, what more do you people want?

This is politics. People need to get over it. I'm sorry if it sounds harsh, but its true. There are more important things at risk, like 4 more years of Bush.

[newmajority]

39. Do you actually equate the Clintons with the left wing? The franchise players of the DLC???

That's a walking contradiction right there.

[Hieronymus]

83. You bet it is. DLC is Republican lite.

[highplainsdem]

14. If Hillary were the nominee, Obama's supporters would want her to show equal respect for him and his

supporters by asking him to be her running mate.

She got approximately as many votes as he did, and he'd be very unwise to ignore that.

If he chooses anyone except Hillary as his VP, he will not only fail to unite the party, but he'll look weak, afraid of being overshadowed by both Hillary and Bill. To look strong, and to unite the party, he needs to put her on the ticket.

And if he does, McCain can completely forget about any chance of winning in November. There is no way he can win against a Democratic party united behind Obama and the Clintons.

[adoraz]

19. well, I completely disagree...

but I won't get into another argument on this. Sorry, but I've discussed it about 100 times the past few months and I'm sick of talking about it.

For the record though, I think she only has about a 1% shot.

[4themind]

67. The way I look at it, he's the coach and he has my permission to pick his assistant

Those who just declare, that hillary is Obama's BEST chance or that she is "essential" for victory in november simply haven't proven this (in my readings at least and at least not eliminated all potential alternatives which I fail to see how they could do anyway in this case plus we don't know the results yet) In terms of this election the "right choice" (IMO) is the choice for V.P. that helps obama get elected and helps him with his agenda. Regardless of who he picks I'm going to work towards that. In the end all we can do as individuals is say whether you will absolutely NOT support him if he picks someone other than hillary or if you will support him even if he does pick her. I think that some of the questions (in terms of this election) include:


1.)If she is the V.P. what will be is balance of people who would support support obama ONLY if he picked her, vs. those who would NOT support obama IF he picked her?
2.)If he doesn't pick hillary for V.P. will enough feel ignored to doom him (even though their choice for her as president was also spurned) or will he present enough of the reasons that they voted for hillary in the FIRST place relative to McCain to vote for him as well. Personally I think bush HAS done enough damage to make this the case, and that McCain can be all too easily associated with him, but opinions will vary.
3.)If she is picked, can they work as a team to implement the strategy that Obama wants (and what role will BIll play). Even if you take the best 5 players in the NBA, and put them on a team, if they don't work well together and complement their strengths well. This is where I am willing to trust Obama's instincts. To trust in his ability to recognize and evaluate his OWN ability to work with others towards a certain goal, and to asses their temperment for it. It may very well turn out that he believes he can, and I'd be fine with that. Will others say the same if he does not? Again we can all only speak for ourselves at this point

So, in conclusion, I don't think it's been proven (from what I've seen) that "approximately"18 million votes+"approximately" 18 million votes=victory automatically, or even that it gives the "best chance". It's the balance of people who come onboard vs. those who leave/turnout to vote against obama that will decide this thing. We all have opinions on that but I'd wish we'd all either modify/temper or at least prove our words (i.e. what is "required" for victory) and keep our eyes on what we truly want, what we are willing to endure/risk if spurned, and prioritize our actions in that manner.

In casting my vote for Obama, I've given him the ball to run with I'll let him pick the assistant coach for the job, as long as the score at the end is what I want (sufficient progressive values as I define it), I'll pull the lever for him on November 4th

All this long out post is meant to say is that I don't KNOW what the best choice is for him to pick (in terms of him winning the election) however what I can say is that I will give him broad lattitude in terms of candidates given my overall goals. I hope enough of the county will as well

[Raineyb]

84. Exactly how much butt kissing do you expect Obama to do for the woman

who has been extremely disrespectful.

All this talk about respecting Senator Clinton is rubbish! Obama never disrespected Clinton, he never made comments that made the Republican candidate sound more qualified than a fellow Democrat. Obama didn't make the MSM behave in a sexist manner yet he's being blamed as though he's been the one who had behaved like a misogynist.

Meanwhile, Clinton's disrespect has allowed her supporters to behave in ways that's extremely disrespectful. Putting a full page ad in a newspaper in Obama's hometown arguing to put Clinton's name up at the convention when they know damn well how detrimental it can be to the goal of getting Obama elected in November? How exactly is that respectful?

Clinton put her own money in long after it was obvious that she could not win mathematically and now has the nerve to demand help raising money? Obama does this and she still can't get her dead enders to behave? Clinton needs to realize that she is not the "top banana" in the party and start behaving appropriately. She is not in the position to make demands. This nonsense needs to stop right now!

Regards

[Bake]

89. Funny, I thought the primaries were OVER.

You keep wanting to slug it out. The hate isn't attractive.

Bake

[Raineyb]

90. So did I but apparently the people who put out that full page ad don't think so.

And this isn't about hate, it's about complete and utter disrespect. Two things you seem completely unable to distinguish.

Clinton is not being respectful with her demands and it's giving her dead enders license to be equally disrespectful. Since it is months past the primary I really shouldn't have to point this out. Yet there's the full page ad from a paper that went out in the last week! And I'm the one prolonging the primaries?

You just refuse to get over the fact that your candidate lost and I don't have the time nor the inclination to indulge your delusions.

Regards

[Radio_Lady]

79. Adoraz, I've already tackled you. The woman in the article represents millions of people

who still feel that Hillary Clinton has the potential to be PRESIDENT or even VICE-PRESIDENT.

When you say "This is politics..." I'd say that's correct.

But I would add "Politics make strange bedfellows." In the case of a woman and a man, the quote needs to be updated to "bedpersons" or something, which is kind of inappropriate.

Nevertheless, it is still true. Check out your local library or bookstore for the presidents and vice presidents who came together for the good of the party.

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Gman]

8. If Obama wants to win, he picks Hillary

If he wants a close race, and possibly lose, he picks someone else. There is no discussion on this simple and true fact of life. 18 million Democrats are a lot of votes.

[adoraz]

12. uh, you got that the opposite way around.

If Obama wants to win, he picks someone else

If he wants a close race, and possibly lose, he picks Hillary.

I'm guessing you just made an error though. :)

edit: and for those who can't tell, I was just messing around, don't take this post seriously

[PBS Poll-435]

20. They bring so many branches of the Democratic tree to the table...

The only mistake that could cost Obama the election is a "maverick" VP pick.

[adoraz]

23. and isolate many Indies

[PBS Poll-435]

25. Really?

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[adoraz]

27. yep

[PBS Poll-435]

28. Nobody is truly independent, FOA,

Second of all, a choice between Obama and McCain still remains.

But keep spreading the FUD.

[adoraz]

31. Look, I can get into a really long debate about this

but like I said to the other person, frankly I am very sick of talking about this. Since it was apparent that Obama won (which was in March), many people brought this up and I debated with a lot of them. Its now July, and I don't feel like getting into another argument about it. I doubt it will happen anyways, so I don't even think it will be an issue.

I'm sure you've heard most of the arguments, so I doubt I would change your mind anyways.

[PBS Poll-435]

36. I am just sick of the scare tactics

"Oooooh. The IndyMacs are gonna run to Big Mac."

F That.

MacGreatGranddaddy is going to get about 38% this time.

[adoraz]

42. I do think that Obama could still win with HIllary

but I just have a bad feeling about it. Whether or not the scare tactics are true, I rather not find out.

To me, it just seemed that Hillary and Bill were constantly in the media for negative reasons during the primaries. That's one of my biggest concerns, I rather have a VP who won't be so controversial. Obama is controversial enough for most people (mainly because of his race though...). I already know that the Republicans will use Hillary's "shame on you" and her "McCain and I have experience, Obama doesn't" and stuff like that in ads if she is VP.

I think it will be very interesting to see who he picks though, the suspense is killing me. :)

[Tarc]

24. No, but we're guessing that you're just kind of a dick

If Obama doesn't want a good portion of the party to either bolt or stay home, then he has to pick Clinton. Period. He may have won the nomination, but it was by no means a clear mandate for his policy or platform. Far too razor-thin for that.

[adoraz]

26. Relax I was just kidding

That's why I put the smiley face.

[PBS Poll-435]

29. Cuz That Makes It All Betterz

:-)

[adoraz]

32. thanks for understanding

:)

[newmajority]

41. If someone is "kind of a dick"

It would probably be supporters of a losing candidate who threaten not to vote for the party nominee if their candidate isn't on the ticket.

I didn't expect Kerry to pick Howard Dean in 2004. Never thought he would for a minute. Certainly didn't demand that he do so in order to get my vote.

[adoraz]

43. I understood the hard feelings at first

but its been way too long. Everyone needs to get serious about this election. Some don't understand just how important It is.

Obama is doing everything he can possibly do, but I feel a lot of them won't come around no matter what, even if she were VP.

EDIT: Oh, and Kerry wasn't my choice either, but I supported and voted for him because he was way better than Bush.

[PBS Poll-435]

44. Dean wasn't #2 in delegates....

But don't let that stop ya.

[sellitman]

50. This isn't GD-P

Your display in this thread tells us you think it is.

[Windy]

57. Hillary is the worst possible choice for him. She has far too much baggage and is polarizing.

the right wing will have a field day. They can't get anything on Obama. Why give them something by putting clinton on the ticket.

Thanks but no thanks. He'll do just fine without her.

[Radio_Lady]

74. I disagree, Windy. We are now at an important phase in Presidential politics.

Hillary Clinton won millions of votes. Both people are treading where no one has gone before.

A black man, an older white woman, and at the side of the pack, a former president who might just be the spouse of our VP.

It's all new territory. We know Republicans are going to attack viciously WHOEVER IS CHOSEN -- name your person and I'll give you a whiff of that.

Politics can get ugly. Hillary Clinton is a very strong woman and a vote-getter with many important supporters. IMHO, she's the best person we've got in the field.

Hang the Republicans.

Somewhere on this thread, I said that I thing OBAMA-CLINTON beats McCAIN-WHOEVER.

I've been thinking this way since April.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady/238

Check it out... have a wonderful weekend and a fantastic week ahead.

Cordially, Radio Lady in Oregon

[krispos42]

80. Hillary's 18 million votes were not of some competing idealology, though

They are, or should be, simply another manifestation of "Democrat".

And when the Democrats vote in November, it will be, or should be, for the "Democrat".



In my opinion, Hillary as VP brings a net vote loss to the Democratic ticket in November. For every PUMA that would vote for Obama only if Clinton was on the ticket, two or three conservative-leaning Republicans that otherwise would stay home, vote 3rd party, or vote for Obama would instead be motivated to act at the ballot box to keep her out by voting for McMaverick®.

[PBS Poll-435]

10. W00t!!!

Obama will make the right decision in the end.

[romantico]

16. People forget

Obama did not beat Hillary by a HUGE number. No, it was a close race. ,VERY CLOSE. The Obama supporters want the Hillary voters to shut up and give their loyalty to Obama while they still continue to bash the woman and her husband.I will sit home on election despite the Obama supporters. So, its the Obamamites who are dividing the party now and no one else.ANd it will be the Obamamites who give the elction to the GOP.

[PBS Poll-435]

22. It would be foolish to disregard the passion and energy that Hillary's grass-roots supporters had.

And I would caution you about slurs towards Obama's more "enthusiastic" supporters in the interwebz.

It isn't helpful.

[Zynx]

13. As I think it would lock up our chances of victory, I am all for it.

I'm not concerned about diluting the "message of change".

[Ichingcarpenter]

21. Peter Nicholas, Los Angeles Times media matters

http://mediabloodhound.typepad.com/weblog/2008/05/story-of-the--1.html


Ignoring Clark's praise, LA Times reporter Peter Nicholas uncritically reported McCain camp's assertion that Clark "didn't pay proper homage" to his POW service

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807020001

[jenmito]

37. CNN's pushing for Hillary as VP with an hour-long special on now-"The Clintons Never Quit"

I don't know why they're getting people's hopes up.

[PBS Poll-435]

40. Cuz I didn't hold the door open at Starbucks for Wolf & Jon.

They can be such immature bastids.

[RC]

46. The very fact that CNN is still pushing Hillary should make people

stop and think. Why is FoxII promoting Hillary for VP?

[CakeGrrl]

59. That's a red flag right there. What the MSM wants is NOT for Obama's benefit

but for theirs. Oh, the fun they'd have wondering whether the WH would be too 'crowded', or whether Hillary would overshadow Obama, or whether Michelle and Bill are getting along, and whether the Clinton baggage will be too much?

They do NOT want this pairing because they want to see McCain defeated. They want whatever hype they can wring out of big political names.

[guruoo]

69. Fox wants to divide us n/t

[Radio_Lady]

76. You know, folks, the special on "The Clintons" with Anderson Cooper was very well done.

It was about as impartial as you could get.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

I'm so sick of the MAIN STREAM MEDIA being attacked here. It's just buzzwords. The country is seriously divided. Who caused that? Maybe election officials, Republican wonks, judges, and eventually, the Supreme Court by just one vote.

Now, there are Democratic liberals/progressives on every corner of the Internet and getting to be pretty popular on TV and radio also. Good on us.

Let's win this one for the Clintons.

"What didn't you like about the Clinton years? The peace or the prosperity?"

"Are you better off now than you were during the Clinton years?"

"Hillary got where she was -- not because she stood by her man who was a reformed adulterer -- but because she overcame great personal misfortune and went on to win New York state -- TWICE!"

[guruoo]

86. Not sure what you're talking about - I supported

Hillary until she dropped out.

[Radio_Lady]

93. Sorry, Guruoo. My post was just a general expression of my feelings.

Looks like it ended up in the wrong place.

Sorry about that.



:loveya:

[adoraz]

48. Yeah, my mom was watching that.

They want to get people's hopes up so that when he doesn't pick her they will be angry with him and feel she deserved it just as she "deserved" the nomination.

[Radio_Lady]

77. Adoraz, you've got it all mixed up. The Clintons have already made history.

Even if Hillary isn't chosen to be Vice President, she is well on her way to becoming a great Senator, perhaps replacing the ailing Senator Ted Kennedy, who was also denied the presidency for a number of reasons, and is now struggling with brain cancer.

Did your mother say that TV show got people's hopes up?

Tell your mother that our hopes were already up during the Clinton years. We thought we had won with Al Gore in 2000, but the Supreme Court decided differently.

[Imagevision]

45. I just hope Obama doesn't lose financial $upport for attempting to pay off Hillary's 12+ mill debt

[freesqueeze]

47. why would he rule out anyone

until the instant we have the name?

[Chloroplast]

49. Good to see Hillz still has supporters...

but the Clintons are political poison right now; sorry but it had to be said. I don't fully understand why Hillary has to be coddled and given a consolation prize. :shrug:

[elkston]

52. I would welcome an Obama/Clinton ticket...

but one concern is that the truly hardcore, inflexible followers won't settle for her being #2. They will still sit things out or go to McCain.

And even the Appalaicha "hard working whites". Will they be satisfied without having Hillary in the true drivers seat?

Honestly, its *these* holdouts that are preventing Obama from consistenly leading in double digits in the polls.

[CakeGrrl]

56. Subtract that from that oft-mentioned "18 Million"

What seems to be a pattern with those who keep tossing that number out there is that they're equating "ignoring" those who voted for Hillary with not making her the VP. What is that about?

What if she is not the best person to work with Obama - and he has to think BEYOND the election, unlike everyone who's touting Hillary as the way to win? What if she fails the vetting or, for one of many reasons, is not selected?

How much support for Obama on these forums is conditional...contingent on Hillary being named VP?

[Pirate Smile]

55. Sometimes I start thinking that the point of this is getting a Democratic President in the WH but

eventually it always gets turned back around to something else being more important then who gets to choose the Supreme Court Justices to replace Stevens and perhaps Ginsburg.

Silly me.

[elocs]

60. I don't recall hearing of Obama actively ruling out anybody who might be considered.

Why would Clinton want to be VP under Obama, being subordinate to him, in reality having him as her boss? Why would Obama ever want Clinton as his VP? In spite of all of her "uniting" abilities, she brings a lot of personal baggage such as very high negatives and an inspiration for a Republican get out the vote campaign. Perhaps her biggest baggage is her husband who just cannot control his tongue and who evidently demands to be the center of attention. Would Obama really need an ex-president skulking around the White House and second guessing everything he does?

No, I don't think Obama is foolish enough to ever pick Hillary as his VP. God help him if he does because he will always regret the mistake, especially if he is sure he could have won without her.

[snowbear]

62. He's looking at quite a lot of people... I'll be pretty much be fine with whoever he selects

Regardless of whether he selects Hillary or Kuchinich.. or even God Forbid he saw that Hagel (ie he switched his registration first) would be okay by me.

All I ask of them is that they REALLY have done their homework on whoever they select and that they feel whoever it is, they are the best suited to fill in any blanks in security that Obama needs.

Governor Richardson would be okay...

Likewise, Governor Schweitzer would be an interesting choice...

Bayh would bring a different perspective...

Biden too...

I also heard Gephardt's name being tossed around today on MSMNC..

So in other words, none of us know!

How about Christiane Amanpour's husband, Jamie Rubin who used to work for Bill?

Rubin graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in political science in 1982, and an Master in International Affairs (M.I.A.) in 1984 from the School of International and Public Affairs. Early in his career, he was the Assistant Director of Research at the Arms Control Association <1>. He went on to serve under President Clinton as assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Chief Spokesman for the State Department from 1997 to May 2000. Since leaving government, Rubin has been a Visiting Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, a partner at communications consultancy, Brunswick and, in 2002 and 2003, the host of PBS's Wide Angle series, a weekly international affairs program. After serving as chief foreign policy spokesman for General Wesley Clark's presidential campaign, Rubin worked for Democratic nominee John Kerry, serving as a senior advisor for national security affairs.

[highplainsdem]

64. Kick

[paulk]

66. it's not complicated

if Obama decides that he needs her to win, he'll ask her.

If he thinks he can win without her, he won't.

[karynnj]

68. I would take this as HRC being unlikely to be the choice

Why? This was an Obama outreach call as recounted by a HRC supporter. Assuming that her account is absolutely perfect (and none of us really are), there are 2 points:

1) She, not Obama brought up the topic of VP

2) Given the context - speaking to a known HRC supporter he is trying to reach out to - consider what his likely response would be for each of the following situations:

- He has selected HRC - his response would likely contain no negatives and would may just include comments that summarize what she brings - not saying it will be her because he would not like that comment leaked to the media stealing a campaign moment

- HRC is one of many being vetted, but no choice yet - I bet he would just say that - it is close to what the woman wants to hear - the only down side is it could turn the rest of the conversation into a HRC sales pitch.

- He has either ruled out HRC or even picked someone else - I can see him saying what he did. It gives HRC respect and it speaks of the fact that she deserves to be considered -- but it puts out seeds of why she would be an awkward choice.

[phoenixriz]

75. Hillary will be the VP choice

When there is full disclosure of the Clinton's finances. Full disclosure has been requested of all possible candidates on the short list. This includes the donations for the Clinton library and I have the feeling that this will never happen.

[Radio_Lady]

78. This is the tail wagging the dog. There must be a way to separate these two people.

Has no other spouse of a Vice President ever had some connection with outside organizations that had to be deactivated for the candidate's term? I can't believe that "donations to Bill Clinton's library" is the governing problem here. It just doesn't make sense.

Heck, Dick Cheney's wife, Lynn Cheney, is a published author and probably has holdings of her own. Even old Dick is still somewhere in trust funds from Halliburton and other companies. Cindy McCain has income of her own and is a millionaire in her own right.

I can't believe this "vetting of a spouse who just happens to be an ex-President with a library" could possibly be a fly in the ointment.

Someone who really understands this is welcome to tell me I'm nuts.

[karynnj]

91. The difference is that it is Bill Clinton, former President

and he has a foundation and library that received huge amounts of donations without the donors.

Many spouses had there own things - but few would have the same potential conflicts of interest. Teresa Kerry heads the Heinz foundation, but they give money - not receive it - and it is public. (In 3004 this only rarely came up - and her husband was the nominee - not the veep.) Elizabeth Edwards had stopped working when the two little ones were born. I don't think Tipper was working when Gore was picked. I assume Leiberman's wife would have had to stop working if she was a lobbyist then, as she is now.

The Clintons are a unique case - in fact I think the bigger problem is that it could make the ticket too bottom heavy - inadvertently steal much attention from Obama. (In a way no other VP has ever succeeded in doing)

[Radio_Lady]

92. Thanks Karynnj. Everything about this election is unique.

My feeling is that Hillary and Barack would have to tell Bill to back off.

Personally, I happen to think he would, because he clearly loves his wife.

Relationships get redefined by difficult personal problems and the subsequent breaches. Power balances change. Often, the wronged person gets an edge. There is a re-investment in the twosome -- or a breakdown. Struggles come to a conclusion when therapy and thoughtfulness are applied.

I won't go into the lurid details, because they would be meaningless to you, but I've personally experienced this in my own life.

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon