Let's let her take a moment to enjoy this one.
They like her. They really, really like her.
So . . . what does it mean? Does it mean anything?
Well, everything means something. So let's have a look. Here's what I see.
- Hillary got 239,062 votes. That's a lot.
- Obama got 91,652 votes.
- McCain got 89,683 votes.
Democrats beat McCain 330,714 to 89,683. The newsies never mention this math. Am I the only one who sees relevance here? Am I wrong, or does this in fact bode well for the Democrats in November?
Hillary must face the fact that she's not going to get the nomination. Unless Obama gets run over by a bus (or worse). Her best play is to stay in the race, but to turn her rhetoric against McCain and stop going negative on Obama. She can still get on the ticket, in the spirit of UNIFICATION, but she has to start the process of making up with Obama, and his supporters, soon. Otherwise her name will be poison to their ears, as it is to many already.
By taking VP, Hillary still becomes a historical figure. And she won't be too old to run for President in 2016. She's proven she can bring in a lot of votes. It could happen. The first step is up to her.
2 comments:
I haven't decided yet how I really feel about Hillary Clinton for VP. I used to think it was a bad idea, given her very high negative ratings. I think that's still an issue. I have run into a surprising number of typically faithful Republicans who (at least pre-Rev. Wright) planned to vote for Obama if he got the nomination, but clearly preferred McCain over Clinton. I'm afraid having Clinton on the ticket might alienate a lot of potential cross-over voters.
I'm also afraid that putting her on the ticket might come across as (or worse, might actually be) unprincipled. Others have said it better then I will, but the general idea is that if Obama believes strongly in a new approach to politics that emphasizes bridge building, he shouldn't choose a demolitions expert as a running mate. The VP choice is sort of his first official act as nominee, so it ought to reflect the philosophy underpinning his candidacy.
There's also the argument, which makes me sad, but which may be true, that Americans can only handle so much change at one time. The upshot of this argument is that Obama needs a white guy. Maybe even a Southern white guy who appeals to hard-working white Americans who didn't go to college. Of course, if Hillary really can pony up a couple or three testicles, this argument will work in her favor.
In large measure, though, I'm coming around to the idea that the two of them really would be a "dream ticket". Voter turnout is through the roof this primary season, and it's because these two candidates have generated incredible excitement. Both of them. If dominating news cycles is a road to the White House, then an Obama/Clinton ticket would be formidable indeed.
I'm an Obama guy, and I'll vote for him with or without Hillary Clinton as a running mate. (I'd also vote for Hillary Clinton if she were my Democratic option, with or without Obama as a running mate.) Senator Obama seems like a smart guy and a good guy, and he's certainly proving himself to be quite a shrewd political tactician. Therefore, at least for now, I'm willing to assume that the best choice for a running mate is the one that he ultimately makes.
Thanks for writing this.
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