« The McCain Camp’s New Team Readies To Steady The Ship
Civil Rights Roundup — 07/07/08 »



Ripping off the Hillary band aid

July 7th, 2008
By JAZZ SHAW, Assistant Editor

Print Print

The “conventional wisdom” - if there is such a thing these days - insists that Barack Obama should hold off on naming his running mate until shortly before the convention later this summer. The valid reasons for this are many and, having been covered extensively already, need not be repeated here. But the time may be approaching for the candidate to eschew that advice and move to fill the VP slot earlier. The reason comes in that one word which simply will not go away and continues to hover like a dark, angry cloud over portions of the Democratic landscape - Hillary.

Following the conclusion of the nominating process, there was a welcome and predictable shift among the majority of Hillary’s supporters (large numbers of them women) over to Obama’s corner. But polls continue to suggest that the remainder, while small in number, were more numerous than some thought. What they lack in large numbers they more than make up for in volume, tribal cohesion and prominent, media friendly and ready spokespersons. In an election as tight as this one is shaping up to be, the last thing Obama needs is this pack of doomsaying crows nipping at his ears and caw-cawing over every perceived slight.

These wraiths of primary past seem to come in three general categories. First, there are some who are the true dead enders in every sense of the word. For them, the nomination process does not end until the last votes are counted in November. They are still striving with every fiber of their being to gin up something - anything - that might still topple the candidate and force the coronation of the new Grand Dame of the Democrats at the convention. This includes spreading rumors of false birth certificates, promises of a “soon to be released” (any day now) Whitey Tape, and details of Obama’s plans for global Armageddon if elected. (Among many, many others.)

Next we have the sullen bunch who seem to have moved past denial but not yet reached the acceptance stage in the grieving process. They recognize that Obama is the nominee (at least for now) but seem to take a masochistic delight in reporting on every poll showing problems for the Illinois Senator or every story indicating challenges for his electoral hopes.

Last of all are those who appear (at least on the surface) to be completely on board with the party and moving forward. But they are also there at every turn - smiling, shiny faces tugging at all elbows - reminding you, “Aren’t things going marvelously? And let’s not forget, we’re still going to need a strong VP candidate. And of course, Hillary is the obvious choice. I mean, we’re going to need the women’s vote to carry the South, and her star is still on the rise!”

Why do they do this? Well, second place is still better than going back to the Senate empty handed and, you never know… you remember what happened to Bobby Kennedy…

There may be no other way to handle this oppressive shadow on Obama’s footsteps. There was enough of a painful blow-back following the June 3rd close of festivities. If Senator Clinton’s supporters are still crouching at convention time, waiting for the next (and final) insult to their Chosen Demigoddess, it could well put yet another damper on the bounce Obama should be expecting coming out of the celebration in Denver. It may be time, as parents have done with children for generations, to simply rip the band aid off in one clean pull and get the pain over with now. Pick an electoral map strategy and name a running mate who will bring in a close state or two and shore up a weak demographic. Offer Hillary her consolation prize, be it one of the jobs currently held by Dean, Reid, Schumer or (God help us all) a seat with the Supremes, and let the dead-enders know right now that, no, she is not going to be the president or the vice president. And no, there is not going to be some unfortunate terminal event that turns that around.

Or, if the candidate has been staring at the moon for too long and he seriously is considering taking Senator Clinton along on this ride, get it over with and give her the position so her supporters can throw themselves back into the fray. Either way, get this poison out of the party’s system once and for all and focus 100% on the race to November. Leaving this thorn to fester in his side may come at a higher price than Obama can afford.



This entry was posted on Monday, July 7th, 2008 at 5:18 am and is filed under Newsweek Blogitics, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, 2008 Elections, Politics. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Viewing 14 Comments

    • ^
    • v
    Your analysis is funny. Comical even. comparing them to the stages of dealing with death.

    Perhaps its true. But in a greater context I fail to understand why Hillary would even want to be vice president unless she truly believes this guy is going to die in office then WHY? Why would she want to be hidden away when as a senator she would have way more influence upon the party and legislation then would the VP.

    Unless a deal has been brokered in which she is once again put in charge of Health Care. For unlike Barak Obama, Health care is a true passion for her rather then a talking point in a long list of talking points to get elected.

    If that is the case then maybe. Any other reason and I think the logic is not their for being VP> and if she accepts the VP ship then he has once again flip flopped on his judgement agenda. I made a judgement.....

    Lastly the one nuance that I don't think the Obama faithful have thought about is that Obama is depending upon moderate voters who DID NOT support Hillary. Putting her on the ticket is sure to drive many of them away and fire up a dead GOP.

    Nothing stirs the right then Hillary. You know it was the Barak Obama talking point on electability. Hillary will fire up the GOP. Barak Obama won't. If Hillary lands on the ticket it will make a lie everything they have spoken for months.
    • ^
    • v
    Neocon...Hillary wants power, of course. Power defines the Clintons.

    Obama would be insanse to offer her the VP post . . .and he won't.

    "or (God help us all) a seat with the Supremes"

    Jazz's tone illustrates the insanity of this idea as well. The thought of Hillary on the Supreme Court (potentially for decades) would send the GOP base into dementia...and be a massive boom to the lacklustre McCain.

    McCain can only dream of Obama doing something so dumb. Alas, Obama is not so dumb . . . and will, I expect, keep Hillary at a distance.

    He who sups with the Devil needs a long spoon.
    • ^
    • v
    The power thing doesnt vibrate with me. There is more power to be had as a senator from New York then a Vice President to a charismatic and potentially strong president in Barak Obama. I think power would be the one thing she is missing as VP.

    Historically with the exception of Chenney the VP has been a rather insignificant position with almost no visibility and very little power. I really do not see Hillary accepting the role and I think her indication that she would be open to the position was her last jab at Obama. Letting him know that once again he was going to have to deal with her for the next 4 or 8 years and it was not going to be comfortable for him.
    • ^
    • v
    Neocon said: "There is more power to be had as a senator from New York then a Vice President to a charismatic and potentially strong president in Barak Obama."

    True...but then, a President Obama could be assassinated.
    Obamafolks here . . . please not to jump on my head for noting this possibility.
    Hillary has, after all, publicly speculated on this (re: parallels with Bobby Kennedy) as a reason to stay in the primary race.

    I have great respect for the Clintons' will to power. I don't think the Clinton's floating the balloon of Hillary for VP was a jab. This is Hillary's one chance at the big brass ring . . .and they will grasp for anything.
    • ^
    • v
    In the past I've expressed doubt about the wisdom of Hillary as VP, and I'm still not convinced she is the ideal choice, but there would be some inherent advantages in having her on the ticket... that is, IF a way could be found to keep Bill in the background. And if some of that old comedic fear/hate based Hillary analysis shifts into gear again (and I think we can see from the comments above that it is never far from the surface) it would likely translate as an advantage to the dems. It's true though, the VP choices for both candidates will be of critical importance after seeing how Cheney changed the game.
    • ^
    • v
    Some of us who seem sullen at Obama aren't.

    In fact, I personally am not sullen at all. I want Obama to win. I can't think of anything worse than a McCain presidency.

    I admit I can't resist any opportunity to point out ways in which he deviates from what John Cole calls 'orthodoxy' and I call 'reasonable and enlightened principles.' But it's not because I have anything against Obama --- far from it. I always knew he was (John Cole again) a 'centrist-pragmatist.'

    I've moved away from thinking that compromise can fix the problems Bush willed on us -- so I am not comfortable with Obama. I don't care because he's my candidate regardless.

    But I can't help rejoicing in the discomfiture of people on the far left who led the way in promoting him....e.g., the Church of Lord Kos. He never should have been their candidate, and some of us knew it. It's mean, but I just haven't got fed up yet with saying 'I told you so.'
    • ^
    • v
    "Hillary’s supporters (large numbers of them women)"
    "a dark, angry cloud"
    "this pack of doomsaying crows"
    " These wraiths of primary past "
    "the true dead enders in every sense of the word."
    "the sullen bunch"
    "masochistic delight"
    "this oppressive shadow"
    "crouching"
    "this poison"
    "this thorn to fester"
    **********************
    Look, flattery will get you nowhere...lol...

    So if you have legitimate objections to the one of two candidates who is less experienced, shifty, unknown and springing from a dubious past, you are a nasty woman.

    The tactic with this type of trash-talking aims at belittling people back in line. When I expressed real concerns over at Talkleft about Obama, I was unceremoniously banned without warning. They then followed me here..well...some of them are on staff here...and attempted to drive out my comments of concern here as well.

    The next best thing is to demean, browbeat and belittle-by-association.

    I use these types of petty behavior as a litmus test. People usually resort to these types of tactics when they are afraid. The Obama supporters are visibly afraid of what the truth will do to their flawless candidate. When they resort to sexism on this level, this blatant and this insulting, I smile and stick a feather in my cap. I know I'm onto something big...

    ;)
    • ^
    • v
    Think of this pack of doomsaying crows as a harbinger of what's to come. When McCain's/GOP "bird with the broken wing" act is over at the stroke of midnight if Obama is formally nominated, you'll be wishing for a pack of doomsaying crows instead of a pack of disemboweling wolves Obama will face 24/7.

    You think Obama rose to where he was by himself? I can tell you he had GOP help getting there. And he'll have the same help tearing him down once their feared enemy Clinton is formally finished. Just ask one of his most avid supporters, right pro-life Governor Ritter of Colorado. Any red flags yet?

    No? Still wilfully sightless? The GOP will rip your blinders off soon enough.
    • ^
    • v
    Silhouette, I'm not sure your contention re: Obama: "he had GOP help getting there", squares well with all the GOP attempts to raise Sen. Clintons numbers in the primaries through mischief making.
    • ^
    • v