Election News and Features
Senator Clinton Vacillates on “Dream Ticket”
June 05, 2008 04:21 PM
Throughout the primaries, Hillary Clinton mentioned a possible “Dream Ticket” of her and Barack Obama, but her position on the VP nomination remains unclear.
30-Second Summary
Since Illinois Senator Barack Obama effectively became the Democratic presidential candidate, new questions have emerged regarding the fate of his ticket—and New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s career.
Although many call an Obama-Clinton pairing a “dream ticket,” others wonder if it would truly be an appealing combination for voters. The protracted contest between the two candidates might also make the partnership impossible.
The dual-ticket issue was raised throughout the course of their campaigns, but Clinton has been vague about her thoughts on the pairing since Tuesday.
On June 3, the night Obama effectively won enough delegates to claim victory, Senator Clinton refused to make an official concession speech, causing some pundits to speculate that she would try to leverage her remaining power to win the Vice Presidential nomination. Earlier that day, she said she would be open to a VP spot on the Democratic ticket. Clinton has since denied seeking the VP spot.
Some argue that Clinton will have no problem enlisting superdelegates to support a vice presidential nomination, since many feel guilty for endorsing Obama as the nominee despite their longstanding ties to the Clintons.
President Jimmy Carter, who recently endorsed Senator Obama, said that selecting Senator Clinton as VP would be “the worse mistake” Obama could make.
Although many call an Obama-Clinton pairing a “dream ticket,” others wonder if it would truly be an appealing combination for voters. The protracted contest between the two candidates might also make the partnership impossible.
The dual-ticket issue was raised throughout the course of their campaigns, but Clinton has been vague about her thoughts on the pairing since Tuesday.
On June 3, the night Obama effectively won enough delegates to claim victory, Senator Clinton refused to make an official concession speech, causing some pundits to speculate that she would try to leverage her remaining power to win the Vice Presidential nomination. Earlier that day, she said she would be open to a VP spot on the Democratic ticket. Clinton has since denied seeking the VP spot.
Some argue that Clinton will have no problem enlisting superdelegates to support a vice presidential nomination, since many feel guilty for endorsing Obama as the nominee despite their longstanding ties to the Clintons.
President Jimmy Carter, who recently endorsed Senator Obama, said that selecting Senator Clinton as VP would be “the worse mistake” Obama could make.
Headline Link: Clinton vacillates on VP stance
Even when Senator Obama won the necessary delegates to clinch the party’s nomination on Tuesday, June 3, Senator Clinton refused to formally concede right away. Some speculated that her hesitation was a strategic move to position her for the vice presidential bid. Earlier on Tuesday, Clinton said she would consider becoming vice president.
Source: The Boston Herald
On Thursday, June 5, Senator Clinton denied putting any pressure on Obama to select her as his running mate. Clinton campaign strategist Howard Wolfson stated “While Senator Clinton has made clear throughout this process that she will do whatever she can to elect a Democrat to the White House, she is not seeking the vice presidency.”
Source: The Caucus blog [The New York Times]
Background: Looking back at VP banter
In February, both candidates agreed that they would consider the possibility of a dual-ticket once the nomination was determined. When asked by Wolf Blitzer during a debate about an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama match up, Obama stated, “Well, there's a difference between those two. But her service to this country has been extraordinary. And I'm glad that we've been walking on this road together.” Clinton replied, “Well, I have to agree with everything Barack just said.”
Source: ABC news
After Clinton’s March wins in the Texas and Ohio primaries, the Senator appeared on CBS’s “The Early Show” and discussed the possibility of a ticket between her and Obama: “That may, you know, be where this is headed,” she suggested, “but of course we have to decide who’s on the top of ticket. I think that the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me.”
Source: Politico
After Senator Clinton’s comments that Obama might make a good VP on her ticket, Senator Obama responded, “With all due respect … I don't know how somebody who is second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is in first place. I mean, I’m just wondering … ’cause if I was in second place I could understand it. But I'm in first place right now.”
Source: The Swamp [The Chicago Tribune]
In response to Senator Obama’s retort, Henry Wolfson, a chief staff member on Hillary Clinton’s campaign, announced that Clinton did not believe Obama to be a qualified VP candidate after all. According to Chicago Tribune political blog the Swamp, “Wolfson said Clinton would not ‘rule out’ Obama as a potential vice president, in the event the Illinois senator is somehow able to prove he meets the test to be commander-in-chief in the five months between … [March] and August.”
Source: The Swamp [The Chicago Tribune]
Opinion & Analysis: Can—and should—Clinton go after the nomination?
Bob Beckel at Real Clear Politics argued in May that if Hillary Clinton wants the vice presidential nomination, she can probably have it, because despite their endorsement of Obama, Democratic insiders who feel indebted to the Clintons are likely to support her as runner-up. “Almost all super delegates have had a long history with the Clintons [and] have benefited professionally, financially, and politically from their relationship. … Many had jobs, and good ones, in the Clinton Administration. Many have been the recipients of tens of thousands of dollars raised on their behalf by the Clintons.”
Source: Real Clear Politics
Former President Jimmy Carter, who recently endorsed Barack Obama, told the Guardian that if Obama were to select Clinton as VP, “it would be the worst mistake that could be made. That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates.”
Source: The Guardian
Related Topic: What next for Senator Clinton?
FindingDulcinea examines possible options for Senator Hillary Clinton now that Senator Obama has officially won the nomination. On Tuesday, Clinton said, “I’ll be consulting with supporters and party leaders to determine how to move forward with the best interests of our party and our country guiding my way.”
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
