Clinton and Obama on the Same Ticket?
Should They Run as a Team?
On the surface, this idea is appealing to Democrats. It would be a high-profile team, to be sure. Clinton supporters would still have their woman on the ballot. Obama supporters would still have their man on the ballot. All the fighting and bickering and negativity that has gone on would come to a screeching halt as the two leaders of the party officially kissed and made up. It would be pretty tough for John McCain to defeat a team of that magnitude.
However, there are some problems with this scenario.
For one thing, who would be the Vice Presidential nominee? Would that person be able to put his or her ego to the side and be just a "running mate" instead of the main candidate? One thing that has become very clear over the past few months is that both Clinton and Obama are quite sure of themselves, and both feel very strongly that they would be a better candidate than the other. It would be a significant slap in the face for either one of them to admit defeat and accept the number 2 position on the ticket.
Secondly, if they did join forces and went on to win in November, would their administration be effective? Even if one of them agreed to be the VP, would that sentiment last for 4 or 8 years? I would assume that whichever one of them was the Vice President would be itching at the chance to take the White House for themselves, and 8 years is a long time to wait.
Thirdly, is it even necessary? Despite Clinton's wins in Ohio and Texas earlier this month, Obama has a significant lead in delegate totals. By most estimates, Hillary would have to get about 60% of the vote in the remaining contests in order to steal the nomination, which is exceedingly unlikely. It's interesting to note that the talk about a joint ticket came, presumably, from the Clinton camp (with her as the Presidential candidate, of course). Is that her clever way of trying to become the nominee even without winning the nominating contest? Shortly after the news began to spread, the Obama camp came out saying that it would not necessarily agree to such a deal. They know that their candidate will mostly likely be the nominee no matter what happens between now and the convention. Why would they voluntarily take a #2 position on the ticket?
Finally, would it even be worth it? Most people who support the idea of a joint ticket believe that the duo would be stronger than either one of the candidates would be alone. That is probably not true. In hypothetical match ups between Obama/Clinton and McCain, Obama fares somewhat better than Clinton. It can be assumed that, were Clinton and Obama to join forces, the best that would happen is their numbers would match what Obama's are right now. The worst they would get is where Hillary is right now. Most likely, it would be somewhere in between, which is a weaker position than if Obama were the nominee, and someone other than Clinton the VP nominee.
It is certainly interesting to think about a Clinton/Obama team, but probably not realistic. Obama knows he can win the nomination on his own, and he probably would be dragged down a bit by keeping Hillary around.
Published by Craig R. Withers
I am a father, a writer, an Electronics Technician, and a Navy veteran. View profile
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3 Comments
Post a Comment"There has been some talk about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama joining forces on the general election ballot. But is it a good idea?" Hell no and the only ones talking about it are the Press and Hillary. Dream nightmare. Obama and Clinton are polar opposites. I wish I knew how to sue the DNC for allowing the corrupt Clintons to run for a 3rd term in DC. Shoot, Obama could sue her for planting 'evidence', defamation of character, libel and slander. Too much of a gentleman I guess.
I hope not!
Problem with the 'dream ticket' is people that know the long string of corruptions of the Clintons will then be voting Republican, not at all (why bother if even the DNC is giving us that as our choice), or voting Nadar or McKinney. We, the people are not Parties and most are sick and tired of politicians, especially the ones like the Clintons who seem to forget we are citizens, not votes. She would swiftly have Obama assassinated if he were Pres and she VP. He will not accept her offer of a VP~hinted at when he is in the lead was absurd. If he did, he would lose his voter support.