Hillary-As-Veep Roundup
There's so much stuff coming out right now on Hillary-as-Veep that we thought we'd bring you a quick roundup of the latest:
* Top Hillary supporter Ed Rendell had some surprisingly tough words about Hillary-as-veep in an interview with New York 1 News, saying that Hillary sometimes "couldn't help but upstage" Obama were she on the ticket, and even saying that the Obama camp would have to "make strict rules" limiting Bill's campaign trail behavior.
* The Associated Press is reporting that Obama has tapped Caroline Kennedy to head up his Veep search committee, which will also include Jim Johnson and Eric Holder -- choices that could signal that perhaps Hillary won't get the nod, since these figures aren't really close to the Clintons.
* A group of Hillary's Congressional supporters are mulling the idea of sending a joint letter to Obama suggesting the idea of a joint ticket.
* On MSNBC just now, a leading Hillary supporter, Rep. Charles Rangel, offered qualified praise of the Hillary-as-Veep idea, saying:
It should be done in my opinion, because when you find two warriors in a historic campaign, and they've split the vote, the 36 million votes right down the middle, common sense should dictate what she brings to the ticket.
* Jimmy Carter doesn't agree with Rangel, to put it rather mildly:
"I think it would be the worst mistake that could be made," said Carter. "That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates."
How did I know before I ever clicked the link that Debbi Wasserman-Schultz was behind the Congressional letter?!
June 4, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably because Debbi Wasserman-Schultz is a fucking idiot.
There is a major blowback about to hit Hillary. Her lack of a concession speech combined, her lack of respect for our nominee, and her supporter's obnoxious assertions are making people angry.
A slap down is coming.
June 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ding!!
June 4, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hope so. I'm worried that all of this tippy toeing around Hillary, will only embolden her.
BTW, Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of the driving forces behind FL's early vote.
June 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sent email to Hilary Clinton website. She asked us to. For the first time, this country watched history when Obama won the nomination last night. And it was awesome!
With her 35 years experience, how come she did not learn to be gracious and humble. She busted her VP chances. Poor judgment, poor choices. She needs to go home and rest.
Go Obama go.
Lraman
June 4, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, when you think about it, how much of that 35 years was really spent directly in public service? I think that for a good bit of her career she has had people cowtowing to her.
June 4, 2008 6:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
This was my letter to her attached to Hilary Rosen article today:
June 4, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
President Carter has it just right.
June 4, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed - and Rendell is also on the money when he says that she'd been unable to stop from trying to upstage him. It would be a trainwreck of epic, epic, EPIC proportions!
It would be so bad that it would make SNL funny again. Can you imaginethe skits with Obama trying to give a speech and Hillary and Bill taking turns jumping in with their egocentric 2 bits every 15 seconds?
Jesus F. Christ - how can anyone in their right mind be even thinking about this?
June 4, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would help the nation's topical comics a great deal.
June 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rendell also said that No one, not even someone named Clinton, can "bargain" w/the Nominee
wished that had been included in his quotes
June 4, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would you say Clinton is trying to grab the narrative with all the denials yesterday, but now with all the activity today? Is she trying to stay in the news with all this?
June 4, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, as long as possible. However, as every hour goes by she loses more and more leverage. It will be old news and out of the news cycle by the weekend. Typical clintonian garbage. I still can't believe that she didn't even acknowledge the historic nature of obama's win. Unbelievable. Even the king acknowledged the historical nature of it. Pathetic.
June 4, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love Rendell's honesty.
And Hillary's Congressional supporters have some fucking gall to think they have any say in who Obama picks as his VP.
June 4, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those are very striking remarks coming from Ed.
Veeepositioning, perhaps?
June 4, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't mind Rendell as VP. He's a little bit of a loose-cannon, which gives me pause. But that's really my only criticism.
June 4, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, no and no again. He's almost as bad as putting Hillary herself on the ticket.
http://www.theleftanchor.com/2008/05/vice-presiden-7.html
June 4, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rendell is quite a refreshing character on the politcal scene. I'll take him for VP over Senator Clinton any day.
I agree with his and Carter's points.
June 4, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
He actually acknowledged in his interviews today that he'd be a terrible choice - he can't "keep himself on message" and that would make for a terrible VP.
I concur.
June 4, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm guessing the RNC would love to run those Farrakhan-Rendell videos, too. Not exactly the controversy Obama's looking for at this point.
June 4, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean "fair and balanced" Fox News assessor?
June 4, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
it's not honesty. Standing on Hillary's ass to again more height and sayin, "I'm from PA, I'm a Jew, I ain't so bad if you're lookin for one." Rendell represents a lot of worst in Democratic party.
June 4, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree 100 percent with both points.
And good for Rendell. He usually says what he thinks -- for better and for worse -- and what he's thinking here is right on the money.
June 4, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Undignified.
June 4, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Al Giordano's take (from The Field blog):
I agree wholeheartedly. Al is just awesome - he was spot-on with practically every single prediction he made during the primaries, and I trust his judgment implicitly.
http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/?p=1315
June 4, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, he's good. Reeeal goooooood.
June 4, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a member of this VP search committe, I, Caroline Kennedy, choose me!
June 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a member of this VP search committe, I, Caroline Kennedy, choose me!
June 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, that was Cheney in 2000, silly!
June 4, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love that blog
June 4, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely. Thanks for the heads up Carol, and for putting me on to Giordano a few weeks ago.
June 4, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
My pleasure - he is absolutely terrific! ;)
June 4, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would like to know why clinton has not publicly conceded...... ???
Does anyone think they might know why.
June 4, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Does anyone think they might know wh"
..because she is a soul crushing lunatic, that's the sole reason.
June 4, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think rangel and the rest of her supporters in congress want to know as well. That's the purpose of the conference call today. She is putting them in an untenable political position. She clearly doesn't care about the political future of her supports either. It's kind of sad really. They have got to be pissed.
June 4, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Personally, I think she's taking a step back. A breather, if you will. I also think she is waiting to see how other's in her party react to last night's events. Perhaps, weighing legal battles and their cost. Finally, and most importantly I think she is trying to get some last minute debts paid off from her diehards.
June 4, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weighing her options. It doesn't look like she's getting any support from her colleagues to continue so it's only a matter of time, I imagine.
June 4, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably, becuase like you, she's waiting for that non-existent 'whitey' tape to come out.
June 4, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida....looking for fame and glory, huh, Debbie...you have gone barking up the wrong tree dear...Barack will smack you down when he is in office! Rep. Wexler for VP if you ask me...
June 4, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wexler is a nice pick, and might even have an impact in FL. But is he really VP material at this point, when the other options include heavy hitters like Richardson, Edwards, Biden, and of course, HRC....
June 4, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wexler!
My personal preference!
June 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caroline to head up his Selection Committee? Teddy is sick and a Kennedy needs to be on board? Whats wrong with this picture.
June 4, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
What are you suggesting?
Caroline is a brilliant woman, and a representative of the most famous and accomplished family the Dems have had since the Roosevelts. Oh, and totally capable of throwing cold water on the "Hillary for VP" fire. Maybe thats what's buggin' ya?
June 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Suggesting someone more Politically savvy. Bobby jr. Joe jr.,.....Hell Maria for Gods sakes...
June 4, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caroline Kennedy has her law degree, has written brilliant books, is very smart and an excellent choice. Also, she knows the political world well, but has chosen not to live it, and I believe she will have a much better perspective than someone who lives it every day.
June 4, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even a fly on the Kennedy wall is politcal savy than most. I like the Idea of her to be on the Committe- she's a strong and Independent woman, give a outside the beltway perspective and I have little doudt she'll be part of the Obama administration.
June 4, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dunno, I just know some people that have worked for her........Whatever.
June 4, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I LOVE that he chose Caroline to head this committee. The man is savvy. I can't wait to hear who goes on the list.
June 4, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
No - No political dynasties.
Jeeeeezuz people - that's how we got here!
That doesn't change with the change of names.
No more dynasties, for the love of god!
June 4, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you Tena!
I'm SOOOO exasperated when people say something like "Chelsea should be ready by 2024." She's 26 fer chrissakes! What makes her Presidential material? We should automatically pick the next Clinton or Bush because they were born with Presidential genes?
Monarchy hangovers, I guess. None of our other 300 million citizens could possibly be as good.
AARRRGGGHHH!
June 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's 28 and thus eligible to run in 2016.
June 4, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
So.
Why should someone be part of the VP search just because of his/her last name?
Why are political dynasties good when they support Obama?
June 4, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Something that Hillary said last night, that appears to be getting no attention, but that I think is very important. Here is what she said:
"Now, the question is: Where do we go from here? And given how far we've come and where we need to go as a party, it's a question I don't take lightly. This has been a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight.
But this has always been your campaign. So, to the 18 million people who voted for me, and to our many other supporters out there of all ages, I want to hear from you. I hope you'll go to my Web site at HillaryClinton.com and share your thoughts with me and help in any way that you can."
Keep in mind, this is the person who kept proclaiming that she would be ready from day one, and that she had crossed the Commander in Chief Threshold. So what does she do with the first big decision that she has to make.
She decides to go all American Idol on the decision and let the viewers decide. She is conducting an online poll to help her decide.
Imagine that. Is that what she considers taking charge and being a ready on day one leader.
To me it reveals the exact opposite. She just would not take ownership of the decision, and instead she copped out.
That is not what we should be hearing from a leader. That statement should disqualify her from being our VP candidate.
We do not need a national leader who is driven by some unscientific online poll.
Keep her off the ticket. She is not up to the task.
June 4, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Primarily, she's hoping to raise a little coin, I think ...
June 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
My thought last night was that she's looking for cover if she does decide to take it to convention. "My 18m supporters asked me to!"
But I don't think she'll end up going there though. I think she'll eventually see the writing on the wall once all the supers have gotten behind Obama. She's just passing the hat one last time to recoup some of that money she loaned herself. Even HillaryClinton08 is wondering why she hasn't yet conceded.
It's over now. After last night, Obama has the delegates AND he won the "popular vote" canard by any fair metric. There's no reason not to give Hillary the time to make the right decision, or rather, the political calculation, to end this thing this week since doing otherwise is not in her interest.
June 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep!
I didn't think about that, but that's a crystal-clear signal of who the veep ain't gonna be!
June 4, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The above was in reply to Carol Soprano ....
June 4, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chalk it up to my horrible memory, but who is being referred to with the "disqualifying words" comment?
June 4, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
HRC.
June 4, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Referring to the RFK comments? Hmmm. I think she disqualified herself long before that. Anyway, thanks for the clarification!
June 4, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink