I have a dream . . . ticket
Keen observers of the race for the Democratic nomination in the United States may be able to help me understand this curious turn of events.
First, the basic facts. There are 611 state delegates still to be decided before a candidate can be decided. In addition, there are 349 super-delegates who have yet to commit to either candidate. This means that Hillary Clinton needs to win 58 per cent of the remaining delegates in order to secure the nomination, while Barack Obama needs only 42 per cent of the delegates.
Now the question: Why is the Clinton campaign currently hinting in public that Hillary would be prepared to put together a dream ticket with Barack Obama as her vice-president? If there is any dream ticket, shouldn't the runner-up be Veep?
Comments
My guess is that the Clinton campaign is wanting to come off as confident...confident that they will win the nomination. Perhaps they also want Democratic voters to feel that by voting for Clinton they're not saying "no" so much to Obama as they're simply saying that they prefer Clinton to Obama.
I agree Rhea. Hilary wants to look like she's ahead then she can spin the idea the idea that she is ahead. Obama's response to her comments is terrific and he looks more presidential as a consequence.
I agree Rhea. Hilary wants to look like she's ahead then she can spin the idea the idea that she is ahead. Obama's response to her comments is terrific and he looks more presidential as a consequence.
Frank and Rhea- you are no doubt right that that is part of it. But you are missing a very important aspect of this tactic.
Many of the remaining voters, especially undecideds, may be favouring Obama. But the one thing that most Americans, even those who favour him, seem to feel is that he is rather inexperienced (though I dont think she has any more experience than him in any meaningful sense). Therefore Hilarys public declaration of Obama as her vice President is an attempt to push those who are worried about his experience into her lap. After all with him as vice President it seems that they can have the best of both worlds. That is what she is really trying to do.
Frank and Rhea- you are no doubt right that that is part of it. But you are missing a very important aspect of this tactic.
Many of the remaining voters, especially undecideds, may be favouring Obama. But the one thing that most Americans, even those who favour him, seem to feel is that he is rather inexperienced (though I dont think she has any more experience than him in any meaningful sense). Therefore Hilarys public declaration of Obama as her vice President is an attempt to push those who are worried about his experience into her lap. After all with him as vice President it seems that they can have the best of both worlds. That is what she is really trying to do.
In my opinion, Hillary Clinton is running scared but she is trying to put up a brave front. Even if she wins, the longer the battle goes on, the more divisive it will get and the more it will hurt her chances in November. The nastiness on both sides is sure to escalate as each becomes more desperate to garner the few remaining votes which will be decisive. This was hoped by Clinton to be seen as a magnanimous gesture for the good of the party and the sake of party unity. But it backfired. It might have meant something if she were ahead. But being beind it looks like she is offering him a seat in the back of the bus. Why should he accept now when he is winning? This only infuriates Obama's African American supporters many of whom think he is at a disadvantage because of his race to begin with.
As for which of these two tyros is more inexperienced and unqualified to be President, that's hard to say. Neither of them has anything close to what it takes. It won't be just America that suffers if one of them happens to win. The world will be a much more dangerous place with someone who is a beginner at the helm of such a powerful ship as the executive branch of the US government. Passengers fasten your seat belts and be prepared for a very bumpy ride ahead. Better make that your crash helmets.