Hillary's Heart
Amidst the coverage of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s frontrunner status and the litany of candidates competing for the opportunity to be the Phil Mickelson to her Tiger Woods, one question has been overlooked: who’s going to run for vice-president?
Right, right, right-- no one runs for vice president. It’s something that happens by default, like buying a mini-van or going to law school. And it’s certainly not a consolation prize which people compete for, let alone this early in the game.
But with this crowded election, and particularly with this frontrunner, a path to the WH could materialize outside the confines of a second place finish in Iowa. Clinton, who somewhat famously places a high premium on political loyalty, is undoubtedly taking notes on which of her fellow WH ‘08ers are hanging her out to dry. She’ll also remember who’s not.
Enter Sen. Barack Obama, whose star studded visit to Iowa last weekend drew a record, 3,500 Dem activists. The reception was precisely the kind Clinton would have received; you know, if she wasn’t “focused on” 06. He’s in the unique position of being able to help-- not hurt-- a Clinton bid.
Partly because no one thinks he’s a candidate and partly because he may not actually be a candidate (we shutter to think), Obama has avoided the public Clinton critiques that have characterized so many WH hopefuls. In the process he may have designed a path to the vice presidency, and ultimately the presidency, that’s about capturing just one voter: Hillary. [NORA MCALVANAH]
SHUDDER TO THINK. Come on, people....... It's not a typo, it's not because you're stressed by writing an hourly updated blog, it's sloppy.
"shutter"?
"Partly because no one thinks he’s a candidate and partly because he may not actually be a candidate (we shutter to think).."
Shudder maybe?
Interesting thought, but not quite right.
First he hasn't criticized anyone on the stump, because he isn't running.
And his path to the VEEP has nothing to do with how he treats HRC. His path is all in who he is and what he can do. Turn out black voters in Ohio and Florida and go everywhere around the country HRC can't: like the south.
I think what he brings to the ticket far outweighs any criticisms or lack thereof he would level at her and that is what she'd make her choice on.
Besides, while the Clintons do consider loyalty in their calculations, I don't think they automatically swoon over people that are afraid of them. A vigorous candidate that challenged them on issues would have just as much of a play as a timid beauty pagent contestant. Personal attacks would be the deal breaker or something that would hurt in the general.