Joint Ticket
The Dems are still so divided over Obama-Hillary, even talk of a "unity ticket" doesn't appear to calm the storm.
I'd say this bodes poorly for the party in November, but a sense of excitement and unity would explosively boost turnout in the fall if BOTH Clinton and Obama were represented on the ticket.
Obama is the likely nominee and, hence, would be gracious to select Hillary as his VP. It would make the race almost without a doubt a Democratic win over McCain.
I'd say this bodes poorly for the party in November, but a sense of excitement and unity would explosively boost turnout in the fall if BOTH Clinton and Obama were represented on the ticket.
Obama is the likely nominee and, hence, would be gracious to select Hillary as his VP. It would make the race almost without a doubt a Democratic win over McCain.
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Hillary's demographic support should not be discounted. Obama has only a slight edge, remember, in delegates, votes, and polls.
I think their joint popularity would hit a new high against McCain.
Has anybody polled that?
May 10, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not aware of any polls on the joint ticket, but I believe (based primarily off of what my Republican friends and family have said) that having Clinton on the ticket would certainly increase turnout for the Republicans. Many of them have this primal hatred of her that defies explanation. My father stated that he's not a fan of McCain (but will vote for him anyway), but that if Clinton were anywhere on the ticket he'd donate to McCain's campaign, canvas the neighbor, do whatever he could to make sure that McCain won in November.
Don't get me wrong, I realize there's two sides to this and that, yes, many Hillary supporting Democrats would also be more enthusiastic with such a ticket. I honestly don't know which effect would be stronger.
Regardless, I just don't see it happening.
May 10, 2008 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I posted a long comment on Greg's blog - above this one a bit - which discusses this same topic.
May 10, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, no, no. It would alienate so many of Obama's supporters that I don't think it would be worth it. Obama can unite the party without angering his core supporters.
I do FEAR it could happen, though. By that I mean I fear something like what happened with Kennedy and LBJ. Kennedy felt obliged to offer him the VP spot thinking and hoping he'd say no. But he said yes. Obama may feel obliged to OFFER the VP spot to Clinton. But I'm hoping if he does, she won't take it.
There's such a better selection out there. Bill Richardson and Kathleen Sibelius are two that immediately come to mind. And both have huge advantages to them.
May 10, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink