So - how likely do you think it is that Barack will actually pick her?

I agree with the post. Obama will pick the candidate who best balances two considerations: which running mate will optimize his chance of getting elected, and which person would best serve him as Vice President. He and his inner circle are not going to base their decision on a grudge about how Hillary ran the campaign.

Whether Hillary is the right person seems like a complicated and tough question. It may in fact be a difficult decision for Obama.

One of Obama's many qualities is his ethics and honesty. He has pushed for ethics and honest government all the way back to his early days in the Illinois senate. I think people are refreshed by this man, especially after the horrid Bush years.

Therefore he cannot have Hillary on the ticket. Besides all the 90's crap the republicans will use, just think about all of the things since...shady advocating for foreign countries (Dubai, Columbia, Canada) not to mention the shady fundraisers. She has already proven herself an outrageous liar.

Obama's greatest strength could be entirely wiped out by choosing her as a running mate. I pray he does not give into pressure to do so. It would be disastrous.

Tom Brokaw on MSNBC just reported on the Obama camp's response to a Hillary VP slot:

- release the Clinton Library donors list
- Bill would have to give up his speaking fees for the next four years
- (missed it)

...then we'll talk.

I'm hoping he'll pick Obama Girl.

Obama/Obama Girl 2008!

Seriously, though, I don't object to Hillary as Veep on her merits, but I do fear her associations with all the previous Clinton baggage. I saw Obama (or Edwards) as a way of getting away from that, but making her veep would bring it all into play again.

Your point is well taken that we need to learn to trust his judgment, which has been close to flawless. Although few hours ago I was all capping F*** NO!!! to Hillary as VP. But after a time-out, I feel calmer and will attempt to let go of my own control issues....while I continue to cross my fingers that he picks someone, almost anyone else.
It's a very wise group of people here at TPM, all told. Punctuated by some really entertaining loons. Now I must go chill the glasses for heart-felt toasts. To all of you, and to the amazing man we will soon call Mr. President. Cheers.

The good news is that the Clintons cannot be vetted. They will never release the Clinton Library donor list, and the two open lawsuits against Hillary in California are very problematic, not to mention the zipper problem of Bill.

Imagine how a Clinton on the ticket would also energize the republican base.

There are so many reasons why this is wrong, and the only reason to choose her is because SHE WANTS IT AND WHAT HILLARY WANTS, WE ALL HAVE TO GIVE HER.

I'm done with that. She has embarrassed us women enough. She needs to shut up and go home and lock Bill in a closet.

She is the right choice for VP. First, it would pretty much bring all those constituencies with her if he did. Second, it would show him as a 'Uniter', as he's claimed, of his OWN party, even before doing it for the US. Third, then together, with both barrels blazing, they could go after McCain and the failure that is the GOP non-stop until Election Day. And, there are other reasons, but these are good ones to start with. The times are too serious to keep the divisions going. It's not about them, it's about taking this country back and restoring the Constitution and our reputation, at home, and around the world. Obama and Clinton on the same ticket would be a powerful message for change. And that would be: change we can all believe in. I do, and I will.

If Obama Picks Hillary...

...he'll be doing a smart thing to pick up the half of the voters he lost during the primaries.

Thankfully,

This.will.not.happen.

You are nuts. Only one person can lead at one time and Hillary would place banana peelings and oil slicks in Barack's path every step of the way. Advice to Obama, pick a VP that you can trust. Yesterday, I thought maybe, but after hearing Hillary's speech tonite, the answer should be hell no!

Oh, but I should add -- I PRAY he doesn't make the offer!!

The Republicans would run against Hillary & Bill, the VP candidate & former President, rather than the Presidential candidate - and likely win.

We think Rev. Wright was a drag on the line? Imagine Hillary and Bill!

MSNBC analysts, supposedly well-sourced, said Obama's folks let it be known that there would need to be a full vetting of all Clinton income, not just library and foundation donors, but Bill's speaking fees, his "investments" w/ questionable people that have yielded millions, etc.

No telling how much digging they'd have to do beyond the Vanity Fair article to make sure there weren't any Bill affairs that would come to light during the campaign.

Obama and crew have better things to do with their time.

I can think of lots of reasons to not have Hillary on the ticket like "McCain's passed the commander-in-cheif test", "and we all know Bobby Kennedy was assasinated in June", The Bill sideshow, old vs new, etc. I can only think of one reason to have her on, 18 million votes. He got a similar amount. That's 36 million votes in a primary. Pretty damn compelling reason.

I know the thought of strong arming herself in is distasteful and nerves are raw. But if Obama and his advisors determine that it's the strongest ticket out there then so be it. If I take the anger at her out of the picture she doesn't look so bad.

hrebendorf, Thank you for that. I for one needed that reminder. You are right - we should trust his judgement...that is why I voted for him in the first place!

The best reason to put her on the ticket is that she comes with 18 million voters.

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VP Senator Clinton would be too dangerous. Do you not think there would be ample deranged people who would view her as "one heartbeat away" from the presidency, particularly after her RFK debacle?

Based on some of the vehemency I have witnessed in life and read on-line, I would have to say that President Obama would be at least some degree safer in body with Senator Clinton as far down on the ascendancy list as possible.

Hillary reminds me of a communist leader after last night's gala wherein there were no tvs or cell phones allowed for those there to get any true media information — sort of like China or some other communistic country with a blackout on communication.

And, Hillary wants the VP Spot! If she can’t be President, she will be VP and WAIT for something to HAPPEN, so then she can take over the Reins. It is that simple, and that machavallian!

If Barack Obama were to willingly invite Hillary Clinton onto his ticket, I would see it as a fatal error in judgement which would be a show-stopper for me. For all of the reasons posted above and for the very same reason that bunnycat posted this blog (the importance of trust), I can't get behind Hillary Clinton. "Keep your enemies close" is sage advice for mafia chiefs, but it's too Machiavellian for the president of the U.S. If Obama is that style of leader, then he doesn't need my vote. Maybe I'm too idealistic, but that's what attracted me to Obama in the first place -- ideals and principles, not shrewdness and ruthlessness.

Clinton is radioactive. Kick her silly ass to the curb.

It would be tragic because I feel a person should be held to account for their actions. Most of us agree that she ran a horrible campaign and chose to alienate and use the republican playbook. So if you feel that way (only for those that feel that way, if you have a different opinion thats fine) but if you feel that way, it just doesn't make sense that you reward that behavior by offering her a position as VP and saying she earned it. Just my thoughts. There are other positions but this entitlement thing is out of hand. Have always said that if Obama chose her, it should be his choice. Even if they force him to do it, I will bitch about it because she knows perfectly well she is undermining him and its pathetic, but will look forward and do my best not to harp on it. I still think it's so disrespectful for her to demand respect and not show any for this man. It doesn't sit well.

However I understand and it reminds me of that song.......'YOU CANT ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT'

At the end of the day, he/we did it. I hold on to that and let the chips fall where they may.

A lot of good points against Hillary as veep here, but i think the strongest is her hogging of the spotlight. The way she's been acting, it will have the suggestion of a co-presidency. Her speech last night was all about her.

In press conferences, could you trust her to look on approvingly as Pres. Obama speaks? Will she front his message? Can she play second banana with conviction?

Food taster.

I reserve the right to disagree with Obama's judgment. I am 100% against Hillary as VP, or any other consolation prize she feels she is entitled to on account of being Hillary Clinton. I would be very disappointed, and shocked, if Obama picked her, and although I have great respect for Obama's judgment, I'd know it was a big mistake.

There is no way to put a positive spin on the nightmare ticket, it would be a disaster for the Party and his presidency, if he could even get that far lugging the electoral Typhoid Mary along with him.

Obama is and has been my first choice as president, by far, but that doesn't mean I have to agree and rubber stamp every and any decision he makes.

This isn't about blind faith. It is about paying attention and using one's common sense and learning and participating and making this country better for everyone.

We've had enough "leadership" that is about -- "I'm the decider!" mentality. We need change in this arena, too!

Therefore, I reserve my right to vocally disagree with any decision he makes, including if he were to make the awful decision to have Clinton as a running mate.

Obviously, with McZombie as the only other major choice, I'd still vote for Obama.

But him choosing HRC -- something that will not happen -- would make it obvious that the guts and strength required to reverse the Blackwatering, Reaganizing, Clintonizing of our country just wouldn't be there.

IF Senator Obama were to make this horrific mistake, then I think we'd be looking at Jimmy Carter, Part 2. (Meaning, someone who could have changed the heart and soul of the country but didn't have the cojones to do it.)

But he'll never take HRC, so I think we'll all be just fine.

Look, it is a case of my own inner judgment that I have supported Obama for this whole primary, even during those months when it looked like Hillary was inevitable.
It would create a real dissonance within me if Obama put Hillary on the ticket, because my judgment says she has more than proven to be unacceptable.
As a self-sufficient adult, I would never automatically allow someone else's judgment to drown out my own sense of what's what, even if that other was someone I greatly admire as I do Barack Obama.
Barack won my support because of his good judgment in the first place. He can lose my support if he uses judgment with which I cannot, in good faith with myself, agree to, though, should such happen, I would listen carefully to his reasoning. That is my answer, bunnycat.