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Unity

27 Jun 2008 02:05 pm

So I am watching the live stream of Hill/Obama's Unity rally. Go here to see it. Call me foolish, but I find it incredibly sad that a Unity Ticket is basically impossible. Some have dissed Clinotn by charging that she only got where she was by hitching her wagon to a dude. Of course this misses the unseen work that women often perform in other marriages. In other words, folks who say that Bill Clinton's presidency made Hillary's political career possible, seem to somehow assume that Bill could have president without Hillary in the first place. Knowing how long-term relationship work (ten years deep over here, fam) I kind of doubt that.

That said, I really think that the deal-breaker for a Clinton/Obama ticket is really Bill's inability to control himself. It's hard for me to hold her penchant for saying anything against her--she's an effing politcian. That's what politicians do. In varying degrees obviously, but in general, politicians lie. Maybe Hillary just wasn't deft enough about it. I don't know. But, even to this moment, her husband is holding a grudge against Barack--essentially--because Barack killed the dreams of restoration. I don't understand how a guy who was--and by some is--considered to be the greatest politician of his generation could go down like this--and take his wife with him.

Comments (8)

Huh. Totally different take. I thought a unity ticket was out because Hillary just isn't a good candidate for the WH. I mean, sure, she married a great one, but how is that relevant? She just wasn't a good candidate.

Bill fought for her, as we would all expect. Politics is a tough business, as we would all expect. Politicians have to make tough choices and sacrifice ideals sometimes. That's just the reality.

Posted by ewkpates | June 27, 2008 2:18 PM

Before he named his national security group, I would have thought Clinton wouldn't have been chosen for VP. But naming NINE Clinton administration staffers (including three cabinet members!) to the group makes me believe Hillary Clinton is a lock. Her gas bag husband was marginalized by the end of her campaign, so he would merely be a manageable embarrassment.

Posted by asl | June 27, 2008 3:15 PM

'wouldn't have been chosen' should be 'wouldn't be chosen'

Posted by asl | June 27, 2008 3:16 PM

Her ego's a little too big to be in the backseat. Also, people either love her or AB SO LUTE LEE HATE her.

I think she's a good politician (oxymoron?), but alot of people think she's shrill, annoying, and will do/say anything to get elected. I think she'd kind of hurt the ticket.

Also, Bill is just being Bill, i think. A politician/junk yard dog who's down to scrap. The thing was, this time around he wasn't David anymore, but GOLIATH. And Bill (as well as Hillary) didn't know how to react to that. Any barbs/mud/points brought up usually looked unfair, messed up and maybe even a little racist. And the more he tried, the more desperate he became, and it was apparent.

Yes, it was a little ugly, but i don't doubt that humanitarian efforts, a couple of thumbs up/bitten lower lips will clean up his image just a lil bit.

Posted by CeezDiem | June 27, 2008 3:32 PM

Hillary Clinton has her own profound political gifts along with an impressive record of public service. That said, she did benefit from the weight and name recognition of her husband both in her senate win and her presidential run, that is clear truth. However, I don't think think her failure to capture certain portions of the electorate can be chalked up mainly to that. More likely it was constant equivocations on even the smallest of points that simply got old. Yes politicians do lie but it's that seductive and for many damaging legacy of Clinton style triangulation and the possibility of a post G.W. Bush version that gave many people pause. Combine that with her glaringly opportunistic support of issues like the flag burning bill, the gas tax holiday and the moral cowardice of her Iraq war vote and to support her just became a bridge too far.

Posted by john | June 27, 2008 4:04 PM

You know, I feel a certain amount of sympathy for Bill Clinton. Obama definitely seemed to be running against him and his record in office. That's a hell of a thing for a Democrat to do in the Democratic primary.

On the other hand, I think Bill Clinton is capable of getting over it. He's still a pretty smart, shrewd guy, with very good fundraising capability. I think it would be good for Obama and him to bury the hatchet. Good for them, good for the party, good for the country.

Oh, and by the way, someone who got 18 million people to vote for her can NOT be considered a bad candidate. That doesn't add up.

Posted by Doctor Jay | June 27, 2008 10:35 PM

Bush got 62,040,610 votes in 2004 does that mean he was a good candidate? I think it's questionable as to whether numbers or winning always make the best barometer for good and bad candidate.

Posted by john | June 28, 2008 1:28 AM

Hillary Clinton's main problem is that she's Hillary Clinton. Her negatives are just as high as her positives (in the eyes of the country, not the Democratic Party). Deserved or undeserved, she is a polarizing celebrity politician. There's no changing that.

Obama has his negatives, but he isn't a polarizing figure. He'd be very foolish to put her on the ticket with him.

Posted by Breukelyne | June 28, 2008 6:01 PM