Legal Commentary

Obama Hires VP Advisor

By Jeralyn

Barack Obama has hired John Kerry's vice-presidential vetter. Here's my questions:

• Does Hillary want the vice-presidential spot on the ticket? Does she just want him to offer it to her so she can have the satisfaction of turning him down? Or, does she figure since she's promised to campaign for him if he's the nominee that she might as well still be campaigning for herself as well, even if it's just as the VP candidate?

• Can Obama win without Hillary on the ticket?

• Is serving as VP in Hillary's best interest -- or just Obama's?

• Last, if Obama, who we know doesn't want Hillary on the ticket, offers it to her due to pressure from Democratic party leaders, what does that say about his message of bringing change to Washington? [More...]

Isn't it a sign he'll be just as beholden to party politics and the old style of doing business as everyone who went before him? If he can't even name his own running mate, what does that say about his ability to implement his ideas without undue compromise if he's President?

Personally, unlike Big Tent Democrat, I don't want a unity ticket. I don't think he should ride Hillary's coattails to a PA, Ohio or Florida win. If he is the nominee, I'll vote for him and support him, but he should win the election on his own. I also think the Dems need a more balanced ticket. Obama's best chance in November, in my view, is with a popular, older, male governor from a predominantly blue collar, Western or Rocky Mountain state.

Feel free to disagree or post your own questions and thoughts on the VP situation.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on May 22, 2008 (boomark / email).