Legal Commentary

How's A Unity Ticket Sound Now?

By Big Tent Democrat

Since I was one of the first proponents of a Unity Ticket and I was hooted off the stage by both Obama and Clinton supporters for even suggesting it I have to ask; anyone change their mind and agree with me yet? February 8 post calling for a Unity Ticket:

By Big Tent Democrat

Before I believed Clinton would definitely choose Obama as her running mate because he can help her keep the excitement he has engendered, provide some of the Media Darling status he holds, emphasize the historic nature of the Democratic ticket and energize the Obama parts of the Democratic coalition. But I did not believe Obama need choose Clinton. I now believe that Obama will need Clinton as well. Most, including me, have completely misunderstood how Hillary Clinton has energized her part of the Democratic coalition, especially women.

. . . The Demographics.

. . . To me the big questions for Obama are (1) will women turn out in big numbers for him? Will he run up the score on McCain with women? I think the answer for Clinton is yes on both. By the same token, Clinton is likely to NOT do as well with men as Obama will. The same for African Americans. Similarly, I think Clinton will do better with Latinos against McCain than will Obama.

Obama has been a wine track candidate with overwhelming African American support, a potent electoral cocktail. But he has not done well with women, Latinos and working class whites. Clinton has done well with all 3.

To have the big "realigning" election that every Dem wants, we need both. Which means we need BOTH Clinton and Obama in November.

I do not care if they like each other or not - the Democratic Party needs both of them. Both need to be on the ticket. Let the voters decide in the next few months, but the decision for November seems clear to me now - Obama and Clinton, Clinton and Obama, we need both in November.

I think that my February 8 post holds up quite well.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 23, 2008 (boomark / email).