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A united democratic ticket?

By 4L

Just a short thought I was discussing with some other clerks the other day. Given the near even split Senators Clinton and Obama are pulling from the Democratic caucuses, wouldn't it make sense for them to run on a joint ticket? I would think that if Clinton wins the nomination, she would give some thought to appointing Obama as VP (rather than say, her husband). Given the ability for the vice president to stay out of harms way (for the most part) politically, it would allow Obama to continue staying relatively neutral on hot-button issues. Of course, the counter to that is that he implicitly adopts whatever the president would stand for.

On the other hand, I don't think Sen. Clinton would be a vice president if Obama won the ticket for a number of reasons, least of which I am going to say is her age. She's in this to win it, not be second best. Given Senator Obama's positions, however, I think he's in more of a win-win position, and he may be more receptive toward a joint ticket if those circumstances present themselves. I would be shocked if either appointed Edwards to the position, but stranger things have happened.

For the Republicans, I can't imagine any of the current quartet who could theoretically win this (although I suppose it's really down to Huckabee or Romney at this point) against either Clinton or Obama. The real question is how fast the Republicans will unite behind the victor and try and reposition the part against the winds of change that are starting to blow (and will continue to blow harder as November approaches).

So, a couple predictions in advance of Super Tuesday:
Patriots 19-0 (but don't bet the line).
If Clinton emerges as the Democratic nomination, Obama will not decline an offer to be VP. Cries of "Obama 2016" will emerge.
The public will become aware and subsequently leary of having this country run by two families since 1992.
If Obama wins, Clinton will disappear into senatorial obscurity. Bill Clinton will entertain the notion of being vice president.
A young republican will emerge in the next 6 years who will rejuvenate the party in a similar fashion as Senator Obama.

Full post as published by The Once and Future Lawyer on January 21, 2008 (boomark / email).