Veep Pledge (UPDATED)
So the race goes on. And on. Also, on. Seven weeks until Pennyslvania. Seven weeks for Hillary and Barack to slap each other around.
Not a good thing for Democrats. We’re going to need Pennsylvania in the general, so a seven week mud-wrestling match is not going to be helpful. I have a proposal. Because, as my regular readers know, I am all about helping.
I propose that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both announce now that whoever prevails, they will choose the other as their running mate.
Why is this a good thing? First because it will limit the attacks and the incivility. It will force the debate onto substantive issues. Pennsylvania would get a rational discussion of issues by two very smart people, rather than a contest of sneers and subtle slurs.
Secondly, it’s what all Democrats want. The fact is we like both these candidates. We want them both. Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton. Most Democrats can live with either.
A simple pledge that takes all the negatives out of this race, preserves party unity, keeps media focus on the Democratic side of the race, allows fundraising to go on apace, and leaves Republicans unsure of quite how to run against them.
This is the message Howard Dean and the uncommitted Super D’s need to deliver to Barack and Hillary: you’re going to be in this together, united, even while you jostle for the top spot.
UPDATE by Jason: The Clinton campaign appears to be embracing this idea.
"Imagine there’s no egos…it isn’t hard to do-hoo. Nothing to fight or attack for. No ambition, too-hoo. Imagine all the Democrats….living life in peace. You may say-ai-a-a Michael’s a dreamer. But he’s not the only one. He hopes the candidates will join hands…and the election will be as won."
C: Can I get an Amen? How about a kumbaya?
I think just a moment of silence, maybe raising our bic lighters in the air….
C Stanley since not as many people smoke this days it’s raising your cellphone and having it glow in the air.
Gee, Bob, thanks for pointing out that my age is showing.
Hillary already hinted at this, with her on top of course! lol
But most Democrats would see either combination as a dream team, and a great way to unite the party. Obama appeals to the young, Independents and disaffected Republicans, while Hillary gets the standard Democratic demographics- union members, older voters, women.
I do think that Obama would not pick Hillary because then there would always be Bill. Hillary would pick Obama only if that was the only way she could get the nomination, because she knows he often outshines her in appearances. Both would be forced to quickly put away their grudges, and that may be too much to hope for.
Jason:Thanks for the add. Clearly Hillary reads this blog.
CS
"Imagine there’s no egos…it isn’t hard to do-hoo. Nothing to fight or attack for. No ambition, too-hoo. Imagine all the Democrats….living life in peace. You may say-ai-a-a Michael’s a dreamer. But he’s not the only one. He hopes the candidates will join hands…and the election will be as won."
ROTFLMAO- That was pretty funny.
Glad you liked it, Kim. That song always instantly pops into my head when I hear someone trying to paper over the very real disagreements that people have with each other, as though we could just forget about those differences if we wish hard enough for it to happen.
It’s not unexpected that Clinton would at least hint at the idea, she probably wants to assure people nervous that if she gets the nomination, a large chunk of newly engaged voters will be disaffected and not vote. On the other hand Obama doesn’t need to make such hints. Clinton’s voters are probably more likely to vote for whoever the Democrat is. Certainly there may be serious concerns about experience from many of these voters, but that could be put to rest by choosing Richardson or Biden, both of whom are well liked and have boatloads of experience, and don’t have an ex-president to be vice-president 2.
Claudia rather reenforces the point that always strikes me: Clinton has proven that she can win in states that the Democrats will be most likely to win anyway come November. Obama has shown that he can win in states which will be swing states this fall.
Unless you want to posit that safe Democratic states will be sufficient (on what evidence, one might wonder?), someone on the ticket who can appeal to those swing states looks like a really good idea. Especially against someone like McCain, who has a demonstrated appeal to the center (however unjustified that appeal may be).
I think its a great idea IF egos can be held in check, BUT as we come into the home stretch, both Obama and Clinton have their fangs bared and are out for blood. There may be no going back after they get really down and dirty.
Also, the nastiness could be used by McCain to prove that this team can’t unite the country since they obviously have so much animosity towards each other.
CS- Maybe you should write songs for the Capital Steps! (they do musical parodies of politicians for money here in DC)