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Hillary Illusory Leverage

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The latest speculation that Clinton will acknowledge Obama's victory, but keep her campaign going is beyond bizarre.

Hillary Rodham Clinton told colleagues Tuesday she would consider joining Barack Obama as his running mate, and advisers said she was withholding a formal departure from the race partly to use her remaining leverage to press for a spot on the ticket.

Exactly what leverage does she have except being a skunk at the garden party in Denver? The stories on her husband advanced in Vanity Fair, which have been off bounds in the MSM for the campaign, will only increase now. She would be the Vice-President from hell and Bill would never stop meddling. As I've said before, the 76% of women who oppose an overturn of Roe V. Wade are not going to vote for John McCain (and make that nightmare a reality) just out of pique over Hillary's loss.


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I can't for a moment imagine Bill Clinton in President Barak Obama's White House. Our White House.

The Clintons have less leverage than what their marketing would lead you to believe.

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And Hillary and Bill better throw all their considerable weight behind healing the rifts between the two campaign camps and campaigning for Obama with great gusto and no hidden passive/agressive streaks...

If Obama loses in November and the Dems feel that she and Bill contributed to this loss...she will be a pariah forever in the Liberal Establishment and ranks...

We're waiting Hill and Bill...you've lost a lot of respect already...face up to this challenge and don't lose those last shred of self-respect you're still clinging to.

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How about at least a statistical tie in the popular vote? I don't think she should be veep. Obama can pick more strategically and should.

But the supreme court, maybe?

The cabinet?

Senate majority leader?

Jonathan, you have to put your Clinton hatred aside. The race has been razor close. Obama won. I'm all for him to be our next president. But she came so close that she should get some elevated position out of it. Her supporters within our party are as large as Obama's. To not reward her for it is kind of unfair to all the people who support her.

Supreme Court. She would be able to shed her propensity to political calculation and use her good instincts and substantial intellect to really make change.

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And she would drive Scalia crazy.

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Let's see Scalia smile that off.

I'm certain that you meant to say "crazier".

And the NY governor is a democrat so her Senate replacement would be a democrat.

I like the idea. A lot.

Hillary would put a strong, Democratic, female voice into the mix -- which is what we need. I believe she would make fair decisions knowing that politics can be left out of it.

Excellent idea.

I love it, actually. And I mean that.

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Not to mention the look on Newt Gingrich's face when he realizes that Hillary will be on the Supreme Court for the rest of his life.

But... what's great about this is how the idea is really fair to supporters of both candidates. It rather plays to Hillary's strengths and yet it doesn't saddle Obama, who should have his own presidency (and who should frankly pick a veep for electoral votes), with the Clintons.

I wonder what Jonathan Taplin thinks of it, though? He really seems to be a Clinton hater rather than an Obama supporter. He's been as bad as Larry Johnson was, on the other side. And when Larry Johnson came here writing BS screeds against Obama, the readership turned on him and drove him out. Time for the same here.

Besides, even his headline is bad grammar.

Hillary Illusory Leverage.

Whatever.

It's: "Hillary's illusory leverage" dude.

How is she qualified? The Supreme Court is not a party favor.

She has zero experience at that level.

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She's qualified because she's a popular Democrat.

The Supreme court doesn't have to be filled only with federal judges. In fact, it'd probably be a good thing to add a non-judge to the roster just to get a different perspective up there.

Dick Cheney has established quite a few Vice precedents that the Clintons would find very attractive.

You read it in some newspaper or heard it on TV, and you're assuming it's correct.

How many different versions of the Clinton is/is not conceding story have you read or heard today?

Why not wait until you hear the candidate say it before getting lathered up?

Jon, attacking Clintons again. This is a clock that keeps on ticking. Keep going bitterman.

Louisville, I would love to see Hillary on the Supreme Court. I just said so, upthread.

See? This thread is actually coming up with great ideas for your preferred candidate. Stop being bitter, and start paying attention.

Now isn't this the Lis that said she would day and night to get rid of her as her NY Senator? The same Lis that said she was an out and out racist? Hmmmmmm Interesting that you'd put her on the Supreme Court.

Not bitter here.....Just wish Jon could get over his hatred.

PARDON THE PUN, BUT ISN'T HILLARY'S SO CALLED LEVERAGE ANOTHER WORD FOR BLACKMAIL ('black male').

Some crazy person may feel Clinton is entitled to the Presidency by trying to knock of Obama, if Clinton negotiates her way onto the ticket as V.P....she's polarizing to the end and beyond.....

I think Hillary for Supreme Court is brilliant. and Jim Webb for VP.

mariann2 et al, didn't you read Andrew's post about getting over the Hillary hatred? Obama is in the process of clinching the nomination. you don't have to say nasty things about her anymore.

I'm sure that when Obama talks tonite he's going to talk about the unity of the party. maybe you could take him at his word?

"As I've said before, the 76% of women who oppose an overturn of Roe V. Wade are not going to vote for John McCain (and make that nightmare a reality) just out of pique over Hillary's loss."

Oh look. It's my favorite threat. Yep, keep on beating the ladies over the head with that one, just in case they thought it was safe to leave their apartments.

Not that I want The Clintons on the ticket.

Doesn't anyone think that it is AWFUL that she did this so the press would cover her instead of Obama and his VERY HISTORIC night?

She makes me ill. Really a pathetic old bag. I am supposed to be her support base, and this white woman cannot stand her and thinks that she is a selfish, egomaniac and the worst possible thing for the country or the Democratic party. GO AWAY.

This is not about leverage -- it's about waiting for an opportunity to get back on the stage. Never in the history of this country has a losing politician vowed to keep on campaigning after they were defeated. You have to ask why?

Could it be that Hillary still believes there will be some event that could elminiate Obama's chances of winning the election, and the Party will turn to her? One has to wonder if her campaign has some bombshell they couldn't release without scorching the Earth, but they could leak it to the GOP and accomplish the same goal. There is a rumour today of a damning Michelle Obama video that could surface. Something like this would play right into Hillary's hands. Don't count her out, folks. This conniving Lady Macbeth has more cards to play.

I can't believe you stooped to bringing up her husband's affairs. You really are a slime ball.

Otto, what was your take on Hillary's speech tonight?

If five percent of what was in the Vanity Fair article proves true having Hillary on the ticket would be toxic for Obama.

I'm glad that he already laid down the line and told her that in order to be considered for the VP spot, both Bill and Hillary would have to provide full disclosure of all finances and business relationships. Nothing held back. Full vetting.

Neither of them will want to disclose all that info.

Hey folks, I said it before and I will say it again, Hillary has no morals or shame. What she did tonight was just a 'tell'. Look for her to try to hold the Democratic Party hostage to her demands, whatever they may be.

Remember 2004? John Sydney McCain quietly asked John Kerry if he (McCain) could be Veep if he(McCain) would cross over to the Dems. Looks like Hillary is fishing in the same river. Don't get all shocked when she dumps us for a shot at power with McCain. At least McCain will probably fold his tent after one term. She will have to wait two terms for Obama's spot. Do the math. 72 year old, 46 (or is it 48) years old. And she is sixty what?

I thought her speech tonight showed no class. She could begin healing the wounds, but it's all about leverage for her and Bill.

She might make a very good Supreme Court Justice. She's just got to stop all this "negotiating for the VP" nonsense.

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She has the support of half the party. So why shouldn't she negotiate for whatever she wants? You're not just insulting her with this "no class" stuff, Jon. You're insulting half of the party.

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I don't know on what grounds anyone could expect that Hillary Clinton as a jurist would show any more judicial temperament than she has as a politician shown statesmanship. Based on her record to date, I would expect her to do all that she could to make every case, every opinion, and the Court itself all about her. Every vote, every concurring opinion, all about her. Horrific as I would find it to have her in the executive branch, I'd be less concerned to have her there than on any court.

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I, for one, am concerned that this insistence for a spot for Hillary could become a problem. It's all irrational and that's exactly what concerns me. You are assuming that all 76% of the women will forget this near-miss historical event that they feel they have been cheated of and rationally go in and pull the lever for Roe v. Wade.

I just got off the phone talking to my Hillary supporting friend. And all I have to say is "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." And Hillary is fueling millions of them.

And the pure lack of grace and poli-deftness about whatever it is she wants - floating the VP interest via Velasquez during the day - and speaking of an upcoming 'private' meeting to voice her 'demands' (last I checked the loser gets not spoils) - which duh is no longer 'private' if you leak it first in tandem w/ illogical and delusional 'demands' or wishful thinkings.

What was so devoid of tact tonight and also lacking poli-acumen - was creating unrealistic expectations for her supporters while giving no quarter ala conceding - so instead, now they're all poised for a kinipshin(?) fit if she doesn't get whatever that elusive 'want' is. All the trial balloons today about 'offer it and I'll refuse' - please.

If she was genuinely trying to cool her supporters down, then a kabuki dance choreographed via back-channels would have been the poli-pro route - then you don't leak your intent to anyone. But just like her tone-deaf, and leaden campaign, she opted for the kindergarten petulant route. And if her goal is help w/ a debt bailout - good luck w/ that.

From now on in the dictionary under ungracious loser - her picture, front and center.

Contrast w/ the winner - who she practically self-immolated to deprive of any moment of glory - you know they watched her speech and even though she continues her narcissistic drain swirl - he still gave her more praise than she deserves.

Vanity Fair - what has gone w/out enough notice is that in the middle of his 'slimy Purdum' melt-down - he said that Obama is complicit in any negative stories about her - Bill says Obama lets the vast media conspiracy do his dirty work. Yeah - and Obama would allow this unguided missile anywhere near his Presidency.

My question to them is btw the vast right wing conspiracy and the vast progressive activist conspiracy and the vast liberal media conspiracy - umm, apparently nobody likes you. There comes a time to look in the mirror and ask why - as it can't always be the rest of the world that's wrong.

Flame on out.

Hold on. Could we try for just a little objectivity here? She got nearly 18,000,000 votes. You can hardly equate that with `nobody likes you`...

LOL!

I actually think she's the most polarising figure in world affairs since Maggie Thatcher! Just because she can elicit loathing in some of us on her worst days, doesn't mean that reaction's universal.

BTW on a more interesting note, check out today's Rasmussen. Obama's been over 48-49 in unfavourabilities for weeks - since Pfleger it was 50 or more every day. Yet today it's down to 43.

And so much for Obama needing Clinton as VP to get the Latinos. Obama's holding his ground really well there - still 9% lead over McCain for `ethnic background` which is primarily Latinos.

Lanny Davis is circulating a petition to force Obama to take Hillary as the VP. This will backfire.
http://jtaplin.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/obamas-first-test/

Good Lord, please hit me in the head with a claw hammer and put me out of this misery.

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I've done escort service for clients at abortion clinics in two states and I'm going to vote for McCain.

The decision is not made in pique at the defeat of Hillary at the hands of the super-delegates who would prefer to lose with Obama than win with Hillary but rather in revulsion to Obama's character. In fact, my decision was reached well before it was clear who would win.

1. I will never vote for anyone who appeals to bigoty and Obama did so by using Donnie McClurkin.

2.

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Accidentally sent incomplete comment.

2. I will never vote for anyone who rejects democracy: Obama forces in Michigan blocked a fair proposal for a re-vote and appeared to view stealing only part of Hillary's delegates as an olive branch.

3. McCain will probably be better than Obama on global warming -- McCain will seek a solution that works and will find it easier to recruit Democrats to that than Obama will find recruiting Republicans to his proposal. There is a real danger that Obama will compromise his global warming proposals to satisfy too many groups and render it ineffective -- his approach to nuclear leaks is instructive.

4. Supporting Obama moves the Democratic party to the right while supporting McCain moves the Republican party to the left and out the criminal conspiracy which is the Bush legacy.

5. There should be enough Democrats in the Congress to block objectionable nominees to the Supreme Court.

6. Obama has very bad judgment concerning people: why would I want the last person in Chicago to discover that Rezko is a crook choosing who should be on the Supreme Court? Especially when Obama had to be told by his staff that voting for Roberts was the wrong thing to do. They wrote him a very pretty speech for the floor.

7. Obama's campaign against Hillary was slanderous as to the motives he imputed to her and this has been very divisive to the new unDemocratic Party.

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