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A Hollywood Ending: Offer the Unity Ticket NOW.
Hillary Clinton might very well ruined her Presidential Campaign in 2008 and quite possibly any campaign in the future because of her RFK comment a la Mike Dukakis, Howard Dean, John Kerry et al. She has no doubt lost a good deal of clout and standing in part because of this gaffe, but also because of a lot of ill will built up throughout her campaign. This could very well be the low point of her personal political career --
Which is why Obama should offer her the V.P. spot NOW.
I can't take credit for this idea. In a fit of genius, Jonze wrote this in the comments section of the Assassin's Gate post:
In a crazy way I think this could actually increase the chance thatI agree with this sentiment. I also find that in history sometimes the greatest of rivals turn out to be the greatest of friends: You always expect your friends to help you. But if in a time of great need a former enemy comes to your aid, the impact is all the much greater and the bond that forms is all the more stronger. Jonze is right that Hillary is now in a very weak position. Reading this NYTimes blog post account of the entire incident, you can tell that Hillary realizes that she really screwed up big time. You can can see it in her face and hear it in her voice and in the desperation and dejection of even her most rabid supporters. Its palpable: This is Hillary's "Macaca Moment". She is no longer in a position to dictate much of anything nevermind her place on a presidential ticket. She is emotionally and politically exhausted.
Hillary would be on his ticket simply because it would be seen as 100%
his choice now. Before this incident it would always be seen that he
was forced into having her as his VP one way or the other meaning he
couldn't possibly choose her without the prevailing belief being he
bowed to pressure. However now he has the out if he didn't want her and
nobody could really object, so if she did end up on his ticket it would
be seen as his choice and not any weakness.
The entire MSM is piling on her. Everyone is basically pronouncing her Vice Presidential aspirations dead in the water. Her stock is at an all-time low, and everyone is bearish on her and selling -- which is why this is the moment Obama should be buying. Hillary's best chance of redemption is getting the V.P. spot and Obama has a chance to pick up a valuable ally at an extremely inexpensive "price".
"Nobody expects the Inquisition!"
...and nobody will be expecting Obama to offer her the Unity Ticket. It will be shocking, dramatic and it will create the perfect "Hollywood ending" to the climax and denouement of this totally "made-for-Hollywood" Democratic Primary. The media and country will drink it up like milkshake. I know I certainly would be moved by such a magnanimous act of reconciliation. I can even picture the VP announcement "scene" at the convention with the inspirational music (like Jerry Goldsmith's score from the movie "Rudy") and confetti and the eruption of cheers from crowd as Obama and Hillary stand side-by-side waving to amidst the flashes of the camera bulbs. They will make movies and write stories about this Democratic primary for years to come.
Its almost too perfect an ending as to seem scripted. And you know the Republican conspiracy theorists will build a whole cottage industry around this if it does happen. But it creates an amazing narrative that could inspire the entire country if not the world.
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Comments (26)
Sorry, kinkistyle, I know you mean well but choosing a vice president shouldn't be a publicity stunt.
May 25, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've always thought of the VP spot as a "publicity stunt" position. Kind of a way to shore up a President's weaknesses and get some extra votes.
But like I said, I believe Hillary's stock is at an extremely low price now and still has great value. But I also want to emphasize the point I made about this possibly forming an emotional bond between the two campaigns and not just the convenient political one from "previous" Unity ticket.
May 25, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
First he'd need to get her ironclad agreement that after he offers her the VP slot, she would decline it, and that both sides understand that all of this is just being done to give her a face-saving way to exit with less damage to her political future.
But then he'd have to trust her to keep her word. And that's where the scenario breaks down.
May 25, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
What type of Hollywood ending do you suggest?
Sunset Blvd.?
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte?
what.
May 25, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know!
The Bad Seed.
Perfect!
May 25, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
All About Eve? (multiple personality disorder)
Charade? Hey, this is fun!
May 25, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Misery.
May 25, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lion in Winter.
May 25, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
The attack of the 50 foot woman.
May 25, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
JFK?
May 25, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Poseidon Adventure? Old Yeller? On The Beach?
You want a real UNITY Ticket?
Chuck Hagel for VP!
May 25, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Godzilla.
May 25, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mommie Dearest.
May 25, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gaslight.
Fall of the House of Usher.
Metropolis.
Planet 9 from outer space.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
May 25, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
good references...
May 25, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Assuming you arent't joking in this post, I think it is ridiculous. First he would be seen as bending farther, not as it being 100% is position. Second she isn't the best choice for him and her statement didn't change that in a positive way for her.
May 25, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I must admit I brought this up as kind of a fantasy scenario, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized you could "wag the dog" with a narrative like this in a way that would kind of make up for Clinton's weaknesses.
And like I said: She is at an extremely weak position now. Her comment was beyond the pale. The media has declared her V.P. aspirations essentially dead. Obama no longer has any obligation to offer her the Veep spot because she freed his hands with her gaffe in the same way Rev.Wright freed him to cut all ties.
Why in the world would anybody pick someone who implied their assassination, intentional or not?
Nobody would do that -- short of a saint or a saviour.
May 25, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a much better place for Sen. Clinton would be on the Supreme Court. Such a position would enable her to shed her propensity to political calculation, to use her considerable intellect and instincts to make the country a better place; and would secure her the legacy she seems to desire.
May 25, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately she rejected unity as a reason to end -- or even suspend -- her campaign. When asked "even for the unity of the party," she said, "I reject that..." She's then asked, "Why?" Her response, "Because I've been around too long..." and then she launches into the moon, June and RFK references.
No unity ticket, because she doesn't want unity. She wants to be President, period.
Her new campaign slogan will paraphrase Patrick Henry's: Give me the Presidency or I'll give you death. In June... in California... where things happen... bad things... very bad things...
May 25, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd be fine with this if the precondition was that Bill would spend the Obama presidency in Africa and Asia fighting AIDS, hunger and poverty. I have always been creeped out by the prospect of him as co-VP and a "government official", if you extend the 1993 Assoc. of Physicians and Surgeons ruling, as I'm sure they would. Icky.
May 25, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Completely disagree
It was always unlikely Obama would select Hillary Clinton as VP -- now it is impossible
That is the only positive outcome from Friday's comments
The saying goes "Hillary Clinton" sucks all the air of the room -- she will likely need to leave the Senate as she will never win a private vote for Majority Leader now either
I think she needs her own fiefdom - like a University President -- This way she can continue to creat her own reality and everything she "rules" over is forced to accept her version of reality
It is really sad - Sen Clinton hurt herself, her family name, her party and if she does not bow out June 3rd and stop the May 31st baloney (and I am a Florida resident) - she will have a great deal of responsibility for the NOv election
I believe Sen Obama will win at any rate in Nov - but the Clintons will not be forgiven for making this so much more difficult than it should be
May 25, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
This idea was long ago rendered to cliche status. It is a really terrible idea.
Why would any presidential candidate choose to run with someone of whom most voters consider in the negative? And who would want his or her presidency associated with Bill Clinton? Even Sen. Clinton has been able to keep his mouth under control, a mouth that significantly contributed to her campaign's demise.
May 25, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry Kinkistyle. Obama is neither stupid nor is he all about manipulation.
Now Hillary.....
May 25, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I also take the opposite view.
Clinton has handed him the very justification he needs to decline offering her the VP spot, essentially getting rid of her at an extremely inexpensive "price." That's an "offer" he should definitely take her up on...
May 25, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
You want a unity ticket -- Hillary hiinted at it herself:
JOHN MCCAIN -- HILLARY CLINTON!
She's been running for THAT VP job for months. Maybe she'll get it. (Makes more sense than his other potentials)
May 25, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
My goodness, just think about what she just uttered! As Vice President she would be next in line, gee "if something happened to Obama". No one in their right mind would ask her to be their Vice President after she desired that something happen to him during the nominating process so she could be the Party's nominee. This should be a no brainer. She should not only drop to the bottom of the list after this she should drop off the list entirely. For myself, I would be so disappointed in Obama if he named her as her running mate, I would probably stay home in November because the things that inspired me about Obama, would have been totally undermined if she is on the ticket. No longer would it mean change, just the same old political players having their way.
May 25, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
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