If it Happened, Would She Really Say, “Shucks, I Decline”?

Our corporate overlords have asked us to distract from this. So quick, let’s talk about Hillary.
Senator Clinton has not ruled out allowing her name to be placed into nomination in Denver, noting,

Senator Obama and I share the goal of ensuring that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected

We all remember vividly that Senator Obama won more delegates but that the final count was close. Can Senator Obama take the chance that it won’t go the other way in a re-count at the convention? In putting her name back into consideration, is Senator Clinton truly motivated by a desire to respect and thank her supporters? Alternately, to take a slightly ominous view, is she putting the political strong arm on Senator Obama to name her to the V.P. position?
Or, most ominously, has she not quite given up the idea of landing the nomination itself?
ADDENDUM
Commenter Will points out

… the President and Vice President are nominated separately at these conventions. They are actually nominated by the convention delegates, not simply appointed by the would be president. Because the race is so close in actual delegates (due to the unelected super delegates), you are literally going to have a situation where roughly half the people on the convention floor are going to be Hillary backers. If they can’t get what they really want (the number one spot), I think they will try for the number two position, even if they have to force it.

So the V.P. spot is the prerogative of the delegates, not the presidential candidate. This indeed is shaping up to be an action-packed convention.

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joe bernstein
joe bernstein
15 years ago

A real blood in the water scenario if that happens,but I think the Dean-Pelosi power circle will do their best to defuse it.Nothing good for them casn come of it.

Greg
Greg
15 years ago

My money is on Obama nominating Caroline Kennedy. It’ll be really hard for the Clinton supporters to badmouth that decision.

EMT
EMT
15 years ago

Hillary absolutely HAS NOT given up. She spends every day salivating over fantasies of Obama completely stumbling, or even getting whacked.

Will
15 years ago

I knew she had been way too silent over the past month. Hillary is known for many things: giving up easily is not one of them. Because political conventions have become anticlimactic rubber stamp events in recent years, I don’t think many people — even ones with a lot of political knowledge realize that the President and Vice President are nominated separately at these conventions. They are actually nominated by the convention delegates, not simply appointed by the would be president. Because the race is so close in actual delegates (due to the unelected super delegates), you are literally going to have a situation where roughly half the people on the convention floor are going to be Hillary backers. If they can’t get what they really want (the number one spot), I think they will try for the number two position, even if they have to force it. Hillary will just stand by, pretend to be above it all, and let them sort it all out. What I think could happen — a plausible scenerio — is that the Hillary delegates, plus a very small number of Obama for President backers who think they need her on the ticket for him to win — may try to coalition to get her on the ticket for VP over Obama’s own choice (which will probably be a boring white guy). The negative for Obama is that since he’s had to wait so long to choose his VP preference, he hasn’t had the opportunity to “sell” the public on his choice. Break out the popcorn! I find it extremely interesting that her husband Bill will be speaking at the convention on Wednesday (which I’ve just learned within the last few hours), before any names are put in for nomination for VP later that… Read more »

Citizen Critic
Citizen Critic
15 years ago

Hillary as VP would steal the spotlight from Michelle Obama as First Lady –so it will never happen. Michelle Obama will never let it happen. Hillary may be made of steal, but she is no match for Michelle, who is made of titanium (and sleeping with Barack).

rhody
rhody
15 years ago

Wouldn’t put this scenario past them. They don’t consider it the Democratic Party, but the Clinton party.
If it costs the Dems the White House (and possibly Congress), They. Just. Don’t. Care.

Fant
Fant
15 years ago

Hold on, don’t I remember just a few weeks ago where Obama was stumping for donations to pay off Hillary’s debt? So if I have this straight, he basically paid her off to get out of the election, (no idea if he did fulfill her debts), and then she’s going to come back and try to get him out of the #1 seat?
I love it.
Go McCain.

Scott Bill Hirst
Scott Bill Hirst
15 years ago

Hi!
Although technically delegates can vote for any VP choice many if not most delegates are politically active people with often years of political experience. Traditionally the VP choice is the nominee’s preference ratified by the convention.
Years ago there was actually contests for VP nominations. In 1956 Adlai Stevenson left that decision up to the Democratic convention that year that ending up picking Estes Kefauver.
I did see that Evan Bayh of Indiana, a United States Senator and former Governor of that state was possibly/probably positioned for that VP nomination this year.
I recall one GOP convention at least the Presidential and VP candidate were nominated at the same time, possibly 1972?
Regards,
Scott

OldTimeLefty
15 years ago

Citizen Cricket,
You were chirping about Ms. Clinton and Ms. Obama. I’d like to hear your take on Ms. McCain. Let’s hear a few chirps about Cindy.
OldTimeLefty

Ragin' Rhode Islander
Ragin' Rhode Islander
15 years ago

>. Let’s hear a few chirps about Cindy.
1) Rich.
2) Never runs out of beer.
3) Given her age, still pretty hot (unlike Hillary doesn’t need to wear pantsuits tailored from old parachutes).
4) If she’s bitchy she keeps it behind closed doors, unlike Hillary or Michelle.
Yet another example supporting the proposition that on average a Republican woman is far more attractive and desirable than a Democrat woman.

bobc
bobc
15 years ago

You were chirping about Ms. Clinton and Ms. Obama. I’d like to hear your take on Ms. McCain. Let’s hear a few chirps about Cindy.
Once again Old Time Lefty-saurus missed the mark completely.

Anthony
Anthony
15 years ago

Of course she hasn’t ruled it out!
Including Florida and Michigan, Hillary Clinton won more popular votes in the Demoratic primaries than Obama.
What has that gotten her? She hasn’t gotten any respect from Obama, much less the respect to which she thinks she’s entitled.
Not only is Hillary’s name not mentioned on any Obama VP short-list, Obama’s people went out of their way to throw cold water on any thought of Hillary as VP almost as soon as Obama gave his victory speech in the primary. Obama also accussed Bill Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro of playing the race card.
If I were Hillary, I’d be upset, too. Of course, I’m not. So I’ll just sit back and enjoy watching Obama roll the Clintons like a cheap cigar!

rhody
rhody
15 years ago

Every time Cindy McCain opens her mouth, I feel like shouting at the TV, “The mannequin speaks!”
I’d put her in the same category Mrs. R puts the likes of Brooke Shields and Heidi Klum: she’s beautiful, but there’s nothing sexy about her at all.

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