BlakeHuggins.com

Disclaimer: Anyone who knows me or has read this blog much knows that I am no fan of the Clintons.  This list reflects that and should be taken with a grain of salt. Furthermore some of these are serious and some are probably just outrageous. I do think there are very serious reasons why Obama shouldn’t choose Clinton, but as long as this process has been I think we have to poke a little fun at it too.

Since at least January people have been talking up the so-called “dream ticket.” I don’t like it.  I thought it was a bad idea from the start regardless of who is on top.  But, now that all that is taken care of here are a few (or eight) reasons why I think Barack Obama shouldn’t pick Clinton has his VP.

The Serious Reasons

1. Unity won’t be a problem. The Democratic party will be as united as it’s going to be in November regardless of whether Hillary Clinton is on the ticket.  We see this all the time in elections.  Candidates fight tooth and nail during the primary season, they develop a cult-like following, and when it’s all said and down one is left standing.  The other endorses the winner, and while the loser’s supporters may seem bitter at first, they usually come around.¹  Now, I know there is a case to be made that this year is special, indeed it is.  And I’m not saying there won’t be some crazies who go from being pro-Clinton to pro-McCain, but by and large I don’t buy it.  I mean look at Hillary Clinton and then look at John McCain.  Seriously?
2. I don’t trust Hillary. There I said it.  I just don’t trust her.  And I’m still not convinced that she wouldn’t delight in seeing Barack Obama being destroyed just so she could be the party savior in 2012.  Were she to rise to the vice-presidency I think she would ultimately view it as a stepping stone to the presidency.  For that matter I wouldn’t put it past her to undermine Obama.  She just seems really power hungry and displays a certain degree of entitlement.  I don’t like it.
3. It could backfire. Like I said, I believe the party will be as united as it can be come November.  That being said, the general election race is now largely a fight for the independent vote and the undecided vote.  Both Obama and McCain do very well with independents and swing voters.²  Hillary does not.  Her national reputation of divisiveness is nothing new.  Instead of her presence on the ticket helping Obama it could hurt him.  Independents and undecideds might go for McCain instead.
4. It’s all about the C-Word. As cliché as it’s becoming, this election will be more about change and newness than anything else.  Obama has embodied that from the beginning.  To many he represents the hope and freshness this country needs after Bush II.  McCain, as we’re already beginning to see, has more in common with the status quo than anything else.  And, in a different way, Hillary does too.  She is a career politician.  She represents the establishment and the Washington ethos.  I don’t think that’s what people want.  And if Obama wants to win, he needs to distance myself from that as much as possible.
5. Obama needs moderation. Again, it’s all about the independents.  Obama needs to be thinking about someone who can moderate and compliment him, not someone who will make him look like a double-struck coin.  To many independents and undecideds Clinton and Obama are both nothing more than liberal, left-wing elitists who want nothing more than to raise taxes and “retreat.”  Obama needs someone who is more of a moderate.  Clinton is not it.

The Not-So Serious Reasons (or are they?)

1. That four-letter word. Bill.  Need I say more? Usually having a former president in your corner of the ring is a great asset. Not so with Bill — he’s more of a liability.  If Hillary couldn’t keep him under control during the campaign, how can we expect Barack to?  Some of the more divisive remarks from the Clinton campaign came from Bill.³  I know there’s always room for reconciliation, but would be hard for me to believe its more than a political facade in this instance.  Not to mention the fact that having Bill back in the White House with no time on his hands kind of creeps me out.
2. The mash-ups. They’re just disturbing.  Seriously, stuff like this, this, and this is just wrong.  The late night comics will have enough material.  Trust me.
3. Territorial tension. I don’t think anyone as even brought this up, but think about it: Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.  I sense some tension there were Clinton to be the VP and Michelle the first lady.  The last thing we need is some weird soap opera triangle.  Come on people!  We’re at war!

I suppose that’s enough for now.  Look out for my top two or three Obama VP candidates early on next week.

1. Remember Howard Dean in 2004? Not as big of a deal, but still a good recent example. [↩]
2. For example, remember way back a few months ago — it seems like so long — when McCain won New Hampshire and Obama won Iowa? The main reason was independents. Especially in New Hampshire. [↩]
3. As an aside I wouldn’t put it past the Republican spin machine to use that against the Democrats, to question their unity were Clinton on the ticket with Obama [↩]