What Does Hillary Want? Help with Debt; Policy Win; Input on VP

[1776Forever]

What Does Hillary Want?

By Taegan Goddard | May 7, 2008

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/politicalinsider/2008/05/what-does-hillary-want.html

Despite most analysts declaring the Democratic presidential race "basically over," Sen. Barack Obama moves into a very uncomfortable phase of his campaign. He's essentially locked up the nomination but his main rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, is still in the race.

It reminds me of 1984 and 1988 when Jesse Jackson kept his White House bids alive all the way until the Democratic conventions. The question everyone asked all summer long was, "What does Jesse want?" He couldn't win, but he held enough power to be a voice at the table.

So, what does Hillary want? Here are a few things that Obama could offer to help ease her out of the race.

1. Help retiring her debt. Clinton loaned her campaign nearly $12 million since February and she'll want Obama's help in paying that back and taking care of any other unpaid bills.
2. A major policy win. Just as John Edwards got both Clinton and Obama to make ending poverty part of their campaigns, Clinton needs to show supporters she's had a substantive impact. Having her health care plan as part of the Democratic platform would appeal to her supporters -- and those of Edwards as well.
3. Input on the vice presidential selection. While Clinton might not want to be vice president, she has enough clout to make Obama pick someone who is loyal to her. That means someone like Sen. Evan Bayh or Gen. Wesley Clark could get the nod. It also means it won't be Bill Richardson.

Let the negotiations begin.

..............

In my opinion it would be good for Barack to openly discuss these issues with his supporters and not make a decision on his own without input. That is what he has stressed during his entire campaign and that is what he must do to gain the support of any decision on either paying back all or part of HRC's debt. I hope the Obama campaign is listening.

:hide:

[DAGDA56]

1. My "knee jerk" reaction to the three points mentioned is...

...1- I don't want my contribution to Obama being used to bail out the Clinton Campaign, no matter if it's paying for donuts or Mark Penn...or for Mark Penn's donuts.
2- What policy issue does she still have that Obama can get behind?
3- This I can see...not a bad strategic move to put a Clinton supporter on the ticket.
I have no doubt that Barack will make his own decisions as you suggest. If he plans on negotiating with our enemies and reaching across to Republicans, reaching out to the Clinton Campaign would be a good first step.

[book_worm]

2. Obama will be fair but he isn't going to let Hillary dictate who the VP will be

I'm sure he will attend some fund raisers to help her retire her debt but he also has a general election he has to publicly finance and that is top priority. I believe he may be willing to give in on health care. If he wants Bill Richardson to be his VP then HRC will just have to get over it.

[calmblueocean]

3. Political input is fine; demanding he pay her debts is blackmail.

That money doesn't belong to her, and it would be wrong of her to ask for it.