Breaking News: Hillary Clinton hints at joint ticket with Obama

Sen. Hillary Clinton, who some wrote off as all but finished in the race for the Democratic nomination for president, has pulled another surprise out of the hat that we never see her wearing.

The morning after regaining some political momentum by winning three of four primaries (after losing 12 in a row), the former first lady happened to mention on some early news shows the possibility of her and Sen. Barack Obama forming a joint ticket to face the new Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain.

With most political observers sound asleep after a long Tuesday evening that appeared to augur at least seven more weeks of possibly bitter and divisive struggle between the two Democrats until a potentially decisive Pennsylvania primary on April 22, Clinton went on some morning news programs, according to the Associated Press, and appeared to raise the possibility of a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket.

"That may be where this is headed," she said, "but, of course, we have to decide who is on the top of ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me."

It's a clever move to vault herself to the level of equal standing with the Illinois senator, who remains way more than 100 delegates ahead of Clinton in the nomination race. The idea does speak to what many Democrats have long regarded as a dream ticket combining the first serious African American candidate with the first serious female candidate.

And it raises the prospect of a negotiated agreement that would avoid prolonged intra-party strife, while a victorious McCain forges ahead already with his general election campaign.

In the early-morning hours, two top Clinton advisors, Mark Penn and Harold Ickes, released a memo to "Interested Parties," that said: "With last night’s victories in Ohio and Texas, one thing is clear: the momentum has swung back to Hillary Clinton." At least that's what they'd like today's message to be as McCain meets at the White House for lunch and the official blessing of President and Mrs. Bush.

But the joint ticket idea ...

may be more of a nightmare in the mind of Obama and his team, who thought they were about to finish Clinton off Tuesday only to see it slip through their hands and the struggle prolonged.

And Obama remains well ahead in delegates and popular votes, so he'd be unlikely to be interested in such a combination arrangement now, especially if she sees herself in the No. 1 spot with Obama as the No. 2. The proposal could well be an attempt to stall his momentum further.

Later, on the same CBS "Early Show," Obama referred to his delegate total as "close to an insurmountable lead." Clinton had minimized the gap calling it "smidgens of difference."

Plus, to be realistic, whomever is the Democratic vice president on any successful ticket led by the New York senator will actually be forced to work with a pair of Clintons in the White House, making him potentially vice-vice-president.

-- Andrew Malcolm

PHOTO CREDIT: <i>Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times</i>

Comments

[Anna Hamilton]

The Clinton-Obama OR Obama-Clinton ticket IS our key.
Especially with a influence (hopefully less this time) of Mr. Nader who seems to love splitting the democratic vote. (Do the Republicans PAY this guy or what?)
The dual Demo-Ticket is a definite vote for change and progress in a country which sorely needs new leadership. Go, Dems!!

[Lance Stephens]

Sorry, Andrew Malcolm, 86 is not "way more than 100 delegates."

[Concerned]

the thrill is gone. move over obama and let history take its course. don't be a selfish person, step aside NOW.

No one who voted for Hillary in FL or MI will vote for obama, if he is appointed by the party as the candidate without considering the voters of these states.

[mateo]

this Wicked Witch of "nowhere-in-particular" will turn me into a strong McCain supporter if her little smear campaign against Barack Obama proves ultimately successful at the convention for her and her machine.
and i'm NOT the only one who's saying/thinking this...

[Mr. Unite Us]

It's going to take Obama and Clinton supporters to win the election.

This week it was Obama vs. Clinton, Clinton, McCain,
Bush, the media,talk radio, Canada, and Saturday Night Live.

Look for Clinton to have to answer some questions.

[Karin P]

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! The guy only offers speeches, the guy will need "on the job training." The guy offers words, not solutions. But the guy can be on my ticket. Yeah, sure, if something were to happen, he would be completely unprepared to deal with it; but don't worry, nothing will happen. If Obama joins up with this hypocrite, this absolute disgrace, I am definitely going with Nader.

[Concerned in Ky]

A Clinton/Obama ticket would solve the almost insurmountable division within the Democratic party.

Obama is probably too proud and narcisstic to agree to the number 2 slot.

I'm voting for Clinton or McCain but never Obama.

[Pat]

I would love to have a female president or a black president. Either would prove that old stereotypes are passe, old white guys no longer had a stranglehold on politics, and real change can happen. However, this particular woman would never be my choice. She absolutely will not reach across party lines or build coalitions, she's inextricably entwined with the military industrial complex, and is simply not inspiring. I voted for Bill, twice, but it would be incredibly hard to vote for Hillary. As I could not vote for McCain, I would most likely not vote. People have become fond of saying "We have two great potential candidates", but I don't see it. We have one very articulate, cool-headed, intelligent, and inspiring candidate, and one opportunistic, mean-spirited, negative player with ENORMOUS baggage. Who really thinks that Clinton can beat McCain? She will mobilize the right-wing like nothing else could, plus disenfranchising many moderates like myself who see through the Clinton modus and want no part of it. I will still hope for the best, but it's sad to see that once again the attention span-challenged of the nation could lead us into darkness once more.

[DAVID A. BELANGER,VET]

IF OBAMA HAS ANY BALLS HE WOULD COME OUT AGAINST THIS IN A BIG WAY..
HE SHOULD COME OUT AND SAY SHE IS IN OZ IF SHE THINK I WOULD CHOSE HER.
HE NEEDS TO COME OUT AND SAY TO AMERICA IF YOU WANT BUSH 2 (MCCAIN) IN OFFICE THEN HAVEING CLINTON ON ANY TICKET WOULD DO THAT.
THATS WHY I CHOSE JOHN EDWARDS AS MY V.P.

THEN SHE WOULD LOSE ALL THE REMAINING STATES BY TRIPPLE DIGGET...
REMEMBER THE REPS WANT CLINTON BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL BEAT HER IN A NATIONAL VOTE. I WOULD AND MANY OTHER IND/DEMS WOULD VOTE MCAIN INSTEAD OF HAVEING HER IN ANY PART OF THE WHITEHOUSE.

[Shade]

Why can't it be the other way around with Obama-Clinton Ticket? I guarantee if it was the other way around, she would reject the idea. I hope that Obama would have enough dignity to do the same.

[Stephen Pizzo]

The problem with Obama being Hillary's VP .. or for that matter any serious Democrat taking that post -- is that they would not be the VP in fact... Bill would be the de-facto VP. I can't imagine anyone with real credentials for the second spot putting up with a situation like that.

[fjfjdvdv]

No way. Can you imagine them campaigning this fall? Her campaign is based on attacks -- typically untruthful ones -- and manipulating the voters with tears and tirades. His is about presenting concrete policies and a vision for the future of this country. You might as well ask cats and dogs to campaign together, or fire and ice.

Besides, based on her recent comments about how McCain is ready to be president and Obama is not, I kind of figured she wanted to be running as his VP. First time I've heard a democrat rustling up votes for the republican nominee.

And finally, her bit about how she should be president and Obama should be VP because "the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me." Please. Does she realize that she's not running for president of Ohio? The people of MOST states have said that Obama should be president. Oh, wait a minute -- those states don't count because HIllary didn't win there...

Stop the drama, vote Obama.

[matt]

After listening to what either of them want to do with this country and studying the issues facing this great nation, I am voting Republican for the first time. These two are power-hungry nuts and will lie and lie and lie. Obama with Rezko and Canada and Clinton with bout every other word out of her mouth.

[Matt]

If Obama isn't number one on the ticket.... I'll write him in.

Hilliary ...Never.

[Sandra]

I still firmly believe in what we're building here, as do we all, and I think we can make a shift change that is not destructive, but furthers the cause of truth in politics.

Backed by Truth, Fronted By Obama

Though I respect the decision to 'not do nasty' on the part of Obama's campaign, it's not going to work. Clinton's map to the WH is routed via FLA, MI or intimidating SDs. This is not about getting nasty or attacking. It's about shining the light on Senator Clinton's own realties. This can be done with candor and eloquence because we are backed by truth, and fronted by Obama.

A new strategy has to be demanded by us, the supporters, so that Senator Obama will be pushed by his base, into action.
I'd like to begin an online petition of Obama supporters that addresses our wishes for 'our campaign'.
1st key points of this work in progress:
1. That we not get nasty, but that we answer negative attacks quickly and firmly.
2. That we call upon our surrogates, as Clinton does, to bring up things that are more than murky in Senator Clinton's camp. I.E., Bill's very interesting Dubai dealings, the Senator's own questionable campaign fund raising history scandals.
3. Debunking the media bias lie toward Obama. Clinton was the inevitable, the media darling for over a year. All it took was her complaining about a couple of positive weeks for Senator Obama, and the media now falls all over itself to repeat all her talking points.
4. Shed light on the obvious fact that Senator Clinton could not care less about the party and the country she decries to love. If she did, she would not imply that the Republican nominee would be better suited for the WH, she would not say that "as far as she knows he is not a Muslim", and certainly would not consistently suggest that all people and/or states that did not vote for her were insipid and inconsequential.
5. The voters must demand that she release the tax returns. This needs to be truly brought to bear. She is obviously hiding something, and we deserve to know BEFORE it's too late to diffuse a ticking bomb awaiting us in the general.
6. Release the WH papers. What DID she actually do during her tenure as First Lady?
7. Please confront her with the 35 years nonsense. Senator Obama has a longer legislative history than Senator Clinton. That is a fact not receiving enough attn.
8. What actual crisis has Senator Clinton diverted? How was this accomplished without proper security clearance?

If you're also interested in helping me formulate this petition, join me here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/ipetition4Barack

[Tom J]

Hillary IS Tracy Flick:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_(1999_film)

[Shami]

Hillary should call up Obama and express her interest in becoming his VP.

[takingmyballandgoinghome]

Really i must say i am amazed at the Democratic party and the obvious lack of leadership in this party. You would think after the last 2 elections that someone in a leadership position would actually be controlling the overall Dem party strategy and attacking the increasingly negative part of this campaign. It seems like the Democrat leadership seem to have forgotten that they actually have a big task ahead and instead seem to be celebrating a victory that seems far from certain. Hillary should obviously be allowed to campaign for as long as she wants but the focus should be on issues of substance that raise the overall party message/profile not pull it down. I now understand why Dems have been so ineffective as a unit for so long and why they have so little to show for in the last 8 years. Really I dont think i can vote for a party this disturbed and disorganized. And really if the argument is that this is politics then im really not sure how it works in my best interest. Just looking at this drama I finally understand why this party has been such a irrelevant part of the story for the last 8 years despite such a president with a low approval rating.

[anomoymous]

I hope that Obama turns down the VP slot since Hilllary can't honor prior agreements with the DNC that she agreed to in regards to Florida and Michigan, her integrity is very questionable. He should take the low road continuing to build his grass roots during the McCain administration and run in 2012.

[Independent]

I disagree with LA Times' comment re: a vice-vice-presidency. As we've seen over the last 8 years, the vice-presidency appears to be a role that is wide-open to whatever the incumbent of that position wants to make of it. Cheney's particular interpretation of the role, which has rendered the VP comparatively free of Congressional oversight and media scrutiny, has established a precedence which should be the envy of any Democratic vice-presidential candidate eager to build his/her own excess of power. (Hmmm...Interesting how that last brings to mind the ol' "axis of evil").

[Independent]

I disagree with LA Times' comment re: a vice-vice-presidency. As we've seen over the last 8 years, the vice-presidency appears to be a role that is wide-open to whatever the incumbent of that position wants to make of it. Cheney's particular interpretation of the role, which has rendered the VP comparatively free of Congressional oversight and media scrutiny, has established a precedence which should be the envy of any Democratic vice-presidential candidate eager to build his/her own excess of power. (Hmmm...Interesting how that last brings to mind the ol' "axis of evil").

[Edrea Davis]

Hillary Clinton was projected to win these states by a much higher margin so the momentum is still with Barack Obama. Obama put a huge dent in the lead. If the momentum really changed, the projections for MS and WY would change.

In order to cling to the lead Sen. Clinton appeared more like President Bush each day. She cried, whined, pitched a fit, attacked Obama personally, and finally lodged an all out fear campaign. If that's not Bush, I don't know what is. Additionally, we can't underestimate the power of Rush Limbaugh calling for Republicans to vote for Clinton because they know she cannot win against McCain - especially with the fear/experience message. Clinton will never win back African American voters, which is an important voting block for Democrats. Finally, there’s nothing like manipulating polls to get people out to vote.

BTW, Clinton argues that you must win Ohio to become President as if she won Ohio. That's in the general election with the old-school map that existed pre-Obama. With the increase in voters across the country, clearly no traditional Republican states may not remain Republican.

[Sean]

The facts are simple. Just a few weeks ago, Hillary was WAY ahead in the polls in both Ohio and Texas, after 2 weeks of her typical, divisive politics, and an enormous amount of money spent by both candidates, she lost substantial ground in Ohio, and barely won the Primary in Texas, and it appears she lost the texas Caucaus. So explain to me please, how this shows her gaining momentum? She has lost ground in both states in the last 2 weeks, not gained ground. Ignore the spin and look at where the real momentum lies.

[michelle M]

I am deeply disturbed with Hilary Clinton's negative and disgusting tactics to win the nomination. I always said if either one wins the nomination I would vote for either one but this time I may abstain from voting.
My vote for Obama is now more than ever something that I believe in, sorry Clinton I have nothing of what you called buyer remorse.
Your whole negative speech "meet me in Ohio" or nasty tactics on race, involving Canada, and many other disturbing tactics to draw sympathy to you is unbecoming.

How about time to show us your tax returns, talk about the many scandals Whitewater, Vincent Foster, and many others!

[Sean]

The facts are simple. Just a few weeks ago, Hillary was WAY ahead in the polls in both Ohio and Texas, after 2 weeks of her typical, divisive politics, and an enormous amount of money spent by both candidates, she lost substantial ground in Ohio, and barely won the Primary in Texas, and it appears she lost the texas Caucaus. So explain to me please, how this shows her gaining momentum? She has lost ground in both states in the last 2 weeks, not gained ground. Ignore the spin and look at where the real momentum lies.