BREAKING NEWS: Hillary Clinton 'open' to veep spot

The Associated Press, continuing to lead the way in reporting the breaking developments in the wrap-up to the Democratic presidential race, writes that Hillary Clinton has told unspecified lawmakers from her home state of New York that she is "open" to joining the party's national ticket as Barack Obama's running mate.

Lacking an unequivocal, no-way, no-how denial from the Clinton camp, the news should significantly increase public calls from her supporters for Obama to offer her the post. And, conversely, it should spark a full-throated debate among Obama backers as to whether that would be a good or bad thing.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a staunch Clinton ally, helped get the ball rolling earlier today on what some Democrats view as the "dream ticket" scenario.

In an interview with CNN in which she said the "moment of truth" had arrived for Clinton to end her presidential quest, Feinstein added, "I’m a very strong supporter of Hillary being placed on the ticket as a vice presidential candidate.”

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Noel]

You have to be kidding or extreemly dumb to think that picking Hillary as VP will add value to the ticket. Get out of the race and go back to New York and stay there!

[Don Wood]

Obama would have to sleep with one eye opened the next eight years, with Hillary a hearbeat away from his job.

[Vickei]

Let her go run for president of PORTO Rico (as she mispronounced it)

[kiwiJerky]

Really don't like all the fanatical Obama supporters. They intimidate me and remind me that Ron Paul really is the best person for the job.

[melissa]

NOOOOOOOO Hillary on the ticket!
Obama/EDWARDS!!!!!!

That is the winning ticket

[MaoTseClinton]

Oh, just what I'd want.

A Vice President I couldn't trust. A Vice President that would follow her own agenda, irrespective of the Executive's lead. A Vice President who would use the position to build a network to run against me in four years.

Hell, if Hillary Clinton were my Vice President, I'd sleep with the door bolted - check the wires of my car every morning.

She claims he's inexperienced, that he's a muslim, that he's an elitist, that he doesn't represent hard working white America -

but hey, I want to be his Vice President. Right.

I'm done with the Clintons - I want them OUT of the party, and their followers can go with them too. Clear out the Democratic Party of this kind of hatred.

Obama is much better off picking Sebelius. She has a tradition of working across the aisle, is a respected woman who achieved her position on her own merit. I'd be quite happy with a first female Vice President.

[Shawn]

Well, the 64,000,000 dollar question is whether having Clinton on the ticket helps or hurts the ticket.

If it does, then Obama and Clinton should cut a deal for something else in a potential Obama administration and Obama should take another candidate, preferably a white woman (congress woman, governor etc.) who can deliver one of those swing states.

[Michael Cowan]

I am a Republican who has become a big supporter of Obama based on his message of change and turning a page in washington.

Hillary is just one of many old style politicians who are doing everything they can to derail Obama and prevent him from actually changing anything of substance in washington.

This is a real test to see if Obama wants to win, more than her wants to make real change.

Hillary is political poison. She polarizes everything she touches. She would be a constant distraction and always be making that next powerplay.

If Hilary was VP I would strongly have to reconsider my vote for Obama. My biggest fear is that he really is just all talk. Lets see how he handles his first national crisis. Lets see if he is strong and turns her down.

[jim]

I wouldd expect Hillary to take the next open seat on the Supreme Court. Obama would have the VP of his choice, name Hillary at the first opportunity and she would be confirmed as the next Justice. Everybody would be happy. Thoughts?

[GLEBER]

Remember that 50% of the Democratic personal vote is Hillarys--If she's on the ticket that 50% will be happy--Obama will be pres--that should make the Barack voters happy. For those of you who will vote McCain if Hil is on the ticket, my guess is you are probably not democrats anyway. Any true dem has to realize this is the dream ticket!

[sor]

Would be the perfect route to the White House Remember all the people who crossed the Clintons who died? Barroc should think twice!!

[Curt]

Anyone that votes for McCain after what we have experienced the last 7 years is traitor. Bush and Cheney should be impeached immediately for Lies to go to war, Treason, War Crimes, War Profiteering and a pack of other high crimes and misdemeanors including outing a CIA operative for political purposes. I'll grant you that the Clintons were a corrupt bunch, however it was UNDER the same CIA/BUSH Mafia that runs things NOW!! There are Women Democrats that would make a lot more sense - Barbara Boxer or Diane Feinstien would be good choices. But NOT Nancy Pelosi - She sold out the Democratic Party AND is too a traitor for not upholding the constitution and making impeachment a national priority. Obama may be able to marginalize the impact of a Clinton as VP - I don't really care - Unless they murder Obama (and that's highly probable). But you jackasses that say you will vote for McCain instead don't get it. Hillary and McCain now serve the same masters so you accomplish NOTHING!

[Benjamin]

Obama needs Webb. Put Webb on the ticket and now the McCain War Hero angle loses its bite. Web also has a history serving under Reagan as secretary of the Navy, and would bring a large degree of armor from military experience arguments from the McCain camp.

Webb is also, UNLIKE HILLARY, not a mainstream washington insider. Hillary is OLD POLITICS, just like McCain. Her alleged "experience" is one of compromise and taking part in the republican agenda for several years. It is not an asset, but a liability. Keep her OUT. No real change is possible with her around.

[Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams]

Listen to Bill Clinton today or yesterday attacking the husband of his former press secretary, Dee Dee Meyers, as "Sleazy, slimy, scum???" and so on. He then accused Obama for encouraging even an invited priest in the Chicago Trinity Church for insulting his wife. Extremely childish. Yet, the media has overlooked this ourageous charge, but going after Obma for remarks some remote priest made in his former church. Is this the man Obama should draw into his White house? Do the Clintons owe the White House? NO!

[Steve Mitchell]

Thats the ticket.... if the Democrats want a Republican President. Hillary despite having no show left in the race has blundered on out of ego for weeks now, with no thought to the party, when she should have gracefully bowed out of the race. Now she wants the VP ticket? Shes already castrated one president, don't give her another to try and show who wears the pants !

[TT]

No!

[John Smith]

Your all a bunch of sheep... What's wrong with you all? Hilary as VP and Obama as Pres would be way better than McCain as pres.

The Matrix has you and now you will do what they want which is not to have a black man or women in the white house... YOU LOSE!

[Pete]

My viewpoint on this will clearly represent the contrarian perspective, but the truth is, choosing Hillary as vp would be Obama's smartest move yet. Who would get alienated as a result of that decision? Some die-hard Hillary haters who would still vote for Obama no matter what, so no downside there. Who would find it appealing? All those economically challenged white folks in Appalachia and older women who otherwise might vote for McCain out of bitterness over Hillary's loss. Contrary to Move On opinion, Obama is NOT going to coast to victory this fall without figuring out how to bring these kinds of folks on board, because they represent the swing voters who are going to go massively for McCain against the liberal, elite Democratic establishment.

It pains me to say all this, because I really hate the Clintons. But it's Real Politik, folks, and Obama's got to swallow hard and do the smart thing. And Hillary will probably do the job very well, with dignity, just like she set a textbook example as a hard-working senator who follows the rules. She will also persuade Obama to adopt her healthcare plan, which is by all objective measures a more intelligent plan than the one he came up with.

[David]

No Way; I agree with so many others--No Clintons back in the White House.

[Willie in Kansas]

Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas Governor for VP. She is smart, she has the foreign policy experience, the farmland and big city experience, Ohio roots. Bitter, gun totting, left out, God believing folks like me love her. She has done a great job as Governor of Kansas. OBAMA/SEBELIUS

[eSPO]

Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for the office of the President of the United States. The race will be concluded in the next 48 hours. The final two state primaries, So Dakota and Montana take place today should put Obama within 20 delegates of a victory. The remaining delegates will be handed to him by a flood of super delegates that will declare their preference soon after the votes are tallied tonight in So. Dakota and Montana. Hillary Clinton will concede the delegates in a rally Tuesday night as well. She will be surprisingly supportive and positive and do all that she can to bring her supporters into the Obama fold. Obama will offer her a cabinet post so she can attain her health care reform goal that she has worked on for many years.

This year looks to be the perfect storm for a Republican defeat across the board. Insane gas prices, disillusionment with the Iraqi occupation, escalating grocery prices, and a steady stream of former Bush supporters coming clean about this Republican administration, will lead to a landslide victory for the Democrats. One must mention the weakness of John McCain at this point, as well. Many Republicans do not hold his views on critical issues and his support among the Republican base is flimsy. All these factors will contribute to a landslide win for the Democratic party and our new President, Barack Obama.

Barack Obama and his strategists have waged a campaign that will be studied, intensely, for years to come. They were able to motivate an army of grass roots supporters and raise millions of dollars with their message of hope and change. They were able to take on an entrenched and well connected political machine and soundly defeat it.

Yes, my friends, Barack Obama will make history today and everyone that pitched in should be proud of what we have done.

[Steven Tesh]

Most all of you have let inter-party politics deter you from what your goal should be having your party in office... moo cow moo...

[bob]

She is doing this for only one reason. She knows Obama has no choice but to say no. So this will give her more fuel to add to the fire to get her true believers whipped up into yet one more frenzy and give them hope for the future.

[Sam_r]

I'd vote for that ticket, otherwise no way no how. I will not vote this election.

[dbsherri]

Hilary wants to be president. She alluded to RFK's assissination.

Hello?????

Why don't people want to believe her capable of arranging for that outcome?

Four years ago I would have wanted her to be president. But she has so turned me off (and no, it isn't 'sexism'....it's Hilary) I can't stand the thought.