Jesse Jackson, Obama backer, says Clinton has 'powerful case' as VP

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who you may remember endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, said today that Sen. Hillary Clinton has made "a powerful case'' for her candidacy for vice president.

Obama should take his time choosing a running mate, Jackson said in an interview, but Clinton offers some major advantages.

"As he surveys the field, it must be someone who is compatible with him philosophically, someone who is loyal to his agenda and someone who brings a constituency that matters and the capacity to become the next president, as the Constitution requires should disaster strike," Jackson said

Clinton, he said, meets those requirements. "She may not be the only one who does, but she certainly does.

"She starts with 18 million votes," he said. "She starts having gained a following among Latinos and she has substantial support among African Americans. ... Women will be looking to her place in the scheme of things." Our colleague Marc Silva has the full story over in the Swamp.

While you're here, be sure to take the web poll on whether Obama should offer the second spot to Clinton and what she should say. The thousands of responses from Ticket readers may surprise you.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[murph]

Bring people together ! Live by example. Plese pick Mrs.Clinton. Seems to me if the Obamas and Clintons are in the White House, at 3am the phone will get picked up on the firsat ring. (folks will still be up livin it up)
Right On for the Dems and OUR country!!!

[Gary Behun]

I am an ex-Hillary supporter. I backed her because basically Obama is just an inspirational speaker while Hillary brings more to the position that I can actually count on instead of a lot of inspiring speeches. However, I will now vote for my paycheck and Obama. There is a part of me that fully acknowledges she might be trouble for Obama as VP but she also brings a lot of political and legislative experience and votes he doesn't possess. Like a lot of people I only wish these two knuckleheads could of combined their strengths in the very beginning of this race. Hillary and Obama would be an unbeatable ticket this fall.

[Arnold]

It would be a pity if Barak Obama did not find somebody better for VP. With Hilary Clinton his message of change will be muddled.

[Maca]

I think she is too good to be his V.P.

[Jill]

My opinion, as close as the democratic primaries were between Clinton and Obama, if united would take this country by storm and we need Democrats in the white house, so hopefully the economic state of this country can be saved. I would definitely be all for the "dream team" of the two one one ticket together, but i am only one voice and the choice is Barack Obamas and his counsel.

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

I am not sure anybody should listen to a person who says that he believes O.J. Simpson was innocent.

Hillary Clinton has too much baggae to be an asset.

[sly]

Hillary is wonderful but inconsistent and unpredictable. Her personal ambition a little bit outweighs general interest. The Republicans are just waiting to underscore those inconsistencies once Obama picks her as running mate. The White House is not a playground or place for unpredictability. Besides, the role Bill will play is on the balance. Obama risks living a White House nightmare which could freeze both his image as commander-in-chief and his decision making potential. The way the Clintons have ran the campaign speaks for itself. For the past week ever since his nomination, its all been about Clinton, the looser and not much on him, the winner!!!!!
Lastly and most importantly, Obama should win the White House and stands a good chance of winning on his own merits - good for History and his own legacy and an Obama/Clinton ticket will entirely contradict his message of "Changing to a new Chapter". No doubt, Clinton would play an important role in the Democratic party but Obama should run thru his entire short list for a VP.

[jrterrier]

i don't want hillary as VP; she deserved to be at the top of the ticket based on merit. but it find it galling that those who think she carries too much baggage insist that she must campaign for him and bring her supporters along. hey, if she's not good enough to be on his ticket, then he can campaign on his own.

and don't even think about asking bill to campaign for him after all the trash talk he sent bill's way.

[jJUDIE MARTIN]

THIS ARTICLE ECHOS ALOT OF TOP DEMOCRATS FINAL ANALYSIS. THIS RACE IS ABOUT WINNING. YOU CAN PICK AT EVERYBODYS PROS AND CONS BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT HILLARY CARRIES 18 MILLION VOTERS AND WITH OBAMAS 17 MILLION IT WOULD BE A DREAM TICKET HARD TO BEAT. JESSE JACKSON IS RIGHT. IF OBAMA DOES NOT PICK HILLARY THEN IT IS ALL OVER. HE MIGHT GET A FEW MILLION OF HILLARYS SUPPORTERS BUT NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS PUBLICLY THESE SUPPORTERS WILL EITHER GO MCCAIN OR INDEPENDENT OR NOT VOTE. I AM A TRUE HILLARY SUPPORTER HAVE BEEN SINCE BILL FIRST GOT ELECTED. I HAVE ALSO SENT HER 3 CONTRIBUTIONS ON THE INTERNET THIS TIME. WE ARE WAITING. HOW STUPID OR SMART IS OBAMA. WE WILL FIND OUT. HE NEEDS TO DROP THAT ARROGANT ATTITUDE HE HAS AND DECIDE HE NEEDS ALLLLLL THE HELP HE CAN MUSTER UP AND THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL IS PUTTING HILLARY ON HIS TICKET AND MAKING 18 MILLION VOTERS SWING OVER TO HIM. THANKS. KEEP UP THE GOOD ARTICLES.