With the Democratic primary coming to a close, it appears certain that Senator Barack Obama will clinch the presidential nomination
The question now– Who he will choose as a running mate?
Already there is overwhelming pressure for Senator Obama to choose Senator Hillary Clinton as his running mate. Some pundits suggest this is the reason Sen. Clinton has stayed in the race after it appeared mathematically impossible for her to win the nomination. While Obama’s primary win is likely, his margin of victory will still be slight. Under these circumstances, he is forced to seriously consider offering Hillary the opportunity to be his Vice-President. Although he should certainly consider the possible benefits, when it comes down to predicting whether an Obama/Clinton ticket can put the Dem’s back in the White House, the answer Senator Obama should come to is a decisive ‘No.”
There is no question that the results of this primary election have split the Democratic Party. This has been the closest primary race in Democratic history. The real fight has been and always will be: the fight of Democrats against Republicans. As Democrats unite to avoid a third Bush term, the split among Democrats will cease to exist.
I have to admit that there are very real arguments in favor of an Obama/Clinton nomination. These run the gamut from honoring her candidacy, wooing her supporters, and soothing the internal party divide. However, the strongest argument among some political insiders conclude that he should choose her as his running mate because she runs far stronger than he does among certain core Democratic constituencies. For instance, Obama appeals to men, young voters, the educated, upper-income Democrats and African-Americans, while Hillary Clinton appeals to women, blue-collar workers, seniors and Hispanics. In a General Election against McCain, the nominee will need the support of these stalwarts of the Democratic Party.
However, I disagree with these arguments. Obama should resist the temptation to conform and should not offer Clinton the spot as his running mate. First, choosing Clinton would contradict Obama’s message of change from the old ways of doing things. Hillary has been a Washington insider for many years and has a reputation of being associated with the politics of old. Second, she is extremely polarizing. Although Hillary Clinton has run a very close race with Obama, she remains a controversial and unpopular figure in the larger picture. Recently she has had as high as a 45% “unfavorable” rating among registered voters. Among the groups most supportive of Obama, and especially among Democratic voters under 30, Hillary polls extremely low.
Finally, her attacks on Obama during this prima1y will stick and be used by Republicans against the ticket during the general election. Remember this Clinton quote from March 2008?
“I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. Sen. John McCain has a lifetime of experience that he’d bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002.”
Imagine this sentiment illuminated in a thirty-second black and white ad flashing across millions of televisions across America. Clinton’s words would surely contradict the statements that she and Obama will certainly have to allege during a General Election.
Senator Clinton has other options. Staying in the U.S. Senate is not a shabby job. Especially with the health of Senator Ted Kennedy in question, coupled with her tenure in Washington D.C. politics, she could easily stay in the Senate and take on the role of Matriarch of the Democratic Party. But you can certainly understand why she might have trouble turning down a chance at Vice-President in 2008. If elected, she would successfully cement her place in history as the first woman in U.S. history to be elected Vice-President. Then, she’d be the heir apparent in 2016 if Obama served out two terms. Not to mention that if McCain wins in 2008, as Obama’s running mate, she would stay in the limelight and be in the posture to run for President in 2012.
No matter what he decides, Senator Obama should choose someone who shares his general outlook and who can speak passionately and convincingly to voters about why they should support his candidacy. This person should help him not only unite the Democratic Party, but hopefully change the mindsets of a few Republicans as well.