Clinton disavows VP push
By Scott Helman, Globe Staff
Seeking to tamp down a push by supporters to force her onto the Democratic presidential ticket with Senator Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton issued a statement today saying she is not gunning for vice president and the decision is Obama's to make.
"While Senator Clinton has made clear throughout this process that she will do whatever she can to elect a Democrat to the White House, she is not seeking the vice presidency, and no one speaks for her but her," Clinton's campaign said in a statement, first provided to The New York Times. "The choice here is Senator Obama's and his alone."
The statement comes as some of Clinton's leading backers, including members of Congress, top financial contributors, and advisers, have begun pushing aggressively for Obama to tap Clinton as his No. 2 a way to unite the divided Democratic Party after the grueling primary contest. Clinton herself, in a conference call with fellow New York lawmakers earlier this week, reportedly said she would was open to the idea.
But in the so-called veepstakes, publicly vying for the job -- even seeming to through surrogates or weak denials of interest -- is considered impolitic and the wrong way to actually get picked. Thus Clinton's disavowal of her supporters' efforts should not be read as a definitive statement that she would refuse an invitation to run with Obama.
Obama told reporters on his campaign plane this afternoon that he appreciated Clinton's statement.
"The next time you hear from me about the vice presidential selection process will be when I have selected a vice president," Obama added, according to accounts on various news websites. "If you hear second-hand accounts, rumors, gossip about the selection process, you can take it from me that it is wrong, because we're not going to be talking about it in the press."
The Illinois senator, asked earlier today about the possibility of asking Clinton to join the ticket, repeated what he has been saying for weeks -- that Clinton "would be on anybody's short list," but that it was far too soon to make judgments about a running mate.
"I have nothing but respect for Senator Clinton and what she's going to contribute to this party," Obama said in an interview with CNN. But, he said, "Everybody just needs to settle down. We just completed this arduous process."
Obama, who clinched the nomination on Tuesday, called it "the most important decision that I will make before I am president," and said he would be "deliberate and systematic about it because this will be my final counselor when I am making decisions in the White House, and I want to make sure I get it right."
"I am a big believer in making decisions well, not making them fast and not responding to pressure," added Obama, who is campaigning today in Virginia with three other potential VP picks, former Governor Mark Warner, current Governor Tim Kaine, and Senator Jim Webb.
Analysts say there are many variables in selecting running mates, including their relationship with the candidate, the political importance of their home state, the constituencies they represent, and whether they fill a perceived strategic hole.
Steve McMahon, a Democratic strategist who helped lead Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, said Obama, given his freshness in Washington, may look to someone more seasoned in national security and Beltway politics, just as presidential nominees before him have done.
"If you're John Kennedy, putting someone like Lyndon Johnson on the ticket helps demonstrate a kind of familiarity and experience in Washington that maybe John Kennedy didn't have," McMahon said. "The same is true with George Bush and Dick Cheney."
Someone needs to get straight jackets and gags for Lanny Davis and Bob Johnson! ENOUGH ALREADY!!
Why in the world would he consider this? Perhaps Senator Obama should take a glimpse back in recent history. JFK never should have trusted LBJ. By the same token Hillary should not be trusted. If there were ever a women in this world that would stab you in the back, this evil shrew is the one to do it. Talk about letting the fox in the henhouse. He should have his head examined if he even gives this a second thought. Just ask Vince, oh thats right he's dead>
can i be president?
Bob Johnson made his billions by depicting black women as tools and prostitutes on BET. He should use his billions to personally pay off Hillary's campaign debt and he should apologize to all women for the sexism and misogyny he's promoted and profited from.
Re David:
Haven't you noticed that Obama doesn't pay attention to ANY events from history? If he would do that, he'd realize a lot of the policies he is proposing now have already been tried, and FAILED! I just want to government out of my life - Medicare, Social Security, and other programs like that are disasters, why can't we learn from them? Please no universal health care!!!
Go Hillary, Let BHO lose it on his own. BHO needs us (your votes) to win, screw him and the DNC for what they did to you and us. We'll be here in 2012 and America will know the real BHO. And the DNC will be begging!!!!!
No worries, David. Obama already said 'no thanks' to Ms. Clinton - before she issued this statement.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/179vymwv.asp
I am amazed to hear HRC's supporters say they'd rather vote for John McCain than Barack Obama. Let me get this straight: they'd rather vote for someone who is philosophically, diametrically opposed to the values they supposedly support, only to stick it to Barack Obama and the DNC?!? They'd really rather vote for someone who would likely put justices on the Supreme Court who do not support the views they hold, just to thumb noses at the DNC? That's cutting off your nose to spite your face. I have lots of respect for John McCain and his service to this country, but I don't agree with his political views. Any Democrat is more aligned with my political objectives than any Republican, any day. Why should I vote for McCain just to protest? Talk about tampering. Yikes.
I won't vote for Obama if Hillary is not on the VP ticket... I know a lot of people feel the way I do. Hillary took all the big important states to win in November Obama will need her to beat McCain. Just think about that America!
Angie you're preaching to the choir baby, I'm a republican. Granted GWB will go down in history as the worst US President to ever hold office. He makes Nixon look like Honest Abe, and Jimmy Carter look like Kissinger. I really dont like either of the two candidates running, does anyonee have Ross Perot's number? I think he predicted NAFTA would be a disaster. It's time they let someone run the country that can actually balance a check book.
Hillary Clinton Trojan President like Putin?
I wish all those female supporters of Hillary would stop acting like they got cheated. It would be great to have a woman on the ticket, but I'd like to see an honest one. Not someone who claimed being first lady was the ultimate experience needed for president. Travel agent maybe...Don't forget, she wouldn't know the difference between a greeting and being shot at, oh yes, she MISPOKE, like when hubby said, "I never had a sexual relationship with that woman." I am sick of hearing about the Clintons and their love affair with power. And if you think you should not vote for Barack because you have a point to make, you are only reinforcing the reasons women had so much trouble getting the right to vote. Grow up and get over it. If I were your mother I'd have to spend the rest of your life teaching you to wise up.
Republicans finally succeeded in getting the weaker Democratic opponent against John McCain. It seems that Republican machinery did put more resources in making sure that Obama gets Democratic nomination. This is classic politics (I can relate this to politics in India). Democratic vote will now be divided. Women, Latinos and working class will now mostly vote for John McCain. Republican attack machinery will tear Obama campaign apart easily! Hillary could have proved tooth and nail tough for Republican attacks. Let us recheck in November.
More double-talk, hidden messages, and maneuvering from the Hillary camp!
Can Hillary say what she means and mean what she says?
I bet she is good at the board-game Risk!
Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!
http://klintons.com
I have one word for why Hill won't be VP - Bill. The Vanity Fair article sunk the VP ship before it could set sail. All Hillary supporters, and the rest of us, should thank our lucky stars that we're not going to be subjected to the panty-sniffing press dramas for 4 more years, while Bill careens out of control and the rest of us wonder who the hell is really running the country. As Ruth Marcus stated in the Washington Post, the White House isn't big enough for 3 people who all want to be president. Yuck.
Look, here is why 76% Urban educated poor support Obama. They love, really love to see a young black guy beat up a white guy. And it's really exciting to see
a young black guy beat up a white military man.
Too late what is done is done JMC 08 HRC 012.
Obama needs Hilary if he wants to be the president! no matter if Obama can or cannot stand Hilary. That is a fact. The last few primaries showed Obama weakness which McCain can manipulate in Nov.
The question for Obama and their hardline anti clinton supporters is. Do we want the first african american in the white house or do we just want a first african Presidential nominee from a major party? That is the question.
joe
Hillary's supporters should unite NOW and and PROMISE to vote for McCain.
Remember, if McCain is the President, Hillary will be in a powerful cabinet position. She will implemrent what she stands for. McCain will support her.
We will never miss her leadership then.
PLEASE, Hillary Democrats, VOTE FOR MCCAIN, if you want Hillary in power.
I will not vote for Obama ,no matter what! I would hope and pray that America comes to it's collective senses before the Denver convention! I resigned from the democrat party today so they can do as they like! Let Obama continue to run it into the ground! He is running the whole DNC ,suck it up howie!
McCain 2008! Hillary 2012!
RW--you're being a big baby, or you're not really a democrat.
Finish sulking, grow up, and vote for your party in November. God knows I had no real desire to vote for Kerry, but I did my duty even though he wasn't my candidate.
Well the New Deal was made by Neo Conservatives mostly the Rockfella group who wrote them, so when everyone thinks they are a stamp of democratic ideas it is really not, it is like all the riduclous groups like the oil companies who just to get ahead of anyone trying to do something about there actions, they can say hey we are working on it. like all the code of ethics written by Public Relations people, the sad thing , the one who said he wants the Gov't out of his life, hey you crying about the housing mess the Gov't bailed out or the fact they make gas cheaper of course not or the fact when you need any medical treatment that the Gov't bails your ass out of paying most of the cost, especially when they pay for most doctors schooling, Gov't does have a use but not when for 20 years you spent 69 Billion on defense and this is before 9/11 and that still happens, It is even sadder we have a War on Drugs but yet Ricki Ross was getting crack from General North who is on Fox news, Where is Thomas Jefferson when you need him, a guy with so called democratic views but a republican type of Gov't enforcer, I would even take another Ike, he cut spending after Truman when crazy on defense because of Pearl Harbor. Oh yea tell Karl Rove it isnt that hard to make Oil companies or any others to invest in different energy sources when you put a high tax oil, it creates new ideas...
To Cindy: Think about it. What did the DNC do to HRC or you? Think about it. She lost the election for herself. Nobody did it to her. Why the BHO reference? Your candidate supports Obama and will support him wholeheartedly. Why can't you?
Paul.
Hillary nor I and others do not want to be associated to HATE, (i.e. Trinity Church). Think about that! And do you think, honestly, she will support BHO and his hatered friends. Hillary is better than that. Think about it. Lets just see how much support she gives him in the next 5 months.
I will not vote for Obama if he selects Hillary Clinton for VP. Under any circumstances..
Many of the "I wouldn't vote for him/her and would rather support McCain reveal why RUSH, HANNITY, AND THE OTHER CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOSTS LAUGH AT DEMOCRATS. You're too caught up in PERSONALITIES RATHER THAN POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS. You've made it too much of a first black or first woman issue. Those of you who have talked about "hate" and "vile" from the other candidate forget that this happens in political battles. Grow up! Truly amazing comments from Both Obama and Hillary supporters...preferring that McCain would win rather than the other. Re-read Tracy's comments ..They make perfect sense. Unfortunately, if Hillary was on top now, many Obama supporters would sound the same - preferring to "stick it" to the other for spite. Read Cindy's comments...she'd rather spite and stick. Tkan said it right..."Hillary Democrats" and not "Democrats." He/she simply wants Hillary in power!! That logic speak for itself. June is under the delusion that Obama "runs" the DNC (yes, the American people really didn't vote). Then Aaron Macomber (whom I assume supports Obama) won't even consider Obama if he selects Hillary as a VP. Those of you who want to spite and stick will DESERVE 4 MORE WITH BUSH DISGUISED AS MCCCAIN. GET USED TO 4 MORE IN IRAQ. Again.....REPUBLICANS ARE LAUGHING....IF THE DIVISION WAS IN THEIR PARTY THEY WOULD NEVER CONSIDER VOTING DEMOCRATIC OR NOT VOTING (WHICH IS A WEAK, PASSIVE WAY OF GIVING IT AWAY).
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