The Bald Cajun Sings

While Hillary Clinton pretends that the race is not over, and even that West Virginia means something, one top Clintonista realizes it is over:

James Carville has been one of Hillary Clinton’s most energetic defenders, but on Monday he all but declared Barack Obama will become the Democratic nominee for president.

Speaking to students at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, Carville argued Clinton should stay in through the final nominating contest in early June, but said the Democratic tide appears to be moving in Obama’s direction.

“I still hear some dogs barking,” Carville said, according to The State newspaper. “I’m for Senator Clinton, but I think the great likelihood is that Obama will be the nominee.”

“As soon as I determine when that is, I’ll send him a check,” he added.

Clinton has reason to stick it out. She has burned so many bridges she might not have much beyond her Senate seat after this battle, and Bill’s legacy has been tarnished by her campaign even more than by the stain on the blue dress. She might as well hang on and hope for a miracle, or use her withdrawsl from the race as a bargaining chip. Carville, on the other hand, still has his day job. He wants to maintain some credibility as a pundit or Democratic strategist.

Carville also had some ideas as to a possible running mate for the presumptive nominee:

Asked about who might share a ticket with Obama, Carville floated Clinton’s name, as well as that of Clinton ally Gen. Wesley Clark. Carville also mentioned Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg as possible running mates, according the Greenville News.

It certainly makes sense to consider Clinton supporters such as Clark as Hillary might be too radioactive to be anywhere on a national ticket. After all, she’s been rejected by over half of the Democratic Party, and non-Democrats dislike her even more. However many Clinton supporters would remain acceptable. I don’t see Michael Bloomberg as running mate, but I could be wrong. I think its more likely he’d wind up in the cabinet if he’s interested.

5 Comments

  1. 1
    Tina says:

     
    Here’s a summary of some good reasons to consider supporting Obama. Share it widely with friends in Kentucky and Oregon:
    http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html

  2. 2
    MsJoanne says:

    I don’t know about you, but I am getting so tired of hearing people “float” Clinton’s name as possible VP. The only thing I can say about that is JFK and Johnson. ‘Nuff said. Not that I am into conspiracy theories but I fear for Obama’s life enough as it is. I cannot see how Clinton helps him with <b>his</b> base. She is the anti Obama when it comes to people who want to see change in Washington.

    O/T: Did you know that many in the Bush Administration have been charged with war crimes? Visit my blog and read the latest.

  3. 3
    Mark says:

    At this point, it doesn’t really bother me that Clinton won’t drop out. The primaries will be over in a few weeks. So long as she behaves herself and stops her race baiting, let’s all just accept that she’s in it until the end.

  4. 4
    Ron Chusid says:

    MsJoanne,

    I certainly hope that Clinton doesn’t wind up running as VP. From a political point of view, having her on the ticket will make it much harder for the Democrats to compete in former red states where otherwise Obama has a chance. From a policy point of view, I don’t want her on the ticket for the same reasons I don’t want her to be the nominee.

  5. 5
    Ron Chusid says:

    Mark,

    It doesn’t matter if Clinton stays in the race until early June as long as she stays away from the race-baiting, and other dirty tactics. For now Obama can begin to campaign against McCain.

    It would be more of a problem if Clinton resumed her Rove-style attacks, or if she remained in the race until the convention, preventing Obama from using the summer as the clear nominee.

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