"In a move bound to reignite speculation that Hillary might be offered the vice presidential slot, the Obama campaign announced that none other than Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton’s former campaign manager, would be 'chief of staff to the vice presidential nominee.'"
Patti Solis Doyle had stepped down from Hillary's campaign in February in the middle of a series of losses which gave Obama a strong pledged delegate lead. Reaction seems mixed whether Doyle joining the Obama campaign indicates that Hillary is more or less likely to be asked to be the ticket. If you support a joint ticket, why not post a comment on the Time blog to make your voice heard.
]]>"I remember very well what it felt like when my brother Howard didn't win the Democratic nomination in 2004. It hurt. I was angry. I found myself wondering how I could turn around and support a candidate who I had just spent over a year trying to defeat."
But we all came together behind Kerry and we'll do it again now, no matter how close this primary season was. Sign the pledge now.
]]>Enough super delegates endorsed Obama today to effectively give him the nomination. In her speech tonight, Hillary congratulated Obama but said a final decision on her campaign will come later.
Dianne Feinstein and many others continued to talk about Hillary accepting the Vice President spot on a unified Democratic ticket.
"I think a decision has to be made about whether keeping this nomination wide open is in the best interest of winning in November. I do not believe that it is, and I’m a very strong supporter of Hillary being placed on ticket as a vice presidential candidate. [...] The reason I say this is because each one of them represents a different constituency. The constituencies are knocking heads at the present time."
Now that the primaries are over, I hope this web site will become even more relevant as we decide the future of the party and the party platform leading up to the convention. Let's not take our eye off the ball. We will win in November.
]]>During his endorsement speech, Edwards had strong praise for Hillary:
"She is a woman who, in my judgment, is made of steel, and she's a leader in this country not because of her husband but because of what she has done."
An interview with both John and Elizabeth Edwards in last month's People Magazine pointed to a divided household, with Elizabeth especially admiring Hillary's healthcare plan. John Edwards is not a super delegate, but he is well respected in the Democratic Party and helps make the case that the nomination is all but wrapped-up. The last primary is in less than 2 weeks.
]]>"Meanwhile, some of the Clintons' longtime friends and political counselors are intent on trying to talk her down calmly — something almost like a family intervention — to get her concede the Democratic presidential race when the appropriate time comes, in such a way as to heal some of the wounds to the party and to both candidates but allow her to make her best case for the vice presidency."
The race is starting to wind down as West Virginia votes on Tuesday. Bill Schneider covers the West Virginia dynamics and the challenge Obama faces there, wrapping up with another nod to Hillary as Vice President:
"If Obama gets the nomination and it looks like the only way he can win is to get those West Virginia Democrats back, you can be sure he will think seriously about asking Clinton to go on the ticket."
Expect the joint ticket narrative to continue to gain strength over the next week.
]]>"There have been signals from the Clinton camp that Hillary would be amenable to a VP nod, and it is my observation that, despite hard feelings, Senator Obama is far too smart a politician not to make such an obviously smart move. This is truly a test for Obama, can he win gracefully and shrug off the rancor of this campaign?"
The comments on that page are equally interesting, if you skip the hateful ones. John in Philadelphia, an Obama supporter, writes:
"Let's let the dust settle. Hillary is still running those 'Send me $5' ads here on AOL. Let her win West Virginia and Kentucky and go out a winner. Let Obama pay off her debts (she's at least doing her part and trying to raise some money) and then let Hillary, the VP nominee, and Bill chew up the Republicans. John McCain won't know what hit him."
I think John nails it. Obama can win alone, but in some states it will be a hard fight, despite the rifts in the Republican Party. Now it is the Democrats who are divided. We must bring all of the Democrats together — the core base, women, African-Americans, young voters, working class, new members, independents, and even people who voted for Bush but who are sick of what his legacy has become. Combined, the full weight and passion of what this party stands for will be strong, but alienate either candidate's supporters and there will be holes in that strength.
]]>"A win is a win. Let's just call it what it is. [...] The people should all have the opportunity to speak as long as two candidates wish to compete in those primaries and caucuses. In a few weeks, we will be on our way to nominating the next president of the United States."
Despite calls for her to withdraw, Hillary sent a message to supporters today that she will see the rest of the primaries out: "Today, in every way that I know how, I am expressing my personal determination to keep forging forward in this campaign."
In their respective victory speeches, both candidates stressed that we will have a united party once a nominee is officially chosen. Hillary also fielded several questions from the press yesterday, saying "I don't buy that" when asked if her supporters or Obama's supporters would shift to McCain. Here's the video on YouTube.
]]>Here are two video clips:
Consider giving a donation to the Democratic Party if you want to see these ads funded and on the air.
]]>"At the same time, however, there seems little value in debating whether Clinton should or should not leave the race. That is entirely up to Clinton, and any candidate with a mathematical chance -- even if slim -- of pulling out a win has every right to see the race through until that last fateful day. I don't buy the notion that the campaign is hurting the Democratic party: any election that generates this level of excitement among Democratic voters is hardly a bad thing."
The world is watching what the Democrats too. When the nomination process is over, we will show them how it is done. There will be a great rally around the winner and a brand new race will emerge.
]]>"With all 21 precincts reporting, Obama finished with 2,264 votes, or 50.1 percent. Sen. Hillary Clinton got 2,257 votes, or 49.9 percent."
Indiana and North Carolina are up on Tuesday.
]]>Exit polling from Pennsylvania does nothing to change concern for how many Hillary or Obama supporters will back McCain in November. From the CNN Political Ticker blog:
"Only 50 percent of Clinton voters in Pennsylvania said they would support Obama if he is the nominee. Twenty-six percent said they would back McCain over Obama, and 19 percent said they would not vote at all. Among Obama's Pennsylvania voters, 67 percent said they would support Clinton if she is the party's nomine. Seventeen percent said they would back McCain instead, and 12 percent said they would stay home."
And at Politico:
"Exit polls revealed another reason for Democrats to worry: They suggested that Obama would only hold the support of 72 percent of the core Democratic voters who participated in the Pennsylvania primary. Clinton, the poll suggested, would hold just 80 percent."
I first touched on this issue back in early March. There is a very real risk of not just discouraging Democratic turnout in November, but of alienating the most passionate voters we have this year. By stressing a combined Democratic ticket, we can focus on our shared values and keep as many Democrats as possible involved in the general election.
]]>This does two positive things for our democratic process. It continues to put the voter in control of campaigns and where money is spent, while at the same time educating us on how expensive markets like television are. For the 5 segments that the Hillary Clinton campaign breaks donations into, over 50% is for television alone.
]]>The good news is that most of the differences between the candidates were pointed out respectfully, with an overall positive tone that was missing from the last debate in Texas over a month ago.
When asked about a joint ticket, the candidates were momentarily speechless. Afterwards Obama reiterated that it was "premature", and both candidates pledged to unite behind the nominee. Hillary continued:
"I think it's absolutely imperative that our entire party close ranks, that we become unified. I will do everything I can do make sure the people who supported me, support our nominee. I will go anywhere in the country to make the case. And I know that Barack feels the same way."
You can watch video for most of the debate online at ABCNews.com.
]]>If this is the first time you are visiting the site, here are a few posts you may find interesting:
Comments are not enabled yet, but I welcome your questions or suggestions at feedback@unitetheparty.com. I'm also interested in hearing from people who support both candidates and who would like to cover the campaign or write essays about the candidates on this site.
]]>