The answer to the Clinton and Obama nomination issue

[x-posted on The 2 Dollar Bill]

The round table discussion threw out the obvious solution on Meet the Press this morning when they suggested the following:

1. this is the history-shattering ticket, either singularly or combined.
   


2. both candidates have now received more primary votes than any other democratic candidate ever.
   


3. however, the votes are so close that it means only half the party (despite record numbers) has chosen either candidate. (Why does it seem like we've been through this before?). That is a lot of votes to lose if half of the democratic-leaning electorate isn't happy.
   


4. Glen Ifill mentioned that the Clinton campaign thinks that Clinton supporters are more likely to support Obama... than Obama supporters backing Clinton... pointing toward a stronger reason for Hillary to get the nod of last minute deciding super delegates.
   


5. if you drop Hillary from the ticket, what happens to the older generation female voters that are backing Clinton in large numbers? Do they go to McCain rather than Obama?
   


6. if you drop Obama from the ticket, what happens to the younger generation or independent voters who were exciting about a fresh start in government (the change voters)? Do they even vote at all?
   


7. Sam Brownstein said during an interview on the National Review Radio Show, Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) suggested that the race
   
   

"is so close that whoever wins should have to offer the Vice-Presidency to the loser and the Party should pressure the loser to take it."

Here's my $2 worth:

this is the obvious answer. To maintain stability and progressive solutions in the Democratic party, the Party MUST combine the ticket.

The Party MUST pressure the runner-up to take the Vice Presidential nomination.

And the runner-up MUST play ball and take the consolation prize.

Besides, doesn't that set the stage... not just for 4 or 8 years of Democratic leadership... but perhaps 8, 12 or 16? Seems like a smart move either way.

There can be no mistakes with this ticket. Or else it will be back to square one if McCain takes the Oval Office.

You can watch the very interesting and thoughful conversation between Governor Rendell and Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) below:

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Are The Democrats Going To Cave To The Commander Guy Or Not?

On my way to the office this morning, I heard a story on NPR that Democrats were about to give the President a no strings Iraq war funding bill. TPM and The New York Times are strongly denying the story. Apparently the Democratic leadership was ready to throw in the towel, but decided to pull back.

OK, Nancy, and all the rest of you fair weather Democrats in the Democratic leadership, here is the deal. We, the people, elected you guys in November, 2006, to stand up to the commander guy and get our asses out of Iraq. If you surrender to Bush on the war you can probably kiss the 60% to 70% of your support goodbye. Triangulate that.

John Edwards is right, send the President the same bill over and over again until he signs it. Right now he is making you look like fools. You hear us Nancy Pelosi?

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