Obama To Clinton: Not Hardly
Barack Obama has no intention of surrendering to Hillary Clinton. In fact, he spurned her offer to give up his frontrunner status and become a fifth wheel on the Clinton ticket rather publicly - and in rather harsh terms.
The Illinois senator used his first public appearance of the week to knock down the notion that he might accept the party's vice presidential nomination. He noted that he has won more states, votes and delegates than Clinton so far.
"I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place," Obama said, drawing cheers and a long standing ovation from about 1,700 people.
Saying he wanted to be "absolutely clear," he added: "I don't want anybody here thinking that somehow, 'Well, you know, maybe I can get both.' Don't think that way. You have to make a choice in this election."
"I am not running for vice president," Obama said. "I am running for president of the United States of America."
Later, The Associated Press asked Obama if he would "absolutely close out any possibility" of taking the ticket's second spot. He replied: "I am not running for vice president, and don't intend to be the vice president."
I'd say the answer is no to the cynical - and utterly false - offer by Clinton. She has no intention of letting the upstart anywhere near her return to the White House. Obama is smart enough to see that - and ambitious enough to reject that particular trap outright. If he even hinted that he might be amenable to that idea, Clinton would use it like a club to point out that even Obama thought he was second rate material.
I suspect this latest ploy by Clinton has, yet again, backfired on her.
A lot of people say that the Clintons are good politicians. I really am beginning to wonder. This latest ploy by the "Say whatever it takes" gang reeks of desperation. Despite her recent wins, Clinton is still losing to a novice.
But at least the media has backed off on their fawning cult worship of Obama since she took a few contests.
By Mockinbird, Tuesday, 11 March , 2008 @ 12:51 pm
YOU KNOW, Hillary could win this nomination contest if she was just a little more ambitious, alittle bit smarter, somewhat more honest, had some more experience, released her tax returns, and campaigned harder.