I've seen diary after diary on DKos, MyDD and TalkLeft espousing a "Unity Ticket" with Hillary Clinton as vice-president as a way to solve our problem regarding reuniting the Democratic Party.
While its tempting to give in to this notion, tempting to think "That's the Ticket!" my personal opinion is that it would only guarantee defeat in November.
Hillary Clinton herself has made it impossible.
I have seen no diarist who pitches the "Unity" ticket deal with reality of what that would bring to the Obama campaign.
Declare Hillary Clinton as your running mate and see this quote in ad after ad after ad after ad:
"I think you'll be able to imagine many things Senator McCain will be able to say," she said. "He’s never been the president, but he will put forth his lifetime of experience. I will put forth my lifetime of experience. Senator Obama will put forth a speech he made in 2002."
Remember Hillary's over the top, sarcastic delivery of these lines?:
"Now I could stand here and say, let's just get everybody together, let's get unified -- the sky will open, the light will come down, celestial choirs will be singing, and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect! Maybe I've just lived a little long, but I have no illusions about how hard this is going to be. You are not going to wave a magic wand . . . "
Count on seeing that one everytime Obama offers a solution that the GOP disagrees with.
And to each comment that the Republicans see an opening with this response:
"Shame on you, Barack Obama,"
Is Obama tough enough?:
"...maybe we should ask Barack if he's comfortable and needs another pillow.’’
and does he have a solution for ALL Americans?
"...She cited an Associated Press article "that found how Senator Obama's support among working, hardworking Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."
"There's a pattern emerging here," she said"
Hillary was right on one point..."There's a pattern emerging here" alright. Its the pattern of an opponent who decided to step outside of the "fellow Democratic candidate" box and got too cute by half.
Unfortunately, while it didn't win Clinton the nomination, for all reasonable Democrats who wish to win in November, it makes a vice-presidential candidacy almost impossible.
Its not the baggage she carried into the campaign, its the baggage she created during the campaign that creates the problem.
There are many incredible public servants that support Hillary Clinton who would be intruiging choices for Vice President. Thank goodness.