Dream ticket - President / Majority leader (poll)

We've all seen the analysis that they can't win on pledged delagates alone. We can all imagine the rancor if it gets ugly. Not now - but mid-March, when things are clearer - we all want them to work it out, one way or the other.

If things aren't crystal clear by then - for instance, if the margin is still tight enough that FL and MI swing things - I doubt either of them will want to just back down without a consolation prize.

But the VP slot is a horrible consolation prize. It doesn't help them in the general, and there are reasons for both of them not to really want it. Besides, either way, we would lose a real democrat in the senate (I know the VP sometimes gets a senate vote, but not the same).

I think that either one of them would make a great senate majority leader. And so I'm making this poll to see if you agree.

Note: when answering the poll, please think about both candidates. If one thing has been proven is that we have TWO strong contenders able to stay standing when anybody else would be out, so don't assume anything.

•  hillary for majority leader

  by SensibleDemocrat on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:39:47 PM PDT

  •  Sorry Dodd for Majority leader

    HRC for Supreme Court

    by Redstateresident on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:40:56 PM PDT

    •  Howabout

      Edwards for SC, Dodd for majority leader and HRC or Obama for Sec of State?  Or AG for Edwards.

      by remingtonsteele on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:51:39 PM PDT

      •  I like AG edwards,

        and hrc for supreme
        Reid for Secy of ag, and Palosi for secy of health, and Dodd for Majority, Obey for Speaker.

        by jimraff on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:05:21 PM PDT

        •  thats a line up I can live with

          by Redstateresident on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:18:43 PM PDT

        •  yup

          sounds very fine.

          I love Obey - not as much as Waxman, but hell, I think he does too good of a job where he's at to move him.

          by remingtonsteele on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 03:02:25 PM PDT

    •  If Obama were to lose the nomination

      I thin he'd make a great Supreme Court Justice.  

      by IhateBush on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:54:22 PM PDT

      •  Wow!

        I never thought of Obama for the court because his talents are better suited for activism.  But considering his youth, I can see it.  Still, Obama is so great at communicating, I think that his best role (outside of Pres) is Sec. of State -- he could repair our reputation in the eyes of the world.  

        by Valhalla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:40:15 PM PDT

    •  & RFK Jr for US Senator in NY

      by Roger Fox on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:31:59 PM PDT

•  In the case of Obama getting the nomination

  the scenario you suggest is certainly a better choice for Hillary than the VP position. I don't think it works the other way around. I think It would be better for Obama to be VP if Hillary takes it. It would put Barack in a great position to take over 8 years from now.

  by John Campanelli on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:40:31 PM PDT

  •  Besides, think of who Hillary likes to compare

    herself: LBJ

    While LBJ certainly had an impressive record as President (tainted by Vietnam), he certainly goes down in Congressional history as one pf the most impressive Senate Majority Leaders. Hillary could probably create an impressive legacy for herself as Senate Majority Leader, esp. by ushering through stuff like health care, Iraq withdrawal, and energy/global warming policy. Plus she can distinguish herself from Bill by creating a record outside the realm of the Presidency.

    I hope she makes clear to female voters that she wants the Senate Majority Leader position so that Obama can pick someone like Webb. Only then can we go into November united.

    by John Campanelli on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:49:58 PM PDT

  •  Obama will never agree to VP

    It would mean losing all the distinction he's been able to make between himself and the "old" Washington.  I doubt HRC would consider riding shotgun, either.

    by superba on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:38:40 PM PDT

•  Obama would actually be

  a good Senate majority leader, probably better than Clinton, imo.  But it hadn't occured to me until now so I chose "Other Senate".  Obama's a fine Senator.  We'd be lucky if more of the Democrats were like him, Whitehouse, Sanders, Feingold and Webb.

  by Nulwee on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:41:20 PM PDT

  •  ooooooooooooooooooooooo

    Feingold for Majority.

    by jimraff on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:07:06 PM PDT

•  VP is only horrible if you can't let go of Prez

  Seriously, if it came down to it and it was a dead tie, I'd go for a coin flip and the loser gets the VP.  

  I'm an idiot, but I think either of them would be a fool to turn it down.  Obama could get even more gravitas; Clinton could work on her image and disprove the threat of Bill running the country again.

  I'd be happy for both or either of them.  I think we'd win with an Obama nomination; maybe with a Clinton one.  But with both of them on the ticket, McCain will be a stain on the front seat of an old Ford after November.

  by ksh01 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:41:47 PM PDT

  •  Bill is the problem

    VP can be a great position if the Pres. turns to you for advice. But if a certain spouse gets in the way, it's not so great.  If things had turned out differently and Edwards or Biden had won the nomination, I think Obama would have gladly signed on as their VP.  But it will be hard for Obama to accept a VP slot from Clinton, especially if Al Gore advises against it (and I think he might.)

    by Valhalla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:37:35 PM PDT

    •  I know they can act like grownups

      and I would be pretty surprised if Gore told Obama (who I hope gets the nomination) not to accept the offer of being the first African American vice president.  I would be so disappointed in him.

      There's a story I heard on the tube the other day, I'm short on details, but I think it's true, since it wasn't the first time I've heard it.  JFK had some sort of disease that required he take medication daily.  A serious disease and serious side effects from the medication.  Lyndon Johnson spread that information around before Kennedy got the nomination in order to prevent Kennedy's progress.

      Kennedy still picked him as VP.

      I'm sure someone here can fill out the details.

      by ksh01 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:10:24 PM PDT

      •  Good point

        Reagan and Bush hated each other also and they were willing to team up.

        It is looking more and more like Obama will win.  Do you think HRC is willing to be his veep?

        by Valhalla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 10:58:12 PM PDT

        •  It would be tricky, and a deal would

          have to be made for either of them to take that slot, but I think she should be.

          One of her biggest problems with the electorate may be humility (and Bill's humility), what a great platform in which to hone her image.

          I also think it would be a boon to Obama to have someone the electorate thinks is more experienced in foreign policy.

          While I think that all things being equal Obama can beat McCain, I worry about the "national emergency" scenario.  If Clinton is on on the ticket, she covers the foreign policy experience aspect to the fore.

          I'm not saying she actually is more experienced on foreign policy, but people accept that.  She does have an extra senate term under her belt and McCain can't say that senatorial experience doesn't translate to foreign policy experience.

          I think the trickiest thing to deal with would be Bill Clinton.  Or the public's perception of Bill Clinton.  On the one hand, he's still well-liked and  obviously experienced.  On the other, she must look like she would be there on her own.

          Sorry, I'm long winded.  But yes, I think she could accept VP and I think she'd be silly not to.

          by ksh01 on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:44:50 AM PDT

          •  Foreign Policy

            This is not directed at you but it really bothers me when people continue the meme that Obama needs "back-up" on Foreign Policy when that's the one area he outstrips EVERYONE on the Democrat and Republican side.  Obama must claim the mantle of being the one guy who is always right on Foreign Policy.  If he's the nominee, he cannot let McCain (who is horribly wrong on all foreign policy issues) take that issue away from him.

            by Valhalla on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:18:33 AM PDT

            •  yeah, I like the "right kind of experience" meme

              and agree that it's a strong counter argument, but the facts on paper are that he's a less than one term senator with considerable state level experience. Whether a theory or belief is right or wrong, it will come up.

              While there's a strong argument to the contrary, I think the Obama campaign ignores the meme at its peril.  Seriously.  Whether it's right or wrong.

              As much I liked Edwards, it's the reason I wouldn't have supported an Edwards as VP scenario.  I think Obama needs someone on the ticket who counters the meme that he lacks experience.  I objectively think the media and the GOP will make that an issue.

              by ksh01 on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:26:15 AM PDT

•  Hillary Clinton.

  I don't believe we've had a female Senate Majority Leader, have we?  A historic team:  President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Clinton.

  But if Obama doesn't win the nomination, I think he'll be VP.

  by Namtrix on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:42:26 PM PDT

  •  Pelosi?

    surely you jest? She has been a total failure.

    http://www.rollingstone.com/...

    If I could I'd move CA to vote for Cindy Sheehan.

    by lisastar on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:48:27 PM PDT

    •  Ugh

      Isn't there something about supporting democratic candidates in the site rules? Maybe if she primaries Pelosi, but not if she runs as a third party.

      And doesn't she have crazy ideas on income tax and some other issues?

      Deal with the majority you have and work for the majority you want - don't just compalin because 202 crazies and 30 or so bush dogs keep gumming up the works in house.

      Doesn't do much good, either, when you have a lame duck president willing to play suicidal chicken with whatever the issue de jure is.

      by remingtonsteele on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:55:09 PM PDT

      •  Democratic party may be the best we have

        but I will never forgive the current crop in DC for what they have done this past year. 95% are worthless cowards.  It wouldn't hurt to have a few more independents with a conscience.

        by lisastar on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:00:18 PM PDT

  •  any way Feingold could get the job?

    It would be kind of awesome if RF were the majority leader.  Just saying.

    by Valhalla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:34:43 PM PDT

•  I often use Park Place and Boardwalk

  as bargaining chips in Monopoly because I usually would prefer another monopoly, but other players lap it up.

  by Bundy on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:52:44 PM PDT

•  I have a great deal of difficulty

  seeing Obama take the VP slot.  He is his party's future even without being veep.  He can finish out his term in the Senate, then come back to Illinois and replace the detested Blago as governor.  Then he's back in the Presidential race while still a young man, having picked up that supposedly all-important "executive experience."

  by jazzmaniac on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:57:17 PM PDT

  •  good point

    I hadn't thought about BO gaining experience as gov. That could be a great thing for him.  Still, I think he's the better choice for president than HRC.  If BO can win now, it would be best.

    by Valhalla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:33:34 PM PDT

    •  With a taste of the presidential

      race, Gov of Illinois may be to little.

      Mayor of Chicago, maybe, gov of Illinois, no.

      by jimraff on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:09:29 PM PDT

•  Obama would be a great choice for VP

  but I'm not sure it works so well with Hillary as VP.  I think Senate Majority Leader is a stronger position for her.  We shall see.  If he were to be VP, Obama could use his charm, gain some experience and not be subjected to the crushing responsibility of the presidency before he is prepared.  

  by thevineyard on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:05:59 PM PDT

•  It depends

  If HRC wins, Obama should be the VP (or Sec of State if he prefers).  If BO wins, HRC should be either the Senate Majority Leader or Sec. of State. (I'm assuming HRC isn't interested in VP).

  by Valhalla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:31:23 PM PDT

•  We don't know enough to say because

  there are inner workings, personal preferences among Senators.....

  Plus, 'deals' ...rewards ....slightly uncomfortable.

  Perhaps there have been deals from the outset.

  VP slot, by the way, needs to be strategic for geographic balance....

  All this is moot if the RNC and GOP can pull off their next stunt ....another Bush v. Gore, another 'mess up the election systems so badly we never can find out the real tally'.......Read Greg Palast and Mark Crispin Miller.

  by LNK on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:41:27 PM PDT