Let's talk about the Dream Ticket.
Democrats, all agree, have a luxury problem. Two strong and competitive candidates, both likely to win the General Election.
Why not join forces against John McCain asap? Why not Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton? Why not a Dream Ticket? Wouldn't it deliver the Best of Both Worlds? Bull$%&!
- Obama could be the Democratic nominee, and he's got a good chance to win - by getting the votes of Independents and former Republican leaners, by changing the colors on the political map. His best choice for a VP would be someone who covers his weaknesses (like a perceived lack of experience - thank you very much, Hillary!) without destroying his ability to turn over nonvoters and disappointed Republicans. In order to win, however, he'll need those who never would have dreamed of ever voting for a Democrat. But they would run away as soon as the name "Clinton" appears on the ticket.
- Clinton could be a competitive nominee. She'd win by taking the blue states and possibly some traditionally swinging states. She'd need a VP that expands her lead, and Barack clearly couldn't deliver this: Roughly one half of Obama's followers would vote for Hillary no matter who her VP is - because she is the Democratic nominee. The other half would never vote for her, not even if Barack appeared on the ticket. They'd split between staying at home, voting for Nader, even for McCain.
- A joint ticket could win the White House, no doubt about this. But it would certainly perform worse than either candidate would with, say John Edwards, say Joe Biden, say XXX. None of the candidates would ultimately benefit from asking the other to join her/his ticket for the General Election.
- So this can't happen? Hell, it can. The longer the race drags on, the more negative campaigning takes place it might even be the only option to reunite the Party and to rally the activists behind the nominee, whoever it will be. (Superdelegates will try to heal the wounds of the Primary battle by insisting on a joint forces option.)
For now it's just one of the tricks of the Clinton camp to pull undecided voters to her side by saying 'You like Barack? You like me? Well, by voting for me you can get us both.' But everyone who believes in this Dream Ticket should be aware that Hillary is much too clever to make it real. She'd maximize her chances to win in November instead.
If you want a Clinton presidency, vote for Hillary. If you want an Obama presidency, then vote for Barack. By voting for a Dream Ticket you might end waking up in November terribly hungover, and listen to John McCain thanking 'my friends in all humility' for the White House. The Best of Both Worlds has turned out to be the Worst. A Bad Dream will have come true.