Just heard Suzanne Malveaux on CNN as they were talking about Hillary as VP. Despite the fact that Hillary and her supporters are hoping for a VP slot, the Obama folks aren't nearly as keen to the idea.
Suzanne stated a few interesting things. First, Obama is not the type to be pressured into making hasty promises. He is planning to take his time and look at many potential candidates.
Second, she stated that Obama's team would first have to vet the Clinton's finances. This means looking into the Clinton Presidential Library, Bill's financial ties to Ron Burkle and other shady figures, and perhaps even a closer look at Clinton's years in the White House. Even though Obama didn't bring up any of this stuff during the primary, they know these could be MAJOR liabilities against the Republicans in the fall.
Rep. James Clyburn just came on CNN and said the same thing. Even though he is open to the "Nightmare Ticket", he thinks the Clintons would have to be vetted first.
So I would take a step back and calm down on this VP talk. There is no way the Clintons pass the vetting test.
Here is some background from Marc Ambinder:
The vetting process entails a rigorous schedule of interviews focusing on everything from politics to potential embarrassments -- Did they ever employ a nanny on whose behalf they did not pay Social Security taxes, for example; did they experiment with drugs or people in college? -- and potential candidates are required to give the search team access to their tax returns and other financial records.
Will Bill really want to hand over his library donations list? And what about all the Clinton scandals that haven't come up during the primary?
You think Bill Ayers is bad? Bill Clinton PARDONED two of the Weather Underground criminals. Remember Marc Rich? The Republicans do. The Clintons come with a lot of baggage that Obama didn't bring up in the primary, but Republicans will have a field day.
The important thing is for Obama to declare victory tonight and avoid making any VP choice for at least a month. If I was Obama, I wouldn't pick my VP until August, hopefully after McCain makes his pick. The strategy is very different if McCain picks Sarah Palin vs. Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee.
[Update]
Let me state that I have the highest respect and sympathy for Hillary's supporters. My mother is one of them. But over the past four months I've lost all respect for Hillary herself. When she started talking about how McCain was qualified to be commander in chief, but Obama wasn't, she lost me totally. Throwing elbows on Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright, Ayers, Rezko, and all that other nonsense sealed the deal.
Hillary can help heal the wounds by campaigning hard for Obama. But blackmailing Obama into picking her as VP? I don't think so.
And yes, I agree with those who dislike the fact that Hillary is so much in the news today. It is, after all, Obama's day. But don't fret. Hillary is on her way out, and Obama is going to light a fire under the Democratic party when he speaks at the Xcel Center tonight. Short of Hillary trying to trash Obama some more, it's a great night for celebration.
[Update II]
I see that Joe Sudbay at Americablog is thinking the same thing.