Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Clinton Suggests Joint Ticket, Obama Calls It Premature

After breaking Barack Obama's 11 state winning streak by winning three of the four primaries last night, Hillary Clinton floats the idea of a joint ticket with her and Obama.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton hinted at the possibility of a Democratic "dream ticket" with Sen. Barack Obama.

Speaking on "The Early Show" on CBS, Clinton said "that may be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who is on the top of the ticket."

Clinton said the race between her and Obama remains "incredibly close," with just "smidgens of difference" between them in both the popular vote and number of delegates.


She further goes on to state, "That may, you know, be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who’s on the top of ticket. I think that the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me."

The problem there for Clinton is that Obama can say that over a dozen states made it "clear" it should be him.

Obama, in the meantime says that the idea of a joint ticket is "premature".

On a joint ticket:
"We are just focused on winning the nomination. That is my focus. I respect Sen. Clinton. She has been a tenacious opponent. It is premature to talk about a joint ticket."


Another serious problem for Hillary Clinton is one that Obama himself makes the point about:

Speaking later on "The Early Show," Obama congratulated Clinton on her victories while maintaining he would be able to wrap up the Democratic nomination.

"We still have close to an insurmountable lead in delegates," Obama said. Obama said his campaign had won nearly twice as many states as Clinton as well as a greater share of the popular vote.


Clinton may want a joint ticket, she may want to be on top of that ticket, but the delegate math is not favoring her, it is favoring Obama, and it is this dilemma that has Democratic party officials "fretting" over the damage that a likely drawn out political battle between Obama and Clinton, will do to the party as a whole, especially if superdelegates end up being the determining factor.

The battle is just beginning in earnest and as Clinton supporters and Obama supporters join Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the fray of battle, the winner, according to the worried party officials, will be John McCain.

Better yet, the harder the punches between Obama and Clinton, the less likely that they will be able to overcome the damage and join on a ticket in the future.

Popcorn is popping, drinks are on the house, so kick back, put your feet up and relax, because every blow landed by Democrat on Democrat, is one less blow that John McCain will have to deliver in the general election in November.

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