Good column by Bob Beckel about why Obama should choose Clinton

[Seen the light]

I know there will be comments about both Bob Beckel and RCP in this thread (if enough people respond), but at least read what he has to say and think about it:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/its_not_even_close_obama_shoul.html

It's Not Even Close: Obama Should Pick Clinton for VP
By Bob Beckel

It's not even close. Compare Hillary Clinton to all the names being floated for Barack Obama's running mate and the conclusion is beyond obvious Senator Obama, you are a very smart man which makes me confident you are ignoring the advice of the Washington chattering class who are strongly opposed to you putting Hillary Clinton on the ticket .

The chatterers are nice people but let's face it, most have never been involved in a campaign, know nothing about targeting, or persuadable voters, or analyzing polls beyond the match race and favorability ratings. They are people who harbor negative feelings towards Hillary Clinton formed years ago and who stubbornly ignore the evidence of her political maturation.

On the outside chance Senator you are listening to this uninformed conventional wisdom I offer the following rebuttal of the chatterers arguments and the case for choosing Clinton. For the record I did not support Clinton's campaign for the Democratic nomination.

* The chatterers insist she will be a drag on the ticket and bring the Republican base to the polls in huge numbers. If it is not obvious to the chatterers yet, they should pay closer attention the vicious anti Obama tirades by right wing bloggers and conservative talk radio show hosts. The Right will come to the polls all right...to vote against Barrack Obama in droves with or without Hillary Clinton.

[babylonsister]

1. A r/wer who wants Clinton on the ticket; what a surprise. And if

the right is so against Obama, why is he winning by huge numbers in every poll I've seen lately? Beckel protests too much imo...

[snooper2]

2. Bob Beckel

:rofl:

He became a born-again Christian in late 2000. He received a B.A. from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York, and teaches graduate level courses about campaign management at the George Washington University school of Political Management. He is famous for introducing the term "Where's the beef?" into politics.

His brother is actor Graham Beckel.

In 2001 Bob Beckel was the victim of an extortion scam by a prostitute, Maryam Massihi, whose services he had utilized. See http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/beckel1.html <1> During Beckel's encounters with the prostitute he revealed that he would be on tv at a certain time. The prostitute allegedly saw an opportunity for extortion and left threatening messages that unless $50,000 was placed at a drop point, she would reveal the details of his sexual encounters to his Ex-wife.

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

[peacebird]

3. Bob Beckel managed Mondales 1984 Presidential run and is a Faux news "analyst"...

I don't recall a Mondale Presidency, so perhaps Mr. Beckel isn't quite as clever as he thinks he is?

Enuf said.

[Seen the light]

4. So, like I guessed, nobody has any thoughts on the actual article?

Aw, come on DU!

[zanne]

8. He's assuming he understands political campaigns better than the experts?

Wasn't he once one of those experts? A Hillary VP ticket would bring rightwing voters out of the woodwork. Those who aren't planning to vote now because they consider McCain too "liberal" would change their minds if Hillary is on the ticket.

[Kokonoe]

9. Yes, its not a close call.

Would you rather have her out of the tent on the Hill promoting her own ideas or in your tent promoting yours? Not even a close call.

[Kokonoe]

10. As in HELL NO. nt

[bunnies]

5. I'm sure Karl Rove would agree.

:eyes:

[SteppingRazor]

6. I'm not entirely dismissive of Clinton on the ticket, but the article makes some odd points.

It's as though Beckel's in a time warp and hasn't seen any polls from the last two weeks. Just look at this graph:

"A drag on the ticket. Please. Hillary Clinton immediately expands the electoral map putting states in play that are currently out of Obama's reach; West Virginia, Kentucky, and Arkansas. She helps move toss up states to leaning Democrat; New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada (if Obama breaks north of 60% of the Hispanic vote he wins all three, Clinton helps get him there). Clinton helps solidify weak Democratic states including Pennsylvania and Michigan; she can bolster Obama's lead in Ohio and probably makes Florida competitive which it is not currently. Any other VP candidate that can expand the map like this? Not even close."

Clinton can certain put Arkansas in play, though I'm not convinced about W. Virginia or Kentucky.

New Mexico and Colorado are not toss up states. They currently lean Democratic. Nevada is definitely more of a tossup, granted, but if Obama is that concerned about the Hispanic vote, there's other options that bring both loads of experience and draw that vote. (Richardson, anyone?) Hell, the polls in New Mexico and Colorado are even better than those in Penn. and Mich., which brings me to my next point...

Obama doesn't need help in those allegedly weak Democratic states. McCain hasn't led in Penn. in weeks, and the trend in Michigan has Obama shooting past McCain.

The final point I find most obtuse, that Florida is not currently competitive. On the contrary, Florida is currently a toss-up. Just look at the polling graph, which shows Obama behind by about 3 points, with a trend line pointing toward an ever-increasing Obama total:
http://www.pollster.com/08-FL-Pres-GE-MvO.php


It's almost as if Beckel is looking at every poll and shaving about 3-5 points off Obama's total and adding it to McCain's. It's as though he stopped looking at polls at the end of the primary. Obama has seen gains in every area Beckel addresses, on his own, without Clinton. Also, I think Beckel is somewhat foolish to dismiss the notion that a Clinton on the ticket energizes an apathetic GOP base. Clinton does bring baggage. It's just a question of whether the positives outweigh the negatives. And at this point, I don't think they do.

[kentuck]

7. But, according to the most recent polls.

He doesn't need her. The question might be: Would she be an asset or a liability?

[GarbagemanLB]

11. Beckel tried to spread the 'whitey' rumor. Fuck him.

[1Hippiechick]

12. The last sentence sums it up, IMHO

"The Right will come to the polls all right...to vote against Barrack Obama in droves with or without Hillary Clinton."

[ProSense]

13. Hold up

this guy?

Is this a joke?

[Johonny]

14. an editorial on RealClearPolitics.com

The "editorials" there are so fantastical they are generally seen more as comedy than actual thought on politics. "they should pay closer attention the vicious anti Obama tirades by right wing bloggers and conservative talk radio show hosts.." Like the stuff that normally appears at RealClearPolitics.com.

[muleboy303]

15. with HRC on the ticket, Obama still wins

but the "broken-glass" Republicans inspired to go to the polls
would significantly reduce the chances for another 30/40+ new
DEMs in the HoR, and enough new DEM Senators to make the Senate
if not filibuster-proof, to at least give Lieberman his walking
papers.

and what 'undecided' voter would listen
to Obama's "change/new kind of politics" message
and not be confused, were HRC on the ticket?

winning BIG is better than just winning.

imo, go for the gold, Richardson or Sebelius.