Question? Would an Edwards/Obama ticket overcome Hillary for the Dem Nomination?

[Blackhatjack]

First, as a disclosure, I support Edwards.

If it appeared that HRC would defeat both Edwards and Obama in a three-way race for the nomination, would the dynamics change if Edwards and Obama teamed up to run together BEFORE the Democratic Nomination was decided?

Would it provide a clear choice between a corporatist candidate vs. a Populist/Progressive?

Would it be preferable as a "twofer" for Democrats?

Could these two Democratic Candidates(with much lower unfavorability numbers than HRC) reach across the Democratic Party lines and bring in the independent/undecided and unaffiliated voters?


Just wondering.....

[illinoisprogressive]

1. yep.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Hillary needs to win a primary

before anyone needs to worry about "overcoming" her.

[Blackhatjack]

5. I agree -- I am not conceding HRC anything. This is just a big 'what if' question.

I tend to look at the polling numbers and try to interpret them in the light of many different scenarios. This is just one I had not heard discussed anywhere. However, if you look at the polling numbers it becomes immediately obvious to political pollsters that the two(Edwards and Obama) would draw numbers equal to or greater than HRC in most scenarios.

Of course, only one candidate can be elected President, and it is highly unlikely the two would join forces in this manner --since it means one of them will have to give up their dream of being President and exchange it for the role of Vice President.

[gateley]

11. But Edwards was willing to do that last time, right? nt

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. I wish I could vote this post for greatest page.

:patriot:

[Blackhatjack]

3. Looking at their polling numbers added together and their similar positions on issues...

Their combined efforts would present an interesting choice for voters --especially within the Progressive Democratic Community.

[Hawkowl]

4. Easily

Just add their polling numbers together. In fact, I know HRC is counting on Edwards and Obama continuing at least thru NH primary. This will divide the opposition against her. There is no way she can compete one on one with Edwards or Obama. If one were to drop out, say with the understanding that they would be VP, they would smash HRC. In fact from a pure gaming standpoint, this would make the most sense. Because the VP is essentially simply deferring his presidential run till a later time.

[Blackhatjack]

7. I believe their low unfavorability numbers would reach far and wide across party lines...

What would be great about this combination is that they would not be the choice of the MSM because of the changes they would likely implement on the MSM if they were elected.

However, together as a team they would garner a lot of support from the people across the country, and there would be no way for the MSM to cover Hillary without covering them as her announced opponents.

It would give voters a clear choice between the Dems and the Repubs, and would give them a public mandate to change things if elected. No more 'play ball with corporate/special interests - go along to get along' in Washington, D.C. I believe that is what people are looking for in their choice for President and VP.

[Blackhatjack]

8. I could have missed it --has no one else suggested this as a possibility? n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

9. Nobody picks their VP before securing the nomination

[Blackhatjack]

10. That is an unwritten tradition... there is no legal prohibition against it.

[MonkeyFunk]

21. No, there's not

but nobody would do it because it's stupid, and nobody would ACCEPT the vp slot ahead of time, because that would be stupid.

Say Edwards picks Obama or vice versa. Then they still fail to get the nomination. now TWO leaders have badly damaged their political prospects.

[BenDavid]

12. It would serve no purpose, cause the candidate

that a majority of dems and indies believe will beat any republican is not leading the ticket.....

Ben David

[killbotfactory]

13. Yes.

It would be harder for Clinton to win the primary if her main competitors were united. But that won't happen until one of them drops out.

[Hardrada]

14. The people united

will never be defeated!

[Pachamama]

15. I would LOVE and Edwards/Obama ticket!!!!

Personally, I am willing to bet on it....and that it would be a winning ticket!

It's probably Hillary's biggest fear....

[silverojo]

16. Edwards/Obama...I like the sound of that! n/t

[MADem]

19. I'll bet it doesn't thrill OBAMA, though! nt

[WinkyDink]

17. I certainly would hope so! That would be an amazing ticket, reminiscent of RFK's campaign!

[MADem]

18. I can't see Obama accepting that. He'd probably want it the other way around.

I mean, really. What gives Edwards the top spot at this stage, assuming that's the people on the ticket? Obama has more support, more cash....

Would Edwards agree to your proposal, to play second fiddle? I doubt that, either.

[OneGrassRoot]

20. I would support it...

I'm an Edwards supporter, too (though always keeping skeptical eyes and ears open...thus far, I continue to like what I see and hear).

I like Obama, but him not showing up for the "Iran vote" really disappointed me, and his leaning towards conciliation more and more of late disturbs me. Though I understand he is walking a tightrope right now. Edwards does have the luxury of complete freedom from congressional struggles, which is why I tremendously respect his decision to leave office in order to run for president.

Still, things are at the point, IMHO, that brutal honesty and truth must supercede politics as usual. The American people are seeing through the shit more and more; granted, their apathy due to feeling helpless that nothing will change is probably growing along with their awareness of how deep the shit is....that's why I think Edwards' almost in-your-face honesty about lobbyists and such is striking a cord.

I like other candidates, too (DK), but as for these so-called top three, that's my take.

[book_worm]

22. Just becuz the two of them might unite doesn't mean all of their supporters would automatically vote

for such a ticket. For instance right now, according to the polls, Hillary and Obama split the black vote. Now lets say Obama says he will run with Edwards as VP. Does that mean all his black supporters would jump over to Edwards? Not necessarily. I think that some of them may consider it a sell out. They would love to have Obama as President, but now he's agreeing to run with another person--what gives? On the other hand, it has been suggested that Edwards is running well in rural, more conservative areas. Would Obama on a Edward's ticket mean that all of those Edward's people would continue to support him? maybe, maybe not? Obama's strongest core group are young voters-after all the work they have done for him would they be happy if he up and jumped out of the race for president to run for vice president?

Frankly if either Edwards or Obama are nominated each probably needs someone more seasoned to run with them who would add credentials to their aspirations. After all Edwards only had one term in the Senate and Obama is in his first term. The ideal candidate for each, I think, would be Gen. Clark, and he wouldn't agree to run with them at this point in the game. He might if they are nominated. (actually I think Clark would be the ideal VP for any of the candidates).

[Blackhatjack]

23. Political Strategists are icy cold when it comes to reading polling data....

.... they will know very early whether the candidate can win under the present circumstances.

I see the HRC - BO - JRE joint race as having a different dynamic than either a HRC v. BO or a HRC v. JRE matchup.

Campaigning is one of the most calculating and realistic endeavors in which you can be involved. While couched in terms of dreams and aspirations, it really is all about stark reality.

No one runs a campaign to come in second place, or in other words to lose. (There are campaigns run by first timers to gain 'name recognition' to support a later, more serious run for office. But those are rare, and never apply to races for national office).

I think the decision will be made at some point by both Edwards and Obama how Hillary must be beaten. If joining together will do it, they will certainly consider it. IF they KNOW running separate similar campaigns that split the vote in Hillary's favor will be the outcome, I doubt they will allow that to happen --unless their respective egos prevent them from accepting their strategists' recommendations.