Yesterday on Meet the Press Barack Obama, Mr. Smoothie, was out there once again, dangling his carrot to the thousands of Hillary Clinton supporters still enraged over the outcome of the Democratic Party’s primary.
In talking about his possible running-mate with temporary host of Meet the Press, venerable newsman Tom Brokaw, there was this now typical exchange between Barck Obama and a member of the press on the subject of Obama’s vice-presidential choice.
MR. BROKAW: Well, let me--you, you had a conversation with a prominent Hillary fundraiser that got reported in the Los Angeles Times, in which she asked you--she's still a fan of, of Hillary, and she said...
SEN. OBAMA: So am I.
MR. BROKAW: And is she on your list?
SEN. OBAMA: I think Hillary Clinton--I've said--this one I can actually answer, because I've said consistently that I think Hillary Clinton would be on anybody's short list. She, she is one of the most effective, intelligent, courageous leaders that we have in the Democratic Party.
MR. BROKAW: And according to the woman that you were talking to, you said that "we just don't know what to do about Bill," or something to that effect.
SEN. OBAMA: Oh, you know, I maybe--I think that a lot of conversations get characterized. I think that not only do I want Hillary Clinton campaigning with me, I want Bill Clinton, one of the smartest men in the history of politics, involved in our campaign. But I'm not going to, I'm not going to spill the beans here....
When it comes to the political arena, picking the Veep is the sport of summer. It's the Olympics of the political world. Over hotdogs and hamburgers political junkies salivate over who will get the nod. Who will Obama chose? Will McCain pick Romney or maybe Lieberman?
Hungry for a story in the hot-dog days of summer when real people are thinking about barbecue beans and salsa, and except for one politician’s world political tour, political commentators are chewing their cuds in search of an interesting story, the Veep stakes…or is it steaks…jumps into high gear in the first week of August.
This year as August approaches the big question is will MAC make his choice before the Olympic Games or after? Will he pick someone safe? Someone YOUNGER? Someone from the other side to form a unity ticket?
Does anyone really care?
For like everything else this political season, the focus is on THE ONE! Who will The Great and Mighty BO Young chose as his second in command?
Many names have been tossed into the arena. One week Kansas Governor Katherine Sebelius will be the choice, the next Republican Chuck Hagel will be the one to get the nod. Governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine was in the lead for the job last week. Chris Dodd and Joe Biden have also had their names tossed in the Veep pot.
Last week, Obama's vice presidential search team floated the name of a former member of President Bush's first-term cabinet, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, as Obama's running mate – fresh raw meat.
No one likes the Veep-stakes better than presidential contenders not the lead PICK-nic for the job. It’s free press when there’s no press. Just ask John McCain whose camp had Bob Novak all a twitter with the leak last week that MAC would announce his vice presidential tooth-PICK as Barack Obama grabbed the headlines on his world tour.
Novak was so upset that he had been used by the McCain team – MAC had no intention of making an announcement but knew he could grab the headlines by HINTING he would make the announcement - that Novak actually ran someone over on the streets of Washington, D.C. Honest, talk about raw meat.
But back to the Obama pick and his consistent answer when asked about the possibility of Hillary Clinton as his ticket-mate…personally I find Mr. Obama’s answer downright rude.
There are many out there still pot-LICKING their wounded hides over Barack Obama’s status as presumptive Democratic Party nominee. Much to the chagrin of the Democratic Party no-it-alls, ALL are not getting behind the candidacy of Barack Obama as hoped.
Disgruntled women and men, not to mention many of Hillary Clinton’s financial backers would rather back Big MAC than go with the Obama brand. But before they buy the BIG MAC they’re hanging in there with the Obama brand of hope that he’ll select Hillary Clinton as his running-mate.
Some games we used to play are no longer in fashion. Dodge ball was once a favorite on America’s playgrounds, but now it’s banned, considered abusive.
The Hillary will she or won’t she be Barack Obama’s running-mate game as played by Barack Obama ought to be banned from the Veep stakes.
This is a warning to Mighty BO Young. You’re playing with fire. The longer Hillary Clinton remains on the Veep plate, when she isn’t picked, it will be you, Senator Obama who is charred and burned, not the steak, on the vice presidential summer grill.
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