Here's one way not to become Barack Obama's running mate. From Hillary Rodham Clinton's remarks to the editorial board of the Argus Leader newspaper in South Dakota this afternoon, on calls for her to drop out of the race:
HRC: "I find it curious because it is unprecedented in history. I don't understand it and between my opponent and his camp and some in the media, there has been this urgency to end this and you know historically that makes no sense, so I find it a bit of a mystery."
Q: "You don't buy the party unity argument?"
HRC: "I don't, because again, I've been around long enough. You know, my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere around the middle of June. We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. Um, you know, I just I don't understand it. There's lots of speculation about why it is."
The reaction from the Obama campaign was swift. "Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," campaign spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement. And a few minutes ago, Clinton apologized, saying she was just trying to point out that other Democratic nomination contests have gone on as long as this one:
"I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That's a historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever."
If nothing else, one thing that presidential candidates look for in a running mate is the ability to remain gaffe-free. Between this episode and the "hard-working Americans, white Americans" remark, Obama may have reason to wonder how much Clinton would really help him.
![[RSS]](http://67.192.49.194/templates/images/rss_icon.gif){kind=icon}
Comments
Or how much he'd have to watch his back with her as VP ...
Air Force 2 is coming in! Hit the floor, Mr. President!!
Posted by: Aponoia
| May 24, 2008 8:43 AM
With Hillary AND Bill back in the white house, Obama would be spending a lot of time reminding them that he is the President!
Posted by: Kepps
| May 24, 2008 2:23 PM
Hillary: Why I Continue To Run
This past Friday, during a meeting with a newspaper editorial board, I was asked about whether I was going to continue in the presidential race.
I made clear that I was - and that I thought the urgency to end the 2008 primary process was unprecedented. I pointed out, as I have before, that both my husband’s primary campaign, and Sen. Robert Kennedy’s, had continued into June.
Almost immediately, some took my comments entirely out of context and interpreted them to mean something completely different - and completely unthinkable.
I want to set the record straight: I was making the simple point that given our history, the length of this year’s primary contest is nothing unusual. Both the executive editor of the newspaper where I made the remarks, and Sen. Kennedy’s son, Bobby Kennedy Jr., put out statements confirming that this was the clear meaning of my remarks. Bobby stated, “I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense.”
I realize that any reference to that traumatic moment for our nation can be deeply painful - particularly for members of the Kennedy family, who have been in my heart and prayers over this past week. And I expressed regret right away for any pain I caused.
But I was deeply dismayed and disturbed that my comment would be construed in a way that flies in the face of everything I stand for - and everything I am fighting for in this election.
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/05/25/why-we-continue-hillary-and-me/#more-2698
Posted by: Katherine
| May 25, 2008 12:16 PM
Nancy Pelosi herself, the highest ranking Dem. in the land right now, said the following on PBS' NewsHour last week:
"They haven't asked me who I think should be their running mate. You have. And I don't think that would be the ticket that will win for us.
Let me say it another way: I don't think that's the ticket that is going to happen. If it is the ticket that happens, it will be the winning ticket, but I don't see it happening."
I have to agree, for a handful of reasons i wrote about here: http://election2008options.blogspot.com/2008/05/die-dream-team-die.html
Posted by: Hardison
| May 27, 2008 10:21 AM
Post A Comment