Richard Whalen

The classic confrontation between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama could have a classic solution, played and proven at one of most exciting Democratic National Conventions in our time: July 1960 in Los Angeles. There, bitter rivals JFK and LBJ came together to form the winning ticket.

In 1960, Senator John Kennedy, only 42, was challenging the veteran Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon B. Johnson, but came up short in delegate votes. LBJ controlled delegate-rich Texas. Old Joe Kennedy told his son: “Call Lyndon.” Jack Kennedy did. Johnson talked to “Mr. Sam” Rayburn, the venerable House speaker and fellow Texan. To his surprise, Rayburn urged Johnson to take it.

Even if Hillary wins Pennsylvania, and the Florida and Michigan “do over” elections, it is unlikely that either candidate will have enough pledged delegates to win the nomination outright, advisers to both campaigns say. But their relative strength in pledged delegates could affect their ability to attract support from super delegates, the elected officials and party leaders whose choices are likely to determine the outcome.

The closer the battling Democrats come to the Denver convention in late August, they might possibly see the wisdom of making love, not war. The winning compromise ticket now the current media buzz: Clinton-Obama. Once “inevitable” and now embattled, Hillary, at 60, would get her shot as senior figure, more credible on economic issues, the clear focus of this election. Obama, 46, would get much more than he ever dreamed possible: as Veep the necessary high-profile seasoning and the promise of a 2012 succession if Hillary loses.

Ted Sorenson, a figure from JFK’s inner circle who now quietly advises Obama is respected by all party factions and could be a persuasive advocate of an historic “double first” ticket – the first woman and the first black.

But the Clinton “hints” that she might consider running with Obama are not producing anything like enthusiastic responses from the Obama camp. In fact, Obama, not only has replied that it is premature to be having these discussions, but several political analysts believe these Clinton suggestions are more PR ploys.

I don’t see Obama, a tough product of Chicago’s Daley Machine, folding his cards and cashing in his chips. Why should he? After winning Wyoming 3/8/08, Obama now leads Clinton in total delegates 1578 to 1468, according to the Associated Press. Needed to win: 2,025 . Survey USA shows that Clinton would squeak by McCain in electoral votes, 276 to 262. Obama would beat McCain 280 to 258.

Good try Hillary, but from where I sit, it is going to be a long spring and summer.