Quo Vadis?

04 June 2008 |permalink | email article

Hillary Clinton, not conceding defeat to Barack Obama last night but pretending to win, obliquely raised the central question for her fans: “Where do we go from here?”

Answering the question herself, Clinton said she would figure that out “in the coming days.”

There is little doubt that she wants to be considered as Obama’s vice presidential running mate, should he make the offer even though she might decline.

That became obvious Tuesday morning when Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-N.Y.) told the Washington Post that she implored Clinton to thin about the passionate support has received from Latino voters, crucial to Democratic chances in November.

“She said if she was asked, she would consider it, Velazquez said. “She said, ‘Look, I will do whatever it takes to defeat John McCain in November.’”

Deciding the second spot on the ticket will turn on which potential appointee most helps the Democrats win red states, especially in the West, and swing states which the party has lost in recent elections.

Hillary believes she’s crucial. But both Clintons have enormous past political baggage that may dictate the need for a fresh face and more experienced candidate than Obama who can bat cleanup in November.

Obama, a long shot at best a year ago, made history around the world in becoming the first African American to be nominated for president and defeating the most powerful family in Democratic politics.

But he limped to finish line with the help of superdelegates, winning only six of the last 14 contests.

His immediate task is to meet with Clinton privately after she concedes, reach out to her core constituency of women, lessen the racial schism within the party and restore unity.

There was more than a touch of gallows humor in the Clintonian end game. Just before Obama reached the magic number to win the nomination, Clinton’s campaign put out an e-mail as if the campaign was still alive: “Wyoming Automatic Delegate Backs Hillary.” The name of the superdelegate was not disclosed.

Before Clinton spoke, Terry McAuliffe, her ebullient campaign chairman, took the stage to rattle off the list of her victories. Introducing her, he asked: “Are you ready for the next president of the United States?

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