Big Think

David Paul Kuhn: I think that the Obama-Clinton ticket has been a fanciful dream of Democrats for months. And I always say I think it’s unlikely. There is no chance we’re gonna see an Obama-Clinton ticket in the sense of Obama wins the nomination, there’s no chance he will pick Hillary Rodham Clinton as his VP.

Reverse that. If Hillary Rodham Clinton wins the nomination, I acknowledge that there’s some chance she picks Barack Obama as VP simply because Obama has evidenced such a clear ability to not only galvanize youth, but also I think transcend classic 1950s, 1960s divides that haunt Clinton and have haunted the Democratic Party for some decades; cultural divides I speak of. He also is a captivating speaker, especially in large crowds. And that’s pretty much what you want in a nominee.

I say that it’s unlikely still, even if Hillary Rodham Clinton is a nominee, because I go back to why I think most Vice Presidents are selected. I simply don’t think Barack compensates enough for her weaknesses, which are experience; which are national security still; and I don’t think that; he certainly doesn’t bring a state to her. Illinois is firmly Democratic, so Illinois won’t shift based on selecting Barack Obama.

So I would say it’s unlikely she picks Barack, but possible because of how successful, and really dramatic, and historic his campaign has proven to be.

February 5, 2008