Why Bill Won't Want Hillary For VP

There's been more than enough speculation about Hillary Clinton joining Barack Obama on the Democratic ticket as his Vice Presidential running mate. It all sounds so obvious when you have two candidates so evenly matched. But there is one little problem. You see, when you run for President, you control how much information is disclosed about you, your family, your finances. But when you are being considered for Vice President, someone else controls the disclosure process. It's more akin to being considered for the Supreme Court or the Cabinet. The FBI gets involved, raw investigative reports are written, and complete financial disclosures are required. Now ask yourself, if I am Bill Clinton, do I really want my wife to put me through all that?

If you would like a little preview of just what might be included in that disclosure process, read Todd Purdom's lengthy article in the July issue of Vanity Fair, due out next week. And if you can't wait that long for all the juicy details, read the full article online now at VF's website, www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/07/clinton200807.

Why Hillary Is Still Running

On the morning of May 6^th, Hillary Clinton woke up confident that her latest investment in her campaign, this time over $6 Million of her own money, would be repaid with a significant victory in Indiana, and perhaps even a narrow win in North Carolina. Once again the contributions would come flowing in, her campaign could continue, and the light at the end of the tunnel would burn brightly. That was her delusion. And her campaign trumpeted her resurgence confidently.

By late afternoon that all changed. Exit polls indicated she was getting slammed in North Carolina and she was getting a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach about Indiana. Her big investment had not panned out, and she knew she was in trouble. Not only was this campaign going to end badly, but she was also out over $11 Million. That's not exactly chump change, even to the Clintons.

Hillary had always planned on meeting with contributors in Washington the next day. The idea was to parade her big victories in Indiana and North Carolina, grab a bunch of cash and keep on plugging. But even Terry McAuliffe knew that wasn't going to happen this time. Someone noticed that Chelsea had a little rally scheduled for Shepherd University on the next morning. Terry told her that no one was going to give cash to a campaign that was already over; she needed to indicate that she was still in it for the long haul. So Hillary sent out word that she would join Chelsea in Shepherdstown. Emails went out to her supporters everywhere within a hundred miles of the place, trying to drum up a crowd. The media was rounded up and everyone drove an hour outside Washington for the big event.

When she got there, Hillary found roughly 300 people gathered outside on a lovely day, many of whom carried Obama signs. Her advance people hadn't even arranged for a sound system, so they borrowed one from some guy wearing an Obama button. The press had been kind not focusing on the size of the crowd, but rather than risk any further damage, she held a quick press conference behind the building. Driving back to Washington, she knew the campaign was over. But how could she recover the $11 Million?

There was only one way. Keep the campaign going, no matter what, at least until the Puerto Rico primary on June 7^th, maybe even until the convention. Always maintain that there is some possible road to the nomination, no matter how implausible. So long as some people buy into that desperate hope, they will give, and when they give, Hillary can start to repay herself. She may not get to the whole $11 Million, but she can make a dent.

And so that's what Hillary's campaign has come down to now. It's all about the money. It's a con game, really. Tell people she can still win; lie with a straight face; and fleece 'em for all you can get. It's really pathetic, and shameful. Well, it would be shameful, if the Clintons knew what shame was. But they passed that point long ago.