The linked US News and WR editorial by Bonnie Erbe promoted the idea of a compromise between Clinton and Obama, with Barack yielding to Hillary based simply on age considerations. Frankly, the work of the next term through 2012 looks so grim that we will definitely need all hands on deck.
But from a practical standpoint, I think deploying Hillary as the lead dog may not be the wisest move. She will only be 68 when we ask her to become President in 2016, not an unheard-of age (see John McCain). Deploying her vaunted political ability to rebound during a season when the nation and the world are clamboring for change and uniting toward a reversal of recent American policies would be foolish. Let our inspiring leader Barack Obama take us through that part of the journey, with Hillary to follow on, to carry consistent policies of greater wisdom forward through sixteen years. Geesh, even 16 years sounds so short-term considering the quagmires in which we now seem bogged down - the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations, deeply structural socioeconomic problems and global warming.
From a practical standpoint, I believe Hillary's skills will be more needed in the long haul, when the inevitable pendulum of US politics begins to "swing south" again and voices rise harshly against the efforts and sacrifices that under the reassuring hand and clear voice of President Obama Americans graciously began to attain.
Additionally, positioning a person more reprehensible in the eyes of the political opposition than the Presidential candidate for the VP slot has a history of its own. Traditionally, this arrangement has allowed the candidate for President to keep above the fray while the VP candidate plays "bad cop" during the campaign.
In my opinion, at times the only thing that stood between President George W. Bush's life and his assasination during these past two terms has been the even grizzlier prospect of a President Dick Cheney in the Oval Office. Especially because of this nation's bloody history, I believe that the first Black President could and probably should employ VP Hillary Clinton as a similar shield against his own assasination (may NEVER such tragedy visit our republic again).
During a historically difficult but successful Obama Presidency her more divisive rep would be given time to heal before a Clinton again takes the reigns, finally as the first woman to rise to the Presidency. As most Americans, I feel that any of the remaining candidates could adequately fill the office of the chief executive. To reach beyond adequacy toward lasting greatness, I simply suggest that we take the longer view and deploy these most valuable human resources strategically. This would be in the best interest of the people which are our nation, all societies of Earth and indeed of all life as we know it. I am ready to work hard for this goal.
Barack Obama - Hillary Clinton '08!
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Postscript: After Hillary missed her cue several times, most recently upon completion of the last Democratic Primaries, it is now difficult to conceive of her as vice presidential material.
Barrack will now need to move foreward on his own, pick a running mate based on his own perceived weaknesses, and allow the Clintons to heal themselves over the next eight years.
I still stand by my statement that America will need Hillary Clinton when the going gets even tougher down the road, and I celebrate history being made over the next four terms as the United States welcomes its first African American and its first woman Presidents to power.
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