2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Elizabeth Warren [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)She didn't say "No no no no no" or "No, I don't want to run" or "No I am not interested" or "Go relax--I'm not running" -- HRC said "I have no plans to run"--and she was saying that way earlier than 08, because in 08 she was on the campaign trail.
In fact, Hillary announced that she was running nearly two years before the 2008 elections, in January, 2007. And she never said she wasn't interested, didn't want the job, or "ruled out running." Even when they tried to trap her, her denials were always parsed. She always said she had NO PLANS to run--and that's a distinction and a difference.
The reason that no one admits they will take the VP slot is because if they do say that, people will perceive that they've given up on the brass ring. JFK was one of the first Presidents in the television age to roll out that kind of "I have no interest in being VP and won't take it if offered" response when he was a Senator angling for the nomination against formidable players like LBJ. He meant it, though--he wasn't going to play 2nd fiddle at his stage of life. It played well for him, and it has become the paradigm for candidates to pretend they have that same sort of determination, even if they don't. It demonstrates a sense of fierce resolve and suggests "leadership." And, as we know, it paid off for JFK (not without help from other resources, certainly).
People like Bill Richardson and Joe Biden, who could draw crowds, get applause, create enthusiasm--but not ever translate that into "top slot" votes--were, in effect, running for VP without overtly saying so. Everyone knew it, particularly when they were taking a very small piece of the pie in primary contests, yet staying in the race nonetheless. All the while they made non-denial remarks like "I'm not running for VP--I'm running for President," when asked if they'd take the slot. Everyone knew to read between the lines and see what they really meant.
I don't think we'll ever have real straight talk in politics--it's always gonna be a reading-the-tea-leaves exercise, I suspect, at least in terms of candidates who want to keep their options open. If they say "Hell, no" though, they mean it.