CNN: Clinton 'insiders' approach Obama team about exit strategy

[maddezmom]

Source: Argus Leader

CNN: Clinton 'insiders' approach Obama team about exit strategy
Staff reports • May 23, 2008

Hillary Clinton campaign "insiders" have approached Barack Obama's aides to make some proposals, CNN reported today.


Clinton staffers say that while she is not interested in being Obama's running mate, he may need to make that offer to her in order for the Democratic Party to move forward and to allow her to make a graceful exit from the campaign, according to the CNN report.

The CNN report is summed up this way in "On Politics," the USA TODAY political blog:

Clinton insiders say that they've told the Obama aides there are three possible scenarios:

• Obama could ignore Clinton, which might anger her supporters.

• He could offer her the vice presidential slot, she would say no and all would be well.




Read more: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/UPDATES/80523018/1001/news

---

CNN: Clinton Camp Pushing For Compromise In Formal Talks
The punditry is abuzz after a report on CNN this morning that Clinton and Obama have held formal talks about her exit from the race, with Clinton outlining three possible scenarios. Bloomberg reports:

The two Democratic campaigns are talking about ways for Clinton, from New York, to drop her bid for president that may include joining the Illinois senator's ticket, CNN reported. Talks are in a "very preliminary" stage and are described as "difficult,'" the network said.
However, the revelation from CNN cites only anonymous sources. And an interview with David Axelrod on Thursday claimed that talks had not begun between the campaigns:

The chief strategist for the Obama campaign, David Axelrod, said Thursday that no overtures had been made by Mr. Clinton or any prominent supporters to place Mrs. Clinton on the ticket.

"There have been no contacts between the campaigns, and no one is looking for a deal of any kind," Mr. Axelrod said in an interview. "She's running for the nomination for president, as we are. We're focusing on closing out the nominating fight. We'll deal with vice presidential questions in sequence."


Talking Points Memo suggests that even if the report is overstating conversations between the campaigns, the disclosure of Clinton-Obama talks is significant:

more:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/23/cnn-clinton-camp-pushing_n_103240.html



Formal Talks?
05.23.08 -- 8:58AM By David Kurtz
CNN is reporting this morning that the Obama and Clinton campaigns are in formal talks about ending her quest for the Democratic nomination and possibly giving her the VP slot.

These apparent talks are described by CNN as being in a ``very preliminary'' stage and as "difficult."

It's really unclear what this means or what's really going on here. CNN doesn't have anyone on the record. Just anonymous sourcing. We'll have video of their report up shortly.

On first blush I'm skeptical that there really are "formal talks" in the usual sense of that phrase. The report appears to lean heavily on sourcing from within the Clinton camp, which is notable. The significance here may not be that there are formal talks underway or that the vice presidency is under discussion. The real significance may be that this is the opening salvo from the Clinton camp ahead of the negotiations that would likely accompany her withdrawal from the race.

more:http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/196619.php

[slinkerwink]

1. there was a third option

This morning, May 23, 2008 CNN’s Suzan Malvo reporting from the Clinton campaign confirmed that backchannel talks between high level staff of the Clinton and Obama campaigns have been underway for the past several days.

According to Malvo, the Clinton campaign has placed three options on the table for Sen. Obama’s consideration. The options are as follows:

Option # 1:Sen. Obama can choose to ignore Sen. Clinton and select someone else for his running mate. If Sen. Obama chooses this option it will be viewed as an insult by Sen. Clinton who will then proceed with her plans to take the delegate and nomination fight to the Democratic convention which will insure a veritable civil war in the Democratic Party. Also, Sen. Clinton’s camp says she would not put her full energy into supporting Sen. Obama’s presidential race next fall.

Option 2: Sen. Obama can publicly offer the VP spot to Mrs. Clinton and give her the opportunity to publicly decline the position. Sen. Obama has rejected this offer because he distrusts Sen. Clinton and believes she may change her mind and accept the position.

Option 3: Senators Obama and Clinton can hold private, closed door meetings to discuss ways he can help Mrs. Clinton to withdraw from the campaign with dignity. Possible resolutions could include an offer to help Sen. Clinton retire her residual campaign debt.

[maddezmom]

9. well I guess the #2 spot is off the table if these reports are true

:hi: And I can't imagine Clinton even saying she was offered the position now to save face if he's said he wouldn't offer it because he didn't trust her to turn it down.

[VeraAgnes]

32. Sorry to disappoint the enthusiastic Obama supporters

but this is not the case. Hillary Clinton is in this race to at least the Convention. Terry McAuliffe was just on MSNBC also to affirm this fact.

Rumors do fly when the pressure is on for a Friday story.

[Lucky 13]

37. Riiiiight. Because Terry McAuliffe is a reliable source...

He's never been known to exagerate or embelish or spin or skew or be less than 100% completely honest and forthright.

It's in Hillary's best interest right now to have everyone SAY she's in it to the convention, even as she hold secret talks with the Obama camp. It's the only way for her to save face and keep her in a position where she can demand ANYTHING.

:eyes:

[VeraAgnes]

39. I find McAuliffe exceptionally reliable.

The word is out, Obama operative spread this false rumor. I expected more of their teasing of America this weekend anyways so it is not a surprise but the mainstream normal for the obama campaign.

[qazplm]

42. of course you do

of course.

[fujiyama]

57. LOL McAullife reliable?

Reliably scummy...

[JeanGrey]

61. After her remarks about Kennedy, she isn't in the position

to demand a damn thing from anyone!

[maddezmom]

38. I'm not disappointed

:hi:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

53. NOT AFTER TODAY - she's 'deadmeat'

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. Option 3: an offer to help Sen. Clinton retire her residual campaign debt.

In other words, bribe her to go away...

man, she has chutzpah, but no class.

[bulloney]

30. What's $20 million? Just have Bill give about 40 speeches.

Chutzpah is right.

This would be like the kid who vandalized someone's property and offers to clean up the damage if the property owner pays him.

[quiet.american]

33. I'll take door #3, Monty. (FWIW, option #2 is the first thing that came to my mind, too.)

A shame that this is now how I view Sen. Clinton, but there's no way in hell I could ignore feeling that she would double-cross Obama and actually accept the VP nod after all the turns-on-a-dime and dirty politics she's played over the past few months.

[Jack from Charlotte]

43. Obama told her.....Senator? You can have my answer now, if you like.

"My final offer is this: nothing. Not even the fee for the gaming license, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally."

[roguevalley]

51. all this dancing around shit could be moot after her remarks today.

i certainly hope so. I want women to grow the hell up and not be so childish as to have GROWN PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT THEIR WIDDOW FEEWINGS!

[havocmom]

2. Don't trust that she would SAY she would turn down a VP offer

She agreed to the rules re MI & FL once too. We saw what her agreement means.

There are more solutions that what HRC's campaign insiders offer.

[slinkerwink]

3. exactly. she's shown that her word isn't worth gold in this campaign.

[Dogmudgeon]

11. Ah, the Team Obama Hope Train!

So tender in battle, so gracious in defeat.

And excellent in blaming the victims of their slash-and-burn evangelism.

--p!

[John Q. Citizen]

16. Are you and Clinton victims? I thought you were fighters. Make up your minds.

[Dogmudgeon]

22. Me and Clinton? No. The voters? Certainly.

That's why we voted for her. She stands up to bullies with lots of money and powerful friends.

--p!

[Forrest Greene]

26. Stands Up

...& asks how she can help, that is.

[John Q. Citizen]

45. You and Clinton don't vote? Then you can't complain.

[cui bono]

48. Um, Clinton is the bully.

[Downtown Hound]

50. Just so you know

Clinton is both powerful and until her disastrous campaign, had lots of money. I'd like for you to name me one time where Hillary actually took a serious, principled stand against the powerful and wealthy for the sake of the little guy.

[quiet.american]

34. Working to bring about change through hope does not mean being gullible and defenseless.nt

[Alexander]

4. Bingo, yes, thank you.

:thumbsup:

[snooper2]

5. Sec. of State...

She can fill condi's boots :evilgrin:


And, we can fly her to Bosnia, Iraq, House of Saud, all over to repair America's image... a lot..lots of flying :)

[BearSquirrel2]

14. Secretary of State is an important position ...

Secretary of State is an important position that should rightfully be filled by Bill Richardson!!!! I wouldn't want to see her do anything "important". She would just use the opportunity to sabotage Obama.

[1_cali_dem]

18. I'm thinkin

SEC of State would be a position better filled by Mr. Biden? .:headbang: And I do agree that any important position given to Hillary would be an open door for Bill to do something to Sabotage Obama and set Hill up for a 2012 run.:banghead: Give her Dana Perrino's job :headbang:

[BearSquirrel2]

31. Churchill once said ...

Churchill once said he would rather have a certain person in the tent pissing out than outside pissing in. Hillary has both bladder control and "aiming issues". So I would just rather she be outside the tent. It's not like the Republicans are going to let her in. Though, I have heard that the "Joe Lieberman Party" is soliciting new members.

[greiner3]

6. This is a crucial period in the race;

A pissed off Hillary could and probably would throw the election to mccain. From what I've seen of Obama under pressure, I have great confidence that he and his team will choose the path to victory.

[yellowcanine]

7. Obama should NOT offer consolation prizes.

If he wants to agree to help her raise some money to retire her debt, ok - but he should not offer her the VP slot (unless he thinks she would make the best VP) or anything else as a consolation prize.

Cynical deals will be recognized as such and would lose more votes than could possibly be gained.

[Solly Mack]

8. A - pre-arranged - staged - "graceful" exit?

Maybe it's just me...and maybe I'm just too sensitive.

Here...allow me to save face and just go read another thread.

These are the conditions by which I'll go read another thread

1 - You ask me to stay - naturally I'll say no
2 - You then beg and plead for me to stay - naturally, I talk about what a good person you are for doing so...but decline because I have other - better - things to do
3 - You fall upon your knees and grovel for me to stay - Naturally, I'm embarrassed for you and slowly walk backwards until I'm out of the thread.

* I'm making fun of the idea that a "graceful" exit has to be negotiated/pre-arranged/staged...and NOT a person.

and on that note - I'm outtie.

[brer cat]

55. I hope you are taking good care of yourself, Solly Mack!

It's good to see you are around and about.

:hug:

[Solly Mack]

56. Hey! Thanks, brer cat! I'm trying.

:hug:

[Lakerstan]

10. She knows she only has 11 more days and is getting desparate...

The SD's will close in after June 3.

[SlingBlade]

12. Don't Trust the Clinton's !

"Option 2: Sen. Obama can publicly offer the VP spot to Mrs. Clinton and give her the opportunity to publicly decline the position. Sen. Obama has rejected this offer because he distrusts Sen. Clinton and believes she may change her mind and accept the position"

And he is correct in not trusting Clinton.
She would accept the V.P offer loudly and publicly

[progetto]

52. she'd take it in a heart beat

The Hill and Bill tag team duo would be Obama's worst nightmare.
NO on option 2.

[BearSquirrel2]

13. BS Hillary misinformation campaign ...

This is more Hillary BS. She cannot/WILL NOT be on the ticket. She is trying to shore up the idea that she still has a chance. CNN is stupid enough to fall for this BS.

[JBoy]

15. No appeasement of Clinton!!! n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. Actually, she is so deceitful that he'd offer her the VP, she says no, then

goes out and tells everyone that he didn't offer her the VP just to piss off her supporters.

If he offered her the VP, I highly doubt that she'd say no. She wants power so badly; she wants to be back in that White House no matter what she has to do to make it happen, including lying her ass off!!

I DON'T TRUST HER AND NEITHER SHOULD WE OR THE OBAMA CAMP!!!

No better than Dumbya! :(

[O.M.B.inOhio]

58. Problem with one comment

You wrote
<No better than Dumbya!>

That's a bit harsh, and this isn't helping anybody heal. It's OK not to trust her. It was foolish of her to trust Bush. Distrust is built into the system, and personal vices can be harnessed as public virtues. But as we look to the promise of an Obama presidency, let's not alienate those who have feelings (sometimes more powerful than reason) invested in the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.

[JeanGrey]

62. But she won't be BACK

at the WH. She'll be VP just a glorified first lady..................which is why she doesn't want it.

[Coyote_Bandit]

20. I guess it is time to see

whether or not the Obama camp really thinks they can take the general election all by themselves. I don't think they can. If there is a group of Dems that defect to McCain, or Nader or simply stay home rather than go to the polls and vote then there is a very real possibility that Dems get their ass kicked come November. Obviously, there are divisions in this party and given the extended and sometimes bitter nature of the primary fight it cannot be assumed that all Dems will support the nominee come November. And then there are those who are very much aware that the nominee simply will not represent our priorities and interests. And there is also a group of voters that think the hope for change is naive

I will vote for the Dem candidate come November - but it will be a half hearted nose holding vote. I don't much care for Clinton or Obama and think there were far better alternatives available.

Bottom line is that it is time to start healing the divisions within this party. And if Obama is to be the nominee then he needs to show the leadership and initiative in doing so. If he doesn't then he really is either an arrogant ass or he is lacking in political will and leadership ability. Just my opinion of course.

Still, winning the battle for the nomination ain't worth shit if the candidate does not deliver a win in the general election.

[northernlights]

36. agree on every point

I will vote dem across the board, except am leaning ever more heavily toward writing in a prez pick since, as usual, the democratics are promoting my 2 last choices from their original high quality field.

I didn't like Hillary because of her vote on Iraq -- even though as a woman I realize she *had* to vote that way to show that woman can be "tough," I still would far rather she'd voted her conscience than have given bush the rope he needed to hang himself.

I've had doubts about Obama from day 1. All too often in my life pretty young or middle-aged men have whispered sweet nothings in my ear only to reach around and stab me in the back. His speeches, to me, are nothing more than sweet nothings. I hope I'm wrong, I really do. But until he proves it, the track record of young and middle-aged men speaks for itself.

Furthermore, Obama's inability to garner support from much more than half of his own party leaves me questioning his ability to lead.

Not to mention the abominable, obnoxious behavior of Obama-supporters, which rivals that of the rightwing nutcases that have plagued me for 15 years. It absolutely turns my stomach. Their treatment of the Clintons is appalling. I really don't want to be associated with them in any way, shape or form. I only hope their candidate is many, many cuts better than his followers. It will be very interesting to see their behavior when it turns out their messiah really is just a human being with flaws after all.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

63. Do you realize that primaries are different than the general election?

To what are you basing your analysis that Obama can't win certain states? Because Hillary and her cohorts TOLD you that he can't? Do you realize that there's are state polls out today that show Obama leading McCain by at least 7% in CA? In fact, the margin is higher for Obama-McCain match-up than the Clinton-McCain match-up?

Another point that you and other Hillary enablers keep missing? Let's say that Hilary is right and that the Dems that supported her won't support him? He more than makes up for that because he is bringing on a good number of Republicans and Independents, exactly what she cannot do! Analysis show that Independents will decide this election. If some of them go to Bobb Barr or Ron Paul, McCain is finished because Obama will take the lion share of the rest.

For all the talk about Obama not being able to win this group or that group, Hillary Clinton actually does worse. But the media won't tell you that, my friend. All the media is concerned about is the hard-working WHITE people, many of whom won't vote Democratic anyways.

Stop drinking the Hilary-Right-Wing Media kool-aid and start thinking deeper than that.

[odelisk8]

21. HA!

as if he OWES her something..."gracefully"...she lost her chance to bow out "gracefully" after SC...let her take it to the convention and give us ANOTHER chance to humiliate her...this woman makes me sick.

[dipsydoodle]

23. Is that to decide who's gonna turn of

the light switch on the way out ? Hillary or Billary ?

[mitchum]

24. Extortion from ClintonCo

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. NO it's a trick. She's going to say yes.

:evilgrin:

[williesgirl]

27. Why should he have to retire her debt? She lost and spent unwisely. Fuck her.

[mike_c]

28. GRACEFUL EXIT FROM THE CAMPAIGN?!

The hell with that-- Sen. Clinton is in this position because she clawed her way into it and would not allow the Obama campaign to focus on beating John McCain as long as there was an ounce of self-aggrandizement to be wrung from the primaries. Sen. Obama doesn't owe her a thing.

[PATRICK]

29. For Obama to make any gesture

in a fake VP offering which is absurd and unbelievable itself requires Hillary to make real, deep and complete reconciliation and concession in such a way as to in itself heal the rift. Otherwise, a graceful
courtesy becomes another way for Clinton to beat her rival and little more.

She could continue to make the Obama campaign sweat, suffer and even might create one of the most tragically funny moments in politics by rapidly accepting the fake offer and rushing the stage on the shoulders of her legions.

What is difficult for Obama is obvious. Hillary on the other hand has little to show anymore from any outcome and the VP post consolation prize has long been sacrificed in the gambit. In fact, to the relief of all who had misgivings about her effect on the ticket, that end result at least seems out of the question for many reasons. She could yet complete her role as a leader and asset to the party by successfully leading her followers away from the bridge to nowhere. That is where the imagination of well wishers and positive speculators breaks down.

[Indenturedebtor]

35. Stickily Lies!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dddAi8FF3F4

[maddezmom]

40. Obama, Clinton Campaigns Deny Discussions to End Race

Obama, Clinton Campaigns Deny Discussions to End Race Jonathan D. Salant
Fri May 23, 11:54 AM ET



May 23 (Bloomberg) -- The campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama denied a report they are discussing ways of ending the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, including a possible offer to Clinton to be her rival's vice presidential running mate.

CNN reported that aides to the candidates were talking about a resolution to the contest that would assure the presidential nomination for Obama, the Illinois senator who has a commanding delegate lead. A spot on the ticket for New York Senator Clinton is one possibility, CNN said.

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs called the report ``completely untrue'' while Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee called it ``absurd.''

The Associated Press reported yesterday that Obama had put together a group of advisers, including former Fannie Mae Chief Executive Officer James Johnson, to begin looking at potential running mates. The New York Times reported today that former President Bill Clinton has talked about the possibility of his wife running as vice president on a ticket led by Obama.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080523/pl_bloomberg/amydpphanqlu;_ylt=AtuZdaH11trBLYACsmIShCms0NUE

[Pastiche423]

41. If any of this is true

she can add blackmail to her resume.

[DemocracyInaction]

44. After reading the assasination thread...

..Obama should offer her a 4th choice. Sit down with her eye to eye and tell her that the choice is to sit there while he puts his fist through her nose or get her fat ass out of his sight FAST. Seriously, I would give her the #3 choice and then somehow let it get out to the public that her great "I must fight to the death for the peons of my nation" was tossed in the dumpster for cold hard cash. To hell with letting her go with dignity..she has NONE. If they point to her "values" hanging out in green bundles from her purse, maybe those who worship her would suddenly see what she really is. (Many of those who used to worship Nader saw this same filty side of him and they now detest him).

[nichomachus]

46. Perfect exit strategy

Hillary -- take your coat, take your hat, take your husband, and proceed to the door marked "Exit." Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Bye Bye now.

[crickets]

59. Exactly. -nt

.

[cui bono]

47. It's a trick. That's what happened with Kennedy and Johnson.

Then when Johnson said "yes" they were quite surprised.

DON'T DO IT OBAMA!!! We have all learned she is not to be trusted and taken at her word.

[C_U_L8R]

49. Or # 4 - The Clinton campaign goes up in flames

after dousing itself with assassoline....
roasting to a deep char and collapsing under the
weight of its own loathing with a sickening pfffffft.

[trashcanistanista]

54. Sen. Obama is not responsible for Sen. Clinton's stupidity

and she has no right to strong arm her way into his administration. She has blown it today, she did that all by herself. He needs to distance himself from her as he has been doing. He should not even talk to her again until he is
President. She is now a traitor to the Democratic party. Sort of like * is perceived to be by the rethugs.

[JeanGrey]

60. Fuck you, Hillary. You are a trainwreck. Why should we

soothe your ego, you are disgusting. Yes world!! ASK ME!! I am the anointed one and even though I cannot win, my ego must be soothed!!!

Could it get any sicker????

[LuckyLib]

64. Once again, HRC believes she is large and in charge: "Clinton campaign has placed three options

on the table." I would suggest that Obama is in the position to be gently encouraging her to exit with grace and dignity. No "negotiating" at this point. The campaign is over.