Obama: "You Won't See Me as a VP Candidate"

[jefferson_dem]

Good on you Barack! Stamp out Hillary's dream-ticket bullshit ploy.

Obama: "You Won't See Me as a VP Candidate"
Share March 07, 2008 10:49 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: While in Casper, Wyo., today Sen. Barack Obama ruled out the possibility being a vice presidential candidate during an interview with CBS' Montana affiliate KTVQ. Here is a transcipt of what he said.

Q: You’ve raised $55 million in February and in your speech today you said "I was against the war in ’03, ’04, ’05 -- all the way on through 2010, and you specifically mentioned Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Could you ever see yourself on the same ticket as Senator Clinton?

A: Well, you know, I think it’s premature. You won’t see me as a vice presidential candidate -- you know, I’m running for president. We have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton, and have a higher popular vote, and I think we can maintain our delegate count -- but you know, what I’m really focused on right now, because all that stuff is premature, is winning this nomination and changing the country. And I think that’s what people here are concerned about. How are you going to provide health care to every American? So I spend a lot of time talking about the plan I wanted to put in place that would not only lower costs for those who already have health insurance, but also make sure people who don’t have health insurance can get health care as good as the health care I have as a member of Congress. Those are the kinds of issues that really make a difference in people’s lives, and we’re going to keep on talking about them.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/obama-you-wont.html

[557188]

1. And the Unity thing becomes a myth

Only "unity" on Obama's terms.

Wow talk about change!

[2rth2pwr]

3. You're right, why isn't he meeting with her so they can talk things over? nt

[SoCalDem]

67. Nothing to talk over.. she's behind.. she's not quitting

he's got work to do with the remaining states.. why waste time ?

[hueyshort]

89. a double minority ticket is weak

[jbnow]

77. Or why didn't she meet with him before saying that? nt

[flpoljunkie]

82. Hillary's bringing up Obama being her VP is total political calculation to try and get your vote!

And totally transparent.

[joeybee12]

86. And might work...god forbid anyone running for President should

have a strategy...especially Hilary...she brings it up and he just brushes her off, instead of trying to be grown up and have a better response about how she could be his...he might not mean it, but it would cast him as trying to work out not having this come to the convention, instead of being arrogant.

[flpoljunkie]

90. Bullsh*t! Pure political calculation on her part--saying anything to try and get your vote.

[Blondiegrrl]

17. Please. Like Hillary's "offer" is sincere.

The Obama camped pegged her correctly when they speculated that the only reason she was extending this offer was to try to persuade Obama voters to her side under the guise that there were getting a package deal by voting for her. As if.

Besides, why would Obama run with Clinton, a woman who stands for the opposite of himself? She has more in common with John McCain.

[TheWraith]

50. Exactly. Would you team up with someone who's tried to destroy your reputation?

That's exactly what Clinton has been doing to Obama: she's been trying to destroy his reputation, career, and campaign with every dirty smear she can find, and then he's supposed to roll over and act like it's such an honor to play second fiddle?

No way is there going to be a Clinton/Obama ticket, and I seriously doubt there's any way that Obama/Clinton happens.

[jbnow]

76. Her first point is

that Obama is not qualified or ready or suitable to be president.

Her second point is she can make him VP, one heartbeat away from the presidency...a position for which the first qualification should be being qualified to be president.

When I heard she was telling people at rallies that maybe they could vote for them both I had a sinking feeling she was speaking on her own and hadn't talked to him.
I know he continues to say any discussion of his VP choice won't take place while the nomination is not resolved but I hoped if he would feel free to assert he will not be vice-president.

Glad to see he did feel free!

If she became the nominee her VP would need...how do I put it? Let's face it, Bill will be there.
I was reading old articles in NY Times from the early Clinton administration and Gore had to struggle for his place with the place Hillary had. Can't imagine it with Bill as spouse. I'm guessing someone happy with the just status of the title would be happiest there, not someone who really wants to make a difference.

[pampango]

83. The Clintons are great "hard ball" (negative?) campaigners, but they also have good sense

of when they have approached the limit of diminishing returns and alienating voters with this style. They then, at least temporarily, switch to a more positive ("we can both be on the same ticket") message. It keeps their adversary off balance and voters from developing a view of them as always being negative. Then rinse and repeat. It has worked well for them over the years.

[JackORoses]

66. Hillary's attempt to glom onto Obama is rejected

Gobama!

[SoCalDem]

68. true

[krkaufman]

92. Hi-larious.

He said what every politician has ever said when asked such a loaded question.

And did he say that he wouldn't support Hillary? No. Did he say that he felt both he and McCain were more qualified than Hillary? No.

Your interpretation of the comments is laughable. It is to laugh. Ha, ha.

[2rth2pwr]

2. Notice how right after he says that, in true Samantha Power Fashion,

'because all that stuff is premature" to leave a little wriggle room.

[moobu2]

6. I noticed that, but I doubt they will.

[grassfed]

4. hillary has forfeited the right to any role, any voice

in Barack's administration or in any Democratic government - and she knows it.

[PetraPooh]

43. Yeah, what grassfed said! Exactly that.

[Cali_Democrat]

5. Now all he has to do is rule out the possibility of Hillary as VP. n/t

[Laelth]

Welcome to DU!

:patriot:

:dem:

-Laelth

[Diane R]

7. He didn't leave 'wiggle room'. He doesn't want to be that woman's VP. And she won't be president!

[babylonsister]

8. Recommend, and thank goodness! I'm so glad he said this! I so agree! nt

[hisownpetard]

94. Yeah. I've always said that he would not accept VP. Why should he? He's young and diligent

and would just apply himself until the next time the opportunity comes around.

I do believe that Obama has presented at a time when the country is so disgusted with what's transpired since
2000, is so disillusioned with the entire governmental process, the 935 lies, the cronyism, the lack of ethics, the lack
of accountability, the lack of respect for the people of this country (and others), the lack of respect for transparency
and for Congress and for our civil liberties and our Constitution, that this is a moment like no other in the history
of our country, and Obama's candidacy has come along at just the right time.

There are no coincidences.

[earthlover]

9. Obama's words do not rule out a VP position, contrary to the "analysis"

He said he was running for president, not VP. He said it was "premature" to discuss the VP. He did NOT rule it out! I get frustrated with lazy reporters who put words in people's mouths. Obama may indeed reject a VP, but he didn't say that here.

Obama handled this well. It would be a trap for him to say he would accept a VP. The discussion should be on him as pres candidate. If it focusses on him being vp, he is diminished. It is a no-win situation for him to say he would accept a VP (even if he would).

This reminds me of when Clark was running in 04, people tried to say he would make a good VP, and this lowered his credibility as a pres candidate. I think part of the vp talk was deliberately with this in mind.

[woolldog]

34. Geez can't you read?

He said "you won't be seeing me as a vice-presidential candidate."

How much clearer can you get? The only question left is whether he would accept Clinton as VP. I don't think he'll say no explicitly. But of course the answer to that question is NO.

[earthlover]

42. Yes, i can read...can you? He is not running for VP, he is running for president....

but that does not rule out him accepting vp unequivocably. Show me in that statement where he unequivocbly rules vp out under any circumstances period! I don't think you read my post clearly. Can you read?

[woolldog]

46. omg

:eyes: When you accept a VP offer on a ticket you become a vice presidential candidate. You are running for vice-president in the general election. You are a vice-presidential candidate.

Therefore, when you rule out being a vice-presidential candidate, you are ruling out a spot on the ticket for the GE.

It's not that hard.

[earthlover]

84. OMG back at you

I know Obama is not running for VP and is not a VP candidate. Well...DUH! I just said that nothing in what he said explicitely ruled accepting a VP nod in the future under any circumstances in the future. He said it was "premature". If you can show me a General Sherman statement on the VP, you are free to do so...

[woolldog]

91. yikes!

he said he you won't see him as a VP candidate. That does explicitly rule out accepting a VP nod in the future. :banghead:

[anigbrowl]

10. Yay! That's MY kind of Democrat talking. Stand tall Barack!

He knows he's winning and he's bringing it back to the issues and reminding voters what really matters in the GE and the White House. I'll take that over scaremongering and trash talk any day.

[Mooney]

11. Good for him. n/t

[MadBadger]

12. Smart Strategy. Telling the voters dont vote for Clinton in hopes of getting both of us

If you really want Obama, vote for him cuz hes not looking to play second fiddle.


But if he does lose, then I'm sure hed consider it if offered.

[gaiilonfong]

13. Finally, the MONSTER was using this

to try and win undecideds...PRETENDING that Obama would be her running mate.
Good on him!

GOBAMA

[jgraz]

14. Obama continues to show good political instincts

He knows the HillMonster is just trying to diminish him with these comments. Obamey don't play dat.

[Metric System]

48. It's interesting that you and the poster above you continue to call Hillary a monster even though

Obama has denounced such language. Maybe you could learn from his example.

[jgraz]

51. I'm not running for president. I'll call her whatever I want

mon·ster
–noun
1. a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx.
2. any creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people.
3. any animal or human grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character.
4. a person who excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc.

[Metric System]

52. Sorry, the definition doesn't describe Hillary.

[jgraz]

53. Her wickedness certainly excites horror in me

As it does to a lot of people. Just check the Greatest Page.

[Metric System]

57. I think this says more about you than it does about her.

[jgraz]

58. And, I guess, the 80% of other posters on DU who agree with me

[musicblind]

75. Yep, like Maher said

If you hate Hillary... that says something about YOU not Hillary.

[moobu2]

15. President Hillary Clinton should

appoint Borrack to clean up the horrible low income housing problem in Chicago.

[Gore1FL]

26. He has been out of office for 7 years

I don;t think he has the power to appoint people to do things like that anymore.

[Gore1FL]

72. I see the orignal was edited from"President Clinton"

I see what you mean better now. It seems like Hillary would be better off using former President Obama elswhere. She'll be prett old when in 2016. Maybe she can use him to answer the phone. He'll have 8 years more experience doing it than she does, by then.

[Freida5]

16. Thats good, Hillary should pick someone else anyhow.

[thereismore]

22. Oh the hubris. nt

[Gore1FL]

35. She might as well

He'll be too busy running for president to be on her third party ticket.

[democrattotheend]

40. She can't

If she gets the nomination despite having fewer pledged delegates, she pretty much has to put Obama on the ticket or risk a huge blow-up at the convention, not to mention the possibility of African American voters staying home or voting for another candidate. I'm still torn on whether or not he should do her the favor of accepting. Depends how she acts the next few months.

[jlake]

18. K&R To expose the divisiveness of Mr. Obama.

[BeyondGeography]

19. If he would only just get in line and let Her Majesty have her way

:eyes:

[ProSense]

33. Hillary's desperate talking point gets put to rest! n/t

[Kittycat]

37. I sincerely hope you're stocking up on kleenex & anti-depressents

Because your inability to even consider a hint of reality is very worrisome to me.

[jlake]

38. Thanks for your concern.

I am not worried. I have faith that the right thing will happen. Hillary will be president one day and Obama won't.

[Kittycat]

41. "One Day"

So you're going for the HRC 2012 plan then?

Or you're saying that after Obama is president - then HRC will come along?

In either scenario, she'll have too much ass kissing to do to wash away her new dawned Lieberman Suit.

[jlake]

45. I firmly believe that she will be elected president this year. If Obama gets the nomination, I

think he will lose - and Hilly will win the nom and presidency in 2012.
I firmly believe Obama is unelectable.

[Catherine Vincent]

20. Never say never. nt

[malik flavors]

21. I wouldn't want him to be her VP. I'd rather he become the gov. of Illinois or go back to the senate

[CoffeeCat]

23. Thank you!

The nerve of her, trying to win votes, by suggesting that Obama would be he veep!

Pretty pathetic.

So glad he took a stand on this one and slapped her back. She had no right even suggesting that.

[Raine]

24. Good for him, he deserves better than

a position like that.

[thoughtcrime1984]

25. Obama should stay FAR FAR AWAY from Clinton

He needs to avoid the DLC status quo stench that would cover him.

[gblady]

28. he said....

"You won’t see me as a vice presidential candidate -- you know, I’m running for president."

sounds pretty straight forward to me....

[thoughtcrime1984]

32. I'm getting at that he didn't denounce and reject Hil as his VP

I am not at all in favor of that, either.

[jbnow]

78. I think it's right that he says nothing about his VP now

and just continues to say any discussion of his VP choice won't take place while the nomination is not resolved.
She put him on the spot with what she was saying and I'm glad he clarified he won't be VP candidate.

If Obama were running for President of Democrats she'd be an OK choice but since he's running for President of the United States of America he needs to make another choice.

[woolldog]

27. YES!!!!!

I knew he was too smart for that.

[rainbow4321]

29. And the MSM should ask HRC:

"you have spent this whole campaign insisting he has no experience to be President..WHY then would you even hint at wanting a supposedly inexperienced person a heartbeat away from the Presidency..is it because you really know he DOES have what it takes to be hold that office"?


But I guess that question will get buried down with what they should have said Tuesday night "HRC has won the popular vote in TX BUT we will not call the state for her as TX is a hybrid primary election and the caucus results which ALSO account for # of delegates given to each candidate will NOT be counted til at least Friday".

[robbedvoter]

30. Good. I prefer Clark anyway.

[Gore1FL]

31. Makes sense. Ex presidents have never become VPs before.

And 2016 is a long way off to make that sort of commitment.

[Laelth]

36. He might have said ...

(if he were as vicious as his opponents claim) He might have said, "You won’t see me as a vice presidential candidate--but I believe my opponent is seriously considering accepting an offer to run for the office of Vice President of the United States ... an offer from John McCain."

:grr:

-Laelth

[tishaLA]

39. I'm glad he said this

If he didn't, those Hillary comments would allow people to think they could have them both, and therefore Hillary becomes a more viable option. If he's not, she's less attractive to a broad swath of voters.

[grantcart]

44. and no false winks about her - thank god

[lewis_in_fw]

47. Didn't he already rule out the possibility of himself being president back in 2006??

MR. RUSSERT: So you will not run for president or vice president in 2008?

SEN. OBAMA: I will not.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10909406/

It's amazing you take this guy at his word.

[jackson_dem]

49. We all knew the "unity" thing was an Axlerod campaign gimmick but now it is official

He wants to unite with the rethugs but is unwilling to unite his party. :eyes:

[anonymous171]

54. Not under Clinton.

Clinton should never be allowed the nomination.

[jackson_dem]

55. Obama: Reagan=good, Clintons=bad

[anonymous171]

56. Clintons: McCain=good, Obama=Bad

Who are we running against? (Hint: It's not Raygun)

[jackson_dem]

59. Obama has called McCain a hero. Does that mean he endorses McCain?

Both Obama and Clinton state the obvious. McCain was a hero and he is experienced. The problem with him is not his experience. It is his policies.

[anonymous171]

60. She said that she and McCain were experienced and that Obama only gave a speech.

Not only did she make an untrue statement, she praised McCain WHILE dissing Obama.

[jackson_dem]

61. Which is as obvious as Obama praising mccain for being a hero in Vietnam

The argument for Obama has never been about experience. Everyone knows he is inexperienced. Hill didn't reveal a big secret.

[anonymous171]

62. Obama: McCain and I both are have heroic pasts. Hillary served tea at diplomatic functions.

What if he had said that?

[joeybee12]

88. Yeah, find these fools a dictionary! Praise apparently means endorse

in Obama World.

[joshcryer]

63. And you people say Hillary is splitting the party?

What a joke.

[Eurobabe]

64. Good, #1 it won't come to that and #2 he doesn't need Clinton's shit

It would taint him for the rest of his political life to be associated with these goblins.

Stay pure Barack!!

[TheWebHead]

65. I'm glad Barack isn't gonig for Rodham's back of the bus tactic

The arrogance of the Hillary supporters to attack him for not bowing down to lord Hillary as our crotch grabbing loon Rosanne Barr huffed yesterday.

[David Zephyr]

69. Why would the victor play second fiddle to someone who is trying to game the system.

Go Obama!

[cooolandrew]

70. WTG Barack, he sussed that one out. He has said back on letterman it's all or nothing...

His integrity makes me so proud. :)

[LulaMay]

71. He has too much pride. He wouldn't be a VP for our party, if he lost and she asked him?

[anamandujano]

73. All the losers say that and then grovel when it's time for the winner to choose.

I don't want him on Hillary's ticket. I think he's slime.

[Recursion]

74. Neither helps the other's ticket

For that matter, both undermine the other's campaign message. It makes no sense for them to run together.

[BringBigDogBack]

79. Excellent.

K&R

[workinclasszero]

80. The real Unity tictket...McCain + Hillary

Two pro big business, warhawk, dirty gutter pols that appeal to racists. Hillary can't stop praising McCain every chance she gets anyway.

The man with the most delegates will head the top of the dem ticket and that man is Obama.

[AtomicKitten]

81. Yahtzee!

Very glad to know this. Thanks for posting. :)

K&R

[Vinca]

85. Hillary's dangling Obama as VP in a pathetic attempt to get Obama

supporters to her side. If she's the nominee (a nauseating thought) and doesn't have Obama on the ticket, she's got a major problem.

[OzarkDem]

87. Ok with me

Maybe he can give it another try in 8 years after he's had some more experience.

[Georgie_92]

93. Bill Clinton called it an unstoppable ticket. Sorry Bill.

[grantcart]

95. k and r