Regrets
02 August 2008 11:50 am by Scott Hopkins
As wise as it might be to always look forward and not linger on what might have been, it’s hard not to wonder sometimes.
If only Al Gore had picked a running mate that could carry Florida, or proudly ran on his record in the 90s with Bill Clinton by his side. If only John Kerry had fought back immediately against the swiftboaters, or insisted upon a Democratic Convention that actually took a stand against the Republicans. If only Mark Penn wasn’t such a chump, or was fired from the Clinton campaign in November 2007.
If only…
Imagine for a moment this unfortunate scenario: McCain narrowly defeats Obama. This is not a useless mental exercise. Bringing up the fact that Obama is struggling in the polls against McCain is not just a fun drive-by hobby for concern trolls, it’s a legitimate concern for many of us Democrats who want to see McCain and Republicans across the nation lose in a landslide. Yes, it’s early. Yes, these things fluctuate. But in the political environment of 2008, the Democrat should be running away with this thing. Even after a very successful trip overseas, where many (including myself) saw a promising American leader hold his own extremely well on the world stage…a week later, he’s right back to a tie with the man who would continue the disaster of the Bush years.
To point out that Obama is doing no better than Kerry was around this time four years ago is not a reason to laugh or say “I told you so”. It’s a sign that something needs to change or we risk losing again. I’m not sure our country can even survive another term of McBushian rule. This is no small matter, and it’s why the PUMAs are so misguided and so wrong.
So, if Obama were to lose in November, what would be the one thing that many would look back on and wish he had done differently? Because of the circumstances that eventually led to Obama’s nomination, some might wonder why he didn’t pick a running mate that immediately brought the party together again, enthusiastically, and made his November victory a lock.
I’ve been pushing for Hillary to be his running mate for several reasons: She’s the most qualified for the job, she’s the anti-Dick Cheney, the 18 million people who voted for her, my personal admiration for her…but most of all, because it would practically ensure a Democratic victory. That’s what this is all about, and what it’s always been about.
But this week has brought a general consensus that Clinton will most likely not be on the ticket. This could very well be the case. That said, there’s a lot of noise on Hillary-related subjects right now. On Saturday, she was reported be on Obama’s short list. Then on Tuesday, it was reported that she was never even considered in the first place. And don’t get me started on the roll call vote controversy. I’m sure there are people who know what’s really going on behind the scenes, but I’m certainly not one of them.
The main reason I hear against choosing Hillary is that it would go against Obama’s message of “change” (as if the first woman Vice President wouldn’t be a dramatic change). Yes, the all-important Democratic message. I remember Gore’s carefully crafted “I’m my own man” message and Kerry’s carefully crafted “I’m a war hero” message. I also remember that the Republicans simply figured out a way to win and pulled it off in whatever way they could. Silly me…I thought elections were about winning!
The question I’ve been asking myself as our country has suffered for the last eight years, and the question I ask now, is…when will this lesson finally be learned?
The good news is, doing what it takes to win provides its own message…one that is much, much more powerful. It’s a unique, inherent and obvious message that would resonate with Obama Democrats and Clinton Democrats alike, and bring along a great number of independents too:
Sixteen years of Obama/Clinton Democratic rule in the White House, and our country saved from the brink of Republican-fueled disaster.
There’s your winning message, Senator Obama. And with that, my argument for Vice President Hillary Clinton comes to a close.
