From The Road
March 7, 2008 2:04 PM

Clinton Hints at Clinton-Obama Ticket, Again

By
Fernando Suarez
Topics
Hillary Clinton
(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

HATTIESBURG, MISS. -- During a campaign rally, Hillary Clinton told the crowd that the upcoming Mississippi primary is "contested" and that their votes will count in choosing the next president, but she recognized that the choice between her and Obama is not easy for some.

"You've gotta make a choice. A lot of people wish they didn't have to. I've got people saying, 'I wish I could vote for both of you.' Well, that might be possible someday, but first I need your vote on Tuesday!"

Clinton spoke before a crowd of around 600 people in a state where the former First Lady admits will be a difficult win for her.

"This is a contested primary and it is exciting. You know, Mississippi's votes are going to count. I know that I may have an uphill battle here in this state, I appreciate that. Some people said, 'why did you even come?'…I said, 'I'll tell you why I'm going to go to Mississippi to know that I'm for them, that I will work for you.'"

Clinton's decision to campaign in Mississippi is best summed up by a senior campaign aide who said Clinton will campaign in as many states as possible in order "to pick up her share of delegates."

Following the event, Clinton held a press conference where she addressed comments made by an Obama adviser, Samantha Power, who resigned today after calling Clinton "a monster" during a newspaper interview.

"I think Senator Obama did the right thing, but I think that it is important to look at what she and his other advisers say behind closed doors particularly when they are talking to foreign governments and foreign press. It raises disturbing questions about what the real planning and policy positions within the Obama campaign happen to be." Clinton was referring to comments Power made a few months ago that discredited any Iraq exit plan because of the high potential of having to change that plan.

Clinton was also pressed on comments her communications director Howard Wolfson made where he likened the Obama campaign to former Whitewater independent counsel Ken Starr. Initially Clinton backed away from the comment, but when pressed by a reporter, she admitted the comment held some validity.

"I am very focused on this campaign and you know, you've made the comparison between those two," she said. When a reporter pointed out that her spokesman actually made the comparison she said, "Well, I think that one is and ad hominem attack and the other is a historical reference."

The reporter countered, "But he said that 'I don't know how anyone who can imitate Ken Starr can win the Democratic presidential nomination.'"

"Well, I think that is a true statement," Clinton responded.

Add a Comment See all 32 Comments
by whitepicks2 March 10, 2008 3:21 PM EDT
This is perhaps the most diabolical Clinton tactic since South Carolina --(1) Put out the false impression of acting in the interest of party unity. (2)Deceive voters into believing the false choice of her on top of a joint ticket. (3) Feed and manipulate this ruse in a feel-good story through the media. (4)Try to paint Obama as the bad guy here for shunning the offer, and stubbornly blocking party unity. That''s the deception which will never end from the Clinton campaign. If people can''t see this, well, they''ll remain owned and manipulated by the Clintons. This tactic of the moment is, and their campaign''s body of work remains, a constant slap in the face to Democratic voters.
Reply to this comment
by popstom1 March 10, 2008 5:41 AM EDT
With out Fl. Mi. Obama can''t win
Reply to this comment
by elevando March 9, 2008 2:16 PM EDT
If Obama is the candidate that exercises "better judgment," why does he have John Kerry, somebody any right thinking Dem hates, out on the Sunday talk shows claiming that having a write in ballot wouldn''t be the best option for Florida? What could be more representational, hence democratic? There is no argument here. The Obama campaign and their supporters should be ashamed to have this man''s ideals as the mouth piece for the campaign. Sure, the Obama supporters will spin this, and I do admire their passion for their candidate, but the fact remains Kerry''s argument stinks, and it is at odds with Obama''s message of leading America in a new direction.
Reply to this comment
by nmben March 9, 2008 2:09 PM EDT
The Clintons needs to respect the intelligence of the American people just a little: suggesting a possible VP position for Mr. Obama is another not-so-veiled "Jesse Jackson won South Carolina"-style swift-boating, except now it is to convey that he may be good enough for a VP position, instead of the ethnic candidate flavor of the season.

I wonder why the Democratic Party leaders are allowing this soap opera to continue, fully aware that she has no chance in hell to win the nomination. Is the leadership such a hostage to the Clinton machine?
Please spare us more of the blood sport the Clintons%u2019 are playing. I hope that the Obama campaign does not agree to any kind of %u201Cre-do%u201D in Michigan and Florida %u2013 it is another trap.

Reply to this comment
by lordmi March 9, 2008 11:32 AM EDT
Her? On the ticket?
No way, not even on position Number 100.
Reply to this comment
by lordmi March 9, 2008 11:31 AM EDT
She is a Monster., no doubt.
Reply to this comment
by vet_sk March 9, 2008 11:12 AM EDT
Obama though would no more take the VP position under Clinton then he would quit the race now. He''d rather be a US Senator then her VP. I could see her wanting a chance at the VP position.

The dems know that there is no way that the Super''s could vote against the will of the pledged delegates and get away with the general election. Such a move would disenfranchise the Obama support from the general election.

I would have to hold my nose enough now to vote for Hillary but if she tried to usurp the vote using Supers that would be untenable to me.
Reply to this comment
by mcom-major March 9, 2008 3:54 AM EDT
Hey Fernando! I enjoy your blog! In fact Im writing my own blog for school about politics too! Hope you are enjoying being on the road. When you get back to the office Ill have to stop by.
-Molly (summer 2007 intern)
Reply to this comment
by mcom-major March 9, 2008 3:45 AM EDT
Hey Fernando! I enjoy your blog! In fact Im writing my own blog for school about politics too! Hope you are enjoying being on the road. When you get back to the office Ill have to stop by.
-Molly (summer 2007 intern)
Reply to this comment
by darrren12000 March 8, 2008 10:51 PM EST
iss - NO ONE will get the delegate count. No one will get 2024 delegates without all the superdelegates going for them - and even then, i''m not sure they will get it. let''s face it, we are going to a brokered convention. both sides are going to have to grow up and face this reality.
Reply to this comment
See all 32 Comments
.

Follow From The Road

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...