Stephanopoulos Says Clinton Should Drop Out

This story was written by Brian Stewart, The Daily Iowan

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's race for the presidency has hit the end, and the best-case scenario for the Democratic senator would be to join opponent Barack Obama on the ballot, ABC political journalist George Stephanopoulos said on Thursday at Cornell College.

"I think in recent years politics can be defined at the art of the unpredictable," he told a standing-room-only crowd. "I think it's going to end with negotiations about Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton joining together on the ticket that's been called the 'Dream Team.' "

Although Stephanopoulos conceded during his lecture, "Politics: The Art of the Impossible," that such a ticket may never solidify, he noted the current election is one for the record books.

"This is a big, historic election, and I think the public gets that," Stephanopoulos said before the lecture.

Cornell College President Les Garner said he was happy to welcome Stephanopoulos back to the state "where the process began" to share his opinions.

"He's not only seen the world of politics as a correspondent, he's been on the inside," Garner said.

Stephanopoulos has served on the inside of the White House - he was a senior adviser for policy and strategy for President Bill Clinton.

But the former commander in chief was likely a factor in Rodham Clinton's loss, Stephanopoulos said, and one reason Obama should be wary of a double ticket.

"[Obama] embodies change in a time when that's what the electorate wants more than anything else," he said, adding that because of her husband, Rodham Clinton "has, unavoidably, a face from the past."

Stephanopoulos joked about the possibility of having the former president back in the White House.

"I don't think he'd be allowed to have an office in the West Wing," he said, noting that Obama could make him the "ambassador to everywhere."

Though Stephanopoulos focused mainly on the Democratic contest, he noted Sen. John McCain is "a man of unbelievably strong character" and "is doing remarkably well," considering the factors against him: old age and being a Republican with President Bush's abysmal ratings.

But with three candidates still in the picture, the question remained: will Obama ask Rodham Clinton to be his running mate?

"I think it'd be a very powerful ticket and I think if it's presented right, she'd accept it," Stephanopoulos said. "That would be an unstoppable force."

Cedar Rapids resident Tim Miller said he came to the lecture because he was angry with how Stephanopoulos treated Obama during a recent debate.

"That has faded - I found him to be quite even-handed tonight, and he shared his information in a very instructive way," the Obama supporter said.

Stephanopoulos said it's "very likely to see records broken for participation," in November.

"The choice all of us are going to make is going to be an important one, and it's going to set the course for a generation," he said.