Justin Webb on the Clintons Marriage of Convenience

I've never quite understood those on the Right who believe the BBC's Justin Webb to be a raving leftie. I've usually found him to be completely fair in his reporting. In today's FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT he has just done a wonderful demolition job on the Clintons. He ended it with these words (which I think I have remembered correctly...

The problem isn't Hillary. The problem isn't even Bill. The problem is THEM.

His central thesis was that theirs is a marriage of convenience and one which doesn't stand very close scrutiny. He clearly believes Hillary's appointment as Secretary of State is one which is going to rebound on Obama. I agreed.

Justin's essay (written version) can be read HERE.

A United Ticket Is the Only Way of Uniting the Democrats

Tonight the Democratic nomination will be decided. Whether Hillary Clinton admits it or not, Barack Obama has won.

The best result for the Democrats - and some say their only chance of winning in November - is for Obama to offer Hillary the Vice Presidential nomination. This seems to be the only thing which could unite the Democratic Party and guarantee they are all pulling in the same direction. They would make a formidable campaigning duo. Without the Hillary campaign machine and campaign workers Obama would face an uphill task.

However, and it's a big however, Hillary will do very little to build the broader coalition which Obama needs to be sure of victory. There will be some Republicans who would consider voting for Obama, but would withdraw their support if Hillary is on the ticket.

Quote of the Day

"Given that the Chinese have been abusing human rights since long before her husband abused female staff, one wonders why she was coy on the subject between 1993 and 2001 when her husband was President. "
Donal Blaney on Hillary Clinton's call for President Bush to boycott the Beijing Olympics

Job Swaps for Clinton & Obama?

Predictions of a bloodbath at the Democratic convention in Denver seem ever more likely to come true. Robin Lustig has a solution for the Democrats - job swap half way through the term. It's been done before, in Israel when Peres and Shamir agreed to swap jobs at an agreed point in the political cycle. I can't see it happening in the USA any more than here.

It's reported today that Hillary might succeed in her bid to gain the Florida delegates who had been banned from the convention for holding their Primary too early. This would bring her closer to Obama's total. In the end, if it comes down to the Super Delegates they will surely give their votes to the candidate they think is most likely to beat John McCain. Barring any great mishap between now and September, the best bet would have to Obama.

Hillary Fails to Land a Blow

I've just watched the whole Clinton-Obama debate screened last night from Ohio. Most pundits called it a score draw. I don't. I call it a win for Obama. Hillary Clinton needed a big win and she failed to get it - hence it is a victory for Obama. I actually thought she copped by far the toughest questioning, but her pleading for sympathy seemed inappropriate and phoney. The only area she came across as more knowledgeable was foreign policy, but few Americans vote on that issue alone. Obama failed to rise to her bait on a number of occasions and came across as sincere, polite and informed. Hillary was shrill, defensive and a little nasty.

Clinton is still ahead in the Ohio polls, but only by four or five points. Obama leads in Texas, but very narrowly. If Obama wins both states next Tuesday we'll see how magnanimous Hillary can be in defeat, or whether she intends to prolong her agony all the way to the convention in Denver.

Nightmare Scenario for the Democrats

Democratic Party managers are already staring into the abyss. Many doresee a scenario in which the Convention in Denver at the end of August is deadlocked. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama will have enough delegates to be nominated (currently it's 1300 ro 1220 in Obama's favour). The votes of the 796 Superdelegates then become crucial. It is said that these delegates are overhwelmingly white men. Can you imagine the consequences if they voted solidly for Hillary Clinton? Chicago 1968 might look like a vicar's tea party. As Nancy Pelosi has said: "It would be a problem for the party if the verdict would be something different than the public has decided." That may turn out to be the understatement of the year.

Still, it's OK, according to the very well informed Sarah Baxter in the Sunday Times, Al Gore has already offered to broker a deal ... in return for what, we may ask?

UPDATE: Great quote from the same paper: "Hillary is so divisive that McCain could beat her with Britney Spears as his running mate."

It Shouldn't Happen to a Clinton

Hillary 1984

I'm not sure if this is officially endorsed by Barack Obama, but it certainly has a powerful message!