NEWTONIAN POLITICS (4/22/08)

A Monthly Column with Jason Newton '08

Why a Democratic "Dream Ticket" is the only way they will win in November

It has been nearly four months since the Iowa caucuses in January, and the Democratic Party is still without a clear front-runner for its presidential nominee. While Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) has a clear lead in pledged delegates and popular vote, he has been unable to deliver a knock out blow to his main challenger Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). With tension running high on both sides, this prolonging contest has raised fears that the eventual nominee will come out badly bruised against the Republican Party's nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ.). While they have dismissed this concern, I believe it a concern that should not be taken lightly. As the primary season enters its final weeks, I see a Democratic Party extremely divided. Tensions are running high on both sides and there is no guarantee that the party will unite behind the eventual nominee in November.

For this reason, some within the party have floated the idea of a Democratic "dream ticket," a joint-ticket with both Obama and Clinton (in whatever order that is decided). Both Clinton and Obama say it is still too early to talk about Vice Presidential candidates and both have declined to say whether they would ask each other to join their ticket. The idea has also received a lukewarm response from leading Democratic officials like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D. Cali.). As far as I can see, the Dream Ticket is the only way the Democrats stand a chance on winning the Presidency in November.

Despite his charisma and ability to "move people," Mr. Obama is still relatively unknown to many Americans, which could pose a problem for him in November. The senator's questionable relationship with his longtime anti-American pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright and the whole "Bittergate" comments have only raised new questions about the man's electability. Now, do not even get me started on Mrs. Clinton. Despised by Republicans and Conservatives alike, Mrs. Clinton's electability has always been in question, even when she was the front-runner.

Also, let's face it: people are going to be bitter once this thing is decided. Both sides are going to feel they have been cheated of victory. For example, there is already talk among Clinton supporters of backing McCain in the event Obama does win the nomination.

Running separately, the Democratic Party's chances in November have no place to go but down, and the longer this race goes on, I bet my prediction will pan out. Running together, however, I think it is very likely that the American people will embrace a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in over a decade. Both bring something to the table. Mrs. Clinton brings experience, while Mr. Obama brings the new face and bipartisan attitude that American politics has been lacking for decades. Also, do Democrats really think the American people, no matter how stupid the concept actually may be, will ignore the chance of electing the country's first black president and female vice president, or the first woman president and black vice president? I do not think so.

I mean even another Leftie, Fidel Castro, thinks the ticket is a win.

So I think, at the end of the day, Clinton and Obama are going to have to kiss and make up if they have any chance of standing against McCain, a Vietnam War veteran who has supporters on both sides of the political spectrum. If they do not, then all I can say is Election Night 2008 will be a good night for Senator John McCain.

By Bishop McNamara HS |  April 23, 2008; 11:41 PM ET Editorials , Politics
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