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Roadblock Number One to the Clinton Veep Offer

June 04, 2008 7:45 AM

Vice presidential prospects are put through a very thorough vetting process.

And it makes me wonder. Would former President Bill and Senator Hillary Clinton even submit to such a process?

Bill Clinton has done some amazing things in his post-presidential life. The Clinton Foundation is now a leading international NGO (non-governmental organization) with staff and volunteers in 44 countries, working to combat HIV/AIDS and promote economic development worldwide, for instance. The Foundation says that 1.4 million people now have access to HIV/AIDS treatment at reduced prices because of its negotiations. And that's just one example.

But he's a complex man, as we all know, and I suspect Obama's vice presidential vetter, Mr. Jim Johnson, (who didn't catch all of Geraldine Ferraro's family finance issues when he vetted her on the quick in 1984) might have questions about:

* Bill's finances
* Donors to the Clinton Library (as yet undisclosed)
* Bill's gazillionaire rat pack pals Bing and Burkle et al
* Bill's trip to Kazakhstan
* Bill's ties to the Saudis
* Anything about his personal life that might not stand the light of day...

You know, I haven't even gotten to the vice presidential pick herself yet and already I can't believe the former President would agree to sit down and answer any questions about these issues.

In fact, that might be a good "out" for the Obama team, as I'm sure has occurred to bigger brains than mine on said team.

- jpt

June 4, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (49)

User Comments

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I am lifelong democrat but I am left with no choice but to vote for McCain in November.

People might think that is ridiculous, but McCain, as a republican, is closer to the things that really matter to me than Obama will ever be.

Posted by: Mark | Jun 4, 2008 9:20:17 AM

THINK AND WRITE WHAT YOU WANT PERSON !

COULD CARE LESS ! EVERY THREAT OR HINT OF ONE IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY!

ITS NOT SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH!

Posted by: Kate | Jun 4, 2008 9:18:32 AM

Kate you need to take your toys & go home. If you are 28 you are the biggest baby alive. If you are offended move on.

Posted by: rockthebleachers | Jun 4, 2008 9:15:47 AM

I find it interesting from the standpoint that according to Obama's "lay off my wife" comments, spouses are off limits. But now it appears that once again with BO, hypocrisy has reared its ugly head in that it only applies to him, and not any other candidates. Another reason why I will never vote for a hypocrite like BO, and once again, I am a lifetime Democrat, not a Republican poser who comes on these boards to troll. Those of you who think people like me are in the minority, or will "fall in line" in November, think again. I will take a moderate John McCain over ultra liberal Obama any day of the week.

Posted by: JRS | Jun 4, 2008 8:29:41 AM

***********************************

EXACTLY!

Posted by: HP Boston | Jun 4, 2008 9:06:13 AM

Krissy K wrote:
There is NOTHING wrong with what I said. Completely protected speech under our freedom of speech!
**********

There IS something wrong about what your wrote. It is morally appalling. But then again, it does fit in with the character of your candidate.

Posted by: jmc663 | Jun 4, 2008 9:06:10 AM

uho said:
Regardless KAte, those 18 mill strong supporters of Hillary will not vote for BO.
*********
It's pretty arrogant to believe 18 million people are really stupid enough to vote for McCain.

MAYBE 18 thousand. Maybe.

Posted by: jmc663 | Jun 4, 2008 8:52:01 AM

Although there are many hurdles to Hillary's veep fantasy, I think you missed the most obvious hurdle. Could the Clintons ever concede to campaigning Obama-style. They both are far too likely to respond "and what way is that?" even though it is clearly a part of what made for him winning.

They'd have to change who they are.

Posted by: S. E. Croft | Jun 4, 2008 8:50:44 AM

Popular Vote (w/MI) 17,495,726 47.3% 17,790,119 48.1% Clinton +294,393 +0.8%

Estimate w/IA, NV, ME, WA* 17,829,810 47.4% 18,013,981 47.9% Clinton +184,171 +0.5%

Popular Vote (w/MI
Uncommitted to Obama)** 17,733,894 48.0% 17,790,119 48.1% Clinton +56,225 +0.1%

Regardless KAte, those 18 mill strong supporters of Hillary will not vote for BO.

Posted by: uho | Jun 4, 2008 8:47:35 AM

Hillary could do herself and the country a big favor by ousting Reid as senate leader. We'd not only have somebody who looks awake, we'd have a good shot at undoing the legislative roadblock the Pelosi democrats have created in DC.

Posted by: A | Jun 4, 2008 8:41:26 AM

kind of an obtuse observation from an otherwise keen observer. It's not that Bill Clinton is above the vetting process; rather, he lives the vetting process every day. Or did you not notice this month's Vanity Fair?

Posted by: cordelia525 | Jun 4, 2008 8:35:29 AM

The Clintons need to go home. She's not Presidential material. She showed that last night. She has stooped so low as to send her surrogates Lanny Davis and Bob Johnson to sniff for the vp spot. Hillary how low can you go? OBAMA 08

Posted by: Jocelyn | Jun 4, 2008 8:32:33 AM

As I recall he didn't win very many primaries now did he? He didn't win my state of Indiana which was open because all of my Republican friends were voting for Hillary. He won't win my state any way. Indiana hasn't carried a Dem president since before my time and Johnson was pretty much a sympathy vote because of JFK.

Posted by: uho | Jun 4, 2008 8:30:45 AM

I find it interesting from the standpoint that according to Obama's "lay off my wife" comments, spouses are off limits. But now it appears that once again with BO, hypocrisy has reared its ugly head in that it only applies to him, and not any other candidates. Another reason why I will never vote for a hypocrite like BO, and once again, I am a lifetime Democrat, not a Republican poser who comes on these boards to troll. Those of you who think people like me are in the minority, or will "fall in line" in November, think again. I will take a moderate John McCain over ultra liberal Obama any day of the week.

Posted by: JRS | Jun 4, 2008 8:29:41 AM

rock...don't put words into my mouth. I said I thought YOU said it. I would never call anyone a cow. That is why I was surprised...YEZZzz
I don't like Hillary but I don't call people names. We are all human and have our faults

Posted by: truthtell | Jun 4, 2008 8:29:24 AM

t

WE ARE THE WINNERS OF THIS ELECTION

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A REAL CHOICE THE POLITICS OF THE OLD OR THE FUTURE

WE HAVE A REAL CHOICE NOT A CHOICE BETWEEN BAD AND WORSE!

EMBRASE THE FUTURE
BARACK OBAMA 08 12

Posted by: Kate | Jun 4, 2008 8:28:01 AM

uho...I read something VERY interesting this morning in my local paper.
Most of the primaries HRC won were "closed" meaning only Dems could vote. And most of the Primaries Obama won were"open" meaning everyone can vote. What do you suppose this means?
I guess you could construe that he will have a lot of power in the GE among Independants and Reps.

Posted by: formerhillary | Jun 4, 2008 8:26:21 AM

Now, Pelosi remains the queen of Washington DC. She is the big winner.

Posted by: T | Jun 4, 2008 8:23:18 AM

It won't matter who is VP is, BO will not win the GE!!

Posted by: uho | Jun 4, 2008 8:21:25 AM

danille...you are right, this is part of the scenario. Bill is a time bomb and can go off anytime. Where would he fit in if she was VP I don't know. I feel sorry for Obama, because there will be tremendouse pressure on him to accept someone who he really doesn't want.I pray for him

Posted by: newvoter | Jun 4, 2008 8:19:07 AM

I'm confused. Are you talking about Hillary or her husband in the VP spot?

Posted by: Danielle A. Engle | Jun 4, 2008 8:15:52 AM

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