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Clinton Open to Being Veep Candidate

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June 03, 2008 3:22 PM

ABC News' Rick Klein and Kate Snow Report: In a conference call with members of the New York congressional delegation this afternoon, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said she'd be willing to consider a spot on Sen. Barack Obama's ticket, if it's offered to her.

Clinton spent much of the afternoon calling major donors and supporters and from her home in Chappaqua, N.Y., in a last-ditch effort to gauge her support.

Speaking with her supporters from her home state's congressional delegation, she said she is "open" to being Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential candidate, a source on the call told ABC News.

When Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., told Clinton that she feared Latino voters would only support Obama if she is on the ticket, several other members of the delegation said she should team up with Obama. Clinton responded that if he asked her to be on the ticket, she would be interested in considering that.

One member of Congress on the call told ABC News it was "the first time we've gotten the green light" on the question of the so-called Democratic "dream ticket."

The congressman added that Clinton is hearing similar calls from donors and key labor leaders.

"It's a chorus of voices that she's hearing: 'We want you on the ticket,' " he said.

One donor who got a call from Clinton earlier Tuesday told ABC News Clinton told him she is exhausted and still has not made a full decision about her presidential campaign.

She asked his opinion about what she should do and he got the impression that she wants to wait longer to see what happens. 

The Senator said to this donor on the telephone, "There is so much pressure. There is so much pressure."

A Democrat familiar with the conversation with the New York delegation tells ABC that Clinton knocked down a report Tuesday by the Associated Press that said she would concede to Obama in her speech tonight.

Clinton delivered the firm message that she will not be suspending her campaign or dropping out tonight. She also asked for the delegation’s continued support as she makes up her mind.

She said she wants time to "catch her breath" and determine the best way forward, while acknowledging the math that clearly favors Obama.

Clinton's argument was described to ABC News as having “earned the right” to reflect on how to proceed, and the tenor of the conversation was largely supportive, though recognizing Clinton's extremely long odds.

A Clinton adviser who has been on some of her calls Tuesday said she has said nothing new regarding the possibility of running for vice president: "On the VP question, she says she is not saying anything different today than she has been saying, she will do whatever it takes to help ensure a Democratic victory in November."

June 3, 2008 in Bush, George W., Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (523)

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O.K. I'm an Obama woman and I'm super happy that my guy is the winner. Now, let the poor woman alone. This got to be difficult for her. I've have disliked the Clintons throughout this campaign; however, I respect other people's difficult times, including Hillary.

Aha, you see that I can be gracious?

Posted by: carl29 | Jun 3, 2008 3:42:08 PM

well come hillary supporters answer my question please help me to understand if she was the better canidate why did she not get most of the superdelegates endorsements like obama has gotten

Posted by: angie | Jun 3, 2008 3:44:10 PM

Mark,

Unfortunately, it's the opposite grasshoppa. McCain will never be Prez. IT WILL BE OBAMA.

Did you know that denial is the last known defense mechanisms in humans? Errr, unless you're unhuman, sounds like you show clear symptoms sonny.

Well, the good thing is that reality is just around the corner. In other words, right now you're walking around like the two chickens claiming to be original Foster Farms chickens when in reality, you're just a dumb cluck.

See you at the inauguration.

And, McCain is going to need all the votes he can scrape up. Sacrifice yours in vain. (LAUGH)

Posted by: Nat Turner | Jun 3, 2008 3:44:39 PM

Has this party ever been so split? Does anyone think it's going to be all healed by Nov.? I hope McCain picks a fiscally strong, young All American to be his running mate....aw, hell, who am I kidding. I don't care who he has as running mate.....wouldn't vote Obama even with Hillary on the ticket.
She is the first candidate I've ever contributed to too.
Does anyone care about Jimmy Carter's endorsement? Why are they yammering about that on FOX?

Posted by: Debra | Jun 3, 2008 3:44:56 PM

HILLARY SUPPORTS: DON'T FALL FOR THE SPIN.


This party is not your party anymore. Concede your principals and join Obama or vote your values somewhere else.

Those are your choices.

Posted by: S | Jun 3, 2008 3:45:27 PM

They BOTH need to breathe & show some humility.
Why would she use this moment to force herself onto the ticket?
They both need to get their supporters in order first. If it were the other way around Obama would be totally humiliated by the press.

Posted by: breathe | Jun 3, 2008 3:47:13 PM

No way. No how. Do not offer her the VP slot, not after the way she & Bill have shown their true faces...trying to tear him down & us apart for their own gain. Enough of the Clinton's games! The gall of her to even suggest it after the last few weeks (and Bill's tirade yesterday) is mind boggling...they just don't understand reality. As Kennedy said, we need someone with nobler aspirations.

Posted by: KC | Jun 3, 2008 3:48:02 PM

I'm happy! we did it! It so exciting! Now we get to kick Mcsame's butt!!!

Posted by: Joe | Jun 3, 2008 3:48:02 PM

Democratic women who vote for McCain because Hillary lost are losers just like she is. Obama played by the rules and won the nomination fair and square. It's like losing a baseball game 4-3 and insisting you won because you got more hits than the other team. It's not the hits, it's the runs that count. It's not the popular vote (which she really didn't win anyway), it's the delegates. You don't get to play by different rules because you're a woman. Get it?

Posted by: BigTGS | Jun 3, 2008 3:48:57 PM

OBAMA '08 ! Hillary supporters are NOT Republicans, right?

Posted by: Harry | Jun 3, 2008 3:49:20 PM

Be careful Hillary, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Stay away from him. We will write you in if you do not go Independent. Or we will vote McCain.

Posted by: Mar | Jun 3, 2008 3:49:22 PM

sherrie...good one!!!

Posted by: newvoter | Jun 3, 2008 3:49:36 PM

Is it "Pick Your Own Job" day?? =-)

3 reasons it's a bad choice:

1. Obama needs more foreign policy/nat'l security on his ticket (Webb, Biden, Lugar =-), or someone like that would bring balance)

2. Who would be Obama's food taster

3. Bill Clinton should not be allowed back in the White House.

Posted by: Lynne | Jun 3, 2008 3:50:08 PM

I can see it clearly . . . . .it's 3:am Hillary's phone rings . . .hello? Hillary? is that you? it's barack here. I want to offer you a position in my new administration. How would you like to be our new ambassador to Cuba? . . . . .

Posted by: DAVID NH | Jun 3, 2008 3:50:20 PM

@Angie,

I'm not going to answer your question first but I would like to ask you a question also.
Why the undecided SuperDelegates are still uncommitted until now even the rumors are so hot that Obama is going to be the nominee?

Posted by: catleya | Jun 3, 2008 3:50:37 PM

I WILL VOTE for Obama in the fall, but I WILL NOT VOTE for Obama in the fall if Hillary is his VP. Hillary as VP would put her a heart beat away from the presidency, and that would be frightening, given some of her recent (Bobby Kennedy assassination) comments, and given the fact that the nation, IMO, needs a break from Bill and Hillary and their incessant whining.

Posted by: thom | Jun 3, 2008 3:50:42 PM

s...what is wrong with Michelle? She is very intelligent and gracious, plus she loves her family and this country...

Posted by: newthought | Jun 3, 2008 3:51:45 PM

OBAMA'S HOPE

That the rest of the garbage in his past won't be unearthed.

OBAMA'S PROMISE

I never heard Wright when he delivered such sermons.

Posted by: S | Jun 3, 2008 3:52:15 PM

By all means please Hillary catch your breath and make sure of the decision before you make one. I wish you could stay in - I really think he is going to crater with everything that is going to come out on him and I think Hillary knows that also. The International Press Corps is headed to Chicago to find out just who this man is. We do not know him because he is so new and will all that has already surfaced there is a big possibility there is more that will damage him big time in the general election - so I can certainly hear her concerns for the good of the party.

Posted by: Lynn | Jun 3, 2008 3:52:49 PM

Now we know what was really going on for the last few weeks. As was widely anticipated she is making a play for the VP slot. If they win she runs in 2016 when she's 69. If they lose she runs in 2012. Either way it's the best play for the Clintons. Doesn't matter that she's the worst choice for half a dozen reasons.

Posted by: Jacknyc | Jun 3, 2008 3:52:51 PM

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