In this dream, Clinton and Obama are embarrassed to discover that they’re not wearing any pants.Photo: Getty Images
Dream ticket? Dream on. That was the message delivered by Barack Obama in Mississippi yesterday when he shook off the notion — recently planted by Hillary and Bill Clinton — of a joint presidential ticket led, naturally, by Clinton. Obama characterized the suggestion as a shrewd plan meant to “hoodwink,” “bamboozle,” and “okey-doke” the voters. After putting away his Thesaurus of Funny-Sounding Words and Phrases, 3rd Edition, he then questioned how Clinton could claim he’s not qualified to be commander-in-chief and then kinda-sorta offer him the veep slot. A lot of other people have been wondering the same thing.
• Andrew Romano calls the discrepancy between Clinton’s invite and criticism absurd and shameless. He says it’s a ploy to create an aura of inevitability for Clinton. [Stumper/Newsweek]
• Jeff Zeleney and Julie Bosman speculate that the strategy is an attempt to diminish Obama and offer his supporters a chance to ultimately vote for both of them. [NYT]
• Jim Geraghty doesn’t think Obama could co-exist with Clinton once in the White House. Would he hold his tongue when she refused to meet with rogue leaders? Would he backtrack on his opposition to health-care mandates? And would he actually be number three, behind Bill? [Campaign Spot/National Review]
• Gary Andres notices that polls show Obama supporters slightly oppose a “dream ticket” while Clinton supporters widely support one. But he wonders how many people would really be into it if they knew their preferred candidate wasn’t on top. [Blog/Weekly Standard]
• Andrew Sullivan really likes this political cartoon from the Oregonian on the subject. [Daily Dish/Atlantic]
• Jake Tapper is bewildered by Clinton’s response to a question he posed about the dream ticket, considering it was her campaign that was pushing the idea in the first place: “Well this thing has really been given a life of its own,” she said. [Political Punch/ABC]
• Katharine Q. Seelye questions whether prominent Clinton backer, Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, really is behind Clinton after saying yesterday he wouldn’t mind it if Clinton was the VP. [Caucus/NYT]
• Chris Weigant analyzes both combinations and concludes that Obama-Clinton would have a better chance against McCain-Someone. [HuffPo]
• Vaugh Ververs says despite Obama’s attempt to dismiss it, the idea is something that voters and superdelegates won’t let go of. At the very least, it will make the six weeks until the Pennsylvania primary a little more interesting. [Horserace/CBS News] —Dan Amira
For a complete guide to presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain — from First Love to Most Embarrassing Gaffe — read the 2008 Electopedia.
