The win-win of a Obama-Hillary ticket. [View all]

[RandySF]

I was very much involved in the Obama side 2008 primary wars, but I never lost my respect for the intellect and hard work of the former New York senator and First Lady. What's more, she is an outstanding Secretary of State. I've followed Joe Biden's career as long as I followed politics, from his first run for president to his tenure as Vice President. I will also be forever grateful that he kept Robert Bork off the Supreme Court. Nothing but respect for the kid from Scranton. But we are heading into a potentially tough presidential campaign and an increasingly perilous time on the world stage. A shuffling of seats might be needed to Joe and Hillary's strengths. Here are the pluses and minuses of a trade in positions for Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton.

Pluses.
1. Hillary on the ticket could bring in a lot of white, working class voters who voted for her in the 2008 primaries, voted for Obama and might either sit home or vote Republican in 2012.
2. Obama can send her to parts of the country where he might not be as welcome (parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states).
3. Hillary's place guarantees that the Big Dog will go out to campaign for the ticket, raise money for the DNC and mobilize local Democratic organizers in key states.
4. Clinton fundraisers will be more inclined to raise cash for the party.
5. Joe Biden will have an opportunity to leave a lasting, tangible legacy as Secretary of State.
6. Biden's tenure on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will make him well-suited to handle issues facing the Middle East and South Asia.

Minuses:
1. Requires total buy-in from Biden. He is not the kind of guy to hide any unhappiness.
2. Could be seen as a desperate move by the MSM.