Hillary under VP consideration, but...

Posted: Saturday, July 12, 2008 1:41 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
According to a Hillary donor who recently spoke with Obama, Clinton is definitely on the veep list. But there's one obstacle, Obama told her: Bill Clinton.

The Los Angeles Times writes, "Jill Iscol, a faithful Democratic donor who was an ardent supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, said Obama reached out to her because he heard she was unhappy about the way the New York senator had been treated by the Democratic Party and the media. Iscol turned their phone conversation Thursday to the vice presidency -- something the Obama campaign has refused to discuss publicly. She said she told him that Clinton would be his best running mate."

"Obama replied that she is on his list, Iscol recounted, and that it would be a mistake not to have her on such a list. But he also explained that he was thinking through a potential 'complication' -- Bill Clinton. 'He said once you're a president, even if you're a former president, you're always a president,' Iscol said."

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Comments

I'm thinking that this is a tactical move by Obama. Let it be known that having one president is all we need and that you cannot get around Bill being a president. Although he could never pass through the vetting process because we know his income is from people that an Obama administration would not want to be associated with. The people will realize the folly of having Hillary as VP as long as Bill is in the picture and will understand why its not going to happen. I for one am glad she will not be the VP. I like her personally but she did women a great disservice by not dropping out when she ran out of money. Begging now for Obama to bail her out is telling women "reach as high as you want but when you fail, ask a man to bail you out." Not the kind of message I want my daughters to get. I also live within my means.

Coleen, Seattle, Washington (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 5:29 PM)

How nice of her to betray his confidence by blabbing to the press.

no thanks, hillary (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 5:35 PM)

Hillary supporters get the message; Obama will NOT choose her for VP. This decision will contribute to Obama's loss against McCain. Way to go Obama!
McCain 08; Hillary 2012!!

Mark Hudson (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 5:38 PM)

Why are Obama supporters such bitter winners? Obama reached out to this woman because he wants her support and the money she will raise for him. The notion that Obama does not need Hillary and her supporters is just silly. Given the political winds blowing against the Republicans the fact that Obama is in a dead heat with a horrible candidate like McCain should have all Dems seriously scared. Why are we attacking each other??? Are we all going to do our best to alienate each other and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory??

Mike, Charlottesville,VA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 5:44 PM)

WITHOUT HILLARY OBAMA LOSSES. IM A HILLARY SUPPORTER AND I DON'T WANT HER TO ACCEPT THE VP SLOT. SHE SHOULD BE PRESIDENT. NO O8' WAIT TILL 2012 HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROCCO L.A. CALIFORNIA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 5:57 PM)

This Republican hopes Obama picks Hillary. That would be a great thing for McCain. And, even if McCain didn't win, the Obama/Hillary fatigue would be so pronounced in four years that maybe we'd get a decent Republican in then.

Heaven help our country! (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:09 PM)

THE PROBLEM WITH HILARY IS NOT BILL. THE PROBLEM WITH HILARY IS HILARY. SHE DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN THAT SHE IS (1) EGO-MANIACAL AND (2) MENTALLY DISTURBED. SHE OBVIOUSLY BELIEVED HER OWN SICK LIES -- E.G., SNIPER FIRE AND OTHERS. SHE OBVIOUSLY PERSISTED IN A LOSING CAMPAIGN IN THE HOPE THAT OBAMA WOULD BE KNOCKED OFF LIKE KENNEDY.

Muriel Menhart, Fairfield, CT (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:13 PM)

Ames Johnston, those fat old poor white women??? You ar suffering under a huge delusion. But your remarks just points out the ignorance & class of people that are O'Bama supporters! I hate to shake up you illusion, but their is a huge movement made up of hundreds of groups that are working to defeat this unvetted & inexperience candidate named Barack O'Bama. They are organized, have radio spots & planning other events as well. None will vote for O'Bama. Some do not even want her to be on his ticket as their plan is to elect McCain so she can run again in 4 years. Most are very angry with the DNC.

Jano,Clearwater,Fl (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:16 PM)

It appears there are more (probably right-wing) trolls in this thread trying to stir up animosity between Clinton and Obama.

Ogre Mage, Olympia, WA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:17 PM)

If the Obama people don't want Hillary because of Bill, it seems to me the Obama people could be suspect for bias and for forgetting about equal rights. I thought we were voting as a nation for good government.
This country is in for a tough ride, the 1st Bush administration put us is in the RED, the Clinton administation got this nation out of out of debt and back on track. Then the 2nd Bush adminisrtation put us back in debt and they have become suspect for breaking major laws. The stock market keeps falling, we as a nation might be facing another depression.
Obama is still a senator, if he loses in November he returns to the senate, as will Hillary. And what a tremedous loss to the nation because the Obama people didn't seem to like the fact that Bill Clinton is a former president. If that is the thinking of democratic party we had one to many Kennedy's running for the presidental office. One to many Presidents by the name of Bush, one to many Roosevelt's, etc., etc.

BSM...MA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:55 PM)

It's an extremely fair point, about Bill always being a president. He's proven himself to be capable of going drastically off-message, of engaging in some pretty petty politics... For Hillary to be VP means constantly having Bill dragging things off course.

It's a shame, but it's a reality that's already been proven in the primary season. If Hillary had been President, then hopefully she'd've been able to muzzle the ex-P because he'd feel like he was working part of the team. But with Obama as the nominee, Bill just doesn't have the loyalty to him to mind himself. He'll be trouble, and it's a mess.

Grace (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 6:56 PM)

Hillary would be the best VP, it's crazy the comments you get on this board. I challenge any of the above people to name another Democrat who received 18 MILLION votes in a primary. You can't. Obama can not claim he won by a huge margin nor can he say he went out in a bang. The final biggest primaries went for Hillary big time. Bill Clinton is not relevant. He has his own work and Hillary is her own person, she has proved that time and time again.

Matt, Scranton PA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:00 PM)

I sincerely hope Obama doesn't pick that viper!

Smick (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:02 PM)

I agree, Tony Snow should have more time in the limelight than other items MSN is going after. Maybe not as much as Tim, but far more than Hillary at ths point.

James D (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:14 PM)

Based on every single poll, for months now, Barack Obama will win all the states John Kerry won, along with three others he lost ----- Iowa, Colorado and New Mexico. This will bring his electoral vote count to at least 273, without Ohio and Florida. It would not hurt to have Hillary Clinton on the ticket, as she would improve his propects in Ohio. John McCain will not be the next president without winning Ohio ----- Barack Obama needs to think about this fact !

Dave Bomstein, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:28 PM)

It appears that former President Bill Clinton is staying out of the limelight to show that he won't be a problem, and to keep the news media from embellishing or exaggerating whatever he says.

To Jamal from Dearborn, MI: How do we know that Senator Obama or his supporters didn't leak what was said between him and senator Clinton to the news media?

E.W. Washington, Columbia, SC (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:31 PM)

To you Obama supporters who think you don't need Clinton supporters, just wait until he picks someone else as VP and watch the support level bleed. Remember, it doesn't matter how much he wins in the popular vote, McCain will win the electoral one.

Don, SF (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:36 PM)

Obama reaches out only because Ms. Iscol is a Hillary donor. He wants the cash! There is nothing genuine about this man. I wouldn't give him one red cent nor the time of day. I hope he offers Hillary the VP slot so she can turn it down. I wouldn't vote for him under any circumstance.

PUMA!!

Carol, Atlanta, GA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:38 PM)

Please keep your money and your threats. This is demeaning to Senator Obama and his supporters that you have choosen this route. If Obama were a white democratic nominee, you would never do such a thing. Hillary will not be vp. You women alone can never get her elected for any office. If you dismantle our democratic party, Hillary's political career will be over. Know that.

Shirley In CA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:46 PM)

I am an Obamacan who will bolt if he chooses a Clinton as his running mate. Period.

Kentucky Betty (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:55 PM)

No Hillary as VP = No Vote for Obama.

Simple as that.

18 MILLION!

csh, IL (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:05 PM)

So, Ames Johnston, fat, white women you say? Letting your racist side out are you? So I guess it's not just one sided after all! I guess it's not just Obama who has the Wright stuff!

JW, Minn, MN (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:13 PM)

Jamil, Obama reached out to this woman for money...plain and simple...just like a typical politician would! No other reason!

JW, Minn, MN (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:15 PM)

The culture of the Hillary camp has always been appalling. Why leak a private conversation to the press? Surely this will only stir up more mischief and disunity. Whilst we are on this subject there is a gang of Hillary supporters calling Obama an empty suit and sprouting a lot of bile. They, and I suspect are a paltry few, should realize the primary is over and we are now campaigning in the general. They plan to create havoc at the convention, they plan to support McCain and oh yes, they plan to let Obama’s supporters pay off Hillary’s debt. Keep this up and there will not be a red cent given in that direction! I firmly believe they were influential in encouraging the Clintons to stay in the race, and for what purpose? This racial gang sport big mouths and empty pockets. Show me the money! In fact put your money where your mouths lie and pay off her debt. I have always maintained that the combination of Obama/Clinton would be dysfunctional. Let her have a post advocating women’s rights an d health care and pick a well rounded man with sound knowledge of the economy and some military experience.

Spicegirl MD (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:22 PM)

It's been the 300 pound gorilla in the room all along. And it isn't just WJC's presence in the center of power, his semi-official status if he gets in trouble again (read Vanity Fair article), and his not always tactful comments (esp about Obama) -- it's also the many questions about his financial dealings since leaving the presidency. I don't see how it could even be considered workable, and hope that at some point HRC is the one to recognize that and, like Jim Webb, say she is not in competition for it. Bill is the one who wants her to be VP so badly. I don't think she need to be 'second fiddle' in the White House again, frankly. Let her have something that, for once, is all her own! (Cabinet. Sup Ct., Senate leadership, whatever.) I'm glad Obama was honest with this woman, even if she decided not to honor his confidence.

Elizabeth (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:22 PM)

to ames in battle creek, you and i both know obama cannot win without all of those old women who should go pound salt, hope there is some salt left to put in wounds when obama loses to mccain, he may be your knight in shining armour but that is not the case with everyone he is losing more popularity everyday, and thtas the way it is.

bg las vegas, nv. (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:24 PM)

I hope Sen. Obama takes the advice of those who say he doesn't need Hillary's supporters. That leaves him with perhaps 20% of the electorate -- a massive win for McCain.

Yevgeni, Pleasanton, CA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:29 PM)

How strange. Women who have a temper tantrum and cry chauvinism when they dont get their way. Where have we seen this befoe? God when havent we in the past 20 years.

BB Long Island New York (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:30 PM)

I think Obama and Clinton would be an invincible political team. It's sad that Americans cannot see beyond the media crap and recognize how desperately we need change in this country. Who better to do it than the aforementioned team? Hillary Clinton is her own person and we would be fortunate to have two such people in our White House. Maybe our country to get back to "for the people by the people."

Anna, Roy, UT (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:42 PM)

Dear Foxreader,

Snow was given an article...and a thoughtful one at that. I don't believe that Snow had near the lasting impact on jounalistic efforts as Russert, which may be a reason NBC didn't dedicate an entire cycle or two on Snow's behalf. While Snow's death is extremely sad and tragic, Russert's stature made his sudden and partiularly unexpected death all the more "newsworthy."

Mike, Titusville, FL (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:02 PM)

We all very disappointed in President Clinton's attitude to this entire campaign he seemed to have forgotten that blacks supported him wholeheartedly on both occaions and he showed some prejudices that have really vhanged the way may people not only blacks feel about him and his now tarnished legacy

Valli G (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:16 PM)

Ames Johnston, from Battle Creek, hell'o, I'm one of those fat old ladies...and I refuse to pound salt for you or anyone else! Face it, 10% of the nation's voters will decide this election, the undecided and the floaters...your comments show old ladies like me, how important it will be, for people like us, to help make this very important decision....and since when do we allow "children" to run our country!? Oh and by the way, in every election, people over 60 yrs. of age, account for the majority of the vote in every elections. And women make up 60-62% of the vote in our party....so, if you're interested, I have some salt that needs pounded!

michele mueller cincinnati,ohio (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:16 PM)

I see that the Republican trolls posing as Dems are still out in force. Just once, I wish they'd stop and ask themselves why they support a candidate who can't win fair and square.

Michael Sheridan, Sacramento, CA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:18 PM)

If the story is true, you have to agree with Barack's reasoning. Hillary MIGHT be a decent choice, but to have Bill along would be a major problem, similar to having a deranged uncle in the basement. The man can't keep his mouth zippered (or his pants, for that matter). Would she divorce him for a spot on the ticket?? Now that would be a smart move!

Chris, MD (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:23 PM)

People please. This election has brought out more ignorance than the world could handle let alone one person. I believe that both OBAMA and HILLARY has a great positive passion for our country and that is what we should be looking at. At the time to decide between the two they both had their politics, its just OBAMA was careful with his and HILLARY was more direct. It was a competition! People do it everyday all day and BUSH while in office is still doing it with CONGRESS. Stick to the facts about these candidates and where they could actually bring our country. Being threatened by BILL is idiocy. Any president at some point has to confer with the previous but I believe that OBAMA and HILLARY can handle that. After all while BILL was in office it was an ongoing joke that HILLARY was actually running our country anyway.

cb, br, la (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:44 PM)

Why isn't anyone remembering that some of the Hillary voters were republicans? The republicans had their presidential nominee early, thus the rest of the repubs could vote for Hillary, she is who the repubs want to run against. If the 18 million votes were really ALL democrats, then why aren't they helping her with her debt? Because they were NOT all democrats thats why. The republicans have real close tabs on the Clintons since they left the White House. They have a huge file on EVERYTHING that they have done over the last 7 years, including all of Bills girlfriends. And monies that are NOT shown in their taxes, monies that are hidden off shore. As soon as Senator Obama were to announce Clinton as his VP the republicans will bring up the campaign fraud case against the Clintons. The republicans will say this is what Senator Obama wants in the White House, someone whose husband makes lots of money off of NAFTA? A VP who has committed fraud, campaign funding fraud????? All of you who really are Democrats think about this, think long and hard!!!!

A NEW AMERICA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:59 PM)

If Hillary is not on the ticket, McCain is the best choice for 2008. Hillary for VP.

roger, Wellesley, MA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:13 PM)

You've gotta love this blogging, as in you never know
whose really responding and whose axe their grinding.
Some of you appear to be Obama supporters, like myself, but are undercutting his campaign by dissing
Hillary and her former supporters. McCain must love
reading some of these.

Richard (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:18 PM)

Obama supporters still don't get it do you. You insult Hillary supporters and then expect us to vote for Obama. You say you don't need us, but you do. Obama does need Hillary's 18 million supporters. Supporters like me, an college educated black woman. One of the reasons why Sen. Obama never got my support, besides his lack of experience is his arrogance. Hillary Clinton was and still is the best qualified to POTUS, but the leaders of the Dems and the media drank the Obama "fool-aide". I find it odd how people expect for a man who has been vilified as a racist by the very people who he has genuinely tried to help want him now to enthusiaticly support the leader of the attacks. Yes, it was Obama whon played the race card. Obama trashed Bill's record and now he wants to play nice. He is like every other politician playing the game although he keeps saying he's different. I will not vote for him. I will either vote for McCain or write in Hillary's name on the ballot. Trust-there are a large number of PUMAS out here. Party Unity My A--

Nicole, SC (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:32 PM)

Obama's already losing a lot of support on the FISA issue and on the ridiculous Clinton loan bailout (Is McCain bailing out Romney?). If he invites the Clintons to share the Oval office, that should just about do it. I know I'm out at that point. If he thinks he's going to pick up enough votes from 'happy' Clintonites to counter those that he loses when and if he caves then he's delusional. It's funny (this is my observation) - when he was trying to win the nomination he was B A R A C K O B A M A ! ! !, now that he thinks the election is his he's just another candidate. That's not what most of us signed up for. Good luck with your Clinton women - I hope they come through for you. PS - get a good food taster and always insist that your vp accompany you on all flights. (I know... , but you get my point.)

Frank Inman (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:50 PM)

I just hope that Ames Johnston from Battle Creek Michigan doesn't ever need one of those "fat old poor white women" to take care of any of his/her needs because there are quite a few of us out there.
And, just for clarification, your comment is extremely RACIST!

Fat Old Poor White Woman in Michigan (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:56 PM)

Just say NO to Hillary (and Bill). It's time for a change not time for another Clinton. They have so much baggage and pose so many problems. They are so arrogant and they were so mean to Obama in the primary. NO HILLARY. Anyone but Hillary. Just say NO to Hillary. She doesn't even deserve to have her debt repaid. It's definitely time for them to go away.
Obama/anyone but Hillary '08

tiredofignorance (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:07 PM)

Ya know, you say all comments will be posted... And then you take the weekend off...

Why not set up a 'live' blog on your site, so we can communicate with each other, without your censorship?

Lyn, KCMO (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:42 PM)

I can't stand these bitter old biddies; most of them are Republicans anyway. I would advise Obama not to waste his time on them. And Hillary has not been vetted recently. What about the Civil Suit in CA (Paul vs. Clinton) where the Clintons are accused of Campaign Finance Fraud from her 2000 race for the U.S. Senate? Is Obama expected to pretend that the judge (who is a Clinton appointee) postponed the trial until after the election? Is Obama supposed to pretend that it does not exist?
Hillary has sent her mudslinging women after Obama and I think he should tell them to take a hike.

Linda Porter, Atlanta, GA (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:49 PM)

It makes me ill that senator Clinton even campaigns for Obama.She has no reason to hold his hand and demand that her voters vote for him.As far as vp---I hope he does not offer and if he does she does not accept.She should remain a senator and help her country.Already she has done so by voting against the wretched FISA bill.Yes Bill should get out and campaign for the guy that turned him into a worthless president and a family of racists.Would you do it?Only if you were a masochist.

MI voter (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 12:20 AM)

BE AWARE DEMOCRATIC PARTY! THERE ARE MANY, MANY OF US LONG TIME DEMOCRATS AND HILLARY SUPPORTERS WHO ARE STILL NOT HAPPY WITH OBAMA. HE DOES NEED US, AND HE BETTER START DOING A BETTER JOB OF EARNING OUR VOTE!

TAMMY. SANTA ROSA, CA (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 12:44 AM)

I THINK SHE WOULD MAKE A GOOD RUNNING MATE FOR OBAMA BECAUSE SHE HAS THE BACKGROUND FOR THE JOB.bILL JUST NEEDS TO GET ON THERE AND WORK FOR THE dEMOCRATES AND HILLARY TO .HEY WE NEED THE DEMOCRATES BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE,NOT McCAIN HE IS TO OLD,

BETTY WARZINIACK DALTON,GA (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 1:33 AM)

As a Hillary supporter, the problem with backing Obama was the lack of respect for Hillary that Obama supporter's continued to show. Now, after Obama's FISA vote, I will no vote for him even if he was the last democrat standing.

Maribel, Shadow Hills, CA (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 1:46 AM)

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