So she’s in it; and she’s in it to win (although why anyone would be in a hernia-inducingly expensive Presidential race to lose, I’m not entirely sure).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI7fH6zdlR8]

By the end of today, ladies and gentlemen, entries will be closed and the race for the Democratic nominee officially beginning. Yes, people point out that John Kerry has yet to say anything, but I don’t count him as a heavyweight anymore. Apart from being possibly the most uncharismatic Senator to ever walk the face of the earth (something which Jon Stewart never ceases to enjoy mocking), he’s had his bite at the cherry and failed. Regardless of the fact he’s experienced and respected within the party, he’s pretty much overshadowed by everyone else in the race.

Despite being what I suspect was simply a nice piece of campaign rhetoric cooked up by a loyal staffer her “I’m in to win” statement makes a significant point – Hillary Clinton is not VP material. I don’t believe it’s something she would settle for; nor do I think it’s something she should settle for. If she’s in it, she has to go all the way. Barack Obama, on the other hand, is practically the definition of balancing the ticket (he’s young, ‘different’, inspires adoration and is capable of campaigning well for others, and will probably remain a perfectly viable candidate next time round). But can you imagine a Clinton-Obama ticket? It’s like every right-wing Republican’s wet dream, the very definition of ‘liberal’, that no-go word in American politics. Many people would argue it could never win. The Christian Coalition would mobilise in droves, campaigning against their ‘anti-family’ voting records and the idea that a woman might actually aspire to something akin to ruling the world. Everyone would flock to the Republican candidate in abject terror at what such a pairing might do to their beloved country.

But just because something’s hard doesn’t mean it shouldn’t even be a possibility. A ticket like that would inspire college students and many other groups in the same way a pro-choice candidate inspires the Christian Coalition. It would have the potential to raise voter turnout and engage previously apathetic groups in politics by offering them respectable role models. This might sound overly idealistic, and yes, I admit it – when I was 16 I was an HRC fangirl and had what was probably an almost unhealthy obsession with the idea of her candidacy. Hillary’s greatest difficulty is that some people really, really hate her. But Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are the best chances two horrifically under-represented groups have ever seen. With Hispanic New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson expected to announce today, the 2008 Presidential election could offer an interesting debate (or ‘dialogue’, even - you see what I did there?) on exactly what it means to be American these days. It’s shaping up to be the most exciting Presidential race yet.

And before anyone accuses me of being too hung up on Clinton and Obama, I’m planning to do posts on all the candidates so far, both Democratic and Republican, for my edification as much as anyone else’s – because, let’s face it, who knows much about Chris Dodd?. Those two just got lucky because they happened to declare around the time I started blogging and they’re (as you might have guessed) the ones I’m most interested in.

Hillary Clinton Opens Presidential Bid [Washington Post]

Hillary for President [HillaryClinton.com]

She’s in, but Democrats can’t help worrying she won’t win [The Independent]

Filed under: election2008, uspolitics on January 21st, 2007