Thoughts on the so-called "dream ticket"

Apparently Hillary Clinton, while making the morning show rounds to bolster her "important states have spoken" narrative, has said that it's possible that she would select Barack Obama as her running mate. I'm seeing headlines everywhere saying "Dream ticket is possible".

I've never agreed with the idea that having both candidates on one ticket would be a "dream ticket". I suppose in a superficial, identity politics way, it would make some sort of statement. But I don't see the appeal. At all.

And I think this is really about Hillary hoping to undercut some of Obama's softer support. Read: "He can still be president, when it's his turn".

Except...why would she select someone as her vice president when, in her own words, his only accomplishment is a speech he gave in 2002? The man she chastised, with my governor nodding in the background, saying "shame on" Barack Obama for using tactics right out of Karl Rove's playbook. (And then pulled out her own dog-eared copy of the Karl Rove Playbook, and used it every single day leading up to yesterday's primaries.)

I agree with Demetrius' assessment:

Why on *EARTH* would Obama want to be Hillary's second banana? He would have to stuff his honesty and integrity into a tiny hidden box and go out on the trail to say what a great POTUS she would be. (Pardon me... I just threw up a little bit in my *soul*.) Then, if they *won* he would have to rubber stamp whatever stupid idea she came up with. He could kiss his "Agent of Change" mantle goodbye.

Obama is a young man. He can run again. And, no one would be able to say then that he doesn't have enough experience. Hillary's chances of another run are significantly worse. She needs *him* on the ticket much more than he needs *her*. If Obama doesn't win it in his own right he should stay clear of this next administration!

By the way, the Strickland bumper sticker is officially off our car now.

"March to the Polls" in Columbus

Just got this in my e-mail. (I already voted.)

Please join your fellow Barack Obama supporters for an incredible march to early vote in Columbus on Saturday, March 1st.

Early Vote for Change -- March to the Polls with Mayor Michael Coleman

STARTS: Shiloh Baptist Church
720 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Columbus, OH 43203

ENDS: Franklin County Board of Elections
280 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Breakfast Begins: 8:00 a.m.
March Begins: 9:00 a.m.

The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged.

http://oh.barackobama.com/columbusmarch

In order to early vote, don't forget to bring one of these forms of ID: the last four digits of your Social Security number, your Ohio driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, or one of these documents showing your current address -- a utility bill, pay stub, bank statement, or government document.

If you can't vote early, remember: Election Day is Tuesday, March 4th. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Feel free to call the campaign at 1-866-675-2008 for more information.

New video

...from the "Yes we can" people

Today's Obama links

Obama Campaign Update from David Plouffe

How To Canvass For Obama: Toolkit, Arguments & Anecdotes

Will add more as I find them.

Barack Obama in Columbus, Ohio

I just heard about this on the radio this morning. Here are the details

Please join Barack Obama at a Keeping America's Promise Rally in Columbus, where he'll talk about his vision for bringing about the kind of change we can believe in.

Keeping America's Promise Rally with Barack Obama

The Ohio State University
St. John Arena (Building 076)
410 Woody Hayes Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Doors Open: 8:30 a.m.
Program Begins: 10:00 a.m.

A limited number of preferred viewing tickets will be available at the Capital University Law School, 303 E. Broad St., in the lobby of the Capital Street Entrance between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25th and Tuesday, February 26th.

Across the street is the Franklin County Early Voting Location, so when you come to pick up your preferred viewing ticket, you can early vote for Barack at the Franklin County Board of Elections office. Here is the location:

Franklin County Board of Elections
280 East Broad Street, Room 100
Columbus, OH 43215

In order to vote, you will need to have either the last four digits of your Social Security number or another form of ID, such as an Ohio driver's license or a utility bill with your current address.

Seating at the rally is limited, and admission is on a first come, first-served basis. Your ticket will only guarantee you preferred viewing if you arrive in time to be admitted. Please arrive early.

Feel free to call the campaign at 866-675-2008 for more information.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged.

RSVP Now

http://oh.barackobama.com/Columbus

It's not looking like I'll be able to make it, but I'd love to post a report from someone who does attend. You can e-mail me at ohiorenee(at)gmail.com.

Significance of Cordray's endorsement

Some good commentary from Jeff at Ohio Daily Blog:

The real significance of Cordray's endorsement is that he is a thinking person's politician. This endorsement comes with a pedigree of intellectual prowess.

Cordray was Order of the Coif and Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review at The University of Chicago Law School, and has a masters degree with honors in philosophy, politics & economics from Oxford University. He argued six cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, was Ohio's first Solicitor General, and taught for 15 years at Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. His terms as Franklin County Treasurer and now as Ohio Treasurer have been marked by brilliant innovations and new programs. He was even a champion on Jeopardy.

In short, Cordray is not a person to be bedazzled by rhetoric or to make an endorsement based on mere emotion. If he supports Obama, it is a based on a rational appraisal of Obama's merits, and Cordray is not one to be fooled.

Click here for the rest.

Houston Chronicle endorses Barack Obama

In an editorial in the February 16 edition

Of the two finalists for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Chronicle believes Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is best-qualified by life experience, skill and temperament to be the standard bearer for his party. In a conference call, Obama told the Chronicle editorial board that "more than any other candidate, I can bridge some of the partisan as well as racial and religious divides that have developed in this country that prevent us from getting things done."

Click here for the rest