More than a year ago I began posting, on these pages, roundups of media stories proposing that Hillary Clinton challenge Barack Obama in a 2012 primary. Based on Bobby Kennedy, one of a few past politicians with whom she shares a variety of values and issues, having declared his own candidacy on St. Patrick's Day, some of us figured that she could still get into the race that late. Ironically, that was the day I posted the last in the series Media Reads on a Hillary Run. The central reason why that was the last was the shift of attention from 2012 to 2016.
Suggestions that she run in 2016 have come from the media as well as other politicos. I refuse to place her name in the same sentence or context with 2016 because I believe that meme is a ploy to get Hillary Clinton Democrats to support Barack Obama. The tricky-dickyness of such a prediction alone is a put off. The probability that having succeeded to get the Hillsters on the bandwagon, the Dem Party, in two years, would begin touting some new "star," is strong enough to evoke a good deal of skepticism. Therefore, until it became clearly too late for her to enter primaries, this blog stayed with the 2012 version which is where it remains. Until the last second of the last minute of the last hour I retain hope that somehow she will top that ballot. I just sent her another $20.12.
I refer to the top of the ballot with emphasis because meme 2016's little brother, "the great Joe/Hillary switcharoo" has followed its older sibling like a tail on a puppy dog. The suggestion comes largely from Republican quarters with Sarah Palin, John McCain, and most recently his daughter Meghan suggesting that this would be a great move for the Obama campaign. That alone should make Democrats suspicious.
There was a hysterical flurry of excited speculation yesterday in Hillary Facebook groups and even in the office where I work based on her schedule showing a meeting at the White House with the president and perhaps also the VP. "OMG! What's happening?" "I'm on pins-and-needles!" (Some of what I heard.)
So let us return to earth as Hillary had over the weekend after racking up thousands of additional air miles. She had been away nearly two entire weeks pushing our "alternative to China" agenda all over Africa and capping off the trip with a conference in Turkey on the escalating situation in Syria. Barack and Joe, on the other hand were off campaigning when she returned. Yesterday was the first day that all three were in D.C. since she returned from that marathon farewell tour of Africa. She had been to the White House every day briefing officials on her trip. Yesterday was the first day she had the chance to brief the two top guys. With the Israeli ambassador talking an attack on Iran, common sense indicated that this was not a meeting about a campaign ticket.
Many refused, however, to listen to reason and protocol. She always meets with the president after her trips. There was nothing awkward at all to be derived from her meeting with Joe Biden (as one news source worded it). When she is in D.C. she has breakfast with him every Tuesday at his house. It was a lot of wrong-headed chatter over a dead duck. Here is why.
According to Ed Klein, who may well have reliable sources in the Clinton camp, the position of Veep was offered before Hillary Clinton ever left for Africa. She turned it down. The Clinton sources might also enjoy feeding Ed a lie or two just for fun. He, on the other hand can never guess which piece of the pie is tainted, so he is obliged to report all he is given. I doubt strongly the part about Bill Clinton favoring this. He knows that quicksand makes a lousy launching surface.
So, the Veep meme is dead, and, unless you are Hillary Clinton herself (you have my number and email addy, Hilary), in which case I will be the first to jump on board, leave all 2016 speculation at the door here.
Author Ed Klein on CNBC: Hillary Clinton Dismissed VP Possibility Two Weeks Ago
Amateur author Ed Klein tells Larry Kudlow that a conversation about Sec. of State Hillary Clinton replacing Joe Biden took place at the White House with Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. Klein says the WH was putting out “feelers” see if Hillary would be interested. But in the end, Hillary declined.
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