Barak Obama is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Hillary Clinton finally conceded over the weekend.
Neither she nor Republican John McCain made much of the fact Obama is the first black man to reach this level. That’s a shame.
This was an opportunity for both to embrace this paradigm shift in attitudes. There was a great article in The New York Times on Sunday underlining how important a moment this was in American history. For the first time, Americans of all colours could embrace the idea that it was possible for their children to grow up and become President of the United States.
Hillary Clinton’s strong second place finish also makes that dream more of a reality for young girls.
That said, I doubt Obama will choose Clinton as his running mate.
Not only would he appear to have been pressured into it by her prolonged and less than graceful concession, but he would have to deal with Bill Clinton. The first couple’s “2-for-1″ equation will not work in their favour.
Hillary Clinton would have to agree to be vetted and that would mean a close scrutiny of her finances. That includes a second look at how Bill Clinton, who left office deeply in debt, has enmassed so much money. There have been questions raised about him using his profile as a former President to foster trade deals with dubious characters. There are also questions about contributors to the Clinton Presidential museum.
If Barak Obama really wants to underline his message of change he should choose another relative Washington outsider.
But he hasn’t asked my advice, so who knows…..
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And for everybody whose been asking, the puppy should be ready to come home in about 3 weeks. Schmooze passed her hearing tests. (One puppy we had chosen earlier turned out to be deaf and was placed with an owner used to dealing with hearing impaired dogs.)
So far, so good.
By the way, here’s the latest:
Mary Ellen Beninger
