A ticket to defeat

Picking Hillary Clinton as his VP would be fatal to Obama’s chances. It is hard to imagine a move that could cause him more damage. First, it would make him look weak—as if Hillary had forced him into making a concession to her. Secondly, it would undercut his message that his candidacy represents change and the future. If this wasn’t enough, it would also motivate the Republican base like nothing else.

NBC are reporting that Hillary does want to be his running mate. (Personally, I expect she must just be running through the gamut of emotions and we won’t know what she really thinks for at least 24 hours or so). But Obama should offer her whatever it takes, within reason, to get her to drop the idea. If she wants her campaign debts paid off, he should just write the cheque and move on. If she wants him to come up to New York and help her mend fences with the black community, he should.