Who could beat a Clinton/Obama ticket?

Question

Now, I know it is early, but let's say that Hillary gets the nomination and picks Obama as her running mate and he accepts. I know, I know, a lot of ifs...but bear with mt. Who could beat that ticket? They can be current candidates, or 'dream' candidates. Who would you run against that ticket?

Answer 1

The Republicans are clearly swimming against the tide this time. I think a good question to keep in mind is what states a candidate can "flip" from the 2004 results.

As was pointed out on this board a few days ago, Ohio seems ripe for a "switch" from red to blue, due to economic bad times and corruption in the Republican party there. (Some have suggested that Clinton might pick someone from Ohio, to bolster that state for her. Illinois, Obama's state, is already solidly blue.)

People say that Guiliani could make some blue states like NY, NJ, Connecticut, Pennsylvania competitive. Maybe. But so much of the Republican base is not comfortable with him - I just don't see him at the top of the ticket without a big problem.

Thompson could do well if he picked up the support of the "Reagan Democrats" in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but he is untested and he has not impressed people too too much up to this stage.

Clinton will probably not be popular in the South, but again electorally she won't need to be. There's a chance she will pull down a bit of the ticket (house and senate races) there, but I don't think that will be a big factor.

So, the short answer is: maybe Guiliani, maybe Thompson.

Of the four "slots" (pres and vp for each party), the only one probably filled with any degree of certainty is held by Mrs. Clinton. A fair amount will depend on the rest of the picks, and the national situation and mood at the time.

Ohio will be inundated with political ads, I predict. Florida and Virginia might be somewhat vulnerable, too.

PS I don't favor any of the reforms to the electoral system being proposed (except maybe to be sure the electors of every state are required to vote as per their state's vote tally - but that's a matter of state law). If Clinton wins with a minority of popular votes, so be it.

Answer 2

I would run a true conservative ticket and hope southerners and midwesterners come out strong and also hope Pennsylvania returns to being a red state and helps defeat a Clinton/Obama ticket.

I would really consider a Thompson/Romney ticket for current candidates. as for a dream ticket, I would say Michael Savage/Duncan Hunter.

Answer 3

Unfortunately no two candidates currently running on the republican side are as strong. That's not to say that I think Clinton or Obama are any good.

Why cant the United States come up with one decent candidate?

Answer 4

Any Republican ticket. Hillary Clinton will never be President for a variety of reasons. There are possibilities that Obama could win on another ticket as vice president though. If the Democrats really want to win the White House in 08 they are going to have jettison Hillary because she is going to be the ball and chain that drags them under if they nominate her.

Edit: Elway_the_Cat: I am a conservative and I base my opinions of Hillary' chances on hard facts. These include, but are not limited to her congressional voting record, contradictory public statements made, a negative involvement in the scandalous history of her husband's Presidency and conversations with voting people of all stripes. I have been hearing how she is gaining ground for more than a year now, but the reality is that she has not faced the true harsh spotlight yet and won't unless she wins the nomination. Could Hillary win? Anything is possible. However, just because it is possible does not make it likely. Hillary Clinton is her own worst enemy because she talks out of both sides of her face at the same time with some false belief that all of these contradictory statements will not catch up with her. They will if it becomes necessary. It is you, not conservatives, who refuse to face certain realities regarding this woman's candidacy.

Answer 5

I'm a left leaning independent and I will tell you right now that I will not vote for Hillary Clinton under any circumstance.She is a corporate lackey who,by her own statements,will do nothing to alter the course of the war in Iraq,will not do anything about health care that does not put more money in the pockets of the Insurance Industry,and would create an even larger poor working class by giving amnesty to illegals,which is the top priority of the corporatist elite.

And I really beleive that she is hated to the extent she is unelectable on the national level.

Answer 6

I don't know if it would matter who they ran against that ticket. It is indeed the "Dream Team" ticket. Though lately I'm hearing rumors about Gen. Wesley Clark being her VP, and think that's a fine idea as well.

EDIT:
It's sort of amazing how many conservatives have convinced themselves she'll be easy to beat. If they stick with that attitude and underestimate her they'll be cutting their own throats. They don't want to hear the truth, that she's consistently gaining ground. Not a real good move on their part. If you want to beat someone it's good to pay attention to reality instead of relying on false bravado.

Answer 7

Collin Powell is damaged goods thanks to his role in the Bush administration but he's the best I can think of.Schwarzenegger would be a cool running mate but he's not allowed to run I understand.Well in dreams everything is possible.Powell Schwarzenegger would have a very good chance or maybe even the other way around

I seriously think the only one who could defeat Clinton would be her husband if he ran

Answer 8

As the election nears, it will become more clear what a tough sell Hillary is. She is worse than Dean. I would not be surprised if she did not get the nomination.

Answer 9

Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson as Independents.

Answer 10

A Fred/McCain ticket