The Political Voices of Women

What I think: Although this is said to be a rumor (Michelle Vetoes Hillary as a possible VP), it wasn’t surprising to me at all. But it is very troubling, especially if it’s true. Having a strong woman as a First Lady is a good thing, and getting her input on possible running mates is acceptable. But, Michelle Obama putting her foot down on Hillary as a possible VP, is unacceptable…It’s just not her place to make that decision. Months ago, I heard Michelle Obama make comments that if her husband was not elected this time around, America would not get another chance at him. I didn’t like the tone or the implication then, and I feel the same way now.

Here is a post by Pamela Leavey at The Democratic Daily — She’s The Boss?

For all the complaints from some progressives about having Bill Clinton back in the White House as the First Spouse, I find this little tidbit interesting:

Close-in supporters of Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign are convinced he never will offer the vice presidential nomination to Sen. Hillary Clinton for one overriding reason: Michelle Obama.

The Democratic front-runner’s wife did not comment on other rival candidates for the party’s nomination, but she has been sniping at Clinton since last summer. According to Obama sources, those public utterances do not reveal the extent of her hostility.

Sure it’s just a rumor, but plausible it seems. Michelle Obama strikes me as a strong willed woman, not unlike myself and Hillary Clinton who will fight to get what she wants. That’s fine and dandy… but not when it comes to choosing our next Vice President. It’s just that she’s a little jaded you know… and that’s not a good reason to not choose Clinton as VP. Personally, I see Hillary more prone offering the VP slot to Obama than the other way around. And the buzz from the Obama camp, rumor or not, sure seems to be heading that way — no VP slot for HRC.

If there is any credence to the rumor, it sure would make it even more apparent that Barack Obama is not interested in Unity.

Also See:

Michelle Won’t Let Barack Pick Hillary as VP

Michelle Obama Has Spoken — I have a bet with a coworker who believes the combined ticket will occur while I believe there is no way in hell that they will run together. It would take credibility away from both of them to combine (though most politicians rarely worry about credibility). He portrays her as part of the politics as usual crowd of DC and she says he cannot garner the white vote and has not been properly vetted. These are valid arguments and show how the ugliness of the protracted campaign further hamstrings the Democratic party and its choices.

I believe there is one factor here than trumps all others and that is the Michelle Obama factor. She does not like Hillary and she also knows that Hillary as VP brings the baggage of Bill who will hover. They would make Obama an outsider in his administration. Not to mention the fact that Mrs. Obama does not like Hillary Clinton and is not happy with the tactics employed by the Clinton campaign.

What do you think? Is Michelle Obama having too much influence on Barack?