Post-Clinton Democratic Roundup

Rumors, rumors, rumors.

Here's a few fun ones:

Rumor One

Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton's ex-campaign manager, was appointed by Obama as the chief of staff for his soon-to-be running mate. This is seen as a slap in the face to Clinton, and a definite sign that Obama will not name her as #2.

Yeah right. Doyle has given most of her adult life to the Clinton machine. I'm pretty sure that firing Doyle was a concession because HRC couldn't muster enough to fire Mark Penn or Howard Wolfson, who could and should rightly be blamed for her loss. In fact, New York Magazine does a pretty good job of placing that blame accurately, here on page 3. Doyle is no doubt capable of understanding her role as fall guy, and if anything, pulling a high ranking Clinton insider onto the Obama campaign is a sign in the other direction.

Rumor Two

Former Vice President Al Gore recently endorsed Barack Obama for President. Of course, this immediately revived the Obama-Gore '08 Rumor, which is some of the thicket BS I've heard. It's not any more true today than it was months ago. What does the Gore endorsement mean? Nothing. It's a "well, duh," moment. Who's he going to endorse? McCain? Obama is Last Man Standing.

Rumor Three

Bill Clinton's conspicuous absence from Hillary's campaign photo album, released today, has revived the divorce rumors. The media is desperate to blame Bill for Hillary's loss, even though consistent polls showed that he had a hugely positive effect on her campaign overall. Once again, yeah right. If there was going to be a Clinton divorce, it would have happened already. Bill & Hillary Clinton have a political marriage first, and a personal one second. At this point, Hillary has eclipsed Bill in the political arena, but that does not mean it's time to call it quits.

The photo album is a fund raising pitch to help pay off HRC's campaign debt, and I would guess she is making an attempt to pay down this debt in order to increase her appeal as a potential VP match with Obama. She's got over $33MIL cash on hand earmarked for the General Election, but that could only be applied to her campaign debt if she gets to move on to the General, and the only way that can happen at this point would be as VP.

Although that does bring me to.....

Rumor Four

Apparently some Washington State delegates who are pledged to Clinton have refused to endorse Obama, stating that they need a clearer sign from Clinton that she is really out of the race. This of course has revived the Convention Battle Rumors.

On this I say, both "yeah right" and "well... maybe?" I think, at this point, unless there was some kind of huge upset inside the DNC, it's a foregone conclusion that Obama is going to win the nomination in August. If some huge coalition of Clinton delegates publicly stated that they were going to vote for Clinton, or withhold their votes altogether, there could be a Clinton revival. But I also think everyone knows what a terrible idea that would be. If anything, Clinton is holding onto her delegates (by tradition) until the VP nomination is settled.

And Rumor Five

Not so much rumor as speculation.

Clinton and Obama are holding a campaign event together on June 26th at the Mayflower Hotel. Clinton has summoned her top donors and is expected to pitch Obama to them. This is a good sign, and a goodwill gesture by Clinton. Handing over her top financial supporters wholesale to Obama is the kind of "strong sign" folks like the Washington delegates need. Again, money talks, and I think this event may well be another subtle pitch for VP. I'm not sold on the idea that Hillary wants to be Vice President, but I think that she would take it if it was offered, and if it is presented to her and to Democrats as the best way to go forward in November, she would be hard pressed to say no.

The other side of this is that Obama also cannot looked backed into a corner by Clinton. If he looks coerced into taking her onto the ticket, it will be bad for everyone. However, if the VP search is carried out at least symbolically first, and all cards are played in the right order, settling on Clinton looks like the "smart idea." I believe Obama and Clinton have carefully orchestrated this. Clinton takes a leave from the public eye after conceding the race. Slowly, Clinton supporters are making their own decision to support Obama. The drama of the primaries is being allowed to cool. Now, Clinton reappears in two fund raising venues, one of her own, and one with Obama at her side. This leaves it open to any number of strategies, which is probably for the best at this time.