Skip Navigation

The Daily Dish - 2006-2011 archives for The Daily Dish, featuring Andrew Sullivan

Obama Handles Clinton

By The Daily Dish
Jun 6 2008, 10:31 AM ET

I have no idea what was said and would one day love to see a Mike Nichols recreation, but how canny for Obama to go to her house. The symbolism of deference, the crossing of her threshhold, makes for extremely good politics. And since she's the hostess, there are, even for a Clinton, some boundaries of manners. But having aired the idea as a way to bring the party together, I'm now entirely convinced by Clinton's behavior this past month and Obama's cool handling of the last few days that it would be a dreadful idea. He doesn't need her. And she could damage him. George Will explains why:

Surely she, the most polarizing Democrat, is not the only Democrat who can help Obama appeal to the voters who rejected him in Kentucky and West Virginia. And as his running mate, she would nullify his narrative. The candidate embracing the "future" should not glue himself to Washington circa 1993. Someone promising to "turn the page" should not revert to an earlier chapter. Someone whose mantra is "change" should not embrace her theme of restoration...

(Update: it appears Obama did not meet Clinton at her Washington home but merely allowed the press to believe he did.)



Presented by

More at The Atlantic

Blame, Responsibility, and How We Talk About Syria How We Talk About Syria
French Moms: We're Not as 'Superior' at Parenting as You Americans Think French Moms Aren't 'Superior'
A Brief History of the to-do List and the Psychology of Its Success A Brief History of the To-Do List and the Psychology of Its Success
Sarah Palin Brings Out the Barbs at CPAC Sarah Palin Ends CPAC With Rousing Speech
The Myth of Energy Independence: Why We Can't Drill Our Way to Oil Autonomy Why We Can't Drill Our Way to Oil Autonomy
Special Report
Election 2012 Reuters Election 2012
The destination for full politics coverage, from the primaries to the White House. Read more ›
View All Correspondents

The Biggest Story in Photos

The Civil War, Part 3: The Stereographs

Feb 10, 2012

Subscribe Now

SAVE 59%! 10 issues JUST $2.45 PER COPY

Facebook

Newsletters

Sign up to receive our free newsletters

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)