The morning after reviving her candidacy with two big primary wins, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) hinted Wednesday that she and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) may wind up as ticket mates. “That may, you know, be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who’s on the top of ticket,” Clinton said with a laugh on the CBS's “The Early Show.” “I think that the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me."
Clinton's wins in Texas and Ohio mean the race will go on for at least seven weeks, to the Pennsylvania primary on April 22. Each side expects to harden its attacks on the other, creating potential complications in swiftly becoming a ticket.
Democratic strategists say Clinton would be more likely to pick Obama than vice versa, for two big reasons:
Obama has attracted tens of thousands of young supporters who are loyal to him, not to the Democratic Party. Clinton, on the other hand, has strong support among party regulars.
Clinton's lesson: Attacking Obama works Exit polls: Why Clinton won Ohio Exit polls: Why Clinton won Texas primary So if Clinton became the nominee, inviting Obama aboard her ticket would help keep that support. Obama might be reluctant to join, figuring that if Clinton lost, he’d be able to run for the top job four years later. But he might accept her invitation at the behest of the party.
Obama would have much less reason to pick Clinton. He has made his campaign about the future, and her presence on the ticket would complicate that message. And she has not brought in voters he would automatically have trouble attracting.
Both candidates did a round of interviews with the network morning shows.
Asked about voters’ view of Obama, Clinton said on NBC’s “Today” show: “I think they’re starting to ask some hard questions, and I think voters want this race to go on because they … are now really concerned about who can best go against Senator [John] McCain.”
Obama said on “The Early Show”: “We had won 12 state contests. Senator Clinton was due.”
Obama added ABC’s “Good Morning America”: “I think it’s going to be very hard for her to catch up on the pledged delegate count.”