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Joan Ganz Cooney | 09/16/2008 2:00 pm

Joan Ganz Cooney on the Real Reason Obama Didn't Choose Hillary

Joan Ganz Cooney

I’ve been reading a lot of complaints that Obama did not choose Hillary as his vice president. And I have been moaning about it for days. I spoke yesterday with someone who knows a lot about it all who told me that Hillary was high on the list but the vettters couldn’t get past Bill’s very complicated philanthropy and business life because the two were so closely tied together. It was almost impossible to know where business stopped and philanthropy began. And of course a lot of foreign governments had donated to his library and other entities with which he was involved which would have become another story.   

What they faced when considering her was that the press (it was rumored and was probably so that the Times had five reporters ready to go) would have a field day investigating Bill’s very complicated financial history. And what they became certain of was that Bill would become the story day after day and week after week and that they would never be able to get back on message. This all rings true, so I think those of us who support Obama should try to be happy with Joe Biden.

192 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Frank Peterson
Alias—I think possibly that ppeople in general underestimate Bill’s ego factor and that could, could mind you, have been the reason—I not saying it was but….
By Frank Peterson on 09/16/2008 4:23 pm
Diana T
I am soooo very glad to see that Joan mentioned this. My sister who lives in N. Virginia was at a social function this past Sunday with a friend of hers who is one of the leaders in the Virginia Democratic Party, and she absolutely said the same thing! Bill has a rather complicated financial life, and they knew it would put the campaign in disarray. This story is spot on; I was told about it Monday a.m. We have enough problems to have to put up with that.
By Diana T on 09/16/2008 9:04 pm
gulliver fourmyle
well, Mr. Peterson, show me a politico w/o an ego problem—-they want power, as Palin—-when i was a wealthy Matsu resident, even in the mid-eighties, i went into a ‘scuba-gold-miner-gear” shop, and mentioned the green-house driven glacial melt, and the newly ‘dive-able’ possible gold-bearing areas revealed—-as i left, two ‘miners’ accosted me—-warning me to ‘shut-up’ on such.’or else’—-well, the Matsu glacier may not be ‘the Yukon river’—-but it’s melting as if a giant Palin hair-dryer were poised over it—-and newly found placer deposits are bound to be found, as glaciers retreat—-hell, it’s more about adventure than wealth—-as for politico’s being ‘ego-driven’? old story—-cheers.
By gulliver fourmyle on 09/17/2008 9:48 pm
Buh- Bye
It’s a technique used by batterers too. It’s not my fault, YOU made me do this to you.
By Buh- Bye on 09/16/2008 4:55 pm
K O
And that technique is neither believable or effective, when given more than a cursory look.
By K O on 09/16/2008 5:24 pm
Deni G
I have read this 3 times Alias. It makes absolutely no sense to me. Maybe I just not grasping what you are saying. If you get a chance, would you say more about what you mean?
By Deni G on 09/16/2008 6:32 pm
Frank Peterson
You and me both Deni—beats the hell outta me what she means
By Frank Peterson on 09/16/2008 9:06 pm
Deni G
yeah, I am still waiting for someone to explain this to me. Because this ‘you made me do it’ is McCain’s line to Obama as to why McCain is running the slimiest campaign ever. if Obama had just done what McCain wanted, McCain wouldn’t have to be so abusive.
By Deni G on 09/16/2008 10:05 pm
Buh- Bye
Kitty fully understood. It’s a ploy to make Bill Clinton the reason Obama was “forced” to pass over Hillary as VP. It is passing the blame onto the victim. A classic technique.
By Buh- Bye on 09/16/2008 9:30 pm
Deni G
Victim? We have no victims in the Democratic Party. Hillary is not anybody’s victim. As heard on SNL by the Hillary character: “grow a pair. Or I’ll lend you mine.” yeah that’s our Hillary and she’s nobody’s victim.
By Deni G on 09/16/2008 10:10 pm
James the Game
Deni, you’re referring to Amy Poehler - a real talent.
By James the Game on 09/16/2008 10:16 pm
Deni G
Thank you so much James. I couldn’t remember her name. I should have looked it up. Thank you
By Deni G on 09/16/2008 10:22 pm
James the Game
Welcome. Now where’s Gilda Radner and Jane Curtain?
By James the Game on 09/16/2008 10:28 pm
Buh- Bye
disagree, i think the party and the obama campaign victimized hillary
By Buh- Bye on 09/17/2008 10:25 pm
Deni G
No. That is what you are attempting to do. We Democrats reject such weak and irresponsible posturing. The Republican party endlessly whine, playing the victim card. Oh those Democrats are so mean. The Republicans are failures as leaders, vacant, spineless, corporate tush-kissing lackeys. McCain says Can’t criticize him, or you’re criticizing POWs. Can’t criticize Palin, or you’re sexist. Can’t criticize the war, because that makes the soldiers feel sad. Can’t criticize the broken economy, because that’s attacking workers. I think at this point we’re all pretty tired of yet another good old boy, hiding behind everyone else’s skirts.
By Deni G on 09/17/2008 11:16 pm