Barack Obama is smart enough to refuse any consideration of running as Hillary's vice president. Even if he were losing the primary I can't see any reason why he would want to hitch himself to the Clintons.
The Illinois senator used his first public appearance of the week to knock down the notion that he might accept the party's vice presidential nomination. He noted that he has won more states, votes and delegates than Clinton so far."I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place," Obama said, drawing cheers and a long standing ovation from about 1,700 people in Columbus, Miss.
Saying he wanted to be "absolutely clear," he added: "I don't want anybody here thinking that somehow, 'Well, you know, maybe I can get both.' Don't think that way. You have to make a choice in this election."
"I am not running for vice president," Obama said. "I am running for president of the United States of America."
Even if Obama weren't the leader at this point, he has nothing to gain and everything to lose by taking the second spot on a Clinton ticket.
1. The VP candidate is expected to be the attack dog. Assuming that role would greatly diminish the "new politics" image Obama has built for himself.
2. Obama is young. He's only 46 years old, which means that if he wants to he can run for president six more times and still be younger than John McCain. Why take a chance running with Hillary Clinton? Not only a chance on losing, but a chance on winning and then being embroiled in the inevitable tsunami of scandals.
3. Vice presidents aren't successful presidents, when they even manage to get elected.
4. When next he ran, he'd be on the tail end of Democrat/Clinton fatigue.
5. He'll have more power if he stays in the Senate, and may actually have time to accomplish something his supporters can think of when interviewed.
