Questions for Theo

Like some of our far-flung readers, I am enjoying Theo's thoughtful commentary on this very interesting election. Although we talk often, I thought it would be a good idea to post some of my current questions, allowing him to answer them, as it were, for the record. Please feel free to ask more in comments if you want.

A brief comment to start with--I have the greatest respect for Senator Clinton, but I think Senator Obama will make a better candidate--especially against McCain, who can grab the mantle of "change"--and I also think he will be a better president--more willing to find first rate people and let them do their job. I heard Mrs. Clinton recently on how you had to keep control over all that power rolling around in the White House and was--bitterly--reminded of the lost chance at health care reform, when she and the President developed a full-fledged bill and presented it to Congress rather than working directly with the people who usually write bills. There was a lot of bipartisan sentiment in favor of a health care fix at that time but the style completely killed the chances. (The bill had some weaknesses too but those could, I think, have been fixed, especially if Congress had been presented with a general set of ideas, not an exquisitely crafted full document.)

Hillary's smart and now knows the Senate so her working relationships there can be expected to be better than they were in the past. Still, I would hate to be the Secretary of Whatever if I had to swear in advance that I would stick faithfully to Hillary's six point plan with seventeen point sub-plans already prepared by the campaign. I find those discussions endlessly tedious; Theo tells me they produce results. Why?

But I agree with Jean that the big issue at the moment is Bill. I find it painful and demeaning to see a President I admired entering into campaigning at this level. Supporting his wife is one thing; attacking a bright young man who represents his party's future hopes is another. I know the tirades may do Hillary good in one primary or another but will they, overall, make her more electable or less? It's the election we need to win.

I'm no polling expert but I see in the polls a number of hints that Obama can draw in independents and moderate Republicans, as he did in Nevada. Am I right? Will the party leadership see that or is it so dangerous to buck the Clintons that no one can afford to?

And what about a combined ticket?