Carter: Obama-Clinton ticket unlikely
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/05/21/art.carter.gi.jpg caption="Carter says a joint Obama-Clinton ticket is unlikely."](CNN) - Hillary Clinton would accept the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket, but it's highly unlikely Barack Obama will offer it to her should he be the party's nominee, former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday.
Speaking during a question and answer session at an event in Houston Tuesday night, Carter said, in his view, it's not impossible the two could pair up for the general election. But the former president said Obama will most likely search for a different vice presidential candidate.
"I think it would be highly unlikely for Obama to ask her to take it," Carter said. "Because I don't see how it would help his ticket. I think he needs somebody like a [former Georgia Sen.] Sam Nunn, but I won't name others.”
"But I think if he asked her, she would take it," Carter added.
The former president also reiterated that he does not have direct contact with either campaign and is not privy to the VP deliberations.
Carter also said a unity ticket would likely help the party come together after the prolonged and at times divisive primary race. But he stopped short of saying such a ticket would be the strongest Democrats could field
"That would be the ticket the republicans would favor I think," he said.
Carter, a Democratic superdelegate, has yet to formally endorse a candidate, but he has strongly hinted he is in favor of Obama.
If Hillary Clinton is being urged to reject voters whom have based their votes on race then why isn't Obama being asked to reject african american voters whom are obviously voting based on race. This is the worst double standard the media has ever undertaken. Hypocritical is what that is.
It's over now,you can be on anybody ticket i will suggest MCcain
Freida NYC – Hillary and Bill as well as her supporters change the tone of this campaign!!!!! Please make no mistake we will stand up/behind Senator Obama until the end.....Now you guys are more then free to join this Obama train!!!!
Unite Obama 08/12!
Offering her a VP spot will go against all Obama has been preaching--same ol' Washington politics! A new face will be more appropriate even if he or she is a Clinton supporter.
sorry to disagree but Bush is by a long shot the worst president in American history By FAR
Jimmy Carter should be respected and held in honor for the all the
PEACE he has strived for in the world and still continues to strive for
Sorry I would take a president who advocates for peace(Who also has anobel peace prize to prove it) any day over one whose first instinct is to drop bombs on his fellowman
God Bless you president Carter for all the good you have strived for
There are some people who admire and respect your endeavours
and opinions sir
I think Obama better think long and hard about NOT offering Hillary the VP. I wonder who millions of women will vote for if she's not offered the job. I would think it would be the ULTIMATE insult to offer this position to a man and not to the candidate whose momentum is peaking and beating him in key states.
Here – Bank on this:
Neither Hillary nor Obama will be the Dem candidate. The establishment does not want Hillary as she has stepped on too many toes. Obama is too raw and inexperienced to cut it. Their point is to give these two unelectable candidates enough ammo to wear one another down and enough rope to hang themselves. They are also giving the Dem party a lot of media exposure with their antics.
At the convention there will be a deadlock and the real ticket will be Edwards-Richardson. Why do you think they both dropped out so early?
McCain: The only candidate who can bake the cake and not leave the cat out in the rain again.
Pres. Carter should endorse now. There is no reason for him to remain silent. This goes for all the super delegates. You are letting Hillary Clinton destroy this party.
To Xango4 – The fact Obama is African American has nothing to do with why I would not vote for Obama. It has to do with the inexperience of Obama and the tone of the Obama folks toward the Hillary supporters. Obama is going to have a HARD time winning NY without the Jewish vote and a hardtime winning without the "hillbilly" vote. Obama NEEDS Hillary if he is going to win. I think they would make a GREAT TEAM and one I would vote for. I would feel comfortable with that ticket but not without Hillary. I guess time will tell... All you Obama supporters who say they do not need 1/2 of the democrat party to win... you will see he will never make it to the White House without us Hillary supporters! GO HILLARY – WE ARE WITH YOU AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!
I favor a Dem win, and think that is best-served by Obama without Clinton.
Jimmy Carter needs to shut his mouth, I was a child and remember his sad presidency. His lack of accomplishment during his presidency began this entire Reagan/Bush era. I do not respect anything he has to say.
People who claim that Obama has less experience than HRC: ignorant
He has been an elected official longer than HRC.
I am a democrat, but I also am an American first. And I can't believe that any American would chose four more years of this country being run into the ground to benefit corporate interests just because their favorite lost the nomination.
Is it possible that we democrats are going to screw this election up because of pride, childishness, ignorance? Both sides need to grow up and unite against the GOP. I don't know about you but I'm not willing to watch our country go down the tubes a moment longer.
Carter is right. He needs a V.P. who can balance the ticket– either a Webb (military credentials) or Rendell (rust-belt state). It's got nothing to do with whether you like or dislike Clinton.
By any objective measure, he was the worst President in the US over the last 80 years. And history hasn't improved this perception. Go build another house and stop trying to screw up the country.
Bill Richardson, Claire McKaskill, NO MORE CLINTONS. Please let the Clintons go away.
I hope African Americans and Young people have enough votes to carry us to the White House, If not McCain can save the day.
Frieda, I think all the Hillary-hate is a result of so many Hillary Supporters saying they will vote for McCain over Obama, which makes absolutely no logical sense.
Therefore we (Obama supporters) have to question their motivation for not wanting Obama in office. If it is prejudice, then ofcourse you cannot expect us to want their vote.
There is no room in this election for racism.
Thank God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Even with Hillary on the ticket I wouldn't vote for him!
Obama CAN win without Hillary on the ticket if her supporters will drop their emotions long enough to do the right thing and vote for him, rather than registering a protest vote for McCain.
Personally, I think he can win anyway - but it would be nice to see all this anger and hatred go away.
Thank you Mr. President Carter for your comments. But it is interesting to me: Previously, look how Billary Changed over time:
1) First Position: Obama is not ready to be Commander and Chief
2) Second Position: Even McCain is a better Commander and Chief
3) Third Position: I am willing to accept Obama as my VP. He can be a VP if he works under my gudeline
4) Fouth Position: I am willing to be Barak's VP
5) Fifth Position: I will be honored to be Barak's VP
6) Sixth Position: Please please please take me as ur VP and forgive me Sir
Jimmy (SENILE!!) Carter should stick with something he knows about – giving away the Panama Canal.
I am devastated by the reverse racism on this blog lately. You are finaly showing your true colors Obama supporters. Do you hear yourselves? You say you don't need the Hillary supporters, so many of you are voting for Sen. Obama for change, correct? He is inspirational, I am afraid the only inspiration I see from the Sen. Obama supporters is the inspiration you have received from Rev. Wright. I am horrified by your antics. You say Hillary is a liar, a cheat, Billary, Hi"liar"y. I would vote for a liar over over a racist movitator any day. This primary, I have heard Sen. Obama supporters loud and clear...YOU HATE WOMEN, POOR PEOPLE, UNEDUCATED WHITE FOLKS. You have made your point and you are the representative of your candidate. I don't recall reading anything by Sen. Clinton supporters bashing "african-americans", "Black Americans", "Educated white folks". No...I see Sen. Clinton supporters question the experience of Sen. Obama and we are the "uneducated". Lots of folks can be educated and smart, but it is proven most Highly intelligent folks have no common sense....
Stop the MADNESS and vote for the candidate that wants to help us pay our mortgages, afford college and health care. If you vote for Sen. Obama in November "08", you will destroy any chance of a Democratic President, as he CANNOT beat McSame in the general election. PLEASE think long and hard, investigate his Senate votes and compare them to Sen. Clintons. He is for Change, he is just not sure where to change and what to change. He needs more experience. Now stop this racism race and vote for the person with the ability to do what is best for us Americans.
PAM and all women who are making this a seixist issue – the issue at heand is therre is an Ol' Boys Club scenerio at play BUT just because Hillary is running and palying the gender card does not mean she is the right candiate. She is a polarizing figure and people actually hate her – now the consus I get from soem of her supporters is that even tho they are disapionted witht he results they will vote democratic irreguardless. Why rish a McCrack presidency which involves more war and disaray just to prove a piont ...common – this is creating damage for who which ever woman will run again in history – hopefull they will take a page out of Obama's book inwich yoiu have a nutral platform that any one can relate to – as a minority , woman, black , white , asian whatever....
What are you waiting for Jimmy? Stop playing and endorse Obama! We only need 64 more delegates to clinch the nomination.