Shenanigans Presidential Mailbag

Author: Alex Garlick

With so much going on in presidential politics this week I decided to let the politicians ask some questions.

In the words of Will Hunting, "How do you like them apples?"
-Hillary, New York.

I must say I am impressed, Hillary. During Obama's "winning streak," it appeared that March 4 was going to be his knockout punch, but Hillary proved the pundits wrong. Clinton's victory demonstrates two things. One, it lends credence to Professor Matt Dickinson's disdain for "momentum." He considers each state an independent contest, with structural and demographic factors being more important. Second, it vindicates the claim in this space from a couple weeks back - the Clintons are political animals that are most dangerous when backed into a corner.


Am I going to be the First Gentleman?
-Bill, Little Rock.

Not so fast. Even after winning Ohio and Texas, Hillary didn't actually pick up that many delegates. In short, Hillary will not be able to get enough delegates to win the nomination in a traditional manner before the convention. However, it does not look like Barack will either - he would have to win the remaining states near a 77 percent clip.


Should I get my flag pins and red ties ready?
-Al, Tennessee.

Not yet, Mr. Gore. These next few months are sure to be interesting, but I believe the Democrats will have it figured out by Denver. This is Obama's nomination to lose. If he splits the remaining contests 50-50, he would only have to get about a third of the superdelegates for the nomination, and recently he's been picking them up with ease - about 3-1. But there's always Michigan and Florida. The Democrats cannot get through an entire election cycle without a Florida controversy.


Is Hillary serious with this "Dream Ticket" talk?
-Barack, Chicago.

Yes, she is - a Clinton-Obama ticket (with her on top) really would be her dream. However, Obama is right to shoot it down. If he gets the nomination there's no way he'd want Hillary anywhere near his candidacy. She wouldn't win him any particular state and due to her high unfavorability rating, she could even hurt him. Also, as he's been saying this week, he is in first place and shouldn't have to concede to his top contender.


Since we are discussing all things presidential: Can you tell me what Liebowitz Day is?
-Ron, Old Chapel

It's an honor that lies somewhere between the Nobel Peace Prize and a Darwin Award.



Who should be my Vice President?
-John, Phoenix

It is always fun to field a GOP question here at Shenanigans HQ. Conventional wisdom suggests McCain should pick a social conservative along the lines of Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney to help him in the Bible Belt. However, I would not be surprised if he looked to a minority candidate that could balance the Obama/Clinton historical angle, helping him across the country - someone like Condoleezza Rice. Other than that, it's time for McCain to have a lemonade, fund-raise and rest his 71-year-old bones for a couple months. He may also want to have his lawyers double-check that he is constitutionally eligible for president after being born in the Panama Canal Zone.

Alex Garlick '08.5 is a Political Science and Economics major from Needham, Mass.