A political Dream Team: Clinton-Obama ticket?

Campaign cochair says Clinton-Obama ticket is possibility January 25, 2008 By CHRIS CHRISTOFF FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU EAST LANSING – A Clinton-Obama presidential ticket for Democrats? It’s possible, said Joel Ferguson, a cochair for Hillary Clinton’s Michigan campaign. Ferguson said Clinton’s Democratic rival Barack Obama has appeal among young voters – especially young African Americans – that would make him a potent vote-getter as a vice presidential running mate. “There’s a shot at that happening,” he said after taping public television’s weekly show, “Off the Record.” Ferguson, a Michigan State University trustee and wealthy developer, said if Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, she will ultimately have the black vote behind her in the November election. But that may not be true among young, first-time voters, he said. If polling shows Obama continues to build support among young voters who otherwise would not vote in November, he could be an attractive running mate. “There’s an excitement there,” said Ferguson, who orchestrated Jesse Jackson’s victory in Michigan’s 1988 Democratic presidential primary. Ferguson said Obama has managed to distance himself from Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton – a 2004 presidential candidate and controversial black figure – while gaining their quiet support. “As along as he keeps Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in the closet, white folk don’t think he’s black,” Ferguson said of Obama. “He’s managed to be Tiger Woods and Oprah,” a reference to the golf superstar and Oprah Winfrey, both African Americans with popular appeal that transcends race. Ferguson also defended former President Bill Clinton’s active role in his wife’s campaign. Some Democrats have criticized the ex-president for attacking Obama on the campaign trail, but Ferguson said Clinton has raised legitimate questions about Obama’s record as an Illinois legislator and U.S. senator.“No one has said he (Clinton) hasn’t told the truth,” Ferguson said.