BET Founder Johnson Signals Pal Clinton Wants Veep Slot
EmailThe magisterial Dan Balz of the Washington Post talks to BET founder Bob Johnson, who says his pal Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, is "absolutely ready" to chat with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, about the vice presidency.
Johnson is an odd (though clearly self-appointed) emissary for this mission. In January he publicly mocked Obama’s youthful drug use.
Then in April Johnson backed Geraldine Ferraro’s comments that "if Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position."
"Geraldine Ferraro said it right," Johnson said then. "The problem is, Geraldine Ferraro is white. This campaign has such a hair-trigger on anything racial it is almost impossible for anybody to say anything."
Now, however, Johnson says he’s interested in healing.
"Let me be clear," Johnson said this a.m.. "She said if asked to do this, she must accept because she believes that it is in the best interest of the party that the party come together and win in November."
Johnson claims he told Clinton he wanted to start getting this train going. "She said, ‘Go ahead,’" he said.
Johnson understands that there must be some conditions. "I think she recognizes that people want a definitive statement from her hailing Obama as the nominee and announcing that she is no longer in campaign mode," Johnson said. Also, "if she wants to work with him as his vice president, she has to focus on getting him elected and not celebrating what has been a monumental achievement in her campaign. That’s the message some of us will be saying to her now."
And further, "He can say to Hillary, ‘I want you to be vice president. I don’t want Bill to be vice president.’ I think Senator Obama has to lay down those markers and he’s got to be comfortable that when Hillary says, ‘I can deliver those things you’re concerned about,’ they should have a meeting of the minds."
- jpt
Gulf of Mexico to Become Gulf of America? 
Can Mitt Romney Win Conservatives Back?
Well she will have to fight A kennedy for it that is Caroline why did I see this one.
Posted by: Bishop | June 4, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
Never gonna happen. She and Bill just come with too much baggage.
Posted by: Texas Voter | June 4, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
She made the RFK comment, now she wants to be VP.
It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to connect THOSE dots.
Posted by: Texas Voter | June 4, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Let B.O. pay off her debt. Let B.O. pay for her campaigning. When the GOP drop the “Michelle/Rev Wright tape” bomb, Hillary will be there to pick up the pieces. She’ll be our president and save America. B.O. will NOT WIN.
Posted by: jeep395 | June 4, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
Dont do it Hillary let obama fall alone in the GE.
No VP with the affirmative action candidate.
Posted by: toby | June 4, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
As a HC supporter, I totally agree with the view that Obama should not offer the vp candidacy to her. In my view it does not help either one. It’d help her voters if she runs as independent instead of as his appendix.
Posted by: esvida | June 4, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Gee I wonder if Caroline Kennedy could be on the short list.
Posted by: Bishop | June 4, 2008, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
No need for Hillary Clinton to give Barack Hussein Obama what he needs to get elected.
If Senator Clinton really cares about the American people, she will continue to serve as a powerful Senator from New York instead of an insignificant Vice President of a doomed administration.
Posted by: Jayhawk | June 4, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
I’m sorry but in my opinion she just doesn’t resonate with his successful campaign message of turning the page in Washington.
Posted by: Mary, MI | June 4, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Bob Johnson is the LAST person who should dictate to Obama what to do.
Posted by: Dan | June 4, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Better NOT happen.—–Texas voter I said this right along ,She as vee p and bang guess who is sitting in the oval office, starger things have been KNOWN to happen
Posted by: older person | June 4, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
NO NO NO NO NO NONONONONONONONONO
Posted by: me | June 4, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
The Obama campaign has done everything in its power over the last year to get people to hate the Clintons; and they have succeeded. The hatred of Hillary in the Obama campaign is virulent. That hatred is not going to disappear merely by taping Hillary for the VP spot.
If Obama becomes the nominee (and we will not know until the convention in August if that is the case) then Hillary needs to play a different role in the Democratic party.
Make no mistake, however. Hillary has millions of supporters. If she does not have a substantial role to play in the party then they will not be satisfied, and they will seek revenge against the party.
Posted by: David H | June 4, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
The same haters say the exact same thing on every post continuously. I can look at dumb and dumber over & over…….BYE
Posted by: enough | June 4, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Most Hillary supporters don’t want Hillary on the ticket either….let’s face it…one half of the party hates him and one half of the party hates her…it won’t work.
McCAIN IF NOT HILLARY….GO TO HIS WEBSITE AND DONATE….MONEY SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE DEMS…WON’T CHANGE ANYTHING, BUT THEY SHOULD KNOW THE MILLONS OF US WHO ARE NOW BACKING McCAIN!
Posted by: Debra | June 4, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Why do some people always put the worst spin on an innocent statement about RK?
When all the clamor for Hillary to quit long before June, she said that her husband was not nominated until way in June, 92 and RK was assassinated in June.
RK was still campaigning in June 68 was the intended message. But the shock of his assassination still affects many of us.
SOME OBAMA SUPPORTERS SEEM TO SEE EVIL EVERYWHERE AND CAN TWIST A TOTALLY INNOCENT STATEMENT INTO AN EVIL INDICATOR.
So according Texax voter, Hillary is preparing for Obama’s demise. How paranoid can any one get?
Posted by: seenoevil | June 4, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Obama already has a tough swim ahead. Hillary and her negatives are not a life raft. SHE’S AN ANVIL
Posted by: Omentum | June 4, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
Who would take political advice from the guy who brought us all the booty-shaking rap videos on BET (Bob Johnson)?
Posted by: Que | June 4, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
All the true patriots of America should just write in in November ballot for Hillary.
Obama does not have the bigheartedness to run with Hillary. He is more likely to put his own personal peevishness above the interest of the party.
What is more, HE IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT HE CAN WIN ON HIS OWN WITHOUT ANY RUNNING MATE.
Posted by: smallheart | June 4, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
OBAMA IS MOVING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He has formed a V-P search committee that includes CAROLINE KENNEDY!!!!!!
Hillary in refusing to acknowledge Obama’s nomination yesterday shot herself in the foot.
Posted by: Eva | June 4, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
She said it. That’s just the way it is.
Posted by: Texas Voter | June 4, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
VP and other offices are awards for personal clonnies.
Hillary is in the camp where Obama wants those to vanish.
Posted by: vanish | June 4, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
Hillary’s UNGRACIOUS behavior yesterday GAVE BARRACK ALL THE EXCUSES HE NEEDED NOT TOO CHOSE HER FOR VEEP.
Posted by: Mel | June 4, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
The gleeful gloating of Obama supporters may very well win Republicans a lot of votes.
Most Americans are not cruel enough to rub salt onto the wounds of others except Obama supporters.
Posted by: notcruel | June 4, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
NOT CRUEL WE DON’T GLOAT, HE IS SIMPLY AN AWESOME INDVIDUAL (see below from Washington Post):
“Obama also has strong support in Europe, the heartland of anti-Bush sentiment. “Germany is Obama country,” said Karsten Voight, the German government’s coordinator for German-North American cooperation. “He seems to strike a chord with average Germans,” who see him as a transformational figure such as John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King Jr.”
Posted by: Harriet | June 4, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
AGAIN, EXCELLENCE COMMENDS ITSELF; From Washington Post:
“In Iran, government officials have taken no official position on the U.S. race, but several people interviewed said the government and average Iranians would welcome Obama and direct talks between Tehran and Washington.
“The majority of Iranians feel that the Democrats support what they want: a major and drastic change in relations with the U.S. So for them, the coming of Obama would be a good omen,” said Hermidas Bavand, professor of U.S.-Iranian relations at the Allameh Tabatabai University.”
Posted by: Harriet | June 4, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Hillary is stating an important fact: EIGHTEEN MILLIONS PRIMARY VOTERS VOTED FOR HER.
Facts mean nothing to Obama spinners.
If Hillary suppressed the facts and became a lying sychophant to Obama, she is doing Obama and the country a disservice.
EVEN OBAMA HIMSELF ACKNOWLEGES THAT :”HILLARY HAS MADE HIM A BETTER CANDIDATE.”
I know, OBama camp is demanding the the display of absolute loyalty from everyone now.
THIS IS MY FEAR AND WORRY, THEY ARE TOO SMALL TO HANDLE AND USE POWER. THEY WILL ABUSE IT BEFORE LONG.
Posted by: noABUSE | June 4, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Wait until Obama dictates to other leaders:”you do this and this, otherwise….”
The honeymoon will be over in an instant.
Maybe the Germans loves to be dictated to. Not the rest of the world.
Posted by: wait | June 4, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
Nat Turner, I don’t think you took time to read my posts at all.
Please do so – you will realise we are actually on the same page.
Posted by: Harriet | June 4, 2008, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
I COULD BET YOU 100,000 BUCKS.
HILLARY WILL NOT BE VEEP.
THIS TRAIN IS HEADED FOR THE WHITE HOUSE WITHOUT HER.
Her speech yesterday sealed her fate.
Posted by: Martha | June 4, 2008, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
With CAROLINE KENNEDY on Obama’s new Veep search committee…there is just no way Hillary will be Veep.
Posted by: Betty | June 4, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
HILLARY WANTS A CO-PRESIDENCY.
AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN!!!
I thank her for letting us know just that yesterday.
Posted by: Sally | June 4, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
(Thanks Nat)HILLARY’S DOWNFALL – HER HUBRIS.
Her “deranged narcissism” as one commentator put it.
TOTALLY LACKING IN HUMILITY NEEDED TO BE VEEP.
Posted by: Harriet | June 4, 2008, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
ABCNews.com reports:
“Swinging into general election mode, the Obama campaign announced Wednesday that it had tapped three people, including President John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, to lead his search for a vice-presidential nominee.”
Thank God the man is forging ahead!!
Posted by: Melissa | June 4, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
I agree with Howard Finemen on this one: Not going to happen.
HRC will stand back, watch the trainwreck, then run against president McCain in 4 years.
Posted by: Stephen Gianelli | June 4, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
Actually Stephen, I see a different ending.
Obama’s new Veep committee will come up with a brilliant choice, win the election and shunt Clinton into political oblivion.
Obama and Hillary SIMPLY CAN’T WORK TOGETHER. HER EGO IS TOO BIG.
Posted by: Holly | June 4, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Please tell this SMUT OF A HUMAN BEING TO STOP SPEAKING (BOB JOHNSON). Just like Father Flagher did horrible things for Obama’s camp THIS MAN was horrible for Hillary. His VOICE AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE AND LOTS OF OTHER DO NOT WANT TO HEAR! Why? Because he created the most digusting cable network channel known as BET which peddles booty shaking, gansta rapping videos,things you would NEVER WANT YOUR DAUGHTERS TO GROW UP AND SEE and Bob Johnson never stood againist THIS FILTH, no instead he choose to profit off the most digusting images that this generation had to OFFER. TELL HIM to go AWAY. Any congress person that is bought off by him WILL NOT BE RE-ELECTED, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO REMOVE MY POSTS, BUT MY GROUPS E-MAIL THE BLACK CAUCUS, THIS IS NOT THE REPRESTATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE FOLLOWING OBAMA PRESIDENCY.
Posted by: girlofthefuture | June 4, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
PS:
unlike most of the cable outlets, I do not fault Clinton for not expressly conceding last night.
You have your nomination, it serves no purpose to force Clinton to kneel like King Leonidas at the feet of Xerxes.
Posted by: Stephen Gianelli | June 4, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Hillary wants to turn this election into a referendum on her candidacy.
Meanwhile the Iraq debacle continues and the economy is sinking into muck.
Posted by: Debbie | June 4, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
“Obama’s new Veep committee will come up with a brilliant choice, win the election and shunt Clinton into political oblivion.”
Only time will tell. However, I reserve the right to say “I told you so.”
Posted by: Stephen Gianelli | June 4, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Hillary Supporter: YOU DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND THE NEWS!!!!
CAROLINE KENNEDY IS PART OF THE VEEP SEARCH COMMITTEE AND IS NOT UNDER CONSIDERATION HERSELF!!!
Posted by: Ida | June 4, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
This will be fun to watch.
Hillary digging her political grave with her overgrown ego.
Posted by: Janice | June 4, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
BBC ON OBAMA’S VEEP PLANS:
“Mr Obama’s three-member panel comprises Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John Kennedy, former deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and Jim Johnson.
Mr Johnson performed the same selection task for John Kerry in 2004.
“Senator Obama is pleased to have three talented and dedicated individuals managing this rigorous process,” said Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Illinois senator.
“He will work closely with them in the coming weeks but ultimately this will be his decision and his alone.”
Don’t look back Barrack!
Posted by: Bertha | June 4, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
Hillary for Veep? She should be home
in the kitchen baking cookies and
waiting for Bill to come home.
Posted by: hombre | June 4, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Hillary’s arrogance is sickening.
She hasn’t conceded and expects to be offered the veep.
The world crushes for those who think they are at its center…
Posted by: Jess | June 4, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
RELAX…Hillary supporters don’t want her near the VP slot….we want to him go down in a blaze all his own. He will never be able to run again….no lefty liberal in the Dem party gets to run again….McCain wins, Hillary runs in 2012….hopefully there will not be another black candidate that the dems pass through as to look PC. Maybe the next one will be vetted and not as radical as Oabma and his wife.
McCAIN FIRST – HILLARY SECOND.
Posted by: Debra | June 4, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
I can only laugh when I read comments from BO supporters.
No matter what, Hillary is wrong.
Now she is clever enough, because all you can do is throwing more negative, and next thing no one can say that she does not offer an alternative. You all have rejected it.
So after that you deal with your own empty speculations and you will find out they can hurt, because then your BO will be the target and no more Hillary to dump your frustrations on.
It’s good to be a bit self-centered, at least it gives a sense of responsibility for what one says and thinks.
Posted by: jane | June 4, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
She lost because of this kind of tin ear.
Johnson is still in her campaign after what he did. But Obama had to fire some one who called her a monster. She wants respect. Let her show some.
She talks of getting 18 mill votes. However you count, many of those votes were for the party, not for her. They were Democrats, people who oppose racism & war & gender politics. Democrats who oppose cronyism. McCain has serious problems w/ ties to the Bush establishment. How are her ties to Wal-mart & the Colombians & Dubai going to bring anything to the ticket to counter that.
McCain’s foreign policy experience is better than hers but both showed terrible judgment about the Iraq war.
She has “0″ administrative experience. So what exactly does she bring to the ticket.
And she uses Johnson as a point man. Her lack of sensitivity is stunning.
OC, we in NY are used to it.
Posted by: Miri NY | June 4, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
Senator Clinton lost because of a corrupt system. The DNC commnitte Democratic VIP and the MSM did everything they could, some illegal, to make sure the socialist/marxist/commun- ist Obama was the candidate.
I will never vote for Obama or another Democrat candidate. This corruption is too much.
Posted by: Mai | June 4, 2008, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
Like father, like son. Obama’s father was also corrupt.
Posted by: Mary | June 4, 2008, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
NO HILLARY FOR VP
BOB JOHNSON CAN GETHER UP THAT MONEY TO PAY HILLARY 20 MILLIONS, SHE RACKED UP
OBAMA TOLD HILLARY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
HILLARY RUNNING WITH HEAD DOWN, HAD NO CLUE, JUST CLUENESS
NO HILLARY FOR VP, SHE NEED TO FIND HER ANOTHER LINE OF WORK, MAY BE DENOUNCE BILL, OBAMA HAD TO DENOUNCE EVERYBODY, EVEN LEAVE HIS CHURCH, HILLARY SHOULD HAVE DENOUNCE DISBARRED AND WOMENIZING BILL
Posted by: chu13ck | June 5, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
What many dont understand is from the first day Hillary and her camp played the race card and tried to ignite a race war, her chances to ever be VP or anything more than dog catcher in the Obama Admin were dead and buried. As far as blacks are concerned (sane ones at least!) she committed the ultimately deadly sin against us. We were not amused after how they played us for 15 years! Like others on this board, I would like to see Caroline Kennedy ON the ticket as VP, now there is a woman everyone could get behind. And I would like to see her cousin, Bobby, as Cabinet Secretary of the Environment.
Posted by: Every Blackwoman | June 5, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm