Opinion: Is Barack Obama priming Hillary Clinton for healthcare reform role?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Early on in his speech last night claiming the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama offered praise for Hillary Clinton, which can be viewed as either a gracious or cynical overture to her angry supporters (many of whom have commented here).

But Obama also mentioned something that almost sounded like an offer. He said: ‘You can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal healthcare in this country, and we will win that fight, she will be central to that victory.’

Of course, Clinton’s history with healthcare reform has not exactly been successful. But Obama’s careful wording -- and he is usually very careful in his wording in prepared speeches -- left the impression that he’s considering asking Clinton to play a lead role in healthcare reform. Or maybe just be the anchor point in the Senate. Of course, that would be moot if John McCain wins in the fall, but given how much the issue means to Clinton, letting her steer the fight on that issue could be Obama’s answer to a pressing question: What to do about Clinton?

And that’s the kind of role Clinton could also play as a vice president, much like Bill Clinton assigned Al Gore to streamline the federal bureaucracy.

-- Scott Martelle