Is it too much to ask that the intellectual space given to political insiders be contingent on actually producing thoughtful and realistic speculation? James Andrew Miller argues that Obama could foster "party unity" by offering Clinton the first dibs on the next Supreme Court vacancy:
If Obama were to promise Clinton the first court vacancy, her supporters would actually have a stronger incentive to support him for president than they would if she were going to be vice president. Given the Supreme Court's delicate liberal-conservative balance, she would play a major role in charting the country's future; there is no guarantee that a Clinton vice presidency would achieve such importance. ...
Senate confirmation would be all but certain, even putting aside the gains that Democrats are likely to make in November. Clinton could be confirmed in the current alignment. Democrats would want to support their new president, and those who like Clinton would vote for her. Members of either party who aren't fans might also be happy enough about her leaving the Senate to vote to confirm her. ...
Bill Clinton has set the family bar high in terms of overcoming setbacks. It's not inconceivable that Hillary could rise again and one day be elected president -- but it couldn't happen for at least four years. An Obama promise to nominate Clinton to the Supreme Court would more than go a long way toward forging the unity Democrats want and need for November. It would preserve Clinton's role as a dedicated public servant and guarantee her the role of a lifetime.
This might be less absurd than the notion of Bill Clinton on the Supreme Court, but that doesn't mean it's plausible. "Party unity" is not going to hinge on placating Hillary Clinton unless she herself urges divisiveness amongst her supporters. And if the game is political blackmail, then is her confirmation really "all but certain?" And what's this nonsense about preserving her role as a dedicated public servant? Is this something the United States Senate lacks?
--Mori Dinauer
