No shoes I'd like to fill
Mary Henkel Judson

Mary Henkel Judson is editor and copublisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at southjetty@centurytel.net.

Hillary's out, Obama's in.

Now the big question is who Obama will choose for his veep, and there's plenty of speculation that it might be Hillary.

Politics aside, that's a bad idea unless you want to see a cat fight in the White House, assuming that Barack Obama defeats John McCain in November.

Hillary played second fiddle to Bill when he occupied the White House because it was a step in the right direction that could have led her to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. with Bill playing second fiddle.

Today, I'm having eye trouble seeing Hillary taking up that position with anyone else, much less keeping her place in line with Michelle Obama, who will make damn sure Hillary doesn't overstep her bounds.

What we have here are two strong-willed women who would play second fiddle, one to her husband and the other to the president.

Michelle Obama has stripes and credentials that are remarkably similar to Hillary's, and being first lady may be part of her plan to make her own way to the White House. That, of course, is wild speculation on my part.

Still, neither woman is a shrinking violet, and both would likely make sure they are seen and heard, not only by the president, but by the voting public as well.

It would be just too awkward - mostly for Barack.

Certainly bitter rivals on the campaign trail have come together as a party ticket in the past (i.e., John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson), but, for the most part, vice presidents stay in the background, providing regional and/or philosophical/ political balance to the man (hasn't it always been a man?) on top of the ticket.

An Obama/Clinton ticket would present two strong candidates to voters, which would probably make them a highly electable team (W has made sure McCain has his work cut out for him.). But after the swearing in? Then what? Full body shiver.

No offense to Hillary supporters, but I can see it now: Obama has his right hand raised, left hand on the family Bible, Michelle standing to his left. Peeking between them is Hillary, cheek-to-cheek with Bill, silently mouthing the oath.

She's a lotta woman and doesn't go down in defeat easily.

The way I see it, Barack has a choice between a quad-presidency (himself and Michelle, and Hillary and Bill) and a traditional presidency with a wallflower who would provide some geographic appeal that might attract women and the white working class.

I don't know what size shoes he wears, but I know I don't want to be in them.