Could Murdoch want Clinton for VP?
Murdoch’s support for Obama has crossed the Atlantic, it seems. From the Sun, of all places, comes this:
I hope he [Obama] wins. I think he will and I also hope he lives long enough to bring in the reforms that could rehabilitate America.
Pretty glowing stuff. We know that Murdoch virtually exercises editorial control over the Sun; if not on an article by article basis, then at least on a “I’ll withdraw any columnist I don’t like and Rebekah Wade can do nothing if she wants to keep her job,” level. And would he really allow an article on a candidate he didn’t like - if, of course, he hadn’t already endorsed one he did?
So, we can guess he’s pretty confident of Obama winning if he’s letting papers over here publish in his favour. What’s almost more interesting is this:
Now she [Clinton] has to take a deep breath and work hand-in-hand with Obama who still has a mountain to climb.
Together she and Obama would make a formidable team — Obama needs her to win over the Hispanic voters and the white working class. But they somehow have to resolve their differences and put aside their egos and work together.
That reads like a veiled call for a Clinton VP. Obama doesn’t need to put aside his ego; he’s won, he’s no need to fight with Clinton unless she starts it. So - ?
This isn’t the “Sun Says” editorial which everyone really thinks is “Murdoch Says.” So it’s very possibly not his opinion. This isn’t one of Murdoch’s American ventures and won’t feasibly affect many (any) American voters in November. So he’s no reason to push for these hints here anyway, as no-one influential is likely to pick them up. And, as far as anyone can tell, he’s never liked the Clinton’s - so he’s really got not reason to push for her for VP.
It’s probably just the columnist expressing an opinion he’s no need to censor. But could he want Clinton for VP?
(For the record: I suspect not. But it’s worth flagging…)
I think Murdoch likes people to think he’s more important than he is. It cuts both ways - he isn’t actually important, but he does use the Sun as his plaything. Worth thinking about, certainly.
I agree that Murdoch has less influence than he claims. But to maintain the illusion of electoral importance, he needs to predict them correctly, and usually manages well enough…
I don’t care what Murdoch wants.