I've had to set aside my strong personal, emotional distaste for Hillary to attack this problem, I think, more rationally. This is not about winning in November. The real debate compares two competing philosophical values -- both equally Barackian.
The value that's been most discussed of late is Barack's movement toward a new kind of politics. Common sense tells us Hillary represents old politics, and, therefore, should not be allowed anywhere near Barack's White House. But the competing value is just as integral to Barack's vision. He's talked about it in terms of Lincoln's "Team of Rivals."
Jake Tapper takes a fresh look this morning at the Team of Rivals concept (because Barack brought it up at a rally in response to a questioner). Check it out. But the concept is not new to Barack. Whether using the term Team of Rivals or not, he has all along shown a desire to surround himself with competing voices, and, generally, to govern with the kind of confidence that would allow divergent, even hostile, voices into the conversation (this concept also applies to his willingness to negotiate with hostile governments). It's the polar opposite of the Bush strategy of surrounding oneself with true believers and ostracizing those who prove to be only half on-board.
What's especially hard to get past (for those of us who have lost all respect for Hillary) is her Machiavellian dishonesty (etc). Sure, we might say, we'd be delighted to see her in the Team of Rivals if her rivalry were strictly issue-oriented. Our professed desire to exclude her is more on the basis of her low character.
But one thing that's become clear to me in recent weeks is that Hillary thinks of herself as a crusader. Indeed she's fighting, above all, for the preservation of Old Politics -- a way of doing business that she feels she's mastered and that she actually believes in. I reject the old politics she represents and I want Barack to turn the page. But, if I am honest with myself, I recognize that having a voice as strong as hers representing the old ways is an essential component in a truly diverse Team of Rivals. After all, purveyors of the old ways will not vanish overnight. I also completely trust Barack's intelligence and strength -- so I'm not afraid he will allow his White House to get railroaded by the Clintons. Remember, listening to competing voices is not the same as capitulating to them.
Bringing in one's most fierce rival may seem to be the politically expedient option, but I think its real significance would be in the radically different voice it would bring to the governing table.
Certainly Barack is signaling that he is considering this value seriously in his veep contemplations.
UPDATE: Through the dialog below I've come to realize a better summation of my argument would be "I'll give Barack the benefit of the doubt if he chooses Hillary" (rather than I want him to pick her). My main point is that there are reasons he might consider her that are consistent with his principles -- in addition to whatever pragmatic, election season arguments we may or may not come up with.