May 11, 2008

By Edward Luce (View author info)
Copyright ft.com

Barack Obama for the first time on Friday overtook Hillary Clinton's support among the unelected "super-delegates" who will ultimately settle the Democratic nomination amid signs that people around Mrs Clinton were pushing for her to become Mr Obama's running mate. Friday's flurry of support for Mr Obama coincided with a number of possibly unauthorized efforts by senior backers of Mrs Clinton to push forward the idea of Mrs Clinton becoming Mr Obama's vice-presidential running mate. A number of senior Democratic figures have recently come out in favour of a "unity ticket" to help breach the demographic divisions among the Democratic electorate and in order to help prevent a potentially damaging extension of the nomination battle. But it was clear that supporters of Mr Obama were far less enthusiastic about the prospect than supporters of Mrs Clinton. Some believe that having an African-American and a woman on the ticket would be far too risky. Others are bitter about the way Mrs Clinton has run her campaign. "I don't think it is possible," Ted Kennedy, the Massachusetts senator and Obama supporter, told Bloomberg TV. "[Obama should choose someone] in tune with his appeal for the nobler aspects of the American people. If we had real leadership - like we have with Barack Obama - in the number two spot as well, it would be enormously helpful."

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