Why Not a Hillary Clinton - Ron Paul Ticket?

For an election season that started with such promise, there sure are a lot of folks unhappy with whom the likely nominees will be. Half of the Democrats still want Hillary Clinton, even though it looks less and less likely that she can get enough delegates. Most Republicans are greeting the nomination of John McCain with either trepidation or a yawn. So how about a third alternative?

I'm not talking about a vote for Nader or embracing Bob Barr's run as a Libertarian. I have a much more radical idea: an independent ticket of Hillary Clinton and Ron Paul. Sure, it's a marriage made in political hell, but do you really think JFK wanted Lyndon Johnson or that Ronald Reagan wanted George H.W. Bush? You go with the running mate that can help you win. Ron Paul has a core of rabid supporters who will simply stay home in November if he's not on the ticket, so bringing him on board actually adds voters.

Ron Paul would also bring an aspect to the campaign that's been missing for too long. As he said earlier this year on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart": "I like to think that I introduced a brand new idea into this campaign. I have suggested that we follow the Constitution." His other views are diametrically opposed to Hillary Clinton's (abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, the income tax, and the CIA, for example), but he would be busy at funerals of foreign dignitaries most of the time, so that's not really a problem. He'd join the ticket because he loves having a platform for his somewhat unorthodox ideas.

For Hillary, a run as an Independent makes even more sense. First of all, she hates the Senate, and with good reason: it's more boring than watching paint dry. If you don't believe me, paint one wall of your house, turn on C-SPAN at the same time and see which you end up watching. She only ran for the Senate in the first place to establish herself as a Presidential contender, so there's nothing more to gain there.