Clay: Clinton Shouldn’t Be Veep Nominee

Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) said that Barack Obama shouldn’t choose Hillary Clinton as his running mate.

Clay, co-chairman of Obama’s campaign in Missouri, told the Briefing Room that putting Clinton on a national ticket could energize Republican efforts in a year tilting Democratic.

“It might ignite their fundraising base,” Clay said. “We want them to stay somber.”

Clay cited a story in The Hill on Thursday in which Republican strategists said that a Democratic ticket that included Clinton would wake up conservative activists who are currently apathetic about this year’s race.

Clay suggested that Obama should consider choosing as his running mate Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.).

But, Clay added, “It’s entirely up to him.”