Clinton For VP?

A New York Times article sparks some interesting speculation:

"Clinton's strengths would compensate for Kerry's weaknesses almost perfectly. Not only is Clinton the most talented campaigner of his generation, he is also a southerner - and since 1948, every successful Democratic ticket has included a Southern politician.

"Besides, people might even pay to watch Bill Clinton debate Dick Cheney. So why not?

"The first objection, the constitutional one, can be disposed of easily. The US Constitution does not prevent Clinton from running for vice-president. The 22nd Amendment, which became effective in 1951, begins: "No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice."

"No problem. Clinton would be running for vice-president, not president. Scholars and judges can debate how loosely constitutional language should be interpreted but one need not be a strict constructionist to find this language clear beyond dispute. Clinton cannot be elected president but nothing stops him being elected vice-president.

"True, if Clinton were vice-president he would be in line for the presidency. But Clinton would succeed Kerry not by election, which the amendment forbids, but through Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, which provides that if a president dies, resigns or is removed from office, his powers "shall devolve on the vice-president". The 22nd Amendment would not prevent this succession.

"So much for the constitutional obstacles. The political ones may be more formidable. They can be summarised in two questions: would Clinton want the job and would Kerry want him to take it? "