There are several possible running mates who would be helpful in getting Barack Obama elected president, and in governing after they assume their new offices.  With no disrespect intended, Senator Hillary Clinton is not one of them.  The reasons may have more to do with Bill than Hillary, but it does not really matter. 

As I have indicated in previous posts, Senator Joe Biden is my first choice for vice-president, with Governor Bill Richardson a close second.  I would not be unhappy with Senator Dodd or Senator Webb.  If it is believed that the VP should be somebody who has been identifiably a close Clinton ally (I do not agree with that premise), Governor Rendell or Governor Strickland would be a good choice, and if it is believed that the VP should be a woman (and I do not agree with that premise, either), Governor Sebelius is a credible possibility.  Another category suggested by some bloggers is to have a military heavyweight, such as General Clark or Admiral Fallon. 

Any of these people would be a better choice for VP than Senator Clinton.  Obama and Clinton should discuss their goals for the future, if they have not already done so.  There may be some ways that President Obama can help Hillary Clinton achieve her personal goals, but the vice-presidency should not be offered.  I do not think she should be in his cabinet, either (although my objection is milder for cabinet than for VP), and I doubt that she would want the job of, let's say, Secretary of Health and Human Services, which seems to me to be a demotion from her current seat in the U.S. Senate.  If Mrs. Clinton wants to be a Supreme Court Justice, Obama can promise to give her serious consideration, but he cannot explicitly promise to nominate her for the Court.  If that is what she wants, I think it would be better for her to first serve at least a couple of years as a district or appeals court judge before being elevated to the Supreme Court.  Maybe she wants to stay in the Senate, requesting that Obama promise to put through her version of "universal health insurance."  In that case, the answer is that the legislation comes from the Congress, which would include Clinton and not Obama.  Obama can promise to sign any bill passed by Congress that addresses the general goals which they both share.   

George Will is a good writer, and one of the more respectable conservative columnists around.  Here is his case against Obama having Hillary Clinton for VP:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0611willjun11,0,7559780.story