Draft Clinton.  We need the poise, intelligence and wit that Clinton brings to the podium.  We need the unquestioned support of the Clintons on board with the Democratic campaign, not only for their fundraising ability, but to show the country that the Great Primary War is truly over.  Only Clinton can bring all of that.

But I'm not talking about Hillary, or even Bill.  They will have their roles to play, but I'm talking about Chelsea.  Major props to Moxie Gurl for this idea.

Barack might not pick Hillary for the VP slot and he's made clear that the VP choice will be made in August, not now in June.  So, we've got this summer to push through, attacking McCain all the way. No matter what Hillary and Bill say and do this summer, the MSM will be constantly questioning their commitment to the Democratic cause.  That's what the Media wants:  controversy and disunity.  And the Media will create that controversy any way they can.  So how can the Clinton family show their total commitment to Obama's campaign, in a way that will help them in the future?

Chelsea is now 28.  Her poise has been on display at the small rallies she has appeared at on behalf of her mother at various college campuses around the country.  With the end of Hillary's campaign, Chelsea has the choice of returning to her hedge-fund job, or starting her own political career. Building her own "stump speech" in support of Obama and appearing as a "headliner" in her own right at some rallies around the country this summer and fall could also serve as Chelsea's "introduction" to voters around the country.  And if many of those appearances just happen to be in a Congressional District targeted for her in 2010, well.......  Spending some time in Congress would be a great jumping-off point for a run for the Senate in New York, after her mother runs for governor.

It does mean that Chelsea will have to start answering questions from the press.  Her reticence with the press has been well-documented and she will have to start dealing with them, if she does choose to follow her parents into politics.  As an Obama surrogate, her talking points wouldn't be very difficult to work with and it might be a good opportunity to "put her toe in the water."  She can give her "Chelsea's view of the White House" interview after the inauguration of Obama in February of 2009, thus keeping her in the minds of voters.  There might need to be a book published here somewhere, perhaps December of 2009, launching her campaign for Congress.

But Chelsea's advantage is very similar to (shudder) Chimpy McCokeSpoon, but without his known brushes with drugs and drunk driving.  Name recognition is very powerful; both the Bush and Clinton families have used it to very great effect.  And like President Chimpy, she will be insulated from the scandals of her parent's administration.  Seriously, how could anyone bring up her father's Presidential Library donors and expect it to stick to Chelsea?

Everybody "wins" with this idea:  The Clinton family shows total dedication to Obama's campaign; the MSM can't possibly suggest the Clintons aren't fully on board.  Chelsea gets to softly launch her own political career, in front smaller, but very supportive crowds.  She'll have the choice to appear as a surrogate on TV if she wishes.  The Democratic Party shows strong unity through the summer after a bruising primary fight and gains a new "rising star" for the future.  Even the Media "wins," getting a story to follow around as they track the "rise of Chelsea," as she crosses the country attacking "Grampy" John Sidney McCain III.  One or two joint appearances with Obama might benefit all of the good guys as well, keeping them both in the spotlight and continuing the starvation McCain of free media.