McCain Has Better Chance Against Hillary, Says Green

Scoop08 Breaking News Correspondent Zuzanna Naumowicz got Joshua Green's perspective on the Democrat's fight for the nomination and his to-the-point answer on why he kept John McCain's lobbyist scandal in the news. Green is a senior editor at The Atlantic, and has previously written for publications such as The New Yorker and Rolling Stone.

Photo courtesy of The Atlantic

Zuzanna Naumowicz: What is your reaction to the record-breaking youth turnout this election? Is it significant or not? Real or over-hyped? Why?

Joshua Green: I think it’s an interesting story that’s probably significant within reason.

ZN: What do you think caused more of America’s youth to get politically involved?



JG: Obama.

ZN: How does it compare to youth activism when you were a student?

JG: I don’t recall there being a whole lot of activism when I was a student, but then maybe I wasn’t paying attention.

ZN: What are your insights into the ’08 race, the Democratic nomination contest, the general election, Clinton, Obama, and McCain?

JG: It’s clearly a historic race. The Democratic nomination battle was completely unforeseen and has turned out to be the closest and most dramatic in decades. In its own way, McCain’s comeback from single digits last summer is almost as unbelievable.

ZN: With all of your knowledge on Hillary Clinton’s campaign and inner circle (since you have written many articles about it), can you make any predictions, or share any thoughts about the future of her campaign? Has there been any positive affect on it since Maggie Williams took over as campaign manager?

JG: I don’t really know how you’d measure it. There seems to be about as much turmoil as ever with Mark Penn’s recent firing, so from where I sit things haven’t changed a whole lot. I don’t feel comfortable making predictions, but I will say that there has not been much evidence as yet to suggest she can turn things around and win.

ZN: Why did you think it was necessary to rehash John McCain’s lobbyist scandal in a recent article of yours after the issue had fizzled?

JG: Because it shouldn’t have fizzled. It’s newsworthy.

ZN: GQ pulled a story of yours on Hillary Clinton late last fall. Her camp threatened GQ to revoke access to Bill Clinton for a December cover issue if the magazine did not pull your negative story. What are your thoughts on this and do you think there could have been a negative effect on her campaign if your article would have been published?

JG: Let’s say I was less than thrilled. Had my piece run last summer, I don’t think it would have had even a fraction of the impact that killing the piece gave it.

ZN: John McCain is now the Republican Nominee. Do you think he stands a better chance against Barack Obama than Hillary Clinton or vice versa?

JG: I think he stands a better chance against Hillary.

ZN: Talk has begun about a possible brokered Democratic Convention due to the Michigan and Florida delegate issue. Do you think the Democratic party will resort to such a thing, or as Hillary Clinton believes, a candidate will win the nominee the old-fashion way, or even a co-presidency?

JG: No, I think even the dysfunctional Democratic Party will figure a way out of this, probably after the last primary, when everyone has been given a chance to vote. At that point, both candidates will be close enough that the super delegates can put one of them over the tip.

ZN: Who do you think will make a good running mate for John McCain?

JG: Someone younger who projects a lot of energy.

ZN: Fundraising totals show that Barack Obama is in the lead, and that Hillary Clinton has been having a hard time, especially with the troubles with her old campaign manager, as well as John McCain with raising money. Do you foresee any problems for any of the candidates’ campaigns in the financial area?

JG: None for Obama, certainly. I think McCain could have real problems trying to keep pace with the Democratic nominee, especially if it’s Obama. He hasn’t been able to pick up many of Bush’s big fundraisers (yet) and he’s pretty much lacking a small-donor base.

ZN: You mainly write about politics, so that must mean you are very politically active. You do vote in the general elections and caucuses/primaries, don’t you?

JG: Yes

ZN: Are you comfortable with sharing who you are supporting?

JG: Sure: the best candidate!