Just Plain Cher - Cher Music, Photos, Movies, Pictures, Videos

BY LIZ SMITH

What has happened on the pre-convention scene since last Wednesday has set political junkies on their ear! After he won the primary, Barack Obama looked like an unbeatable Democratic candidate. But, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who fought the good fight and emerged as an ever-more important and dynamic persona, would still not be his choice for vice president. Those of us Democrats who were for her -- that is, the rational ones among us -- accepted this fact and turned our support to Obama. He has many appealing qualities and his election is important to anyone who has their mind on the far right drift of the Supreme Court.

But then matters began to slide and this columnist has said on a number of recent occasions that if Obama wants to ensure his election, he needs to look again at Hillary. (I said this last Tuesday on CNN's "American Morning" with John Roberts. Click here to watch the clip.) I also remarked on the unpleasant reality -- to many -- of Sen. Clinton's famous husband's omnipresence. But I believe it won't be a factor. I think she would force him to butt out! Her loss in the primary taught her a great lesson and I know this for a fact.

Nobody paid a bit of attention to my chiding Obama to take Hillary as a precaution, if not as the best of a lot of dreary choices. Then Wednesday night, following Ralph Nader's astonishing prediction that just what we've said here should happen, would happen -- all the talking heads on TV began a drumbeat -- it should be, it will be Hillary, Hillary, Hillary! And as Obama's polls shortened the distance between him and John McCain, people said this more and more.

So you won't be surprised to learn that one of the most famous superstars the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s -- now on her eternal comeback career -- telephoned us entirely on her own initiative to have her say.

If you don't care about celebs endorsing politicians, then so be it. If you are curious -- read on.

My phone rings midday Wednesday. A slightly hoarse, husky woman's voice says, "Liz? Do you know who this is?" The voice is familiar, but I can't be sure. Am I in an old American Express commercial? I hate guessing games. "No, who is this?" I reply with more acerbity than intended. "Oh, I love when people don't know. Liz, it's Cher!" Indeed it is Cher, fighting a strained throat, courtesy of her ongoing Las Vegas gig.

Cher says, "I have something I want to tell you." Visions of wedding invitations or a Korean baby adoption dance through my head. "Yes?" Cher gives with the big reveal, with no preamble: "If Barack Obama does not pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate, he is going to lose this election." I start to respond, but Cher is on a roll "I think millions won't vote. And not just the -- uneducated, blue- collar women, -- as the media condescendingly refers to Hillary supporters."

Cher, it seems, has decided to take no prisoners on this one. She is certainty itself. "He can't win without her. No other running mate can help him. He needs her. She is formidable in ways he is not -- at least not yet." I venture then the caution that Republicans have a standing "Get Hillary" campaign ready to go. Cher snorts: "There is nothing more to be said about her. She and Bill Clinton have been the victim of every ghastly accusation. They have survived."

Of Obama, Cher says: "I like him. He is a good person. Intelligent and thoughtful. But he comes off as too thoughtful. We don't need a verbose and contemplative president. We need a roll-up-your-sleeves- get-down-there kind of person. Hillary was and is that kind of person. She was the best choice to be president. But that's not gonna' happen right now. So the next best thing is sheâ€™s gotta' be there to help him. You can't win an election on a bumper sticker about change. Every politician promises change! What's new?"

Cher had dinner the night before, in Las Vegas, with strategist Paul Begala and Bill Clinton himself. She did not reveal more than that, or to what extent the former president agrees with her. (I'd say chances are, 100 percent!)

So, I say, when the star takes a breath, "You're going to vote for McCain? She replies, "What?!? Are you crazy? Never. McCain is going to lead us down the terrible path cleared by George W. Bush."

But, then, isn't Obama, whatever his perceived flaws better for the country? Cher paused a long time. "Liz, the thought of McCain terrifies me. But I have searched my soul, and right now I don't think I could vote for Obama without Hillary on the ticket. I hate to admit it, and I stand astonished at myself. Look, Barack says he is strong. Okay, prove it. Pick her. If he's not up to dealing with Hillary, how can we believe he's ready to deal with the world?"

And what of the "Bill factor?" What to do with the testy former president? "Oh, please, all that is media hype. He's forgotten more than most people will ever know. He's too smart to interfere. There's plenty for him to do, and I don't mean hanging around getting in Barack's way. He won't be what they say he'll be. And again, I come back to this. Obama wants to be president. So he'll be the president. Not Bill Clinton. Obama has to have that certainty. He should have it, or he should get out of the game."

Whoa! Cher's voice was rapidly fading, but not her passion. This star is famous for her laid-back, no-sweat, slightly impassive quality. She left all that at the door in this conversation.

Before we hung up, sounding huskier by the second, she said: "This wasn't smart. I have to sing tonight!" I asked if she thought sexism was involved in Hillary's failure to win the nod. "You bet your ass. All the media gave it to her, right from the start. The MSNBC frat boys and Keith Olbermann were especially vicious." "But," I said, "Do you really think it was sexism or just Hillaryism?" Cher again took a long pause. "I think the hate on her, personally is very strong in the media. So, yes, it might have been a bit of 'any woman but this woman.' Still, as far as I'm concerned, there was plain old-fashioned fear of a woman in power playing itself out.

"If a woman is tough, she is way tougher than any man. And men can't take it. I speak from experience."

Source: Shine from Yahoo.com