Carter has sound advice for Obama

Don’t pick Clinton as vice president.

“I think it would be the worst mistake that could be made,” said Carter. “That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates.”

Carter added that, were the shoe on the other foot, he would oppose a Clinton-Obama ticket.

His reasoning has some smarts, based on John Edwards’ half-assing it through the 2004 VP campaign. (Note to Obama – don’t pick Edwards either. And I’ve already said don’t pick Webb.)

That said, Carter’s first VP idea, former Sen. Sam Nunn, adds zero pizzazz to the ticket. And, someone more au courant can still add gravitas.

Beyond that, though, specific to Obama, the “change” meme will really look vacuous if he picks Clinton.

But, Hillary’s campaign has already said she’s open to the deal. That puts Obama on the spot.

But, what’s in it for her? A desire to escape Senate boredom if Obama wins?

Or a desire to position herself like Edwards if Obama loses.

Forget it, Hillary. If you take the nomination and Obama loses, you’ll be roundly blamed by many Democrats in 2012.