Biden rumor

[DCJenn]

I haven't heard word one about it.

J.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

I heard this a few days ago.

The rumor is that Biden, due to possible health reasons, will decline to be the veep nominee for the Democrats and will gracefully bow out. Obama, due to overwhelming desire by Dems, will ask Hillary Clinton to be the Veep candidate. It's called "The October Surprise."

It's interesting. I can see how it could be horribly wrong - or an ingeniously correct guess.

The premise behind it is that Biden is hurting/weighing down the Democratic ticket and Clinton can counteract Palin's enormous popularity.

I don't know that Clinton would want to settle for second, though. And, have you read Bill's latest comments on Palin?

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/23 ... in-appeal/

Just interesting....

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

So does anyone give credibility to the rumor that the Obama campaign will replace Biden on the ticket? I have a hard time believing any campaign would try to pull this off, seems like standard internet rumors. Although in politics the truth is stranger than fiction.

It is enjoyable to listen to the Biden gaffs, but then again that is what Biden is all about.

It would be a very big gamble as it would make Obama look like he made a horrible mistake that he has just finally realized. Not necessarily a boost of confidence for voters.

[Sheherezade]

Re: Biden rumor

Haven't hear it either. Funny thing though....I did hear a rumor that McCain (ala Rove) would replace Palin with Romney at the last minute. *presto chango* New ticket! Better for business and pro-choice independents!

I think this is all just pundits filling air time or blog space.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

Oh, that's a rumor that's easy to bat down. Palin is so popular there isn't much to help by exchanging her for Romney. But, there is something to be said for announcing that Romney would play a prominent role in the McCain administration to help the economy with its "issues".

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Biden rumor

So is there a timeline on when they can do this? The reason I ask is that haven't some states already started their early voting? I know theory is that you vote for the top of the ticket but aren't both names on the ballot?

Either way I don't see it happening. People speculated McCain would do it with Palin shortly after the RNC, I don't see Obama doing it with Biden for Clinton.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

Good point.

I don't know what the election laws are concerning picking a running mate. Are there any?

And, if a running mate decides to just quit I don't know that he (or she) can be compelled to run?

Could someone sue for fraud if voting has already begun? :huh:

I do think it's wild speculation.

Re: Biden rumor

Oh, that's a rumor that's easy to bat down. Palin is so popular there isn't much to help by exchanging her for Romney. But, there is something to be said for announcing that Romney would play a prominent role in the McCain administration to help the economy with its "issues".

I agree that it is rumor on either side. But I also picture McCain, a la a V-8 commercial thinking, "I shoulda had a Romney" re: the economy.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

Oh, that's a rumor that's easy to bat down. Palin is so popular there isn't much to help by exchanging her for Romney. But, there is something to be said for announcing that Romney would play a prominent role in the McCain administration to help the economy with its "issues".

I agree that it is rumor on either side. But I also picture McCain, a la a V-8 commercial thinking, "I shoulda had a Romney" re: the economy.

True.

And, part of the reason I was so disappointed by Palin.

Popularity-wise she was probably the best move. But, I would have preferred Romney for his potential good influence on policy-making.

It's not out of the question for McCain to name Romney as a member of his cabinet - or put out speculation that he would be - ahead of the election, though.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: Biden rumor

Good grief. I'm going back to my cave and hiding from the internet and talking heads. Tromp, tromp, tromp... Anyone want to join me for a leg of wooly mammoth cooked over an open fire? Cave drawing interpretations of the bailout plan. No money = bad.

I think the rumors are just wishful thinking by some. It would hurt Obama more than it would help him...and...I think Hillary would probably decline.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

Good grief. I'm going back to my cave and hiding from the internet and talking heads. Tromp, tromp, tromp... Anyone want to join me for a leg of wooly mammoth cooked over an open fire? Cave drawing interpretations of the bailout plan. No money = bad.

I think the rumors are just wishful thinking by some. It would hurt Obama more than it would help him...and...I think Hillary would probably decline.

I agree with this as well.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: Biden rumor

Good grief. I'm going back to my cave and hiding from the internet and talking heads. Tromp, tromp, tromp... Anyone want to join me for a leg of wooly mammoth cooked over an open fire? Cave drawing interpretations of the bailout plan. No money = bad.

I think the rumors are just wishful thinking by some. It would hurt Obama more than it would help him...and...I think Hillary would probably decline.

I agree with this as well.

But...of course you agree, dahling...I'm always right!

Kris

[Rapunzel]

Re: Biden rumor

This is on the LATimes website today:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washing ... n-oba.html

However, there's been a persistent e-mail (see text below, along with Biden video) making the rounds of inboxes all month. It's titled "Rumor Has It?" And according to this unsigned e-mail, Biden will step aside as No. 2 on the Democratic ticket shortly after....

...Thursday night's vice presidential debate against Palin, probably around Oct. 5.

Biden will, according to the unverified e-mail, cite health concerns. He did suffer two brain aneurysms and was hospitalized about 20 years ago.

Since Biden's Delaware Senate seat is safe, he could safely return to that job, holding that seat for the party. And the last-minute VP vacancy would allow Obama to fill it with a woman to counter the GOP's pioneering gender move.

That replacement choice could be Sen. Hillary Clinton, who, true to her primary promises, has been out dutifully campaigning anyway for the man who defeated her.

A Clinton pick, once considered the "dream ticket" last spring until Obama soured on the idea of ex-president Bill Clinton hanging around an Obama White House, could swiftly bring the New York senator's 18 million disaffected backers back into the party fold for the Nov. 4 general election, virtually assuring Obama's victory.

Or perhaps Obama would choose Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, daughter of a former Democratic governor. Either one would throw off the Republican strategies and be a potential game-changer.

Switching running mates in mid-campaign may have opportunities but can also be dangerous; the last time it happened was 1972 when another Democratic senator atop the ticket, George McGovern, replaced another Democratic senator running mate, Tom Eagleton, with Sargent Shriver. The new ticket was annihilated by incumbent Republican Richard Nixon.

A spokesman for the Obama campaign dismisses the persistent e-mail message as "not true -- Internet rumor."

But Snopes.com, the website that debunks urban and internet myths, thinks enough of the rumor to add a page called "Ticket Exchange." Instead of shooting it down, the site classifies the status of the Democratic ticket change rumor as "Undetermined."

The report does seem truly far-fetched -- until you start recalling Biden's series of campaign gaffes so far, including his effusive praise of McCain and taking a position contrary to Obama's that matches the Republican's on at least one issue.

And then there was that recent plaintive video (see video below) showing a shirt-sleeved Biden restlessly pacing the campaign stage.

He was supposed to be talking about the Obama-Biden ticket and its platform. But instead Biden went on and on about what a close friend Hillary Clinton is and how well-qualified she is.

And, in fact, Biden suggested, she might have been a better vice presidential choice than he was, an unwelcome on-camera reminder of the gender imbalance on the Democratic ticket compared to the GOP's.

Another possible reason for this candidate swap: What if in Thursday night's VP debate in St. Louis, Biden, an expert debater, figuratively rolls up his sleeves, takes off the gloves and simply demolishes Palin rhetorically and policy-wise. Just destroys her.

Many if not most would find that bullying, an offense that could be rectified by Biden's departure and Obama, the would-be chief executive, stepping in to decisively make things right by naming a woman in his place. And the once-popular Palin would have been neutralized.

In any other election cycle such a scenario would be truly beyond belief. Simply couldn't happen.

[DCJenn]

Re: Biden rumor

Honestly, I don't see that happening.

J.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Biden rumor

I'll believe it when I see it. If Obama really wanted to add a woman to his ticket why wouldn't he do it BEFORE the debate so that he could really show why he thinks that female would be better then Palin? :huh: