Democrat October Surprise? Joe Biden Steps Down, Hillary Clinton To Rescue

ThePostChronicle ^ | Sep 11, 2008 | Marc Centanni

[Delacon]

An October surprise might be brewing. And not just your ordinary run-of-the-mill type of surprise, but a blockbuster one of epic proportions. Hillary Clinton supporters, your dream may not be dead yet.

In one of the more memorable moments in the Democratic presidential primaries came last year when debate moderator NBC anchorman Brian Williams asked Sen. Joe Biden about his reputation for talking too much.

Williams asked Biden, who was described by the Los Angeles Times as a "gaffe machine," if he could reassure voters that he would have enough verbal discipline needed for the world stage.

"Yes," Biden replied with a grin and a twinkle in his eyes, CNN Reports.

The third Senator from Pennsylvania has made two gaffes in the past week and one of them might actually have a little hidden meaning.

The other day when he stopped by Columbia, MO. The Senator was speaking before a large crowd when he decided to give special recognition to State Senator Chuck Graham, a Columbia Democrat.

"Chuck, stand up, let the people see you," Biden shouted.

However, Biden did not realize that Graham is confined to a wheelchair.

"Oh, God love you. What am I talking about? I'll tell you what, you're making everybody else stand up, old pal. I'll tell you what, everybody else stand up for Chuck. Stand up for Chuck!" Biden said.

Then yesterday, Biden attracted attention for telling a crowd in New Hampshire that Sen. Hillary Clinton "might have been a better pick" as Obama's running mate.

"Make no mistake about this," Biden said. "Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president of the United States of America. Let's get that straight. She's a truly close personal friend, she is qualified to be president of the United States of America, she's easily qualified to be vice president of the United States of America and quite frankly it might have been a better pick than me."

Wow. Is Biden about to take a dive?

World Net Daily writes: 'Intrade is currently predicting a 7.9 percent chance Biden will be dropped. Until the election is over, the Biden trading category will fluctuate in value between 0 and 100 like a stock reacting to daily news. The price has been steadily increasing since yesterday when Biden said Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., could have been a better candidate for Obama's running mate.'

WND also has the video.

On Fox's "Hannity & Colmes" last night, Sean Hannity asked Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., "Will they replace Biden with Hillary?"

Rendell replied, "No, absolutely not. Joe Biden is here to stay. Next vice president of the United States."

The problem is how to extract Biden from the ticket and replace him with Hillary without making look obvious. However such a move might be perceived as yet again another indicator that Obama cannot make up his mind on anything.

The only way to make it happen is for Biden to save face. Call me cynical but I see a "personal reason" on the horizon for Joe Biden. And what will they offer him to make it an attractive option?

Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton had a two hour meeting today. The lunch meeting at was at Clinton's office in New York City and was the first between them since the presidential primary campaign that caused a rift between the two Democrats.

The beginning of the meeting was open to reporters and was your usual political fare. Clinton predicted Obama will win the White House "pretty handily."

The AP reports that the pair also talked behind closed doors later. A joint statement says the former president and the Democratic nominee discussed the campaign briefly, but mostly talked about how the world has changed since 9/11. How much you want to bet that the conversation also included, "If I pick your wife will you not F@!k with me?"

You see, word out is that the reason Obama did not pick Hillary the first time is because he did not want a presidency with three heads running the White House. The problem is that of governance. However if you do not win, as FOX commentator Charles Krauthammer puts it, "you cannot govern."

Biden was a safe pick before the phenom known as Sarah Palin. Now it's a case of Obama's reptile dysfunction versus McCain political Viagra.

Waht to do, what to do..

[higgmeister]

Why would Biden say this, it is such a strange thing for him to say during this stage? It is so weird.

Biden is trying to get the PUMA vote.   It is as if to say, "Ladies I know that Hillary was your choice and you know she would have been a much better candidate than I am but I'm admitting that, so please vote for me."

[Neu Pragmatist]

That wouldn’t happen . This is a female running mate issue at this point . The question is , who will it be , if Biden gets dumped ?

[Styria]

Biden's problem is that there is no excuse that would get him off the VP ticket now that would justify him still running for Senate in Delaware this cycle.

Aneurysm problems keeping you out of the VP slot? Can't run for Senator with that. Etc.

Biden's entire political career is now wrapped up in this. Without the Senate, he is absolutely nothing, and he's too much in love with himself to retire from that. If he dropped out of VP but not the Senate run, and someone took his place, it would be painfully obvious to all why it was done, and Biden wouldn't stop being in the news because the attack ads would keep bringing him up, hammering away on 1. Obama's inability to make any decision, 2. Obama bin Biden's reason why is a bald-faced lie, 3. Obama is desperate and losing.

[Fishrrman]

“That wouldn’t happen . This is a female running mate issue at this point . The question is , who will it be , if Biden gets dumped ?”

Um, how about Caroline Kennedy?

What does Obama have to lose?

- John

[lieutenant columbo]

Nah. Not gonna happen.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

Your underestimating the Clintons’ ego.AWB

[My Favorite Headache]

Sean Hannity talked about the possibility on his show...rumors are swirling.

[antioscar]

This thought that Biden might be replaced by Hillary has crossed my mind several times as it appears that the “buyers’ remorse” is even shared by Biden himself. Frankly, I think he doesn’t really want to be part of that fiasco any more. He might be a lot of things, but he’s not stupid. He has seen the humongous change in the dynamics of this election and her name is Sarah.

But I can’t see Hillary taking the dems up on such a proposal. That would make her look pathetic and truly “second class”, IMO...

[loungeSerf]

Biden isn’t the problem, it’s Obama.

Bingo! The top of the Dem ticket is what is really terrible. No way she joins this ticket, imho.

[arrogantsob]

He ain’t traveling that way now. I would watch for a fatal aneurism. Seriously death or disablement appear to be the best way for the Zero to get him out of the way. Any other way would be waaay to negative.

[fortunecookie]

I'm glad it can't. Goofy or not, we know she thinks it should be her. And there is/has been that tiny suspicion that she'd love to try. Yes, I think she's gearing up for 2012 and taking notes on Obama's gaffs so she can point out his 'failures' and secure her party's nomination next time.

There is a month and a half roughly left til election day. The only “October suprizes” we will see from the RATS now will be smears and slander.

Here in PA, a 'key' state (lucky us), we've been bombarded with ads. I can see the fangs are out. Obama seems to me to be fading under the pressure in live appearances. He seems almost a little flustered at times, the few I've watched, answering back to reporters and questions, a little out of his element. After all, he's certainly not used to this, being more accustomed to Oprah's lovefests. (Ugh, to think - Oprah has given us the Dem candidate...)

[Doc91678]

I tend to agree with you there. If Obama forces Biden to step down and take on Hillary as VP, he will be making a big mistake and will definitely lose the race.
The American people are not dumb as the Democrats and the Progressive Left believe they are.
Choosing Hillary as a last ditch effort to win the Presidential race will make Obama another Mondale. And we all know what happened in that race.

[Right Wing Assault]

Whatever they do to dump Joe, all we have to say is, “Poor judgment and/or poor vetting. Irresponsible. Didn’t they talk to his doctors? etc. They wanted this poor, ill man to be vice-president.”

[bayareablues]

regulations have never mattered to the clintons....nor to the democrats now that I think about it.

[Right Wing Assault]

No, absolutely not. Joe Biden is here to stay.

That's what they always say just as they are starting to clear out your desk and banish you from the premises. Then the security people will escort you to your car and follow your home.

[Kevmo]

The current contract for Biden to withdraw at Intrade is lower than what they posted in this article. Does that mean the market doesn’t believe what they have to say?

Contract Bid Ask Last Vol Chge
PALIN.VP.WITHDRAWN
Sarah Palin to be withdrawn as Republican VP nominee/candidate before 2008 presidential election M Trade 5.8 5.9 5.8 19332 +0.8

Joe Biden to be withdrawn as Democratic VP candidate
Contract Bid Ask Last Vol Chge
BIDEN.VP.WITHDRAWN
Joe Biden to be withdrawn as Democratic VP candidate before 2008 presidential election M Trade 6.6 7.9 6.6 1604 +0.

[Dissident1]

It would be the Clinton’s coming in to save the day.

Biden would take one for the team in return for a promise of a spot on the SCOTUS.

With HRC as the #2, Barry would start in a very weak position — they would be paired as co-presidents. His only real hope now is to accept the loss and then try again in 2016.

[llandres]

“The only way to make it happen is for Biden to save face. Call me cynical but I see a “personal reason” on the horizon for Joe Biden. And what will they offer him to make it an attractive option?”

yes, afraid I have to agree. What will they offer him? Probably either a primo cabinet post or great ambassadorship (oops - are there any of those anymore???)

[higgmeister]

Yep, I have been dreading, waiting with baited breath, for her highness to rush to the rescue of the DNC. It won't matter how lame, how tit-for-tat it will be adding a female VP to the Dem ticket, how misleading to the delegates who Senate Majority and Minority Leaders didn't choose her, the MSM will have nothing but more praise.

Hillary will be President pro tem of the Senate or Senate Majority Leader when Byrd or Reid leaves office. Or if McCain/Palin have long coattails, with some luck, possibly Senate Minority Leader for eight years.

[profit_guy]

“The only option the Clinton machine has left is to maneuver Hillary into the top spot.”

...now way they can do that either...because blacks will FREAK OUT and many won’t vote, saying whitey stole it away from him, and he is now slave to master hillary

...and no way hillary wants to be VP because that would mean she could NEVER be President...besides she already was VP for 8 yrs