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..

[Delacon]

“Except for his gaffe, is there any evidence that “something is brewing” or is this a lot of hooey?”

What evidence could there be? It won’t become a fact until after Biden steps down. But his gaffe saying Hillary may have been a better VP pick than himself is sure got me worried. If Biden steps down for “medical” reasons, you KNOW the MSM will bend over backwards to sell it and drown out any indictments that Obama makes lousy choices, can’t play in the big leagues, etc.

[nuf said]

Dropping Biden now is risky. Dropping him right before the election will be even riskier. He will be the ‘change’ candidate but for the wrong reasons.
Personally, I hope he keeps Biden.

[ari-freedom]

Palin is more confident than Biden!

[Izzy Dunne]

Dream scenario:

1... O'bama approaches Hillary with the VP offer.
2... Hillary quietly says yes.
3... O'bama announces Biden's medical departure.
4... Hillary publicly says "No, thanks, I'll wait for 2012".
5... O'bama is left in the lurch.
6... Lurch says "No thanks. Been there, done that."

[RayChuang88]

I don’t think Senator Obama would do it. The reason is simple: it makes him look very foolish for choosing Senator Biden to be his running mate in the first place, and also reeks of desperation, too.

[MarkeyD]

Looks like Joe Biden is going to have himself an axident.

[forYourChildrenVote4Bush]

This is my opinion, although I’ve been wrong many times....

Hillary was already in the White house, she doesn’t want second fiddle. She wants to be President

Its all about power...there’s no power being second, especially for 8 years...

[Neu Pragmatist]

It’s totally possible .
I would watch Howard Wolfson carefully , as he is as close a reflection to what the Klinton’s are thinking as we will see in public. He has been very kind to Barry lately , which is quite telling . Something is in the works .

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

You know, Biden handled the Chuck incident with class. As much as I hate Biden's politics, he'd probably be fun to hang out and have a beer with.

As for him stepping aside for Hillary? Yes and no. I think Obama's going to go with KS Governor Sebelius and Hillary will be in some type of advisory role.

[FlingWingFlyer]

The boys over at the DNC have figured out that they need to get a female on their ticket and they need to do it fast. I expect Biden will fake some kind of illness complete with a note from a doctor advising him that he needs to take it easy. He’ll still be okay to continue his job in the Senate but campaigning against Governor Palin has turned out to be hazardous to his health. He’s outta there.

[arrogantsob]

Anyone who believes this can make a bundle on Intrade. No one will fall for this besides putting Hillary up against Sarah would be as effective as Arnold Stange vs. Cary Grant.

The Beauty and the Beast and the Beauty is far smarter, more elegant and more likeable.

[Neu Pragmatist]

Again , enter the “ health reason “ . It’s an easy way to do this .

[afortiori]

Do you think HRC wants to play second fiddle to BHO for eight years?

Do you think BHO wants all that Clinton baggage?

What has HRC done to help him since Palin was announced?

In fact, HRC camp may be the source of this rumor because it does two things:

1.) Makes BHO look weak.

2.) Makes HRC look like a potential savior, the “I coulda’ had a V-8” nominee in Democrats’ eyes.

[1-Eagle]

How ironic that it was just a few days ago Dems were circulating emails etc comparing the Palin pick to Eagleton.

[realcleanguy]

If Obama does this, his whole campaign based on hope and change will be null and void. He will be running desperately like the old Washington insiders, with only one goal: Win at all cost, screw the American Public. So Obama will become worst than Bush. Yes, Obama will make Bush look like he walks on water. Remember, Bush never resorted to such desperation. Neither did Clinton, Bush 1, Reagan, Carter, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, etc. Obama will go down in history as the dumbest candidate ever

[paudio]

"Chuck, stand up, let the people see you," Biden shouted. However, Biden did not realize that Graham is confined to a wheelchair.

I never heard this episode... Did he try to make the limp walk now?

[bigbob]

Bill probably advised BHO to make room for Hillary on the ticket.

On the TOP of the ticket.

[madison10]

There’s only one “medical” reason I can think of that is justifiable enough...and it invokes the word “Arkansas.”

Pulling it off is going to look stupid, Hillary at this point still doesn’t work as Obama’s VP. Maybe Obama will drop out and Hillary will take HIS place...maybe that’s why Obama went to kiss Don Clintones ring.

[ClaudiusI]

There is absolutely no political advantage in doing so. Hillary had an edge with women voters because she was the only woman in the race, it’s insane to assume that all women voters will flock back just because she’s rejoined the race.
Obama will come off as wishy-washy, and before you know it there will be photoshop jobs of him in the yellow t-shirt with the zig-zag down the middle.

Of course, Obama is just stupid enough to try it.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Biden isn’t the problem, it’s Obama.
And Hillary knows that.
No way she helps bail this sinking skiff.
Payback is a Sally Quinn...or a Soledad O’Brien ..or a Keith Olbermann.