After Sarah Palin VP debate, Joe Biden to step aside for Hillary Clinton?

It's been one of the most persistent rumors on the internet since John McCain smartly snuffed Barack Obama's convention afterglow by doing what the Democrat considered and rejected: naming a woman as his vice presidential partner.

Within 10 hours of Obama's Greek-columned stadium speech in Denver, McCain shocked most of the political world by naming Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, as his vice presidential running mate.

And the 44-year-old mother of five and hockey mom with a union husband quickly became a "palinomenon."

Obama had decided against taking on any Clinton complexities and gone for the safe, predictable choice of Sen. Joe Biden as his VP.

True, Biden's 36-year Washington residency in the same Delaware Senate seat since Obama was a sixth-grader goes against Obama's agent of change argument.

But as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, the Pennsylvania native might bolster the foreign/national security credentials of the state senator from Springfield. And help win the crucial Keystone State.

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.

--Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: CNN

RUMOR?

"On or about October 5th, Biden will excuse himself from the ticket, citing health problems.

"And he will be replaced by Hillary.

"This is timed to occur after the VP debate on 10/2.

"There have been talks all weekend about how to proceed with this    info. Generally, the feeling is that we should all go ahead and get it
out there to as many blog sites and personal email lists as possible.   

"I have already seen a few short blurbs about this -- the 'health problem' cited in those articles was aneurysm. Probably many of you have heard the same rumblings.

"However, at this point, with this inside info from the DNC, it looks like this Obama strategy will be a go.

"Therefore, it seems that the best strategy is to get out in front of this Obama maneuver, spell it out in detail, and thereby expose it for the grand manipulation that it is.

"So, let's start mixing this one up and cut the Obamites off at the pass. Send this info out to as many people as you can post about it on websites and blogs, etc."

Comments

[Graham Roberts]

Obama had 6 weeks to vet his VP.
McCain had 5 months to vet his VP, so why did he leave it to the last 2 days? Maverick?

[John Johnson]

Obama Biden
Osama Bin Laden
Lord help us from these moron Democrats!!!!!!!!!! That is way too close for me!!!!!!!!

[irrational Obama-bots]

Can't you guys express yourselves any more articulately than "you've got to be joking"

You've got to be joking that Obama could be our Pres. You people are so desperate you imbue BO with non-existent virtues. His "cool" is political strategy by his handlers to say and do as little as possible else his ignorance be exposed.

Obama takes no position on anything. He hides behind words. Can't stand that preachy voice.

Get Clinton in there. Obama and Biden will NOT save this country.

BTW, voters admired the same thing about Bush - how "resolute" he was

[Jim Mallon]

This is bogus. As an earlier poster said, it's a "hope rumor." [That a great phrase btw.] To entertain such BS, with all the trouble currently facing Sarah Palin, is completely ridiculous. Everywhere you look this week, there are serious people discussing whether Sarah Palin will be dropping out, and this is what finds its way onto the LAT political blog?

Andrew Malcolm was Laura Bush's press secretary. However "brief" that "stint" may have been, consider the ideological purity necessary to even be considered for that gig.

Check out some more analysis of Malcolm's Ticket blogposts here: http://mediamatters.org/countyfair/200809130004

[Vikas Bhambri]

This is ridiculous. If there is any merit to it and Obama does replace Biden he will have lost my vote to John McCain. I am so sick of the gamesmanship and the attempts to one up the other party. Stay true to your convictions, policies, and hope that is enough to carry you through in November.

[Average American]

It sounds plausible, it would be more consistent with Obama's hollow offer of "Change". The timing is also consistent with the weak game the Dems play. They know Palin would destroy Billary in the debate, which will happen to Biden instead, he probably will have health problems after that night of shame!

[tw]

I heard that Tina Fey is doing the VP debate.....and that Plalin was being muzzled by McCains wranglers....

[DCX2]

Puh-lease. The email refers to Obama supporters as "Obamites". Would someone who does this truly have connections deep into the DNC? Also take note of the repeated stress to pass this on to blogs and friends and family.

This reminds me of the "Trig is Bristol's kid" crap.

[Miss information]

This is ridiculous and MSNBC warned that rumors are going to spread about both parties. Ignore them all, they make no sense.

[SC in KY]

If there is a new Dem. VP nominee AFTER the debate there should be ANOTHER debate. That's just wrong to rechoose AFTER the debate and NOT have another debate.

[Nina]

Whomever is making the uneductaed comments about Muslims being able to lie to Non Muslims, and if you vote for Obama you will be spared an infidel's death... You all lack any substance in your knowledge, so you choose to berate and mock Islam, esp using INCORRECT facts. Lying to anyone is a sin, for any religion. Please do more research before you slam a religion you know nothing about. It's sad that people can openly have a problem with Muslims, as if that is ok, but everything else would be polictically incorrect. Go back to the library and read some books please.

[Concerned]

Should this happen as predicted, it would be completely unfair to voters. There are many people in many states who will have already voted by then in "early" and "abesntia" ballots. To change legitimately chosen candidates at a later point would be grossly unfair and unethical to these legitimate voters. Will these voters be given a chance to re-vote? I doubt it.

A President and Vice President should be chosen for their merits not by some political shell game. Then again, it is obviously unreasonable to expect fairness and ethics in a current election.

[Fred Flint]

Why do you dignify this drivel by publicizing it? This rumor doesn't pass any sort of logical test. Obama's riding high in the polls right now and Palin is imploding. It makes absolutely no sense. And, of course Snopes can't debunk it since it's a rumor about a supposed future event.

[Smokey]

Utter nonsense. Another attempt to sow discord among democrats.

[Linda L]

I, for one, hopes Allah shines on me and Jesus, and all the Saints. This country needs all the help it can get to combat the smears and lies of the right wing radicals. When you divide God politically, he is no longer the "one God" who defies all labels.Jesus said he will return to a world that has "rejected him." Watch out you pseudo Christians! Judgment day for the U.S. is here already!

[Stray]

ray reyns - This is a quote from Tina Fey in a SNL parody. Get your facts straight.

The Brilliance of Sarah Palin¬— Astute Observations on the Economy
“That’s why I say I, like every American I’m speaking with, we’re all about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy. Um, helping, oh — it’s got to be all about job creation too. Shoring up our economy, and putting it back on the right track. So healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reigning in spending has got to accompany tax reductions, and tax relief for Americans, and trade, we’ve got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, um, scary thing, but 1 in 5 jobs being created in the trade sector today. We’ve got to look at that as more opportunity. All of those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.”

[Curious]

There are 2 types of posts in the comments. 1. the posts that try to make thoughtful points 2. the post that just try to scare and insult. Interesting almost all of the latter are for McCain. Hmm, come to think of it, that's his approach also.

[HoraceManoor]

this misses the point -- americans twice elected george w bush, a buffoon who happens to be a freak of religiosity like ms palin -- that's why no matter what obama does, mccain will win because ms palin will motivate every freak of religiosity to vote for mccain -- the typical white american is a freak of religiosity who would never vote for a colored person but who would have sat out the election had mccain picked, say, mitt romney or some other boring stiff

[Hank]

To The Messiah and Deceptive Change,

Really? Your comments sound like republican or scared conservative comments. Given some of his comments about Jesus Christ (ones affirming his Christianity) I don't think Obama is a Muslim. Not that there would be anything wrong with that. We are not electing the pope or the supreme leader. We are electing a President. This candidate happens to claim Christianity.

Your comments (likely planted) smack of fear mongering and the attitude that a balck man with a strange name can't be trusted.

-Reasonable people for Obama 08!

[Jennifer]

You have to GOT to be kidding ME!! All you Hussein junkies need to get on the short bus. COME ON PEOPLE...WAKE UP! You all act as if he is the chosen one and he is this and he is that...I hope you have done your research and researched this man's policies, votes and history. He is a joke for the United States of America Presidency. Hillary on the other hand would have won this election...the democrats have indeed been hit over the head with a stupid stick and that is why they chose Hussein! Finally, they HAVE CONGRESS and have had it for over two years....and still continue to make bad choices. As an independent, I would have voted for Hillary in a heart beat....but Barack Hussein Obama....HELL NO!

[larry clifton]

Hillary is hanging on for vp spot until a obama campaign reaches point of no return. Then, she and her husbamd will sink Obama and run against Palin in 2012.
the only way ladies will see one of their own in the executive branch is to defeat obama/biden.

[Davis-Lewis]

Hillary Clinton will not be picked as an Obama VP regardless of even the sudden death of Senator Biden (God Prevent!), because she has been working all along with the Repubican Party from Day One.
Her viciousness and popularity distortions during her campaign help fuel the media's attempt to create a false impression that somehow Senator Obama was victimizing her as if in fact he was taking something that belonged rightfully to her. It was her turn by way of her race and gender and political legacy.
Yet, what everyone seems to forget is that Senator Obama brillance in grassroots organization and his electronic state of the art techno prowness connected him directly into the electorate and gave us a seat at the table.
How can anyone doubt this man's judgement, smarts and 21st. Century gamemanship, now is amazing to me! Is he not what we need in this modern complex global economy and cultural diversity?

[rick hertzn]

The nightmare of nightmares, President Palin. If that is not enough to make you vote for Obama/Bidin, then you need to take a vacation to north Alaska and try to see Putin entering our air space. OMG she had to be kidding.

[Al]

Nice try from the McCain camp I suppose. This would have been a great rumor during the glory days of Palin (which didn't last too long!). Now it is the republicans who need a miracle as her charm is paling.

[skydiver#1]

No way will Senator Obama drop Joe Biden as his VP selection. Senator Joe Biden is a very, knowledgeable person, a staunch supporter of defense issues and a solid supporter of United States Veterans.