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

Don't forget to register at Twitter here to get instant alerts of all new Ticket items flashed straight to your cell.

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

[john brenner]

From Miss Teen USA contestant in 2007 when asked why asked why one-fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a map....

"I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps and I believe that our education like… such as South Africa and uh, the Iraq everywhere like such as and uh, I really believe that they should uh, our education over here! In the U.S. should help the U.S. should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for our children.

From Miss Alaska contestant 1984 circa 2008 when asked about the $700 billion government bailout of bad debt - and whether she supports it....

“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.”

Do you think they went to the SAME 5 colleges?

If this woman gets in office we're doomed.

[Dr D]

you have to be joking. Republicans should be happy it's Biden up there and not Hillary, now -that- would be a smackdown! The -only- thing Palin has on her side is her genitalia, and that effect is not going to last much longer. The women voters of America aren't an idiot mass that is swayed by gender and blatant baiting by the McCain camps tactics.

[Tonto]

Don't fall for it. A Republican dis-information campaign, following in the mean-spirited tradition of Nixon and GWB.

[Dr D]

you have to be joking. Republicans should be happy it's Biden up there and not Hillary, now -that- would be a smackdown! The -only- thing Palin has on her side is her genitalia, and that effect is not going to last much longer. The women voters of America aren't an idiot mass that is swayed by gender and blatant baiting by the McCain camps tactics.

[Jennifer]

Rightfully so, the Obama campaign is nervous. They know +8 pts. is not enough. The same people that are polled time and again are the same people that are home in the middle of the day. If they can't get off their bottom to go to work, they sure aren't going to answer the door when the Obama town cars arrive at their door to take them to the polls.

[RJ]

This guy is a crook working against Obama. Why would he still say that 18 million disaffected hillary supporters will switch to Obama if he choose her after the VP debate? Did this guy sleep after the primaries and woke up just now? 80% of those Hillary supporters already switched to Obama and the process is on to convince a good percentage of the remaining fence sitters. What an idiot? The only rumor taking shape is the fate of Palin after the debate. Why wouldn't he talk about it?

[Al]

If nothing works, let us try Obama is terrorist ploy again! I see some of the McCain fanatics trying that already. Seeing the levels to which McCain camp stoops down to, that is not surprising. Desperate politics, lies and deceit are all they've shown so far.

[Buzz]

I think your right that Hillary Clinton will be added as the VP running mate. Though not for Obama, but for McCain.

It is McCains only chance to win. Clinton would take it in a heart beat claiming "for the good of the country". Then she would sit a heart beat away from her prize. And an aging heartbeat at that.

[MissS]

"Deseptive Change" Haha! Only morons that can't spell actually believe Obama is a Muslim. He's a Christian, a religion that is just as scary if not more so.

[tina]

JOE'S A GONNER!

[Tsb]

So if the Republicans throw the election that will give them 4 years to wash the stink off and try to stick it on the Democrats. Seems obvious to me.

[Richard P. McDonough]

The chemical dependent Limbaugh has been floating this one for a while, as my lovely but politically unstable neighbor has teased me. And pigs whistle.

[Freeper Pwner]

The Freepers WISH Obama would do this. Why would he change when he's winning and his opponent is completely clueless about the most important issue facing our country, the economy? And when will the media stop taking email rumors as legitimate news items?

[willi williams]

Let's remember all you anti-american dems. The vote is not for the VP, It's for the top of the ticket. Obama has nothing. What the hell are you trying to turn America into?This country almost owes this election to John McCain.

I think your feelings are going to be hurt come election day.

[Schigolch]

Hillary is STILL trying !

[knarahs]

Talk about a politically expedient move. I guess Senator Obama is really afraid of Mrs. Palin, huh?

[guess who]

You can,t take any poll serious at this time.The majority of the msm is in the tank for obama .What makes you think the pollsters are any different?

[Anne]

As amazing as I still think an Obama-Clinton ticket would be, there's no chance of this happening.

[Luke]

This is an idiotic rumor that doesn't make any logical sense. First, Palin does not require ANY demolishing by Biden, as she has helpfully taken care of that herself. Second, replacing Biden at this stage would telegraph weakness very clearly--something the Obama campaign knows and would not do because it has no reason to do it. Third, adding in Clinton at this stage would be a hail mary pass when Obama is already on the McCain 10 yard line and just needs a solid running game to wrap up the match. Fourth, if any VP pick is going to "spend more time with their family," its going to be Palin, not Biden; I haven't heard of any Democrat upset about Biden while there are plenty of conservatives absolutely horrified by Palin's idiotic statements and lack of experience.

[Michael L. Tucker]

If Sarah Palin is flop the left think she is, they ought to be cheering he on! Personally I am not voting for shoe shine boy so he can steal more money out of my pocket. If you want to give your money go ahead, but leave mine alone.

[MandyW]

Let's get this straight. No-drama Obama puts the high-drama Clintons onto the ticket? (Hillary might make a competent VP, but not with jealous Bill lurking around wanting a 3rd term as Pres.) And this doesn't happen in August, as the result of Obama's usual cautious and deliberative decision-making, but as an October surprise?

If that happens, I will be convinced that Obama was kidnapped in the dead of night by Republicans and given a brain transplant from the ever-adolescent Johnny McCain.

[whynot]

I cannot believe John McCain thought Sarah Palin was a better VP candidate than Mitt Romney.

[nights]

one thing these Hussian Obama fans posting here have forgotten is the voters. Remember when truman won? of course not but it used to be a part of history. he was bound for defeat by practually ever news media in the country but won anyway.
All this poll stuff showing the great muslim as a winner are his supporters not the voice of the voters . just as the man said" if george bush geather a crowd on the potomac rive and walked across it the evening news on cbs/nbc/c-nn/abc/ the new york times and the washington post would read "bush can't swim".

Were Obama white or republican his I visited all 57 states and hawaii and alaska would gotten him fried in the media.
Had Joe biden been republican his statement" Franklin d. Roosevelt after the wall street fall in 1929 went on telivision and assured the american people ect. ect.. would alone been enough to have lost the election for the two expremely uneducated rich canadates.
Thank about it. please.
People like Jimy Carter and Sam Nunn of Georgia, and all of the other gone mad democrats who did not even know Obama began screaming his praise, and loading endorsements before they even met the guy. this kind opf tinder loving care comes only with the handing out of tons of money. way more than obama had in his listed coffers. It had to be at least 2 billions to finance his run with the kind of TALENT , AND ENDORSEMENTS HE IS BUYING.
eVERYONE SHOULD GO TO THE GOVT. SECTIOON ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. AND DEMAND TO KNOW HIS FINANCE sources as well as how many millions were put into his endorsers pockets from this money. I think it safe to say a coupla of billions from the middle east have made it's way into his safe.

[Donna Hughes]

Hard to believe that this idiotic rumor, started by some gasbag conservative gets so much traction. It just goes to show how ignorant and/or divisive the editors of the publications are that keep passing it along.

[from the other end of the world]

@ Disruptive Change,

and i remembered it's alright for muslims to kill infidels like you? Assuming you are a white supremacist

Some people just can't get over the race/religion card, how sad can that be?