Ticket Replay: Hillary Clinton talks of Joe Biden (and Obama)

For the next week or so The Ticket is occasionally republishing some of our favorite items from this past political season. This item, which at the end showed some political prescience on The Ticket's part, is from Aug. 23, 2008, reporting on Hillary Clinton's initial public reaction to the selection of Joe Biden, instead of herself, as Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate. And speculates on John McCain's then-imminent VP selection, which came six days later.

We've also added here as a contextual reminder a video from the primary season of Clinton deriding Obama, now, of course, her about-to-be Cabinet boss.

DENVER -- As Barack Obama let the suspense build this last week over his vice presidential pick -- and a spate of new polls showed a virtual dead heat in the race for the White House -- the chattering classes indulged in one last bout of speculation about a Democratic "dream ticket."

With that prospect now officially dead, Hillary Clinton today issued the following statement:

"In naming my colleague and friend Joe Biden to be the vice presidential nominee, Barack Obama has continued in the best traditions for the vice presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant.

"Senator Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic vice president who will help Senator Obama both win the presidency and govern this great country.”

Regardless, as Democrats descend on Denver, taking the temperature of Clinton supporters -- now that their party's ticket does not include her, one of her supporters, or a woman -- will be one of the main media preoccupations.

As John McCain's choice of a running mate nears, we also would not be surprised if one last burst of attention focuses on women that he might choose, such as Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

See Clinton video below.

-- Don Frederick

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With a Hat Tip to ExtremeMortman.com

Photo credits: Associated Press

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