Biden And Bayh Both Speaking On VP's Convention Night

ABC News:

Two candidates rumored to be in the mix to become Barack Obama's running mate have been given speaking slots for Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, the convention committee announced Thursday. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., will both speak on the night of Wednesday the 27th, the same night as the eventual vice presidential nominee.

But before the veepstakes rumor mill, desperate for even the slightest hints, rules out Bayh and Biden as running mate possibilities, sources close to the process note that anyone penciled into a speaking slot could be shifted into the vice presidential candidate's slot later that evening.

The speeches of Bayh and Biden, who both possess strong foreign policy experience, will help emphasize the day's theme of "Securing America's Future". Biden is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, while Bayh sits on the Senate Armed Services committee and the Intelligence committee.

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[corsair1917]

For those of you who question Biden...

At the request of Saakashvili, Biden is on his way to Georgia. He will meet with the Georgian President, Prime Minister and US Ambassador. Condi has been there but clearly that did not resolve their issues. Seems to me that they are calling in the big guns by inviting Biden. He will be there tomorrow.

[vegasobserver]

I think Hillary is trying to snooker Obama into picking Bayh, who is loyal to Hillary and wouldn't help Obama at all.

Obama really needs to choose an economic populist for VP, not a corporate DLC Democrat like Bayh.

But if he does pick Bayh, on Hillary's urging or manipulation, Obama is in for trouble because Bayh might sabotage the race to help Hillary's 2012 chances.

[clsmithj]

The best choice for Barack Obama's vice president is

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius ,

[vegasobserver]

No. It is Senator Claire McCaskill, at this point.

Sebelius is not an economic populist Democrat, she's a go-along-t­o-get-alon­g, corporate type Democrat, mostly a social issues Democrat.

McCaskill is just the opposite. She emphasizes economic populism and fairness issues over social issues, which is what we desperately need in a VP candidate this year.

Sebelius is another female candidate who is bland, not a good speaker, not very feminine or attractive looking (looks count for BOTH male and female candidates -- McCaskill is older looking, but at least keeps herself looking attractive), and weirdly, her 24 year-old son is a big liability. He created and marketed a racist board game making fun of black and Hispanic prison inmates. How will that not be used against Sebelius? It will also alienate minority voters.

[badbob2299]

Evan Bayh was a so so Govenor & not a very good senator so he should fit in fine with hussein obama, and Howard Dean head of the DNC has become unhinged once again claiming the GOP is a white party. Mr Dean forced to support Barak Obama is attempting to imply that a vote for mcCain is a racist act and that is a sign of uncontrolled desperation.

[alexaii]

Can't imagine that he'd chose Biden. BO's for change. Biden's a Washington insider.

[LizM]

So...you think that Biden is the ultimate Washington insider, eh? Where did you hear that gem? I think you should check your sources.

[JJeff88]

Never mentioned, but intriguing fit -

Russ Feingold

[betthefarm]

Maybe ... Could it be ...

Obama / Gore

Where is his speaking slot at the convention?

[SEQUOIABISON]

Obama/Clark

or

Obama/Kerry

or

Obama/Caroline

Surefire winning tickets, anyone else would be risky.

[vegasobserver]

Obama and RICHARD Clarke, not Wesley Clark!

[SwingVoter]

It will not be Evan Bayh--no way, it won't happen.

[mjjcpa]

What about Hillary?

Hell hath no fury...

[Heavenhelpusall]

Obama's campaign say it won't be much of a surprise. Who fits that bill?

[NotMcCain]

I don't see Biden as being deferential enough to Obama's ideas about foreign policy.

He's been around too long and is too sure of himself. The media would feed that, too, talking about Obama picking him because of his "better experience and understanding of foreign policy."

Actually, I think Obama's instincts, knowledge, and foreign policy judgement are unusually sound--much more so than most men who've been in the senate a long time (as McCain's blunders over Georgia illustrate all too well).

Biden as VP will give the media phony anti-Obama "experience" talking points. Also how Biden has never had much support running for president.

Let's get someone with a better media buzz--or at least a blank slate.

[foolchild0]

I really think that all the Obama campaign would have to do is state how silly any of those possible attacks are. And no one will state its stronger than Biden.

[Witchitalineman]

I agree.

[vegasobserver]

At this point, a midwestern economic populist like Claire McCaskill, Ted Strickland, or Sherrod Brown would be the best bet.

I like Biden, and he's very good at what he does in Senate Foreign Relations, but NotMcCain is right... he would be a liability for VP and the press wouldn't shut up drawing contrasts between his 35 years of seasoning in the Senate, and Obama's tenure as a freshman senator.

The constant contrasts would turn into something laughable when fed by the GOP slander machine. This would also be an entree for critics to bring up Biden's 80s "plagiarism" rap.

[lippy33]

It's gonna be Joe Biden, I bet. I'm more than fine with that, too.

Obama/Biden '08

[foolchild0]

Agreed. I think he's a brilliant choice.

[vegasobserver]

Obiden? No Bwana!

The media would contrast Biden's 35 years of experience with Obama's first term status, and make Obama look like an immature rube. This is THE perfect opening for the GOP.

[leftbehind2000]

Both guys' last names begin with a 'B', but they are pretty much A and Z in every other important respect.

Little Evan Bayh had a great statesman for a father. Birch Bayh was a stalwart liberal Senator who I feel was a great American. Unfortunately, the acorn, little Evan, fell very far from the tree.

Evan Bayh is a pro-big business, pro-Iraq War, Republican with a (D) behind his name. He's a member of the loathsome DLC, and would be little better than Chuck Hagel as a VP choice.

Biden, OTOH, has quality creds as a staunch liberal, is known on the Hill for his ethics and integrity (despite specious allegations in the media), and would be a genuine asset to the Obama administration. His knowledge, candor, and tenacity would go a long way towards offsetting Obama's inexperience. He would mop the floor in a debate with Lieberman, Criss, Graham, Huckabee, Romney, or anyone McCain chooses.

[Oldtt]

Lieberman has been around a long time and would be no pushover in a debate, but will never get the chance. McCain doesn't need a VP pick who is more of a war lover than he is but with no Vet creds, and Lieberman wouldn't agree with him on most domestic issues. Huckabee is very affable but is seen as a religious extremist. Romney is a very facile and slippery guy who would also hold his own in a debate, and could easily be the VP choice even though McCain doesn't like him. Think Reagan-GHW Bush or JFK-LBJ. Sometimes you do what you have to do to win.

[Heavenhelpusall]

How does Pawlenty figure into the picture since Huck doesn't like Romney?

[Heavenhelpusall]

Another poster suggested Gen. James Jones? He looks quite impressive and someone even went so far as to poo poo the idea in Wikipedia which looks suspect.