Biden's Georgia Trip Stokes VP Speculation

The Barack Obama vice-presidential sweepstakes has entered its breathless final phase.

Word is the presumptive Democratic nominee hasn't placed final phone calls to any of the top contenders and the notoriously tight-lipped campaign won't discuss who is on Obama's short list, or drop any hints as to when the big news might hit.

So it may or may not be a coincidence that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, two presumed top prospects, appeared on Sunday news programs this morning. Further stoking the Kaine flame, Obama is scheduled to campaign in Virginia on Thursday.

But the most curious recent development was Sen. Joseph Biden Jr.'s trip to Georgia this weekend. Obama campaign officials said the fact-finding mission wasn't their idea, but they did confirm discussing it in advance with Biden's office.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[dragon fly zone]

Well, he is the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; this is kinda his job. Biden is probably more knowledgeable on foreign affairs than anyone in Washington, so it is not at all surprising that he would visit Georgia (particularly since Saakashvili specifically requested him).

Although I know Joe really wanted to be president this time around (and I was pulling for him up until the Iowa caucuses), I am sure he would serve as Obama's VP if asked. And while I think he'd make a great VP, he'd also be an excellent Secretary of State...too bad he can't do both. The only think that may be odd about Biden being selected is that he looks so awkwardly old next to Obama. Too bad he will be too old for the presidency himself when Obama's term is up...but Joe is probably okay with that anyway.

[LizM]

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You know as well as I do that what Senator Biden so desperately wanted to achieve for America can only be accomplished from the oval office and certainly not from his perch in the Senate, powerful chairmanship of the SFRC nothwithstanding. And, hence, the reticence toward the role of VP or SoS.

Of course, heading up the state department would seem an obvious position for Biden. However, it is still my firm belief that this election will be won or lost on foreign policy and national security and the future course of two wars. Consequently, and for reasons that are many and varied, Senator Obama will not win in November without Biden at his side as the nominee for Vice President with Special Portfolio on Iraq.

[LizM]

I agree with ALMOST everything you said, wholeheartedly! Your post would have been perfect without the "awkwardly old" quip. :(

Yes, indeed, it is too bad that he can't do both. Do we KNOW that he can't do both...I mean, would that be consitutional? Anyway, that's why I have been touting, ad nauseum, a Vice President Biden with Special Portfolio on Iraq.

And, as for 2016, you are correct to assume that the last thing Joe Biden will be considering for 2016 is another run for the presidency! And, frankly, after 8 years of Obama/Biden, there would be no need for him to consider such a prospect...if you know what I mean, and I'm sure that you do!

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[Maxbyte]

I have long admired Joe Biden - despite his tendency to insert himself into the text of important figures in American and world history. Senator Biden is also one of the most informed members of the old Senate Guard.

But I foresee a teensy-weensy problem with Barack and Joe at the top of the ticket during the November 2008 election: once they start, neither Barack nor Joe can stop talking. Together, they would confuse voters so badly they might vote for Putin - even if Putin might be a better choice than McCain.

I hope Barack will invite Biden, if interested, to a cabinet level position, such as State. But what do Vice Presidents really do?

It seems to me that Barack needs a Veep who is experienced and competent in a wide range of areas, who does not have one foot on a banana peel, who can make one-sentence answers that make sense, and who has nothing better to do for the next 4 or 8 years. One of my choices would be Secretary Gates, in spite of his Republican credentials.

[TrueThis]

Huh?

[LizM]

I'm with True...'the heck d'ya mean?

[w8aminute]

I just don't think it bodes well if Obama announces this week who his VP choice will be and Biden is on the other side of the world in Georgia.

[oscarp]

what difference will it make? Ooops another mistake?

[ChristopherLib]

Kaine would be a disaster. It wouldn't be doubling down on change, it would be doubling down on inexperience. Biden is my number one pick right now, though Bayh, Reed, Nunn, and Dodd would also be very solid all round picks. Sebelius is a on the boarderline, but may be too big of a risk in offending Hillary supporters. A potential wildcard is Schweitzer governor of Montana.

I don't think it'll be Hillary, though you look at all these potentials and she probably is one of his best choices. There's no one Veep everyone is going to love, but Hillary would best unite the party. If I was advising Obama though I still see more upside for Biden and Bayh, particularly with Independents.

[lornejl]

Joe

[oscarp]

I hope it won't be Hillary. If he selects Biden, I expect to see his comments towards Obama during the primaries, interesting though...

[LizM]

I would not only expect to see those comments I would HOPE to see those comments. I would also relish seeing ANYONE who chose to use those comments as some sort of attack against the ticket, or against Biden himself, being exposed for their own lack of personal integrity and poor character.

[MissLouise]

Oh God, please keep this self-worshiping arrogant gasbag off the ticket.

[oscarp]

considering his arrogance, Obama should select himself for VP.
Obama/Obama Year ?

[fishsandwichesr2good]

Oh please, please, please select that clean and articulate windbag.

[LizM]

I'll bet that you are the perfect one to help me answer a question that has been nagging at me for some time now. Of course, I have my suspicions but I would really be interested in your thoughts on the matter.

How is it possible that so many people can think that they know so much about Senator Biden and yet actually know so very little...if anything at all. How does that happen?

Thanks

[w8aminute]

I thought he was one of the sharpest during the Dem debates, especially the 'noun, verb & 9/11" re:Rudy G.. Although I was pretty much behind Obama at that point, I checked all of their bios. I learned he's the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, read his bio on Congress.org and then wiki'd him. Read about his first marriage, the dustup about the 'mastercard / bankruptcy' plan and the part he played in it. I liked when he slammed Bush over the 'appeasement' statement at the Knesset. Doesn't bother me that he's Catholic or that he's got a quick wit.

If the PUMAs did half as much research on McCain, I think they'd be pretty shocked at what they found and would stop the BS about voting for him.

[fishsandwichesr2good]

I've been following this arrogrant buffoon for the last 16 years. Your comment implies that he has desirable characteristics. Care to lay out what those are so I can educate you on the reality?

[Lucille]

I like Biden. I like that he speaks up, even though he sometimes makes mistakes I don't hold that against him. I think he's an honest, internationally experienced and compassionate man, without being too Jimmy Carter. More importantly, I've read that Obama really likes him, and I trust Obama's judgment, so I hope Biden is the VP nominee.

[LizM]

Okay, Lucille...what mistakes has he made?

[huffposeur]

absolutely, a great choice. and it's change we can believe in, especially since biden's been in the senate since obama was in grade school in indonesia.

[Truthfighter1]

Only logical choice is Biden, other than that i think he will pick Hillary.

Obama may be alot of things but he is calculated and he knows what will add up to a win.

Chicago Style politics Baby!..

Let's go!

[oscarp]

yes! Biden for President !!! I have always thought he could be an excellent choice, so what do we do with Obama then?

[rbloom]

Oh, what the heck. We're already stuck with the Obama-Osama phonetic linkage. Might as well go all the way with Obama 'n' Biden.

[Bulbul]

He is the most suitable candidate to be the VP, but the question here would be, is Biden able to control his mouth and not go off in tangents....

[SCLib]

Bulbul,

Biden's 'mouth' might be an asset to the campaign as well. Obama appears to be a bit too polite and too deferrential vis a vis McCain. Biden, on the other hand, would NOT be afraid to call McCain on his lies, his distortions of facts, and his less than sterling attendance record in Congress on key votes, just to name a few of the items that constitute McCain's 'soft underbelly'. And Biden's foreign policy experience would be invaluable to the Dem ticket, as well. Overall, this is the BEST choice for VP among those who are on the list. Bayh, though a 'nice/midwestern' guy, is a lightweight. Kaine doesn't have enough national exposure or experience. Nunn is too old (and frankly, too conservative to be a good fit for Obama). HIllary would doom Obama's independence/autonomy. Richardson, like Bayh, isn't ready for 'prime time' yet. Joe Biden strikes me as a man who has a proper balance of toughness and compassion...the perfect complement to Barack Obama.

[Bulbul]

You are right, hopefully.

[Thomas777]

How bizarre!! I posted a YOUTUBE link last night of Joe Biden drunk--really stinking drunk--singing off key in the street. This morning the video has been 'removed' from YouTube.

I hope somebody got a chance to see it. It was amazing.

[66rock]

too bad,so sad

[RatgurlSD]

Are you sure it wasn't a video of yourself dressed up as Biden? Besides, who HASN'T gotten really stinkin' drunk and sang off-key in the street? I know people who do it nightly.

You suggest Biden's done it ONCE? Good for him!

[lioness39]

I like Joe Biden. If he had run in the primaries any other year but this one, he would have my vote. I think he is a smart and fiery man who has great ideas on foreign policy. Would like very much to see an Obama/Biden ticket in '08.

[FLA1]

I like Biden. He was born in Pennsylvania, a fiery speaker, and has good foreign policy credentials. He an Obama have had pretty similar records since Obama has been in the Senate. His age is probably a minus, because I think it is unrealistic for him to run for President in his mid 70s after two Obama terms. I like Kaine and I think he and Obama are a good personal fit, but I don't think they make a good team because of what public perception is of their weaknesses. Clinton has two problems - 1) no one wants a former President within earshot to be able to consistently second guess them in front of the media (this would have been Clinton's problem if she were Pres, also) and 2) the commander in chief statements are extremely damaging to her because your VP has to be able to convincingly say that they believe in this candidate for Pres. Bayh, I don't think adds to the ticket from an ideological standpoint. They don't really seem to be a philosophical match. I like Clark, but I think while people would not question his military experience, his political experience would be questioned. Also, Biden is helpful to midwest voting, being a Delaware Senator born in Pennsylvania and OH,Pa, and Mich could prove to be very difficult.

[joselopez]

Biden would be a huge mistake!!! Foot in mouth disease can be a deadly disease in politics. Remember his comments about 7/11's, about Obama being clean and articulate...He is the definition of a Washington Insider and Obama is running on the Change mantle. I continue to say Bayh is the best pick because he provides everything Obama needs without the personal negatives. Bayh is getting bashed by the nutty left because he voted for the Iraq War, so did Biden. He is getting attacked for being "bland". Can someone tell me who was the last VP pick that had a lot of charisma?!!! Bayh should be a lock.

[LizM]

continued

Oh, and one more thing...Senator Biden did not vote for the war. It sounds like you include yourself among those who fail to understand what the October 2002 resolution authorizing the us of US military force in Iraq (AUMF) was all about or the context within which that vote took place. A vote in favor of the AUMF cannot be equated with a vote for war - at least not when considering the vote of Senators who actually knew what the resolution was all about. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure exactly where Senator Bayh fits in here, but his vote for the Iran resolution does not impress me.

I would be willing to make a modest wager that, once you have had an opportuntiy to get to know who Joe Biden is and what makes him tick, then you will reconsider your misguided perceptions.

[LizM]

It is quite obvious that you are woefully unaware of the circumstances of Biden's comments in the examples you cite. When you find out, I predict that you'll feel pretty foolish for making statements like that.

It's actually very ironic - so many people with similarly unwarranted sentiments about Biden who voice them in blogs like this are the ones who are gaffe-prone and suffer terribly from foot-in-mouth disease, not to mention from wholly inadequate sources of reliable information ...they are just blissfully unaware of it...

It is also clear that you don't understand that Joe Biden is the real change agent in this election campaign which is why Senator Obama needs him at his side. Biden is about as far away from a Washington insider as you can get. Let me put it this way...if a leader like Biden was also a Washington insider in the way you imply, then he would have been the Democrat nominee for POTUS by acclamation, all things considered.

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