Biden Camp Pressed Hard For VP Slot

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate reached a pivotal point in a secret meeting on the night of Aug. 6. Sen. Biden was whisked into a Minneapolis hotel room through a back entrance before Sen. Obama left for his Hawaii vacation. They talked one-on-one for 90 minutes. "It was spirited and pragmatic," says one adviser who was briefed.

The rendezvous capped weeks of pitching by Biden advisers. It culminated in Sen. Obama's formal announcement by text message around 3 a.m. Saturday that Sen. Biden was the choice, and led to the big question that now looms over the choice: Will a 35-year veteran of Washington help or hurt a political newcomer running on a message of "change"?

...

When the Obama campaign's vice-presidential vetters sought financial statements, political speeches and medical records, Sen. Biden's team turned the grueling task into an opportunity to sell their man. Their most obvious pitch was his strong experience in foreign policy at a time of crisis, one of Sen. Obama's biggest weak spots with voters. Sen. Biden's foreign-policy director traveled with Sen. Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan during his overseas tour in late July, giving the presidential contender a close-up sense of the expertise the Biden circle could provide.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[RushLiberal]

Of course he did - who wouldn't - but he didn't elect himself to the job the way Cheney did.

Go Biden!

[danoj]

Sad little man, who thinks he knows what he is talking about.

[heal57]

you must be referring to joe lieb*rman.

[RGKahn]

"Biden Camp Pressed Hard For a Slot on the Ticket" And this is news? You don't get to be the candidate for any political office my wishing upon a star.

[applebutter]

"Will a 35-year veteran of Washington help or hurt a political newcomer running on a message of "change"?"

pssst: non sequitur.

[Cynth]

I like knowing that he wanted the job and was gunning for it, rather than supplying documents, sitting back, and crossing his fingers. To undo the the damage from the current admin, Obama will need all hands on deck, experienced advisors, and people willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard. I'm even more confident now about the decision to choose Biden both for the campaign and for the four or eight years to follow.

[the964kid]

Looks like they're hard 'pressing' worked big time.

[dadw5boys]

Thank God we have people like Biden who can see what needs to be done and is willing to argue his point to get in position where he can actually get something done right.

You know the old saying "If you want something done right".

All these years he has worked and watch how thing were changed in forgien policy and he know where things went wrong and how !

[pupbayer]

So old Joe lied when he said he didn't want it. I've always loved Joe Biden but I guess another one of my favorites bites the dust. Quit lying about stuff there is no reason to lie about. Why do candidates do that?

[lafrance]

OMG!!! get a life. all veep contenders say that. they all say they don't want it.
Where have you been? under a rock?

[pupbayer]

Obviously you don't read or listen well. Some say they do want it and some say nothing. Try paying attention. You'd be amazed what you learn.

[TheMastadon]

Who knows, why do they cheat on their wives, lie about wars, cheat on their taxes? All politicians are human and do things we don't like. I have found it very amusing how people have ripped the candidtes apart (on both sides) when in truth we are all very far from perfect, and in most cases have committed similar offenses.

[jsinclair]

Biden's been his own boss for 35 years. I think he was being completely candid that he had reservations about being anyone's #2.

Maybe his aides worked to convince HIM, too, not just Obama.

In any case, a big "thanks!" to all involved.

For his first major decision, Obama gets an "A

[qdog112]

Misinformed ,heh? On MTP, Biden said he would take the job if asked. You are WRONG!

[heal57]

He probably DID feel that way at one time. It's not just women who have the prerogative to change our minds.

[researcher]

more of the same he is a wash insider

must change the system not the politicans

capitalism must self destruct

it is about profits not people

it is self destructing now but we dont see it instead we blame people

common theme to blame people for system problems

we are living thru that self destruction now

negative saving rate, borrow from communists, socialists and kings

stole all of social security funds, declining dollar, declining wages, 47 million without health care insurance, open borders, mega military machine, wars for profits, ranked 35th on health care, big 3 automakers near bankruptcy, huge trade inbalance, huge debt, the list is almost endless

yet we hang on to capitalism like it was a religion and even brag about how great it is

must find a balance between communism and capitalism

we americans are truly living thru paradigm paralysis

we want more of the same to fix our problems

while the have mores smile all the way to the bank

much smarter than the middle class

in fact the middle class lined up to vote for reagan who put capitalism on steroids been down hill ever since check out the national debt and trade inbalance since reagan

demos dont know how to fight ie spineless

repubs like alpha dogs ask nancy on that one

peace

[schoolmaster]

Was Biden begging for VP slot? This is just to deflect questions about not picking Hillary.

[SouthpawSass]

Anybody ever see this debate between Biden and Fred Thompson?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEXNE9-Y6Ow

[66rock]

I have not laughed this much in a long time. Anderson was hilarious. Thanks.

[Waitaminute]

I am watching msnbc at this moment. Have to know what the ENEMY is saying. As usual, like the rightwing hate radio, i haven't heard one possitive thing about Obama or Biden. They pretend they are so concerned with Hillary not being chosen and her supporters. These people are the most disgusting pigs passing as media, i have ever seen. They are suppose to be a free press. Not the republican rightwing press, when they use our airways. They failed as a news media. They all should be dismissed because they are not representative of a free press.

[optech007]

I heard some of pundits saying that Biden will help Obama win Catholic votes, like he's the pope or something. I really don't see how Biden being Catholic will make Catholics want to vote for Obama.

Plus as a supporter of abortion rights, Biden has actually been excommunicated from the Catholic Church. How long will it be before somebody points this fact out?

[HatingTheGame]

How long will it be before somebody points this fact out?

Well, I guess ... er... now. You just did.

Thanks for that. I wonder if many progressive catholics can live with abortion rights vs. all the other issues we have with the repugs. Only the silent meditation in the private voting booth can make the decision. I guess lots of progressive catholics will go to confess their sins ... and hope to not be excommunicated.

Forgive me father for I have sinned... I voted for Obama.

Three hail marys, and some penance my son.

[Chillinout]

"Plus as a supporter of abortion rights, Biden has actually been excommunicated from the Catholic Church. How long will it be before somebody points this fact out?"

Please point to a link that will support this supposed "fact" of yours.

[optech007]

Having gone to Catholic schools, I know this to be a fact. Any women who gets an abortion or any person who supports abortion is automatically excommunicated. Here's an article to satisfy to you, it deals with politicians in Mexico:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/world/americas/10pope.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

From the article: "According to church law, those who play a material role in an abortion should not receive the sacrament of holy communion. In effect, they have automatically excommunicated themselves from sharing in communion."

[66rock]

EX-Communicated?? How do you know that?

[heal57]

Oh hell, then we've all been excommunicated; who cares?

[terragazelle60]

Just being for abortion rights does not mean any one would be excommunicated. Do you even know what that means? That God turns His back on you. That you can not recieve the sacrements? Really...and why then has Biden been a church member all these years? He recieves communion...so please stop making those kind of statements.

If you are making that statement point to proof.

[optech007]

Excommunication does not mean God has turned his back on you. It means that a person by their own willful acts have seperated themselves from church.

[trinidadgirl]

The first thing that Obama/Biden must articulate is the definition of change as it applies to their goals.
Change is a very flowing dynamic.... it is not static.

[Coinyer101]

biden was not a good choice,the polls already reflecting that. with time and the convention and the debates ,he may be able to put the campaign back on track. but the biden pick has made some independents question whether obama really means to change things. my vote is firmly with barack,but, i'm not so sure we will gain enough other independents to put us over the top. with the clinton thing going on ,independent support is crucial.

obama/anyone but biden '08

[DaOne]

There hasn't been time to assess the impact poll-wise. Biden is a good pick when you look at the GOP.

[Coinyer101]

i hope you're right.

[heal57]

The corpse of strom thurm*nd would be a good pick when you look at the GOP.

[strangerinthenight]

If you don't mind my asking - what polls, and I don't mean a quick phone survey ? VP choice was just announced. Most independent like myself were looking for foreign policy experience. Biden is the most qualified. As to "CHANGE" - you're argument is ironic.

Most politicians change when they stay long enough in Washington. They become power hunger, and arrogant. They forget why they are elected to serve the PEOPLE. Biden never changed - he is and always be a public servant, and that has sustained his longevity. A regular Joe.

Biden's 35 years as a US Senator - a rare exemption to those who abuse their office - no personal scandals, never had to defend his integrity, never been associated with any graft or corruptions, devoted to his wife, and most of all, able to deal with all of Washington crap, and have good rapport on both sides of the Senate. A true Stateman.

Familiarize yourself with his voting records. Outstanding. He is most unappreciated and under rated US Senator.

Worry about Clinton votes ? Don't. Hillary's bid for Presidency was good and an honorable fight. It's nothing to be ashamed of. She is a big girl - and a devoted Democrat, campaigning relentlessly for Obama, and nothing she has done for far to be concern.

So you say - anyone but Biden - seriously ? What arrogance ? I cant connect your " firmly Obama" to any kind of confidence to his choice as VP.

[StevieRae]

Meaningless verbiage from WSJ staffers required to produce x number of articles. There were many supporters of the final group who were pushing their candidate with Obama.