Why Replacing Biden With Hillary Makes Perfect Sense for Obama

Sen. Joe Biden's a perfectly appropriate vice presidential running-mate for Sen. Barack Obama. He's got 36 years of Senate experience, is a true intellect, a foreign policy expert, and a genuinely nice guy. But ever since Sen. John McCain added plucky Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to his ticket, the old adage nice guys finish last is beginning to take on new meaning in this year's presidential contest. It's time to dump Biden and replace him with Sen. Hillary Clinton. I don't care how it's done. Campaign chief David Axelrod can figure that out. And the sooner the better. Because I'm starting to think that if Team-Obama doesn't do something dramatic fast, it's gonna lose this election. There's a worrisome shift in momentum and in the polls. The Palin phenomenon, while truly unfathomable to Democrats, has energized McCain's campaign and allowed him like Houdini to snatch Obama's "change" theme right out from under him. It's time to snatch it back.

Conventional wisdom says replacing Biden with Clinton can't be done. That it's too late. That it'll make Obama appear indecisive, impulsive and lacking good judgement. Many Democrats believe this would cause irreparable harm to the campaign, ringing Obama's death knell. But this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it'd be a freakin' coup for Obama, and would instantly melt Palin's undeserving outsize political ice cap.

To be sure, a Biden-Clinton switch would cause quite a stir in the media. They'd accuse him of all sorts of things, from being politically expedient and flip-flopping to being irrational and ill-equipped to be president. The talking heads on CNN, Fox and MSNBC would be locked in a non-stop frenzied orgy of derisive rhetoric. But we also know that it would make about 18-million Hillary voters ecstatic at the same time. So, honestly, who really cares what Joe Scarborough, Keith Olbermann, Wolf Blitzer or Brit Hume thinks? These pundits don't constitute an appreciable voting block. What they think and feel would be utterly dwarfed by the euphoria from Clinton's faithful supporters. It's a pretty safe bet that an Obama/Clinton ticket would capture virtually all of these loyal Clintonistas. It's also a safe bet that many of those highly coveted 18-49-year-old women who polls show migrated to McPalin this past week would drop the spunky little hockey mom in a heartbeat for Hillary. Lastly, it's an even safer bet that Obama's current voters would stick with him as well. So, where's the downside? Show me a Democrat, today, who'd dump Obama for McCain if Biden was replaced with Clinton? They don't exist.

Obama should do what the Republicans would do in this situation. In fact, he should do exactly what his opponent did. Shake things up. Be unconventional. Roll the dice. Out-McCain McCain. Who cares how it looks. Who cares what the media thinks. One thing's certain: there's an 18-million deep pot of gold out there waiting to be mined. An Obama/Clinton ticket would slam the door shut on this election.

Comments

[Jingo]

A majority of Clinton supporters will already support Obama for president. Her 18 million voters were primarily Democrats who just preferred her to Obama but would likely vote Democratic either way. He is gaining even more of her supporters every day as the issues become clearer, and he appeals to many independents and even some republicans. 50% of the country HATES the Clintons and Fox News, along with other rightwingers, have whole dossiers of Clinton smears ready to go - many are untrue, but reinforcing old lies can make them more believable - "Yeah, I remember hearing that they had that Foster guy killed... I guess it must be true if it's still out there." Even if Obama had selected Hillary from the beginning, he would have a difficult time winning when the potential pool of voters is cut in half from day one.

Also, it is very true, that Obama would tank if he dropped Biden, because the major story until November would be that Obama's judgment was bad. Right now, McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is still being questioned. Even if McCain dumped Palin over "troopergate," he would be slammed for poor judgment. Either way his judgment will be an issue.

[Luise22]

Honestly, I don't get how anybody could really think that Hillary would have been a good fit for Obama's VP. I don't think she wants to be anyone's VP at this point (or as someone else said, she doesn't want to be second-in-command AGAIN), and on top of that she brings Bill with her. They are both powerhouses with their own agendas -- and baggage. A relative newcomer with his own change agenda is gonna get derailed by all that. Look, we love the Clintons but it had to be Obama OR Hillary and we made the rigth choice! So please let it go already!

[ckfan]

Nope - We don't all LOVE the Clintons.

Obama-Biden '08

[eugenegerard]

Give up the ghost. Hillary is done.

[lorryinflorida]

Mr. Ostroy, enough. The Democratic (and winning) ticket is Obama/Biden, and you need to get on board with that. And in case you hadn't noticed, even Senator and President Clinton are on board with that.

[lalahall]

Well said. This whole VP-swap idea is absolute nonsense and a pathetic attempt at sabotage by those few remaining Hillary Clinton supporters who refuse to accept reality. The vast majority of us have united behind the party and are ready to move forward in support of our candidates. Too bad there are people like Mr. Ostroy who have neither the wisdom nor the maturity to do the same.

[emectar]

i couldn't agree more

[Yasmine]

Mr Ostroy.............you mean well, but way wrong to air this type of doubts in PUBLIC.....
YOU must have been touched by the POLL NUMBERS.
you had better GOOGLE POLLOCRACY and you might see how the POLLOCRATS made this happen by asking questions like WHO IS RISKIER.

YOu did not even suggest the proper way to make your idea happen,....which is :
BIDEN CAN say that he would prefer to get the STATE DEPARTMENT and then Hillary could become VP.
BUT if the MAJORITY of American people look at OBAMA's CHARACTER and NOT AT HIS COLOR like so many good people have done already .

and trusted him to do the right thing when he gets in office..................OBAMA /BIDEN will win.
HILLARY can have any Post she wants in obama cabinet.

CHEER UP MR. OSTROY the poll numbers today have moved in favor of OBAMA !!!

[cubanlib]

Andy,
Relax. Sara Palin's star will fade. Did you watch that interview? We don't need to fear her. She will crash and burn.

[libsRchildren]

"we don't need to fear her"
Try arguing that point with the rejuvenated GOP and the independents and Hillary's angry voters. What you should be doing cubanlib is pushing back that celebration another 4yrs.

[Patrick McCabe]

Hillary would never accept that offer. Too late to CHANGE.

[faithfully]

I think Biden is a great choice; Hillary will be great as Senate Majority Leader (move over, Harry REid)
To change would look like a flip-flopper. Obama knows what he is doing. Give him credit.

[Dustee]

***It's time to dump Biden and replace him with Sen. Hillary Clinton.****

So you said nice guys finish last so Obama should dump Biden and take Hillary, meaning hillary is not a nice person, huh? Republicans already know that about Hillary and they'd love to pick off Obama and Clinton at the same time.

And to my shock and dismay...I've also found that Hillary is not a nice person during the primary.

To be honest...I don't know what it is that Hillary brings to the table that Biden can't. At least I'm not upset with Biden.

[bklynsam]

Uh huh. Somehow Barack Obama got from being a virtual unknown to building a movement they will probably write textbooks about, beating not only the Clinton machine kitchen sink, but a viral email smear campaign and the Republican attacks, while facing 76% negative media coverage, and you think he needs your advice?

No thanks. My money's on the smart guy running the show.

[jgalvan]

Could not have said it better!

[Dustee]

Touche'!!!!!

[julianna]

Yep, he's got this.

[ObjectiveRealist]

Amen!

Now, can we get back to some relevant issues, please? Here's my suggestion:
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13646&printsafe=1

[CindyWV]

Mr. Ostroy,

Have you and Ms. Lane shared notes? If either of you want to see Obama elected, this certainly is not the way to go about it.

[Chachi]

You know what they say about opinions... everyone's got one. That old saying has never been more fitting than it is right now regarding this post.

[Spencefi]

I agree that dropping Biden for Clinton will look bad (but we can dream, can't we?). I've been saying for a long time that Obama should name Hillary to a future high profile cabinet position and do it soon. Secretary of Education, Health and Human Services, future Supreme Court nominee, etc.

[AlohaDavid]

After watching Ted Kennedy at the convention, I hope Clinton decides to stay in the Senate and possibly replace Harry Reid. Obama needs Hillary to move the Senate forward and I think she is a powerhouse in the Senate...and if Kennedy passes away, we really need her there.

[ZekeCDN]

Personally I'd like to see HC on the Supreme Court.

[SoonerThought]

This is an ignorant masturbatory exercise. Biden is the best choice and has already proven himself. Biden will wipe the floor with Palin and be a key reason Obama wins. How about we cut this stuff out and get with the program: stopping a Bush third term?

[franklin opt]

Here, here! Some of us need to stop worrying and second-guessing.

I never thought of masturbation as exercise, however.

[HeavyHitter]

Yeah, take one of Obama's strengths, his ability to remain cool under pressure, and throw it out the window. Hit the panic button. Brilliant.