From The Road
August 19, 2008 11:07 AM

Obama Fuels Biden Rumors as the Veep Guessing Game Continues

By
Maria Gavrilovic
Topics
Barack Obama
(CBS)
From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(ORLANDO, FLA.) Barack Obama's brief, but obvious mention of Joe Biden this morning is sure to fuel rumors that he could be chosen as the running mate. While addressing the VFW annual conference, Obama spoke about the conflict in Georgia, calling for foreign aid to the region.

"We must help Georgia rebuild what has been destroyed," Obama said conveniently adding, "That is why I'm proud to join my friend, Senator Joe Biden, in calling for an additional $1 billion in reconstruction assistance for the people of Georgia."

By uttering the name of his Senate colleague from Delaware, Obama caused the press corps and some veterans in the audience to perk up a bit. Is this a sign of what's to come? Obama-Biden '08?

Ok, Biden did just return from a diplomatic trip to Georgia and the praise may be warranted, but with just a week before the Democratic Convention, it's hard not overanalyze the shout-out.

For days now, the press and many campaign staffers, have been working on their own V.P. prediction. The formula first consisted of a close dissection of Obama's schedule. New Mexico on Monday = Bill Richardson? Virginia on Wednesday = Tim Kaine? But, would the Obama campaign really publish such a precious secret on their public schedule? Probably not.

My formula consists of asking everyone on the campaign trail who and when Obama will pick his running mate. Robert Gibbs, senior strategist, enlightened me with an, "Only time will tell." Another staffer told me to keep my phone close; "We may all find out via text message." A visibly annoyed secret service agent brushed me off with a, "I don't know, Maria, I can't say!"

Even the veterans at the conference today had their own hunches.

"I had thought, actually, that it will be Hillary Clinton," Reginald Elzey, a Vietnam vet, predicted adding, "it'll probably happen soon and it will be her."

Vivian Friedman, who is attending the conference with her war veteran boyfriend, predicted that Obama will settle on Joe Biden.

"It will probably be on Thursday," she said explaining that Biden may add an "element of maturity" to the ticket.

Despite all the guesses, we probably won't know who Obama's running mate will be until he actually makes the announcement. In the meantime, the V.P. guessing game has added some excitement to the summer doldrums.

Add a Comment See all 24 Comments
by blkpresident August 20, 2008 1:21 PM EDT
As long as his pick isn''t lil'' Hillary we should be in great shape headed into the Fall. Personally, if it was my decision, I''d choose someone like L. Douglas Wilder(former Governor of Virginia and presently serving as the Mayor of Richmond, Virginia).
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 August 20, 2008 11:52 AM EDT
I thought when the Republicans said NO to Rudy and Judy--that one of his big negatives was that bringing in his mistress to be first lady was a HUGE negative and blasphemy--now comes McCain with his former mistress as his wife--but she''s okay because.....? She''s richer than Judy--the nurse-turned mistress, or that at least she is a trollop and a ****? What''s the rationale here?

Ah yes...that she did the dirt to that disabled woman so long ago....There is a moratorium for immoral acts--right? Con Hypocrites--ya gotta love ''em. LMAO
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 August 20, 2008 11:49 AM EDT
he''''''''s pushing his pick up almost a week ahead of time to off-set his huge dip the polls after watching McCain ace his q&a with Warren.
Posted by notmudrose


Obama had a Huge dip in the polls? he was only ahead by about 3 or 4 points--so is McCain leading now? If not, is this another republicon Con job? LMAO
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 August 20, 2008 11:47 AM EDT
The pick of Joe Biden will not only show his lack of character but also of political judgment. Evan Bayh is the logical choice to heal party wounds. But it seems that the Obama crowd, now just 5 points ahead of McCain in a year when any Dem should be 20 points ahead, is determined to lose the election. And drag a lot of promising Dem Senate and House candidates down with him. What a shame!

Posted by phillysage at 03:50 PM : Aug 19, 2008


You were more entertaining when you just kept yammering about how Hispanics loathed blacks and spewed your racist swill--you were probably more honest about your real bias towards Obama then, too. LOL
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 August 20, 2008 11:45 AM EDT
Well, Joe Biden just nixed this little guessing game and said it''''s not him.....

But REALLY, who gives a rip! This is just another attention getting Obscamma SCAM!

Posted by WellHell3 at 11:49 PM : Aug 19, 2008


Obviously YOU give a rip--since your Rowdywiccan azz is all over this story. LOL
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 20, 2008 2:49 AM EDT
Well, Joe Biden just nixed this little guessing game and said it''s not him.....

But REALLY, who gives a rip! This is just another attention getting Obscamma SCAM!
Reply to this comment
by brianca1 August 19, 2008 10:20 PM EDT
Biden would be a costly mistake for Obama.But again, look at who Obama interacts with. RezCo for starters.
Obama is not ready on day one!
Reply to this comment
by starleo146 August 19, 2008 10:00 PM EDT
Joe Biden is the right choice for Obama for a number of reasons. Briefly, he provides the experience to Obama''''s perceived inexperience. With every pick there will be negatives. In this case, it is that Biden is a Washington insider, but this is a risk worth taking for Obama. Sadly, to many Americans, Obama will need someone who is a stark contrast to him physically to put them at ease. There is no better contrast than Joe Biden and his grandfather like appeal. Obama''''s message of Change will be balanced by Biden''''s experience on foreign policy issues. While Bush was in the huddle with team USA in Beijing, Joe Biden was meeting with the President of Georgia..hmmm he''''s the right guy for the job.

Posted by keebo803 at 02:52 PM : Aug 19, 200

Nicely said, and I totally agree. thanks for your comment
Reply to this comment
by starleo146 August 19, 2008 9:56 PM EDT
If people base their vote on one q&a session then they should be ashamed.

Posted by gocubs58 at 01:13 PM : Aug 19, 2008

Hey he peaked that ain''t fair
Reply to this comment
by starleo146 August 19, 2008 9:54 PM EDT
I can''t wait for Joe Biden and Joe Lieberman debate man Joe will eat him for supper and spit him out
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