Obama Ready to Endorse Biden -- with Conditions

Obama Ready to Endorse Biden -- with Conditions

Most of us that are paying even a modicum of attention to the 2016 candidates are aware of the rumors that Biden will run, but he hasn't declared yet. No real surprise there, since he has run for prez before and it's not unusual for a VP to run for prez. So what's holding him up? According to this guy:

The talk in Democratic Party circles is that Barack Obama has told Joe Biden that he is prepared to endorse him for president if, in return, Biden promises to let Obama have a final say in the choice of his vice presidential running mate.... [snip] ...there is speculation among top Democratic sources that Obama has another quid pro quo for his endorsement: he wants Biden to choose an African American as his vice presidential running mate.

And who would that running mate supposedly be?

...Obama is said to favor former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, a close Obama ally...

So... okay. Whatever. But here's the kicker (at least for me!):

In this scenario, which Obama has not yet fully explained to Biden, Biden would promise to serve only one term in the White House, after which he would back his vice president to succeed him.

Hmmmmmm.... I have no idea if this is true or not. It strikes me as odd that others would know (and be blabbing to journalists) before Biden even knows. I would be more inclinced to believe that Obama (or his minions) have explained this to Biden, and perhaps Biden is thinking long and hard about the implications of such a deal, which is why he has not declared yet. Or maybe it's all just in the author's imagination... But knowing how our political critters operate, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it were true.

But since this is all just speculation and conjecture anyway, I'll take it a step further: If true, I would absolutely love it if Biden "agreed" to get Obama's endorsement during the primary run, and then picked a different running mate for the general election!!! Just like rules, deals are made to be broken -- especially in DC!

ETA: About the author: Ed Klein.

In this scenario, which Obama has not yet fully explained to Biden, Biden would promise to serve only one term in the White House, after which he would back his vice president to succeed him.

He can just do the same thing Obama did concerning his second term if it came down to that. Goose and gander sort of thing IMO.

I wouldn't want an endorsement if it came with that kind of price tag. Why run if you can't do it the way you would do it?

He can go sell crazy somewhere else. We're all stocked up here.

a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe

I wouldn't want an endorsement if it came with that kind of price tag. Why run if you can't do it the way you would do it?

Good question....

It also occurs to me that there is also a possibility of the little issue of blackmail, thanks to the NSA and widespread surveillance... though I would think that the honey would be offered before the vinegar so to speak!

a reply to: Boadicea

I don't know how seriously to take this. It sounds like just gossip to me.

But I agree with Kanga. I wouldn't make that deal. Not sure an Obama endorsement would mean a lot to most people at this point. Biden strikes me as someone who would want to do it his way. And I hope he does.

Frankly this would not surprise me. Obama sees himself as the new head of the party and giving the Clintons one last kick in the nuts would remind them of that too.

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic
a reply to: Boadicea

I don't know how seriously to take this. It sounds like just gossip to me.

But I agree with Kanga. I wouldn't make that deal. Not sure an Obama endorsement would mean a lot to most people at this point. Biden strikes me as someone who would want to do it his way. And I hope he does.

Definitely just gossip and rumor at this point... and I think if Biden were going to accept, he would have done it already. Biden has been in DC for a long long time. He didn't get there -- or stay there -- by being weak-willed!

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Frankly this would not surprise me. Obama sees himself as the new head of the party and giving the Clintons one last kick in the nuts would remind them of that too.

This is one of the few reasons I give it any credibility. There is no love lost between Obama and Hillary. I always thought the only reason Obama gave her the Sec of State position was to keep her under his thumb. I also suspect that Hillary's secret email server was to thwart Obama's oversight -- at least one of the reasons. I see the same "civil war" raging within the Democrat party that I see raging within the Republican party, it just doesn't get as much media attention.

originally posted by: Boadicea

I see the same "civil war" raging within the Democrat party that I see raging within the Republican party, it just doesn't get as much media attention.

It will if Dear Leader endorses Biden. Josh Earnest (what irony) will be trotted out to the frothing media hordes to explain why Biden was endorsed and the potential first female President has succumbed to the War on Women.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: Boadicea

I see the same "civil war" raging within the Democrat party that I see raging within the Republican party, it just doesn't get as much media attention.

It will if Dear Leader endorses Clinton. Josh Earnest (what irony) will be trotted out to the frothing media hordes to explain why Biden was endorsed and the potential first female President has succumbed to the War on Women.

I think you meant if Dear Leader endorses Biden? And yes, I definitely agree. I'm sure many Clinton supporters are still smarting from the 2008 election... I actually felt sorry for Hillary. They sure won't be happy about a Biden endorsement!

originally posted by: Boadicea
I think you meant if Dear Leader endorses Biden?

Yes, thanks for the correction.

And yes, I definitely agree. I'm sure many Clinton supporters are still smarting from the 2008 election... I actually felt sorry for Hillary. They sure won't be happy about a Biden endorsement!

No, they certainly would not. And this slow *drip* *drip* of issues revolving around her could all go away if someone waved their magic wand and said, 'Benghazi-ous forgetum'. But guess what? He has not. She is getting hung out to dry.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

And this slow *drip* *drip* of issues revolving around her could all go away if someone waved their magic wand and said, 'Benghazi-ous forgetum'. But guess what? He has not. She is getting hung out to dry.

Excellent point. Hmmmm... and Biden must be aware of this... and suspect/know that he will get the same treatment if he defies Dear Leader....

It also occurs to me that Biden and Hillary were once good friends, fighting side-by-side against the vast right-wing conspiracy. It could be that Biden is working with Hillary again/still and playing his own game with Obama...

If true, it would nearly be the ultimate step in Affirmative Action.

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic
a reply to: Boadicea

I don't know how seriously to take this. It sounds like just gossip to me.

But I agree with Kanga. I wouldn't make that deal. Not sure an Obama endorsement would mean a lot to most people at this point. Biden strikes me as someone who would want to do it his way. And I hope he does.

Who knows. The last "rumors" were pretty close:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

originally posted by: Boadicea
It also occurs to me that Biden and Hillary were once good friends, fighting side-by-side against the vast right-wing conspiracy. It could be that Biden is working with Hillary again/still and playing his own game with Obama...

Yeah, but he has been with his clean, articulate, bright friend for so long I doubt he would defect to Camp Clinton.

They are old news and insider political comments always made it clear that Obama thought they were far too moderate.

If this is true, what if the intention was for Hillary to be Biden's VP?
This would put her in power, to a point, for the next 4 years, and give time a chance to wash away her misdoings, and then give her another chance to be president, with more on her resume.
Or, could put Biden on some hit list, to get her into power sooner.
Either Hillary or Biden are not going to be good for this country.

a reply to: Boadicea

This story was posted in March of 2014:

Obama Thinks Deval Patrick Would Make A Great President

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick - a rising Democratic star - would make "a great president or vice president" but will likely take a break when his eighth and final year as state chief executive ends.

"Deval's done a great job and I think (it) signals that he could be very successful at the federal level as well," Obama told Boston NBC station New England Cable News.

Maybe this is where Klein got his idea...

More on Patrick

Under his governorship, Patrick oversaw the implementation of the state's 2006 health care reform program which had been enacted under Mitt Romney, increased funding to education and life sciences, won a federal Race to the Top education grant, passed an overhaul of governance of the state transportation function, signing a law to create the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, increased the state sales tax from 5% to 6.25%, and raised the state's minimum wage from $8 per hour to $11 per hour by 2017. Under Patrick, Massachusetts joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the planned introduction of casinos in Massachusetts. His second term began on January 6, 2011, and in an interview with The Boston Globe, Patrick declared he would not seek re-election in 2014.

Yes. Obama would LOVE him!

.

originally posted by: BlueAjah
If this is true, what if the intention was for Hillary to be Biden's VP?
This would put her in power, to a point, for the next 4 years, and give time a chance to wash away her misdoings, and then give her another chance to be president, with more on her resume.
Or, could put Biden on some hit list, to get her into power sooner.
Either Hillary or Biden are not going to be good for this country.

LOL, probably why Biden isn't running. It is usually hazardous to your health when you cross the Clintons.


I am actually surprised we have not heard (maybe it will be a surprise) of Julian Castro.

www.cnn.com...

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Yeah, but he has been with his clean, articulate, bright friend for so long I doubt he would defect to Camp Clinton.

They are old news and insider political comments always made it clear that Obama thought they were far too moderate.

Haha! Ah yes, I forgot about Biden's praise for his clean and articulate friend.

Of course, Obama probably thinks even Stalin was far too moderate!

a reply to: BlueAjah

Either Hillary or Biden are not going to be good for this country.

Agreed! Even worse would be your scenario of Hillary AND Biden working together...

a reply to: infolurker

To be fair, I think a LOT of people knew that Hillary would run at the next opportunity. I mean, I think that was suspected the minute she conceded to Obama in 2007. I've never heard of Deval Patrick before today...

I agree with your comment on Castro. I expected to hear a LOT more about him this election.