Posted by
fiddler on Friday, September 12, 2008 10:58:34 AM
My first thought when I heard Joe Biden's remarks that Hillary would have been a better choice for the VP nomination was that he had committed another of his famous gaffes. But then it occurred to me that he was laying the foundation for his withdrawal from the Democratic ticket, to allow Hillary to become the nominee. I thought about what happened to Tom Eagleton in 1972, and although this isn't quite the same - no one has run a report exposing a major weakness in Biden, as happened with Eagleton - it serves as a precedent for allowing the withdrawal of one candidate to allow for another to replace him.
Then I heard on the news that Obama had met in Manhattan with Bill Clinton. Yes, yes, I know. Both Obama and McCain were in New York for the 9/11 observances, and for the forum at Columbia University. It just seemed odd that this meeting occurred at roughly the same time as Biden was making his comments. And that was when I realized that this could very well be the scenario: Biden will announce that on reflection, the Democratic ticket would have a better chance of winning the election if he withdraws and a stronger running-mate is selected (Hillary?).
I really could see this happening, especially as Obama continues to slip in the polls. Is it too late for Obama/Clinton? Hard to say. But a lot of women who say right now that they will support McCain because of Sarah Palin would probably switch back with Hillary on the Dem ticket. Just as Palin as energized the Republican base, Hillary would do the same for the Democrats.
This election cycle gets more interesting all the time.