August 27, 2008
NYC Letter: Mr. Obama's Underpants III
Countdown 68 days to go
Ola! Barack Obama here. By now many of you know that the VP pickings were pretty meagre. Competent Democrats, principled and courageous, don't grow on trees. I want to share with you, the up-for-grabs voter, how I made my inspired choice for VP -- a choice some have characterized as an old white guy, a Washington insider who signals politics-as-usual.
CHANGE DAILY
Inside Skinny Out Of The Flap
The first question I asked myself was, Barack, if you weren't the president, who would you want to be the president? This was perhaps the most difficult question I have wrestled with in my political career. Of course, I prayed on this. And the answer was, me, Barack Obama. [Pause.] Every time.
So I asked myself another question. Barack, I said (in a manner reminiscent of Bob Dole), people are saying you lack experience (and this), people are saying you need more foreign policy umph (and this), more substance, people are asking where's the beef, pass the ketchup, why are hot dogs in tens and buns in eights? [Pause.] Naturally, I prayed on all this but I had forgotten the question.
But my prayer was answered and the phone rang. It was Karl Rove.
- KR: [Excited.] Barry, have you made your VP pick yet?
ME: Ah, no, Mr. Rove. You said to call you first...
KR: Great! Super! I have just the guy!
ME: Thank you, Mr. Rove. You know Hillary keeps calling and...
KR: Look, Barry, being president is not just about blaming America and healing the world, you have to get elected to begin with and to get elected in the United States you must carry the crucial state of Delaware and win its all-important 3 electoral votes. I don't know why. It's a rule or something. And even though you appear to have a commanding 9 point lead in Delaware, well, you can never be too sure.
ME: That's the kind of president I am, Mr. Rove, one that is never too sure...
KR: Two words. [Theatrical pause.] BI. DEN.
ME: Huh?
KR: Joe Biden.
ME: Who's Joe Biden?
KR: He's the senior senator of the Blue Hen State. A colleague.
ME: Really? Uh, well, is he available?
KR: He's been available since 1988. [Confidentially.] Look, with him on the ticket your average experience jumps to something like 17 years.
ME: Is he principled and courageous?
KR: He's white with hair-plugs.
ME: Gee, Mr. Rove. If Delaware is that important...
KR: Do it. [Click. Dial tone.]
ME: Ah, OK, thanks, uh, Karl.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe Biden,I am not running for vice president. I would — I would not accept it if anyone offered it to me. The fact of the matter is I would much prefer to stay as the chairman of the foreign relations committee then vice-president.
senior Senator from Delaware and top-dog-only candidate
for the Democratic presidential nomination
INTERVIEW August 10, 2007 (Hannity & Colmes)
Joe Biden,I think he [scil., Mr. Obama] can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. It's awful hard, with only a little bit of experience to have a clear sense of what you would do on the most critical issues facing us today.
waning contender for the Democratic presidential nomination
INTERVIEW August 2007 (KCS/AP/Newsweek)
(A) John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain.
------------------------------------
(B) I'd make a great president. I 'd make a great Secretary of State. I'd make a great vice president. ... There are a lot of people out there who want the job. I'm not one of them… (But) you'd have to take it. There's not a single, solitary person who, with Barack Obama as the presidential nominee in this most historic of races, who if asked would say 'no.' I wouldn't say 'no.'
I hope he doesn't ask me.
But if he asked me, I'd say yes. I'm not being coy.
Joe Biden,
senior Senator from Delaware and candidate for something
(A) INTERVIEW August 2, 2005 (NRO/The Daily Show)
(B) June 17, 2008 (THBBR)
Mr. Obama,So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president of the US of America, Joe Biden.
the Democratic candidate for President,
giving it up for his №2
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois August 23, 2008 (ABC News)
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/29/when-john-met-sarah-how-mccain-picked-palin/trackback/
When John Met Sarah: How McCain Picked Palin
WSJ, August 29, 2008
Jill Hazelbaker, a spokeswoman for John McCain, released this account today of where McCain first met running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and how he came to select her as his vice presidential candidate:
John McCain first met Governor Sarah Palin at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington in February of 2008 and came away extraordinarily impressed. John McCain followed her career and admired her tenacity and her many accomplishments. She was scheduled for a high profile speaking role at our convention and included in the VP selection process because of his admiration for her strong reform credentials.
Last Sunday, Governor Palin and John McCain had a conversation over the phone. Governor Palin was at the Alaska State Fair, and John McCain was at his home at Phoenix. Previously, Rick Davis, John McCain’s campaign manager, had also been in regular contact with the Governor as part of the on-going selection process. This past week, Governor Palin arrived with Kris Perry in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Wednesday evening. Upon arrival, Governor Palin and her longtime aide Kris Perry met with Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter of the McCain campaign at Mr. Bob Delgado’s home in Flagstaff. Mr. Delgado is the CEO of the Hensley corporation, which is Mrs. Cindy McCain’s family business.
On Thursday morning, Governor Palin and staff were joined by Mrs. Cindy McCain and later joined by John McCain at the McCain family home in Sedona, Arizona. At approximately 11:00 a.m. Thursday August 28, 2008, John McCain formally invited Governor Sarah Palin to join the Republican ticket as the vice presidential nominee on the deck of the McCain family home.
Later that morning, John McCain departed for Phoenix and Governor Palin departed with staff to Flagstaff, Arizona. Governor Palin, Kris Perry, Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter proceeded to the Manchester Inn and Conference Center in Middleton, Ohio. They were checked into the hotel as the Upton Family. While there, Governor Palin’s children, who had been told they were going to Ohio to celebrate their parents’ wedding anniversary, were told for the first time that their mother would be a nominee for Vice President of the United States of America.
Today, John McCain was proud to announce that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a proven-reformer, will share a partnership with him to shake things up in Washington and to make government more effective for American families.
