by Mark Silva
Here's an intriguing footnote, from the mouth of Jill Biden, wife of Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show with something of a political bomb-shell:
Biden could have been Secretary of State, or Vice President. Had his choice.
This would make Hillary Clinton of New York, Obama's nominee for Secretary of State and his chief rival in the Democratic primaries, something of a left-overs choice.
The vice president-elect tried to hush his wife as soon as the words came out of her mouth on Oprah's TV set, with a loud "shhh!" that sent the audience into laughter. The Bidens made a surprise appearance on the show, recorded at the Kennedy Center for broadcast today, on the eve of the inauguration.
The vice president-elect said he only accepted Obama's offer to be his running mate after talking it over with "Jilly," his pet name for his wife.
Mrs. Biden said she told him vice president would be better for the family.
"If you're secretary of state, you'll be away, we'll never see you, you know," she said. "I'll see you at a state dinner once in awhile. But I said, if you are vice president, the entire family, because they worked so hard for the election, they can be involved. They can come to our home. They can go to events, they can be with us all the time. And that's what's important to us."
The vice president-elect didn't address his wife's comments, but said he didn't immediately take the vice presidential offer since he wasn't sure it was the best place for him to serve. But Biden, who also ran against Obama in the Democratic primaries, said he agreed after getting some assurances from Obama about his role.
"This is a partnership," Biden said. "He's president of the United States, but as I said to him when he asked me, I said, 'Barack, don't ask me unless the reason you're asking me is, you're asking me for my judgment. I get to be the last guy in the room before you make every important decision. You're president. Any decision you make, I will back.' "
"He said he wanted to have a confidant and somebody who wouldn't be a yes man. He's pretty sure about that" last part, Biden said with a laugh.
Wire services contributed.
Comments
Here's hoping Biden's wife isn't another Martha Mitchell.
Posted by: The_3_Little_Pigs | January 19, 2009 6:36 PM
This will be a media driven story for the duration of its publicity arc. Jill was probably referring to the rampant speculation that Joe would be at the top of Obama's list for secretary of state.
But does this upset Hillary? She probably won't show it, instead getting back at the Bidens or Obama through, um, interior channels...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | January 19, 2009 6:45 PM
Joe Biden can do anything. Biden was the reason I voted for Obama, and he was the breaking factor for many voters in the center left. As long as I see Biden with Obama--I feel safer re foreign policy matters. HRC may be SOS, however, I hope Obama and Biden are of one mind together above the SOS. My only suggestion for Biden is to work with all the credit card companies in his state to stop the predatory mailings of credit card applications to college students and/or anyone who has not requested an application for a credit card.
Posted by: Vivian | January 19, 2009 7:33 PM
Ole Bill be a "smokin" over this bidenism. America came out ahead with her as Sect. of State rather than the motor-mouth, ego driven Biden who has been wrong on almost every major policy issue in his political career. Obama should use him in the Iranian negotiations. He would talk them into capitulation on WMD's as they would sign anything to shut him up and get rid of him. Hillary remember, every dog has its day, just pad the resume'.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 19, 2009 8:14 PM
Vivian.
your be-all end-all vote was because of.....................JOE BIDEN???
That's why our country is in such SAD shape !!!!
My HERO!......Joe Biden !!!!
Posted by: BL | January 19, 2009 8:38 PM
I actually like Joe Biden, but this little stunt seems staged. Joe's a known bloviator, and what better way to shine some light on yourself than, whoops, having the loving wife slip up and "spill the beans." Even if this story is true, I'm glad Obama found someone who is actually up to the task of the hard work and major challenges facing the next Secretary of State. Godspeed, Secretary Clinton. Good luck with your semi-retirement as VP, Joe Biden.
Posted by: Bemused | January 19, 2009 10:39 PM
There are only a few things in my life that are be all, end all, BL.
There was no stand out candidate for me this election. I was not too crazy about any of the remaining dem candidates bf the dem convention. And, I will never vote for another pug. With Joe as the VP running mate, and, after Obama's pretty good speech at the convention, I figured that Obama was as good as it was going to get. Who'd a thunk?
Posted by: Vivian | January 19, 2009 10:41 PM
Whether or not Hilliary is upset isn't the issue. The real issue is:Title 18 chapter 29 section 599 of the United States code is very specific about such promises, and the punishment that goes along with making them.
"Whoever, being a candidate, directly or indirectly promises or pledges the appointment, or the use of his influence or support for the appointment of any person to any public or private position or employment, for the purpose of procuring support in his candidacy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both."
If Jill Biden is telling the truth, and from Joe Biden's reaction, quickly shushing her, she apparently is, somebody in the Obama campaign has some questions to answer. Who offered Biden the positions of Secretary of State or Vice-President? Did Barack Obama know about the offer or make it himself?
Will anyone do anything about it. Of course they will deny it but then they didn't talk to Blago either.
Posted by: Kasuesha | January 19, 2009 10:54 PM
Vivian - Safer with Joe Biden regarding foreign policy matters? Remember his plan to split Iraq into 3 countries?
Biden's not a bad guy, and he's not a dumb guy. He just needs to think before he speaks. He gets in front of a camera, and he says the first thing that comes to mind, without thinking it through.
As far as your suggestion that Biden "work with all the credit card companies in his state to stop the predatory mailings"..geesh..did you hear that he won? He's the vice president now.
Posted by: matt | January 19, 2009 11:40 PM
I view this as a strategic distraction.
The kind the press can't resist.
They put this one out there to side step the gorilla in the corner: Gaza.
What have they said about Gaza????
A little louder--I can't hear you.
Posted by: ornery | January 20, 2009 12:34 AM
I like the fact that Mrs. Biden said this. It makes her and Joe appear very 'real'. Why should they have to be perfect? As we've seen here in IL, politics is all back-room handshakes and deals. Why should it matter whether Joe was offered Sec of State?
Posted by: karl | January 20, 2009 8:34 AM
I really wish we didn't have an unrepentant war monger like Hillary in as Sec. Of State. If she couldn't see that voting for the War in Iraq was a grave mistake as so many of her fellow Democrats did, I really have no trust in her foriegn policy judgement. I hope Obama keeps her on a short leash and makes her merely a figure head with no real input into policy. She;'s shown that she simply isn't capable of making good decisions at that level.
Posted by: Kendle | January 20, 2009 9:51 AM
Matt--it's safe to say that Biden has the next pres's ear. I don't think Biden is going to be sitting around eating bon-bons for the next four years. And, I think, in the end, Iraq will split themselves. Biden was right there, too.
Posted by: Vivian | January 20, 2009 10:44 AM