Book Details Obama Aides’ Talks About Replacing Biden on 2012 Ticket

President Obama’s top aides secretly considered replacing Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. with Hillary Rodham Clinton on the 2012 ticket, undertaking extensive focus-group sessions and polling in late 2011 when Mr. Obama’s re-election outlook appeared uncertain.

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Pool photo by Martin H. Simon

President Obama with Hillary Rodham Clinton and Orrin G. Hatch in 2010. Obama aides decided that putting Mrs. Clinton on the 2012 ticket would not offer a significant boost, a book says.

Via: New York Times

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The aides concluded that despite Mrs. Clinton’s popularity, the move would not offer a significant enough political boost to Mr. Obama to justify such a radical move, according to a newly published account of the 2012 race.

The idea of replacing Mr. Biden with Mrs. Clinton had long been rumored, but the journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, in their new book, “Double Down,” provide a detailed description of the effort inside the senior circle of Obama advisers. It was pushed by the chief of staff at the time, William M. Daley, despite the close personal rapport Mr. Daley had developed with Mr. Biden, a fellow Irish Catholic and veteran of Washington politics.

“When the research came back near the end of the year, it suggested that adding Clinton to the ticket wouldn’t materially improve Obama’s odds,” the authors write in their sequel to “Game Change,” which chronicled the 2008 campaign. “Biden had dodged a bullet he never saw coming — and never would know anything about, if the Obamans could keep a secret.

Biden Apologizes For Obamacare: "We Were Under The Impression It Was Ready To Go"

Is this the beginning of the ObamaCare apology tour ?????

VICE PRES. JOE BIDEN TO CNN: "We were under the impression that it was ready to go. We had the president, to his credit, almost seven weeks out was saying, 'is it going to be ready?' and to be told by the pros that, 'yeah, this is all ready to go, all in line.' Neither he or I are technology geeks and we assumed that it was up and ready to run, but the good news is that although it’s not, and we apologize for that, we’re confident that by the end of November it will be and there will still be plenty of time for people to register to get online."

Via: Real Clear Politics

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Biden Offers Federal Workers Handshakes, Hugs, and Kisses

Vice President Joe Biden offered returning federal workers handshakes, hugs, and kisses -- and muffins, too -- this morning at the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Via the pool report:

As pool awaited the VP, EPA administrator Gina McCarthy hopped – literally, hopped – as she entered the building and then headed to greet him at a back entrance far from pooler’s view. 

Pool first spotted VP at about 9:17 am, rounding the corner from the back entrance, finding a cluster of workers who caught wind of his visit. He carried a few containers of “Coffee Cake Bites” – apparently $5 each per the sticker, and “Baked from scratch” with no trans fats.

“I brought some muffins!” the VP said as he arrived at the security desk, placing the muffins down. And, seeing a sign on the desk that read that “All visitors must be escorted at all times,” VP announced: “I’d like to be escorted!”

TV pooler quickly asked the VP, “Are you happy with how the deal played out?” He answered: “I’m happy it’s ended. It was unnecessary to begin with. I’m happy it’s ended.”

He then immediately began shaking hands with employees, lined up out the entrance. The usual Biden stuff – some handshakes, some hugs, some kisses. Told some he was sorry they had to miss work and “had to go through all that.” There were occasional bursts of applause as more people arrived and found the VP there.

Via: Weekly Standard
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Power Wars: Reid reportedly tries to freeze out Biden from Hill negotiations

WASHINGTON –  Is Joe Biden's vice presidential luster fading, in advance of a possible presidential bid? 

The vice president, blaming the partial government shutdown, has canceled plans to campaign Friday for Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker, in his race for U.S. Senate. 

Though that decision could well stem from concerns about the optics of hitting the road amid the nasty budget stalemate in Washington, it follows a report Tuesday morning in Politico.com that claims Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has demanded Biden be left out of negotiations over the debt-ceiling. 

Politico.com reports that Biden, the one-time deal-maker-in-chief for the Democrats, is steadily being pushed out of talks and left out of the legislative loop by Reid.

Anonymous sources claimed Biden, who helped design budget pacts with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the summer of 2011 and on New Year’s Eve 2013, hasn’t delivered for his own party and that why he’s being frozen out.

“None of the deals Biden has struck have aged well from the perspective of the Democratic Caucus,” one Senate Democratic official said.

The Biden-Reid backbiting stands out because both men are in the same party and have worked together for more than two decades. The power struggle illustrates what some say are increasing divisions in the Democratic Party.

Via: Fox News

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Biden in Mexico: U.S. Needs 'to Bring 11 Million Undocumented ... Out of The Shadows'

(CNSNews.com) - Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mexico City on Friday, Vice President Joe Biden said that the international partnership he and President Barack Obama are seeking to build--including one between the United States and Mexico--are "literally going to shape the future for my country for the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years."

Part of that future, Biden said, should involve letting “undocumented” people “out of the shadows” in the United States—terminology the administration and others  have used to describe a policy that would legalize illegal aliens and allow them to eventually become U.S. citizens.

“With regard to immigration, let me make two things absolutely clear,” Biden said in Mexico City. “It is not only from the perspective of the President, myself and the American people a matter of justice, respect, and according dignity to all people to bring 11 million undocumented men, women, and children out of the shadows, but it’s also overwhelmingly in the self-interest, the economic self-interest of the United States.”

“So I want to make it clear to you that President Obama is deeply invested in the maturation of this relationship at every level--at every level,” said Biden. “This is a different day. This is a different day.

“I wanted to be here with you because my country’s foreign policy is about more than dealing with threats, as we are dealing with in the Middle East,” said Biden. “It’s also about partnerships--partnerships that we believe, the President and I, are literally going to shape the future for my country for the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years.

Via: CNS News
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Biden’s niece busted after roommate dispute

Vice President Joe Biden’s niece  was arrested Tuesday for allegedly swinging at a police officer in her TriBeCa apartment — and later transported to the hospital for what law enforcement sources described as “difficulty breathing.”

Caroline Biden, 26, was “screaming at the top of her lungs” and “beating on doors” after her roommate confronted her about unpaid rent at their Desbrosses Street apartment when police were called at 9:15 a.m. for a “threat,” sources said.

While cops were filling out a report, Biden’s niece started mouthing off to the officers and then threw a punch and lunged at a female officer, sources said.

Biden struck a male officer in the arm and chest who jumped in between them and “flailed her arms frantically” to resist being handcuffed, cops said.

She was charged with resisting arrest, obstruction of government administration and harassment.

At the 1st Precinct, she resisted going into a holding cell “by grabbing a police officer’s arm,” cops said.

“She was being irrational,” a witness said. “She went berserk.”

After complaining of “not feeling well” and difficulty breathing she was transported to Beth Israel hospital shortly before 4:30 pm.

“What isn’t she complaining about?” a cop at the precinct griped.

She was described as “highly uncooperative,” and was issued a desk appearance ticket. Biden must show up in court on the complaint Oct. 29.

Via: NYP

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Biden tells Iowa fundraiser: GOP is 'now a party where the tail is wagging the dog'

Vice President Joe Biden rallied Democrats at Sen. Tom Harkin’s (D-Iowa) annual fundraiser in Iowa on Sunday, in what could be the first step in exploring a potential 2016 presidential bid. 

The 36th annual steak fry has historically been headlined by leading Democrats interested in leaving a footprint in Iowa, the first state to hold presidential caucuses. In his address, Biden paid tribute to the retiring Harkin, who is one of the few lawmakers on either side of the aisle to have a longer tenure in Washington than the vice president.

“There’s not a whole lot of people that I’ve served with – and there’s only 13 people in American history that have served longer than me in the United State Senate, so I’m told – there’s not a whole lot of people that I know who have the character, the conviction and the conscience of Tom,” Biden said, according to a media pool report.

The event sought to raise funds for a committee Harkin runs that supports Democratic candidates, and in his address, Biden stressed how important it will be for Democrats to hold onto Harkin’s seat.

Via: The Hill

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Biden: House GOP Are ‘Neanderthal Crowd’

Vice president Joe Biden called House Republicans Neanderthals for not initially supporting the Violence Against Women Act’s reauthorization, a bill that he originally introduced in 1993.

Biden admonished “this sort of Neanderthal crowd” of House Republicans who opposed the version of the VAWA passed by the Senate. He said that he thinks he “understand[s] the Senate better than any man or woman who’s ever served in there” but couldn’t wrap his head around “the idea we still had to fight” for its reauthorization in Congress.

Republicans eventually voted to reauthorize it in February of this year after taking issue with a handful of provisions in the Senate’s version.

Via: National Review

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Vice President Biden Awards $10 Million Grant To The Port Of Baltimore

OBAMA "SHIPS" BIDEN OUT OF WASHINGTON

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Vice presidential visit. Joe Biden comes to the Port of Baltimore with a $10 million check.

Alex DeMetrick reports it’s just the latest investment in a port positioning itself for the future.

The dockside applause may not have been heard by longshoremen unloading one of the largest container ships ever to call at the Port of Baltimore.

“And all indications are they’re going to get larger,” said Jim White, the port’s executive director.

Millions have already been spent on cranes massive enough to serve the mega-ships coming with the expansion of the Panama Canal.

Biden announced the federal government will now spend another $10 million on a port that is already ahead of most others when it comes to handling super-sized vessel.

“The Port of Baltimore is going to continue to send ships out over the horizon, but it’s not just Baltimore. The rest of the country has got to catch up with you. The rest of the East Coast has got to catch up with you because the opportunities are immense,” said Vice President Joe Biden.

Much of the money will be spent underwater, widening and straightening the shipping channel into the port.

Via: CBS Baltimore

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Joe Biden wants Janet Napolitano on SCOTUS

Vice President Joe Biden has plans for the next career move of outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, saying he’d like to see her on the nation’s highest court.

“I think Janet Napolitano should be on the Supreme Court of the United States,” he said Friday morning at her farewell ceremony, according to CNN.

The room reportedly burst into applause, with a crowd that included Attorney General Eric Holder and other Cabinet members, past and present.

But Napolitano is headed west instead, where she will take over as the president of the University of California system, the first woman to take the helm. She announced she was stepping down in July.

The former governor of Arizona has practiced law and clerked for an appellate judge, though she has never served as a judge.

She was an original member of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.

Via: Politico

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John Bolton: After Years of Dem Bush-Bashing on Iraq, I’m ‘Delighted’ to See Shoe on the Other Foot

Impending military strikes in Syria have invited comparisons to the Iraq lead-up ten years ago, but members of the Bush administration have been divided on whether President Obama should fire a “shot across the bow” at Syria for the use of chemical weapons, as neatly documented in this POLITICO piece. In particular, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton warned against the “feckless use of military force” that could damage the U.S.’ credibility. On Fox News today, Bolton couldn’t help but point out howPresident Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State John Kerry were all very critical of unilateral action under Bush, saying he’s “delighted” that now the shoe’s on the other foot for them.

RELATED: FLASHBACK: Joe Biden Calls for Impeaching Bush If He Attacks Without Congressional Approval

Bolton found it “fascinating to watch” the current run-up to possible strikes in Syria, especially for the political parallels. He said Democrats criticized the Bush administration for “reliance on imperfect intelligence,” when really “all intelligence is imperfect.” Bolton also noted Bush was attacked for acting unilaterally, first making it clear Bush had a coalition of nations behind him, before deadpanning, “So far in this episode it looks like we have France.”

Bolton couldn’t help but find the Obama team’s actions somewhat amusing, considering what they were saying about him and Bush years ago.

“Personally, as somebody who was frequently criticized by Joe Biden and John Kerry and Barack Obama… for being a unilateralist, while I oppose the use of force against Syria, I am delighted that the Obama administration is about to act unilaterally with no approval from the U.N. Security Council. I think we should all take due note of that.”

Watch the video below, via Fox News:

Via: Mediaite.com

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[FLASHBACK 2007] Biden: Impeachment if Bush bombs Iran

PORTSMOUTH — Presidential hopeful Delaware Sen. Joe Biden stated unequivocally that he will move to impeach President Bush if he bombs Iran without first gaining congressional approval.

Biden spoke in front of a crowd of approximately 100 at a candidate forum held Thursday at Seacoast Media Group. The forum focused on the Iraq war and foreign policy. When an audience member expressed fear of a war with Iran, Biden said he does not typically engage in threats, but had no qualms about issuing a direct warning to the Oval Office.

"The president has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran, and if he does, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, I will move to impeach," said Biden, whose words were followed by a raucous applause from the local audience.

Biden said he is in the process of meeting with constitutional law experts to prepare a legal memorandum saying as much and intends to send it to the president.

When local resident Joel Carp asked Biden why not impeach now, given what has already been done, Biden said it was a valid point, but might not be constitutionally valid and potentially counterproductive. A case for impeachment must have clear evidence, Biden said, and blame should be directed at the right parties.

"If you're going to impeach George Bush, you better impeach (Vice President Dick) Cheney first," said Biden, again drawing applause.

Biden said the best deterrent to prevent pre-emptive military action in Iran is to make it clear, even if it is at the end of his final term, action will be taken against Bush to ensure "his legacy will be marred for all time."

Biden took shots at the Bush administration's idea to centralize government in Baghdad and called his decentralized plan the only way to political settlement. The recent decline in violence in Iraq, which some have credited to the surge, is the result of the military doing its job.

Via: Seacoastline

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Crazy Joe Biden: “Only Three Women I Know Are Close To Perfect” — Senator Bob Casey’s Mother, My Mother, And God’s Mother…

(CNSNews.com) - Speaking at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa., on Friday, Vice President Joe Biden said there are "only three women that I know who are close to perfect"—his mother, Sen. Bob Casey’s (D.-Pa.) mother and God’s Mother (the Blessed Mother)—before he caught himself and said the Blessed Mother was, in fact, perfect.

Biden made the remarks while introducing President Barack Obama.

“You know, Mr. President, some might think this is a bit of nostalgia on my part, talking about Bobby, talking about my native town like I am,” said Biden. “And by the way, there’s only three women that I know who are close to perfect. One was perfect--the Blessed Mother. The other was my mother, and the other is Bobby’s mom, Ellen Casey, right there.”

Biden is a Catholic, and the Catholic Church professes that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without the stain of original sin, was redeemed from the moment of her conception, and is truly the Mother of God.

Via: CNS News

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In the Energy Debate between Palin and Obama...Obama Lost

You  know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices. If we're going to take control of our energy future, and can start avoiding these annual gas price spikes that happen every year when the economy starts getting better, world demand starts increasing, turmoil in the Middle East or some other parts of the world, if we're going to stop being at the mercy of these world events, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy - oil, gas, wind, solar, and nuclear, and biofuels, and more.

President Obama made these remarks in February of 2012 at the University of Miami.  The President was criticizing the longstanding argument of political rival Sarah Palin, who urges the nation to "drill, baby, drill."

Palin expounded on these sentiments in 2010:

Although the Left chooses to mock the mantra of "drill, baby, drill," and they ignorantly argue against the facts pertaining to the need for America to responsibly develop her domestic supply of natural resources, surely they can't argue the national security implications of relying on foreign countries to extract supplies that America desperately needs for industry, jobs, and security. Some of the countries we're now reliant upon and will soon be beholden to can easily use energy and mineral supplies as a weapon against us.

In 2011, in an interview with the CBS affiliate WTKR in Hampton Roads, Virginia, the president contradicted his own remarks suggesting that oil prices cannot be lowered by arguing:

Via: American Thinker

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