Biden Right On Schedule

There are persistent rumors that Hillary Clinton will be called to replace Joe Biden as the vice-presidential candidate. Probably sparked in part by John McCain's announcement of Sarah Palin, and in part by what I would now call Hillary-leaning buyer's remorse. Regardless, the rumor gained new life when, throughout September an anonymous email titled, "Rumor Has It," circulated the Internet claiming that on or about October 5th, Biden would bow out, citing health concerns. Two days ago, Oct 2nd, a spin-off of the rumor hit the Wall Street Journal in the form of an article discussing what happens if a vice-presidential candidate drops out. The Hillary-replaces-Biden rumor is so pervasive, it can be found in every corner of the blogshere. Right on schedule, Joe Biden today, October 4th, canceled his campaign events due to a "serious illness in the family." His mother-in-law is ill, and while my sympathies go to him and his family, isn't that a little coincidental?

I won't try to conceal my excitement. While I wager the chances of this rumor coming true about 10%, I still find it interesting. This is in a way a whole new level of vice-presidential vetting. Palin faced her own challenges, even from the Conservative base, that she should step aside. Her well-received debate performance Thursday, Oct 2nd seems to have bolstered her internal numbers again, however. Confidence in the bottom of the ticket seems to have taken on a much greater importance than usual in this election. So, we'll see if, in the next few days, Biden cancels more events, or even announces his withdrawal from the race.

My own take on this conspiracy / rumor is all of the above, plus: Does anyone think it's a coincidence that Hillary Clinton has been campaigning hard in Florida, which is now swinging toward Obama 3 points or more? I said as early as December 2007 that Clinton could carry Florida in the General Election. She is currently in California, mining the Democratic homeland for money, fundraising for Obama. Clinton is a heavyweight fundraiser, way above Biden's league. And, since Biden himself already endorsed her as a better pick than him, the stage is set quite well. Also, do you think it's a coincidence that Hillary was also on the stump all last week in Michigan? The electoral-heavy state went so Blue after her tour that McCain yesterday announced it's withdrawal from MI, effectively conceding to Obama in the state. And, as I said in a comment the other day, Hillary Clinton could, with impunity, "rip into Sarah Palin like a bag of Cheetos," something Biden certainly does not have the leisure of doing, fair or not.

We'll see.