Should Obama dump Biden from the 2012 ticket?

It would be better if it was the other way around.

If he does, it should be played that Biden is choosing to step aside to spend more time with his family (or something).

Beyond that bit of tact, I would like it if he chose Hillary Clinton to run with him. Appoint a new Secretary of State and away we go.

Personal preference aside, are there pressing reasons you see for running without Biden?

Only if there is someone better, who can increase Obama’s chances of winning in 2012 and do better for the American people. It’s hard to see anyone in the Democratic minor leagues who could/would add anything. One could argue that Hillary Clinton would be a good choice, but she has repeatedly said “no”. And adding Hillary runs the risk of opening up all of the scandals that were put to rest 10 years ago. (but the Republicans would find a way to open them up again).

Other senators? None that jump out as top tier candidates. Former governor Warner (Virginia) would be good, but he has no profile these days. Joe Lieberman is old school now and he alienated the Democrats by becoming independent.

So I think that Obama sticks with Biden.

Obama/Warren 2012!

Why on earth would he?

@Qingu

“Why on earth would he?”

I agree- dumping Biden on another planet is definitely the superior strategy. ;-)

I don’t think Biden has done a bad job, and he still has connections to the hill. So, no, I don’t think so.

I don’t see why he should.

How about Warren/Sanders or Sanders/Warren in 2016? I’d vote for that ticket. But Warren with someone more centrist might be more electable. Then again, a lot can change in four years.

I guess I don’t understand why anyone perceives Biden to be a political weakness. He’s a white centrist blue-collar Democrat.

Who would he be replaced with that would actually bring in more votes? Because normally, when we talk about dumping Biden, it’s to swap him for Hilary. And as much love as Hilary gets, it’s not from the people who are on the fence about whether to vote Obama or [Rep. nominee]. The new veep would need to help bring in middle voters, not just strengthen Obama’s base – it’s not like people who are pissed off that Obama hasn’t been good enough on LGBT rights or women’s rights or anti-war stuff are reacting with “so I think I’ll vote Republican”.

Biden is an idiot with a strong tendency to stick his foot in his mouth. Nonetheless he does what he’s told and has virtually no impact on policy. Pretty harmless. I suspect trying to replace him would do more harm than good to Obama’s re-election. He’s a non issue in the re-election but replacing him would make him an issue.

Biden is not a liability. He’s a good guy, and everyone knows who he is already. If Obama were to choose another running mate, it would inevitably be taken as a sign of weakness by his opponents, and then a witch hunt would ensue for the new guy, to distract the voters. There’s no point to replacing Biden.

Why drop someone who has such a long foreign policy record. Soft power dictates he should remain on the ticket.

I heard Obama- Clinton with BIDEN becoming sec of state.

I like Joe Biden’s politics, but he is a fool with that run-away mouth.
He and Obama don’t get along well, though that isn’t really an issue.
Biden helps with the Pennsylvania vote.

Hillary has said she will not be Secretary of State in a second Obama term.
She could energize the vote, which Obama desperately needs.
She really has earned a spot on the ticket, if she wants it.

Biden as Secretary of State? You really don’t want someone with a run-away mouth in that position. It could do a lot of harm. If he could contain that, I think he would be a terrific SoS.

@filmfann I don’t know that Hillary would energize things that much. On the one hand, there are people who love Hillary, and wish she had been the nominee. But then there are also people who were thrilled with the opportunity to vote for a Dem who wasn’t Hillary, and she’s hardly a slam-dunk Dem. And somehow, I think if Biden can’t contain his motormouth for VPOTUS, his chances aren’t any better for SoS.

I would vote for Obama / Clinton.

@Pandora Would you vote for Obama/Biden?

I say leave things as they are. The conventional wisdom that the #2 on the ticket isn’t who people vote for has been born out again and again in actual elections.

I know there has been talk of drafting Hillary Clinton, but I don’t follow the logic. It would be a demotion for Hillary if she were to swap jobs with Joe Biden. Constitutionally, the only job assigned to a VP is to preside over and cast the deciding vote in the Senate in case of a tie. Any other duties are at the pleasure of the President to assign. Secretary of State, on the other hand, is a position of great power and influence on the World Stage, and Hillary has been doing a great job in that spot.

@filmfann At this time. Probably not. It not that I think Biden is a bad vice president but rather Hillary has the connections that Obama needs to make things happen. I think Obama has good ideas but he doesn’t have the political teeth. Honestly if I had a choice I would’ve really loved to have Hilliary run for president and Obama be the vice president. They are both smart and rational. Only I think Hilliary is better at making people do as she says. Just ask Bill. LOL