Will Obama Dump Biden for Clinton?

Speculation is running rampant in my state of Virginia. The rumor mill claims that Barrack Obama may dump vice presidential candidate Joe Biden in favor of Hillary Clinton. Why? To combat the positive response the nomination of Sarah Palin has received from a large base of disenfranchised women.

Like a lot of conspiracy theories, I'm not sure this one holds water; however, I suppose anything is possible. It wouldn't be the first time such an action was taken.

In 1972, the Democratic Party pushed for, and received, Thomas Eagleton's dismissal from the party ticket. Although the candidate claimed to withdraw for "personal" reasons, everyone understood that he became a liability once the media exposed that he had undergone shock therapy as a treatment for depression.

It really turned out to be a case of too little, too late since the McGovern ticket, which coincidentally was also running on an anti-war campaign, never recovered from the mistake. Since that time, however, most presidential candidates have tried to uncover any potential risks their running mates might possess before naming them to the ticket.

Whether it is right or wrong to blame potential VPs for their party's mistake is a subject for another article. The fact remains that the precedence has been established.

Should Obama make the switch?

That's a hard call. It would certainly placate the legions of Hillary supporters who are still stinging from the fact that their candidate didn't make Obama's short list.

Additionally, the reality of it is that Clinton is a much stronger candidate overall. She brings a bit more balance into the equation.

That isn't to say that Biden is a bad choice. I'm not going to pretend to know enough about the candidate to speculate on that one way or the other. However, I will say this: He didn't peak my interest enough to spur me into researching his record.

Maybe that was because I had written off Obama long ago. His record on taxation belies his claims that he will give tax cuts to the middle and lower class American families that so desperately need them.

After all, it simply doesn't compute. How can he increase trillions of dollars in spending without increasing taxes? Windfall profit taxes on oil companies won't go that far. Add up all of the columns and you will find a budget deficit that makes the current one look tame in comparison.

Plus, it seems that no one wants to recognize that those taxes on oil companies are going to be passed down to consumers who are already buckling under inflated gas and food prices. Ignoring that won't make it any less a reality.

Switching from Biden to Clinton could give Obama the edge that he needs to ensure his victory over McCain. Looking at it from that point of view, it could prove to be brilliant strategy.

On the other hand, admitting to such a big mistake in judgment (assuming one wants to look at it that way) at this juncture could have a negative effect. It would give McCain something else to point at and say, "see what comes from inexperience?" That could prove to be a fatal error.

Is there any truth to the rumors?

Probably not. They have actually been circulating on and off since the ticket was named.

The rumors began circulating around the Virginia Peninsula after the candidate's most recent visit to the Commonwealth. It is one of those "Joe said that Mary said that Tammy said that she spoke directly to Harry who is a member of the Obama campaign. According to Harry, the switch is being considered" kind of rumors.

The truth is, such rumors rarely pan out. However, it does cause one to stop and think; maybe even hope, if you happen to be a Hillary supporter.

Is Palin really causing that kind of panic?

The answer to that is both yes and no. Had the left and the media not blasted Palin repeatedly over the last few weeks and gone to outlandish degrees to smear her, I doubt there would be much concern at all. However, certain entities failed to take into consideration that the American public often has a tendency to root for the underdog. By forcing Palin into that corner, they may have made a grievous error.

The more the left bashes Palin, the higher the McCain ticket polls seem to go. No, we aren't talking monumental numbers at the moment. However, if they keep gaining even a partial percentage point a week over the course of the next several weeks, it could be a serious dent in the Obama campaign train.

It will be interesting to see how everything falls out in the long run. I have to admit that such a switch could really energize the overall campaign. Just imagine what a Clinton Vs Palin match-up might do to change the complexion of this entire election.

One has to keep in mind that speculation is just that - - speculation. While it might be fun to think about and even more satisfying to dream about, that doesn't make it any more real.

For the moment the ticket stands as is. Obama and Biden appear to have their schedules cut in granite for the next few weeks. So there is no reason to believe that any kind of change is really in the works. But then, again, Obama did meet with Clinton yesterday . . . .

Isn't imagining fun?