Joe Biden VP

On August 23, 2008, Barack Obama chose Joe Biden to be his running mate.¹ Biden vied for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination against Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton but withdrew from the race in early January.²

In August 2008, speculation increased that Biden may be the front runner for the Democratic vice presidential nomination. Biden made a hastily-planned trip to Georgia on August 16, 2008, at the request of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Many political pundits said the timing of the Georgia trip upped Biden's chances of being on the ticket with Obama in the 2008 November general election.^{3 4 5 6}

Fast Facts

1. Joe Biden chosen as Barack Obama's running mate.
2. Joe Biden ran for 2008 Democratic presidential nomination²
3. Withdrew from presidential race in early January²
4. Biden is Chairman of U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
5. Made first joint appearance with Obama in Springfield, Illinois on August 23, 2008

Biden's Qualifications

Some experts feel that Biden was the frontrunner to be Barack Obama's running mate because of his extensive foreign policy experience. The addition of Biden to the ticket, some believed, would deflect Republican criticisms that Obama lacks foreign policy experience.⁷

Obama Biden Rally

During their first rally together on August 23, 2008, Barack Obama introduced Biden to the crowd by saying:

"Joe won't just make a good Vice President – he will make a great one. After decades of steady work across the aisle, I know he'll be able to help me turn the page on the ugly partisanship in Washington, so we can bring Democrats and Republicans together to pass an agenda that works for the American people."⁸

Hillary Clinton on Biden

"In naming my colleague and friend Senator Joe Biden to be the Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Obama has continued in the best traditions for the Vice Presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Senator Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic Vice President who will help Senator Obama both win the Presidency and govern this great country."—Hillary Rodham Clinton⁹

Related Pages on Mahalo

Joe Biden | Joe Biden Voting Record | Joe Biden Racist | Barack Obama | Obama Running Mate | Barack Obama Campaign | Evan Bayh | Sam Nunn | Election 2008 | Democratic Party | U.S. Senate | Georgia Country | Mikheil Saakashvili | Barack Obama Costumes

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