August 22, 2008
Posted: 11:58 PM ET

ALT TEXT

It increasingly appears Barack Obama will name Joe Biden as his running mate. (Getty Images)

(CNN) — As his major competitors slipped out of contention late Friday night, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware emerged as the top remaining contender for the Democratic vice presidential nomination.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York — presumptive nominee Barack Obama's main primary season rival – have all been informed that they will not be the Illinois senator's running mate, sources tell CNN.

Neither Biden – a 1988 presidential candidate – nor Obama's campaign has commented on whether or not he has been asked to join the Democratic ticket. An official announcement of Obama's final pick is expected within hours.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Joe Biden


Fred   August 23rd, 2008 8:23 am ET

WOW O'bama just sealed his fate without the Hillary supporters he has no chance not very smart at all. I like Biden but what does he bring? He sure does not bring 18 million votes like she would of. I thought O'bama was smarter then this, I guess not

LT for Obama   August 23rd, 2008 5:03 am ET

Here is the thing. Not matter who Obama would have chosen, they would have been a part of "Old Washington". Think about it for a moment.

Now think about the fact that OBAMA is the one who will be leading in a new way, not his VP choice.

I find it amazing that so many of you just want to find an excuse to not vote for the better candidate. If he has chosen Hillary, you would have found some reason to find fault in that.

All of you need nay-sayers need to grow up and look at the issues at stake and make your choices based on that not hurt feelings or perceived injustices.

Women, do you really want McCain to take away your choice to govern your BODY? He has promised to do just that if he is elected.

holla!   August 23rd, 2008 4:50 am ET

He needed an older white guy to combat McGeriatric, was this really so unexpected??

Gene   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 am ET

Don't worry Vince… PUMA people will always complain. They love Hillary. Forget the fact that she couldn't even take control of her campaign and decide which plan of attack to use. Forget the fact that she was incapable of controlling her campaign finances. Forget the fact that she doesn't have the common sense to stop campaigning after she's mathematically eliminated. And of course.. forget the fact that her entire campaign was tears and general campaign cliche statements.

And wait.. Hillary is still trying to put her name into nomination even after she lost! She still hasn't "campaigned her rear off" for Obama as promised. She's still endorsing him through gritting teeth. Why would Obama possibly want her as a VP.. and why would he possibly want to pay off her debts which were self induced out of sheer stupidity?

troy   August 23rd, 2008 4:37 am ET

I think this choice is very appropriate……….One walks on water and the other is old enough to be His Father!!!

Charlotte   August 23rd, 2008 4:33 am ET

They can steal each others speeches. That is one thing I remember about Biden. I have read many comments and what people do not realize is that a majority of voters don’t watch the news that much, most don’t blog and most will look at the color of his skin and the sound of his name. It is unfortunate, but none the less true. Most have heard of Rev. Wright and all that “GD America” will be in their heads. Most have heard of his grand stadium speeches. The upcoming debates will show how unprepared Obama is to lead. If he answers first, he sucks.. His supporters even feel McCain knew the question before hand on the Saturday night program. Was that because their guy, failed miserably? He hum haws and cannot answer quick and neat..How does a person who, lets say knows the question on a test, effect the other persons grade? Does the person who gets a A cause the other person to get a D?

Cali Gali   August 23rd, 2008 4:31 am ET

Now that's a winning ticket. Smart move Obama.

Now That's A Winning Ticket   August 23rd, 2008 4:29 am ET

Smart move Obama!

J. McCaskill, Mississippi   August 23rd, 2008 4:23 am ET

Well it is definitely official, John McCain will be gettting my vote. This has nothing to do with being childish or being sore losers. The fact of the matter is that Hillary Clinton was the better candidate. She had better specific plans to move the country foward. It is sad to see that the democrats have nominated a bunch of hot air in this lame excuse of a ticket.

John McCain 2008
Hillary Clinton 2012

Ken   August 23rd, 2008 4:18 am ET

Obama's choice is going to cost him and the democrat party the White House.

If Obama had chosen Hillary Clinton, it would have been a slam dunk to beat McCain, now instead myself and others like me that supported Hillary Clinton are now going to vote for McCain just to make sure that Obama does not win!!!!!

FLorida Daryl   August 23rd, 2008 4:18 am ET

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!

To those that think Hillary should have been VP, do realize that the choice is ultimately to the presidential nominee (be fair now—this is the person Obama will have at his side much of the time. Hillary, quite frankly, is too much for her own good. She's not careful and calculated (I think the Republicans were ready to attack her about the debt she has—'Reckless speding'). She will NO DOUBT have a part in the administration when the Dems win (Looking foward to it too).

Perhaps it takes a Washington Insider (on the right path) to tell a Washington Insider (that wants to continue the same policies that has our economy Jacked Up—- billions in a war–just imagine if we didn't go to Iraq—that was Bush's fault….anyway..)…

Biden will show up McCains foreign policy credentials (remember that little gaffe Liberman had to clarify for McCain… even the Suni Awakening)

McCain can stick to his charming and honorable (courageous even) war stories– I respect him and the Veterans for that.

If you don't know already He's a Vietnam War Vet. (BUT–WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH , like, THE FUTURE OF AMERICA.)

McCain is doing ok because he is drilling the conservative talking points. Majority of Americans dislike the idea of Gay Marriage, Are against abortions……But those are STATES ISSUES… not the president directly.

Wake UP!!! CHANGES need to be made– Why maintain failure (George Bush's Policies). Bush failed America on many important levels.

One thing you can't say about Mr. Clinton is that: he messed up our economy, because he didn't–we had a surplus (Do you remember that America). We can impeach a president ANY day, but we ca'n't impeach the results of their administration.

OBAMA / BIDEN 08! :)

Moon Maiden from Lake Michigan   August 23rd, 2008 4:14 am ET

Great Choice. Biden has the brains and
The ticket reads: OB Oh Boy!!
Watch out McWar You haven't a chance and further more we don't need you.

OBAMA is a joke......   August 23rd, 2008 3:57 am ET

The people that vote for this guy are all brain washed sheep! BAAH BAAH!! I still don't know what he has actually accomplished. And he sad part is, that's because he hasn't accomplished anything, and chosing Biden proves just that!!

mary warren   August 23rd, 2008 3:53 am ET

See how much of a hypocrite Biden and Obama are they are good for each other but not for this ailing country. Two simpletons to run the country, well we went from critical care to ICU. We just can't get it right. Well, Hillary should be glad that she is not with this idiot. He will run us further into the dirt with Biden on one side and his ghetto as wife on the other. This is going to pan out well. I don't have very many of Hillary supporters sticking with her request to back Obama, I know that I will not. And no I won't vote for McCain either he is just as stupid and crooket.

Renee   August 23rd, 2008 3:51 am ET

Obama /Biden GO and win the white house back!!!!

Michelle   August 23rd, 2008 3:28 am ET

Steve they are ALL politicians … Joe Biden is a fine man and he will take the fight to McCain

mr snooze   August 23rd, 2008 3:21 am ET

Well, now we know the Dems wont win now…….

sandra-california   August 23rd, 2008 3:13 am ET

THE ONLY RIGHT CHOICE IS MCCAIN 4 PRESIDENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WITH AGE COMES WISDOM, GOOD JUDGEMENT,COURAGE AND LOTS OF EXEPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT OBAMA HAS NONE!!! THATS WHY HE PICKED BIDEN WHO PRAISES MCCAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mildred Herbert   August 23rd, 2008 3:07 am ET

My prayer had been answer; You're the best.

Tomek   August 23rd, 2008 2:56 am ET

The focus will never be on Biden.
Barack Obama has a fantastic chance of becoming the next president
For better or worse, I just hope we are all ready for 2008, 2012, today, and beyond.
I'm not talking ghosts or superstitions here, I'm taking war, bloodshed, One World Government, hope, and Humanity, as far as the Singularity can take us today.
Let's have some fun today people.
Take yours own version God for once, will you?>

Stevo   August 23rd, 2008 2:47 am ET

Most polls show McCain and Obama in a statistical dead heat overall.
However it does show that Obama has a huge lead with the younger voters and McCain with the reverse. It also shows that the younger voters are loosing interest and the numbers are growing by the day of those that aren't planning on voting in the National election.

Do you think picking the old true DC Beltway boy as a VP will help that?

B. DUN   August 23rd, 2008 2:45 am ET

I can not see, where Biden would even think of standing by a indecisive,,

ignorant,,and loud mouthed idiot.

I always had great respect for Biden, however, I guess the appeal of being president,which he lost, satisfies his ego, by being a tenyative V/P

Tikyoak-Kuoth   August 23rd, 2008 2:45 am ET

Go Obama/Biden08!!!

Another White Head!   August 23rd, 2008 2:43 am ET

Now Mc Cain doesn't look so old!!

Just think of how old Mc Cain would have looked next to Obama and Evan Bhye , They would look like CHANGE , Fresh ,young ,new,

But Obama picks Biden, He's been part of washington politics longer than Hillary. Yet apparently that is what was wrong with Hillary she is old washington politics.
He wanted to represent new politics a change, well this shows how desperate he is, remember Obama is a Poll watcher, He's Scared now!

Marsha Clark   August 23rd, 2008 2:42 am ET

If Biden is such a great VP why has he been so unsuccessful in his presidential bids. Havne't people already spoken about how they feel about Biden?

Marsha Clark, Dallas, TX

California Voter For Obama/Biden '08   August 23rd, 2008 2:37 am ET

This is great news. I love Biden. I love Obama. I agree wholeheartedly with Obama's choice. An Obama/Biden ticket is quite a strong and impressive one and one that has my vote.

Obama/Biden '08   August 23rd, 2008 2:34 am ET

Yea! This is GREAT news! I love Biden. I love Obama. I agree wholeheartedly with Obama's choice. An Obama/Biden ticket is quite a strong and impressive one and one that has my vote.

Just curious   August 23rd, 2008 2:31 am ET

So what some of you are saying is that Biden is more qualified to run this country than Obama? LOL A father figure and will train him? Geez… Granted Biden has over 3 decades of expirence and Obama has like what? Maybe 200 days now in office. I know for one I sure would hate to turn the keys over to our country in a time like this to a man that has little or no expirence but sure does talk a mean game.

Obama/Biden '08   August 23rd, 2008 2:30 am ET

This is great news. I love Biden. I love Obama. I agree wholeheartedly with Obama's choice. An Obama/Biden ticket
is quite a strong and impressive one and one that has my vote.

K   August 23rd, 2008 2:29 am ET

Ok very slow moderator dudes let me break it down for you!!!!!
Biden is a perpetual candidate. Your piece made it sound like he was the nominee. He always is and will be an also ran, just like in this cycle. Feel me now?

Obama/Biden '08   August 23rd, 2008 2:28 am ET

This is GREAT news. I love Biden. I love Obama. I agree wholeheartedly with Obama's choice. An Obama/Biden ticket is quite a strong and impressive one and one that has my vote.

Chris, Antioch, CA   August 23rd, 2008 2:27 am ET

Dear John McCain,

Please choose Mitt Romney. Please choose Mitt Romney. I'm begging you; I'd pay to watch that debate. Biden would eat his lunch. Oh the humantiy…

Obama/Biden '08   August 23rd, 2008 2:25 am ET

This really excites me. I love Biden, I love Obama. So this is GREAT news for me. I agree wholeheartedly with Obama's choice. An Obama/Biden ticket is a strong and impressive one and one that has my vote.

Stevo   August 23rd, 2008 2:18 am ET

Biden is the worst choice "O" could have made! Seriously have you people seen his record? Have you seen him at the podium in debates? He had a chance to strengthen his candidacy, mark my words…he has weakened it!

If Obama is "Change" then he should have picked a contemporary and a balance to his partial birth abortion beliefs with a little foreign policy experience too. i.e. Time Kane or Bill Richardson. Certainly someone who is less dyed in the wool politician.

Did he really think that picking the oldest guy was the best way to counter McCains age/experience?

Patriot   August 23rd, 2008 2:11 am ET

Scoring the Votes

He said that he had "a perfect voting record from organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion." But we called both of those groups, and they told us they don't even release congressional scorecards. In fact, the American Legion's constitution prohibits it.

The veteran in this exchange was also wrong in saying McCain doesn't have a perfect voting record with the VFW (since such a record doesn't even exist). However, he is correct in that McCain doesn’t have a perfect score with DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a group of 1.3 million disabled veterans that supports more funding for veterans health care. McCain has a 20 percent record of voting the way DAV would like him to in 2006. The group is nonpartisan, but its 100 percent rankings disproportionately go to Democrats: 207 Democrats in Congress and only 13 Republicans received scores of 100 percent in 2006. Senators were evaluated on five votes for amendments that would have increased funding for veterans’ health care.

He "needed" Hillary - Deb in Texas   August 23rd, 2008 2:10 am ET

I respect Joe Biden only because he once told the media that Obama was needing on the job training, and he voted for the Iraq War, same as Hillary. He was thinking of our safety not being a follower as Obama is. All I see is another Bush and Cheney…..same old politics for someone who preaches "Change" Come on people wake up and see the pattern……Obama is nothing but an arrogant, cocky person, just like Bush was.

I was life long Democrat, now changing to Independent. Never will I support the DNC again. They sabotaged the chance of us having a brilliant, intellegent experience candidate like Hillary, and I won't ever forget that. Hillary supporter with many others in coalition who will now vote for McCain.

For those who think we should be unified…thank Obama for not having picked Hillary. McCain is not another Bush, his a sincere and experienced candidate. The Supreme Court decision is not a vital issue over our protection, and ONLY McCain can do that.

Stop calling Hillary supporters pathetic, we are entitled to our own vote and our own choice. We owe nothing to a party who betrayed us.

BlackMan4Mac   August 23rd, 2008 2:09 am ET

Biden??? HAHAHAHAHAHA !!!

This is going to be child's play for McCain

Voting for Obama   August 23rd, 2008 2:07 am ET

Obama/Biden 2008!!!!

No more sorry republicans!

Steve   August 23rd, 2008 1:39 am ET

This is awesome; Biden is the best, most qualified candidate. Coming out of the primary debates, Joe was my first choice of who I was going to vote for pres. Because of Joe being added to the Obama ticket, not only will I vote for him, I'm going to volunteer for the campaign.

Obama/Biden '08!!!!!!!!

DAVID DISBROW   August 23rd, 2008 1:35 am ET

Bidens a good pick but he is old washington , O needs to break the mold and reform goverment. Insiders won't let that happen.

McCain wins!!

nv2008   August 23rd, 2008 1:35 am ET

Are you all insane? I think we just lost the election. It's not about "a bunch of women" it's about millions of votes.

wilma   August 23rd, 2008 1:34 am ET

Yesss! I can't wait to see the announcement tomorrow
Obama/Biden we're gonna win!!!!!!!!!!!!

Toni   August 23rd, 2008 1:31 am ET

Brace yourselves for the die-hard Hillary supporters and their whining. Those are some SOUR grapes.

ricardo williams   August 23rd, 2008 12:12 am ET

I wish Biden is the pick. What a remarkable man he is. Great achievements and yet so humble. So what if he is outspoken. I am outspoken. I'm not afraid to tell the truth and a leader needs someone who could tell him he screwed up if he did. Stop the hypocricy and let's get the job done. Great choice Obama if its true.

Tom   August 23rd, 2008 12:11 am ET

Good pick if Biden is the one. Biden and Richardson were my two favorites of the Democratic candidates in the primaries, so this Obama voter is happy. Very glad I didn't sign up for the Hear it First (well, first after millions upon millions of others) text message and won't subsequently get 10 million calls to my cell phone between now and November! Hillary fans, your candidate lost fair and square. Get over your disappointment and make your choice based on the ISSUES, not some vindictive act against the candidate who beat yours.

Vince Los Angeles   August 23rd, 2008 12:10 am ET

This would be a FANTASTIC pick…MUCH better than Hillary!! Even PUMA people can't argue with this one!

Anonymous   August 23rd, 2008 12:10 am ET

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!

US abolishes centuries old clinton dynasty   August 23rd, 2008 12:03 am ET

YES it is him

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeahhh

NO MORE CLINTONS THE US MAKES HISTORY AGAINST ALL ODDS

he and Obama and their admnistration and us the people of this country will bring back the old good US

Obama /Biden

Who Cares?   August 23rd, 2008 12:02 am ET

Biden will become Obama's father figure and train him. Funny that Biden voted for the war and has been in Washington for over 20 years. He's part of the old Washington politics that Obama swore he would avoid. LOL.

Jeanne Beans   August 23rd, 2008 12:02 am ET

Great! When it comes down to it, the president and v-p need to run a country, not satisfy a bunch of females. Clinton IS and SHOULD be out (did they really think she had ANY chance?), and Biden is the most qualified.

OBSERVERING   August 23rd, 2008 12:01 am ET

P O O P I E—-B I D E N ? ? ? ? ?

Y O U" V E—–G O T——T O —–B E——–K I D D I N G

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