October 20, 2009
Posted: October 20th, 2009 09:33 AM ET

From
Biden told a Pennsylvania crowd he only said yes to being vice president months after it was first offered.
Biden told a Pennsylvania crowd he only said yes to being vice president months after it was first offered.

(CNN) - It was an oft-repeated anecdote on the 2008 campaign trail: then-Sen. Joe Biden accepted the request to be the No. 2 on the Democratic presidential ticket at a Delaware dentist office as his wife was undergoing a root canal.

Less discussed however was how Biden first said no to the post when then-Sen. Obama raised the subject months before the final announcement was made.

"I initially said no, that I wasn't interested," Biden told a Pennsylvania crowd Monday night at the annual Allegheny County Democratic Committee dinner. "He asked me to think about it."

Biden said he finally accepted the job "a couple months later" not in a dentist office but in a hotel room in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The vice president said he asked the then-Democratic presidential nominee, "Are you really committed to changing the course of this county?"

"He reached out, shook my hand, and said 'I am,'" Biden said.

Of course, according to Biden's wife Jill, the vice president actually had a choice between the No. 2 post and being the Secretary of State.

During an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show last January, Mrs. Biden accidentally let slip that piece of information - though the vice president's office later took issue with that contention.

"To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only – to be his running mate," Elizabeth Alexander, a spokeswoman for Biden, said then. "And the vice president-elect was thrilled to accept the offer."

Filed under: Joe Biden • Popular Posts • President Obama


diridi   October 20th, 2009 11:08 am ET

VP Joe, nation is going in right direction...we love you...don't repent....Bush Broke this nation with Iraq war into pieces financially...not pres. obama...ok

slp   October 20th, 2009 11:05 am ET

You should have stuck to your original decision and talked President Obama out of running for president.

D. Tree   October 20th, 2009 11:04 am ET

Biden was a great decision. Its shows true leadership to bring in one's former opponents like Biden and Clinton.

The critics can whine all the want, but the fact remains Obama has one of the most diverse and bi-partisan cabinets in recent history.

Jerry   October 20th, 2009 11:02 am ET

Biden can not even get his own life straight, never mind remember what he said. The change you voted for America, Twelve trillion in debt and no hope in sight

Jenn, Philadelphia   October 20th, 2009 11:01 am ET

Joe Biden hasn't heard a story he's liked better than the ones he makes up.

Dallas   October 20th, 2009 10:59 am ET

Go Joe you are a great man we are proud. So stand tall

Magnanimous   October 20th, 2009 10:59 am ET

Bidens loves to talk about himself like an off-the-cuff gaffe machine gone wild. No wonder Biden doesn't have time to promote Obama's agenda in Congress and with the public.

PK   October 20th, 2009 10:56 am ET

Why would you believe anything that comes out of this guy's mouth?

Candy Wilson   October 20th, 2009 10:54 am ET

And I am glad he did.. It is one reason I voted Dem.. this yr.. In fact, with the 2 of them I became a campaigner....And the Perk was I got to sit 4 rows back when Sen. Biden spoke at OUE in St. C. Ohio. I am also a huge fan of Mrs.. Biden and a huge fan of education

Kathy   October 20th, 2009 10:54 am ET

I love Joe Biden, he is the perfect Vice-President. We are lucky to have him.

Jeremiah   October 20th, 2009 10:41 am ET

So inspiring......I almost shed a tear. Now we have two fools running the nation instead of one.....it's beautiful.......and to think, we just got rid of Bush, just for another guy that leaves our troops in countries we shouldn't be in. Go figure.

Enough   October 20th, 2009 10:36 am ET

Change the course of this country.............too bad voters didn't realize that change meant the bankrupting of America and that Obama was going to be the WORST president ever.

Jayden,FL   October 20th, 2009 10:32 am ET

Although I think Biden is doing a Good Job as Vice President.. I believe Clinton would have been a far better VP pick.

buckwheat   October 20th, 2009 10:31 am ET

If you believe this I got some bank stock I need to sell at pre Obama prices.

Dar   October 20th, 2009 10:30 am ET

Odumbo could have picked a monkey for vice president and all of you cool aid sippers would have still voted for him. For the most part, most of the people voting for Odumbo didnt even know Biden was on the ticket. What a joke.

Karen   October 20th, 2009 10:30 am ET

Why didn't he stick with his first answer????????

Mark from Louisiana   October 20th, 2009 10:25 am ET

Does anyone really give a hoot what Joe Biden says?

Francisco Cardenas   October 20th, 2009 10:21 am ET

This is old news. Anyway, if Obama had any real guts he would have picked Hillary Clinton for VP. Biden didn't get 18-million votes, but maybe that is why Obama picked him??

Carter Landrum   October 20th, 2009 10:19 am ET

Aw, Joe, you messed up again. Your first reaction was correct, not to be the Veep. Now look what a mess you are in! Also, just look what a mess the country is in!

j   October 20th, 2009 10:18 am ET

When Bush was in the White House, the middle class of this country was sent to hell in a handbasket while the tax benefits were being siphoned away and shifted to the top 1% ( and the super rich). All the while we were being SCREWED-OVER and told to just keep our eyes on the "terrorists" and keep singing "God Bless America". -– We are quickly on our way to becoming a 2nd tier country just like all those in Europe. China, a Corporate owned gov`t, will and is the model of the future. --- Just look at all the FREEDOMS they have there !!!!!!

Perusing-through   October 20th, 2009 10:15 am ET

WHETHER HILLARY CLINTON OR JOE BIDEN, , , OBAMA CHOSE WISELY

Compared to Sen. McCain's choice of "I-can-see-Russia-from-Alaska" Sarah Palin, it is pretty clear now that then President-Elect Obama was the wiser man. Either Clinton or Biden as VP is a far superior choice when compared to Airhead Palin.

bj, Texas   October 20th, 2009 10:11 am ET

Biden's a dufus, just like his boss. Yes indeed Oblunder is changing our once powerful country into just another euro country lookalike.

jp,michigan   October 20th, 2009 10:09 am ET

Really Joe!

Doug, New Jersey   October 20th, 2009 10:08 am ET

Biden was choosen by Obama for his expertise on Economy. He is a student of the Stock Market crash of 1929, in fact he has video of FDR addressing it on TV in 1929, the only person to have such video.

The speech he gave when he ran for president in 1988 showed his true values, and that these values are as Democrat/liberal as you can get.

Really Sad 4 country   October 20th, 2009 10:07 am ET

why is this news? the election is OVER

gt   October 20th, 2009 10:07 am ET

good ole joe,, what a story,, it almost makes me cry,,,, because america has gotten change ,, change for the worst...drip... drip.. drip.. america is changing for the worst a little bit every day....drip ,,,drip........

Really Sad 4 country   October 20th, 2009 10:06 am ET

why is the news? the election is OVER

Johnny DC   October 20th, 2009 10:06 am ET

Wow, a touching pointless story about a Democrat politician on CNN. You almost never see that.

Almost.

Yvor   October 20th, 2009 10:03 am ET

The future of Hennepin County, MN?

MadMen   October 20th, 2009 10:02 am ET

Joe, you should have gone with your first instinct.

New Age Independent   October 20th, 2009 10:02 am ET

For the sake of the country, he should have said NO.

Mohsen   October 20th, 2009 9:59 am ET

In the final analysis, it does not really matter who said what to whom and how many job offers were presented to Joe Biden, What matters now is the fact that Joe Biden was and is the best VP for President Obama.

C. Farrell, Houston, Tx   October 20th, 2009 9:59 am ET

It's no secret that "Daddy Bush" picked Dick Cheney as VP to watch over his spoiled brat and nobody talked about that. Dick Cheney never ran for President or VP as Biden did because he knew he'd be VP and behind the scene President.

Jim in Florida   October 20th, 2009 9:58 am ET

He'd done us all a favor by sticking with NO.

Paul from Phoenix   October 20th, 2009 9:57 am ET

He should have continued to say no.

Jennifer Evans   October 20th, 2009 9:54 am ET

Must be a slow news day. Why is this "news?" It's a year old story. C'mon, Cnn.

Big John   October 20th, 2009 9:51 am ET

Thank you Mr. Biden excellent choice!

Ron In California   October 20th, 2009 9:51 am ET

Gotta love this guy....ego ego ego. Never met a microphone or camera he didn't like.

Pee Wee   October 20th, 2009 9:47 am ET

Joe now wishes he would have "gone with his gut, Champ" and stayed with his first instinct.

JES   October 20th, 2009 9:45 am ET

I bet you wish you could change your mind now.

Dave   October 20th, 2009 9:43 am ET

Wow, CNN is starting to report the news (what ever it is). This is progress!

yuri   October 20th, 2009 9:42 am ET

We still feel Joe seems like a maverick, since he has been not as boisterous as Cheney, which means that he still could be a silent schemer of sorts.

Dominican mama 4 Obama   October 20th, 2009 9:39 am ET

Please allow me to add cnn:

I just took a good look at the picture included with the story, and the first thing that came to mind was a comforting picture of America. Two men, one Black, one White, with their sleeves rolled up, standing in front of a very solid structure.

God I love my country.

Carnell From Detroit, MI USA   October 20th, 2009 9:37 am ET

After All That You Just Disclosed In This Blog ...What Is Your Point? Do You Really Have To Waste The Print And Time To Tell Somebody Something That? I Guess At Hypocri...CNN, Old News Travels Fast.

Dominican mama 4 Obama   October 20th, 2009 9:36 am ET

I'm glad we ended up with Biden as a VP. He may talk too much, but he is down to earth, a true family man, hard-working, and he CARES about our country and it's people. All of it's people. He has a lot in common with Barack, but differs enough to provide alternative, and honest input. I certainly do not have to worry about nefarious, undercover, illegal activities from him. I love ya' Joe!!!!

Blinker   October 20th, 2009 9:35 am ET

omg gag me.

NOT THE KINDA GUY TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO, BUT I TOLD YOU SO   October 20th, 2009 9:34 am ET

Who cares! Biden is an arrogant, angry, egotistical pig, just like obama and the rest of the libs. The phony obama needed someone who could do and say things that he otherwise couldnt. Obama has surrounded himself with socialsts, so biden fits right in. Biden is a mental midget picked by obama to make himself look smart. We are gonna replace all of these socialists. Tick Tick Tick

jimbo   October 20th, 2009 9:33 am ET

Did ole Joe acecpt these offers at that diner he spoke of..the one he said he frequented ...although it had been closed for YEARS !!!! This cast of characters cannot even get their LIES straight !!!

A.B.   October 20th, 2009 9:32 am ET

President Obama made the right choice in selecting Joe Biden to be his Vice Presidential running mate. He could not have made a better selection. Joe Biden is a smart, sophisticated politician who is a foreign policy expert. Biden would have served well as Secretary of State if selected for that position. I think that Obama should have selected someone else for the Secretary of State position other than Hilary Clinton. Hilary Clinton isn't qualified to be Secretary of State. Initially Obama had Bill Richardson in mind–an excellent choice until Richardson had to withdraw due to legal problems. Once Richardson's legal problems are over, I think that Obama should tap him to be the next Secretary of State and reassign Hilary to another cabinet position.

jimbo   October 20th, 2009 9:31 am ET

Oh goodie. Bumbling Biden accepted the offer !!! Did he accept it at that diner that she spoke of..the one that he frequented although it had been closed for many years....This cast of characters cannot even get their LIES straight !!!!!

jas   October 20th, 2009 9:31 am ET

It sure seems like they are still "controlling" the media.

Jeff   October 20th, 2009 9:30 am ET

Sometimes the truth hurts, but please, only tell the truth!

A.B.   October 20th, 2009 9:29 am ET

President Obama made the right choice in selecting Joe Biden to be his Vice Presidential running mate. He could not have made a better selection. Joe Biden is a smart, sophisticated politician who is a foreign policy expert. Biden would have served well as Secretary of State if selected for that position. I think that Obama should have selected someone else for the Secretary of State position other than Hilary Clinton. Hilary Clinton isn't qualified to be Secretary of State. Initially Obama had Bill Richardson in mind–an excellent choice until Richard had to withdraw due to legal problems. Once Richardson's legal problems are over, I still think that Obama should tap him to be the next Secretary of State and reassign Hilary to another cabinet position.

Nelson Colorado Springs Co   October 20th, 2009 9:29 am ET

SO WHAT, must be a slow day

New Yorker   October 20th, 2009 9:28 am ET

So which one is lying? Oh right, Joe Wilson already told us.

Bill   October 20th, 2009 9:27 am ET

Why is this news? He blathered on about this months ago. Who cares?

Jaimon   October 20th, 2009 9:25 am ET

Actually, the president initially offered Joe the Department of Rambling Sentences and Unnecessarily Long Anecdotes of Previous Events that Are Remembered Months Later while sharing an ice cream trucked in from Joe's home state of Rhode Island – come to think of it Delaware.

yen   October 20th, 2009 9:24 am ET

Why is this discussed now? Arn't they in the middle of a very, very important health care reform process?i don't get it.Let Biden write this in his memoire.

?QUESTIONEVERYTHING?   October 20th, 2009 9:23 am ET

Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb. Perfect for each other.

BO'sTeleprompter   October 20th, 2009 9:23 am ET

Joe Biden–Obama's court jester......He makes Dan Quail look like a Harvard scholar.

Ernesto   October 20th, 2009 9:22 am ET

Are Joe Biden and George Bush related or just similarly afflicted? Please pray for the President's well-being!

victim of republican greed   October 20th, 2009 9:19 am ET

Hopefully, Joe is still committed to changing the direction of the country.

karuna   October 20th, 2009 9:19 am ET

With all the gaffes he's had, thank god he was only offered the VP's job, regardless of how much Jill wanted to "up" his stature. If he 'elected' to be secstate, the world would truly be in total shambles by now and no one may be here to witness it, except Jill, of course.

Wise Latina   October 20th, 2009 9:18 am ET

Unfortunately, the American electorate did not say NO! to the both of them, and now the price we are paying is beyond staggering!!

Amazing   October 20th, 2009 9:10 am ET

Too bad he didn't stick with his initial instinct. He's about as worthless of a VP as you can get. Too bad they don't let Biden out too much, Gibbs must get tired of "explaining" what Biden really meant to say and not what he actually said..............pretty funny!

bigTEXoil   October 20th, 2009 9:06 am ET

GOP fears Biden, the experience in government, law, work ethic and integrity is everything HE has.....but then again HE also saved this country from Palin.....the VP debate was nothing less than a political smackdown. He reminded us that the VP role is just as crucial as the Presidency.

Fools and their freedoms are soon parted   October 20th, 2009 9:03 am ET

I wish when Obama was offered the democratic nomination he had said no...ah...to dream....

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