Jay Carney, spokesman for the White House, categorically affirmed this week that Joe Biden would remain as President Barack Obama’s running mate in the 2012 election. Some don’t think that's such a good idea.
An article in The Washington Post makes the case for Obama to consider an alternative vice president. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s name is usually the name that comes up when alternatives are suggested. Besides Biden’s gaffes, the most recent being the "back in chains" comment to a black audience, there is also the fact that Biden's popularity rate has been slipping in the polls.
According to The Washington Post, almost every recent poll has Biden’s numbers the lowest they’ve ever been with more people giving him unfavorable ratings than favorable. While his favorable ratings were well into the 50s when he and Obama were elected in 2008, recent polls, one NBC/Wall Street Journal and another by Fox News, are significantly down. The polls had his ratings at 35 favorable to 37 percent unfavorable and 41 percent favorable to 44 percent unfavorable respectively.
Although vice presidents are said to not have any real impact on the presidency, there are some calling for a change on the Democratic ticket.
Sharon Taylor
9:20 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Should anything prevent Obama from completing his term if re-elected, I can't imagine having Biden as President. The role of VP isn't significant except for this one factor. I would love to see Hillary added to the ticket but not if it means switching positions with Biden. Can you imagine Biden traveling the world meeting world leaders? His gaffes would lower the world's opinion of the US even further.
JC
10:45 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Hillary would do it for me. That makes it an easy decision!