While I don't ordinarly subscribe to conspiracy theories, I don't believe Biden's recent "gaffe" that perhaps Hillary Clinton "might have been a better choice" as Barack Obama's running mate, was really a gaffe after all, no more than I believe Obama did not mean no demean Sarah Palin and John McCain with the "lipstick on a pig" and "old fish" rhetoric. 

 

Moreover, as someone who has enjoyed shaking things up, but cannot stand being shaken and stirred himself, like some sort of a walking Bond martini, Obama's recent sit down with former president Bill Clinton might have been just a little bit more than a friendly encounter where the junior senator aspiring to the highest office in the land on little more than a lick and a promise, sought advice from his Dutch Uncle Bill, who knows a great deal about licks and promises.

 

Indeed, the Democrats are so discombobulated over the selection of Sarah Palin and the subsequent slide in the polls (not to mention Palin's first rate job during the paternal grilling by ABC's Charles Gibson), that I wouldn't be surprised to see Obamassiah throw one more sacraficial lamb under the bus, namely Joe Biden.

 

Other recent gaffes by Biden, including a generally friendly regard for John McCain, reveals a very self-reflecting, uncomfortable vice presidential pick.  While Biden's ego and personal aspirations initially enticed his about face on serving as anyones vice presidential candidate, he has seemed more interested lately in preserving his longstanding friendship with McCain, than he is in sharpening his attack dog rhetoric to get the junior Senator from Illinois into the White House. 

 

This makes Biden the perfect candidate for the ejection seat. 

 

Despite Obama's disdain for all that is Clinton, he now realizes the gravity of his error.  He cannot have any hope of winning the White House without her.  Some Republicans on the talk circuit today dismissed any chance of Biden exiting the race, stating that it would make Obama appear weak and indecisive.  Well, he already appears that way, so what can he lose?  Besides, Clinton supporters would be far quicker to "forgive and forget" once Hillary was on the ticket than they are now, and there is no question that a surprise upset like this in the race to November would solidify the scattered Democratic base and completely upend the Republican applecart by stealing the spotlight back, away from the Palin phenom. 

 

If Biden were to graciously exit, say due to an unforeseen medical condition, and Hillary magnanimously stepped in to "save" the party, could Palin's feminine, homespun charms, plucky charisma and youth effectively compete in debate against a more experienced, hard scrabble, battle tested opponent like Hillary Clinton? 

 

Now that would be a VP debate that could potentially draw more viewers than any of the speeches at either of the conventions last month. 

 

While this sort of "hail Mary pass" scenario would seem totally implausible during ordinary conditions, as McCain surrogates rightly pointed out, "these are not ordinary times" and we are faced with an energized, confident Republican ticket and a demoralized, increasingly desperate, hard left electorate that craves a return to glory well beyond all rational and objective thought.

 

Fasten your seatbelts, folks.  This could very well turn into a very bumpy - and interesting ride.  But if Obama intends to make this move, look for it much sooner than later.  He doesn't have much time left to implement the nuclear option that would be a Hillary Clinton on the ticket.