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ya know — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:07:22 GMT

here's why Biden doesn't think he's the guy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/why-radio-silence-can-be_b_119933.html

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usa — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:08:30 GMT

From Politico:
Wes Clark Dismissed by Obama Campaign
By Denise Williams
Aug 17th 2008 1:36PM
Filed Under:eBarack Obama, Breaking News, Veepstakes

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark, a Hillary Clinton primary supporter and Veep pick favorite has been told by the Obama campaign that his services were not needed during next week's Democratic party convention.

Clark's son, Wesley Clark, Jr. relayed this information in a diary comment on Daily Kos:

For a long time but we have a very active business that he needs to travel a lot for. He wasn't invited to speak at the convention. I'm sure somebody in his office called the campaign and asked if he was going to be invited to speak because he needs to book meetings for that week if he isn't in Denver. Apparently the answer that came back was no.

It's not a fake out or some secret plan, he isn't going to be VP or probably anything else in an Obama administration, assuming he's elected.

What he is going to do is go out and campaign for Obama and plenty of Democrats in house and senate races this Fall.

I know some you think you can change this by launching VP diaries a couple times a day in hopes that Obama will be swayed by the "netroots." Dude, when has that ever worked with this campaign?

Clark had been considered by some to be a good choice for Obama's VP due to his outspoken support of progressive issues and foreign policy and military experience. There had been some speculation the theme of the convention's third night "Securing America" was a code that Clark would be the Veep choice. "Securing America" is the name of Clark's PAC.

Time Magazine's Swampland has had a running list of potention Dem veep choices striking out those who were due to speak at the convention which helped fuel some spectulation:

Sebelius (speaking)
Clinton (speaking)
Warner (keynote speaker)
Bayh (speaking -- see jump)
Kaine
Biden (speaking -- see jump)
Dodd
Richardson (speaking -- see jump)
Clark
Bloomberg
Reed
Strickland (speaking, took himself out)
Webb (took himself out)
Rendell (speaking*, took himself out, thanks ivb for the link)
John Edwards (took himself out)
Podesta (hosting a brunch)
Napolitano (speaking* and hosting a women governor's event)
Chet Edwards
MacCaskill (speaking)
John Kerry
Nunn

I'll note that I have been a Wes Clark fan since 2004 and personally believe he would have brought a lot to the table. I'm pretty disappointed if this is the case. Out of the potential short-listers not speaking at the convention the only one that seems even viable is Kaine and I think that would be a major mistake. The ONLY reason for picking Kaine would be to help deliver Virginia. I think the idea of delivering states for your candidate is outmoded and risky. Kaine brings next to nothing to the table.

I suppose at this point I can keep hope alive for Clark by assuming this is all a cute smokescreen. Obama needs to pick who's good for him - all personal wishes aside. I'm just not seeing anyone left on this list that adds much to the ticket.

I still anxiously await my text message.

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T J Singleton — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:09:34 GMT

If McCain refers to "My Friends" one more time I am
going to scream!!!!!!!!!!!

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matt — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:09:39 GMT

McCain cannot choose Lieberman. The evangelicals have already noted that they will revolt if he is picked.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

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TheTruthRuth — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:13:00 GMT

Obama's VP wil be TIM ROEMER.

Of the 9/11 commission and Firmer Longtime Indiana Congessman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_J._Roemer

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Mark Thieme — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:13:00 GMT

OK. Biden does not want it. Hillary is begging.

But it is only top of the ninth.

Biden is on third and Hillary is warming up the bullpen...

Obama at the bat.

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casey — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:14:47 GMT

I don't think Kaine has the chops. I'm rooting for Wes Clark.... if not Biden. You couldn't pick a better choice than Clark for Obama and a worse nightmare for McCain and Lieberman (I think he's McCain's vp choice, personally)...

Obama/Clark

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Sylvia Downey, Benton City, Wa. — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:15:33 GMT

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usa — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:16:09 GMT

from wikipedia on wesley clark:
General Hugh Shelton would say of Clark during his 2004 campaign that "the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. I'm not going to say whether I'm a Republican or a Democrat. I'll just say Wes won't get my vote,"[84][85]. Shelton never elaborated further on what these issues were.[86]

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Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:16:52 GMT

If John McCain chooses Portman for his VP, then his morphing into Bush's third term will be complete. Portman is the candidate handpicked by the Bush-Cheney-Rove "Keep the good times rolling" machine.

The McCain spokesbunnies may actually telling the truth when they imply that John McCain doesn't speak for John McCain- how sad. We need a real leader, not a man to stand in front of the curtain while Cheney 2.0 runs the show.

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Pete - Albany, NY — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:17:56 GMT

*ahem*...Wesley Clark.

Tuesday night's theme says it all..."Securing America's Future"...just check out Clark's "WesPAC" web site...

http://securingamerica.com/

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Edgar Wilson, Chicago — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:18:34 GMT

>> The Obama campaign confirmed plans for a major event in Springfield, Illinois Saturday <<

Cow-pie throwing contest. Seeing Obama spews it everyday, he thought he'd try throwing it too.

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Nj — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:18:35 GMT

THIS MUST GO VIRAL
THANKS HUFFINGTON POST

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html

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Maxi Padds — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:19:25 GMT

Obama couldn't go wrong with a VP choice of Howard Dean.

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Anne — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:20:20 GMT

It would not take a pro-choice Veep to destroy the Republican party. They have already done it to themselves.

Speaking of crap...that's Limbaugh himself...

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donna — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:20:22 GMT

Obama and his little supporters are such lightweights. What a crock that Obama "opposed" the war as a state senator from Chicago. His district is made up of aging hippies and academics so it sure wasn't hard for Obama to "oppose" the war. Obama has never stuck his neck out for anything, and won't do so if he ever made it to the White House. The man is weak, indecisive, naive, and those are his good points. donna, you can speak about your soul all you want, but what we need is a man that can lead the country, and that man certainly is not Obama.
Lukas Lucinous, Evanston IL (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:40 PM)

****************

Lukas,

Insults, and sarcasm only convinces us that you have no standing in your argument, nor the ability to advocate analytically.

Thank you for your permission to speak all I want. However, I don't need it. Talk to the hand.

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MI Chick — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:20:38 GMT

Could it be a dark horse, like Clark maybe? Someone no one is on to yet? These three are just decoys? Hmmm... (and no, I don't mean HRC).

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Jack Denver, CO — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:20:40 GMT

I'm calling "bull" on the Biden stuff. OK, he might get it. But the most definitive article on this is Howard Fineman's and he isn't quoting sources who know. Read carefully and he is only quoting sources speculating. Remember last week it was Bayh this and Bayh that, the week before it was all Kaine all the time? The media is doing a spectacular job of reporting speculation because they are such a failure at finding out facts.

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Lou CT — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:21:38 GMT

Where will Hillary be on Saturday?

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MSierra, SF — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:22:06 GMT

Please, McCain boic Joe Lieberman
What a loser he is
You'd both be losers

Obama/Biden vs McCain/Lieberman

DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH !!

Obama '08
Time for a real change !!

Crashing planes and haunting strip clubs is NOT 'Presidential Experience'

Did Cindy win the hoochie contest ?

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Blake, Denver, CO — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:22:11 GMT

Can Biden say "I'm not the guy" even if he really is the guy?

God I hope so.

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Cole G., West Bend WI — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:24:10 GMT

[ Obama praised Biden Tuesday, calling him a “friend” and echoing his call for $1 billion in reconstruction assistance for Georgia ]

What, just a billion? Hardly enough to keep Saakashvili in caviar. I thought you liberals were tired of throwing money around to foreign countries.

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MSierra, SF — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:24:34 GMT

Biden ius the BEST choice

Clarke would be good

NEVER Bayh !!
A pro-war, pro-corporate light weight

Richardson is just not a good enough campaigner

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David, Baltimore, MD — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:26:28 GMT

It is official - Obama's VP pick is Bill Richardson. He has great national security credentials, executive leadership skills and he passed the 2004 vetting process with flying colors. If he was not being chosen, why else would he be hosting fund raising events to retire Clinton's debt?

It will not be Bayhe. Anyone who encountered his failed presidential compaign know that he is without any managerial experience and does not know how to hire anyone who does.

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justobserveID — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:29:10 GMT

Push the conservative movement to the bleachers...PLEASE!!
Not that way left is the way to go, but I think we've had enough of being "right"...

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Ashton Kutcher, Cedar Rapids Iowa — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:29:21 GMT

Ashton Kutcher!

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Mark Thieme — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:32:16 GMT

You guys need to be covering the Clinton camp today.

Now there is a story!

Awaiting a pardon from the warden... will it come?

Her people are working the phones.

Incredible.

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Richard, Washington State — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:42:20 GMT

As usual, Rush is right. Imagine the political hay that would be made about any party's candidate campaigning with a running mate whose views are in direct odds with a plank in the party platform. We ain't gonna see a pro-life Democrat running with Obama, either.

Won't be Ridge. Won't be Lieberman. Won't be a Democrat.

Been hearing some Obama rap today. He's back in the defensive pre-emption mode again.

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Brandon, Chicago, IL — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:44:48 GMT

VP = Michael Bloomberg
Sec. of State = Biden
Sec. of Defense = Powell
Sec. of Energy = Gore

H. Clinton = Sen from NY

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MJ, PA — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:45:07 GMT

I like Bill Richardson for VP. He has the foreign policy experience and seems to be a laid back type who would get along with Obama very well.

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donna — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:47:09 GMT

Between Rush, the Evangelicals, and red states turning purple, (even blue), Senator McCain is up against it. He took such glee in the dem's difficulties with regard to our party's divided base after the primary, but we are coming together. The fact that he is being visited by a cursed wind scattering his own base about is poetic justice. The very same wind that he himself blew forth for 25 years. How's your 'Maverick' now Senator?

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Jen, MI — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:49:59 GMT

"McCain has been looking good"...they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
All we need do is look back at the past 8 years and ask ourselves if we can really afford another Republican in the White House....
Stop the wars for oil, stop the trampling of the Bill of Rights, stop the lies, stop the corruption of this country by the selfish and self-serving.

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Richard, Washington State — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:52:01 GMT

Donna from another thread:

"Obama, and Biden are both cerebral. I agree, but I think that that is a good thing. Barack is the Astair, and Biden is the Kelly. Both fabulous, but different. OK."

You're right, Donna. Biden did say he wasn't the guy.

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Richard, Washington State — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:52:57 GMT

MSierra:

Who is this "Clarke" person you keep pushing?

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squintz, philly, pa — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:56:07 GMT

Obama/Sebelius!!! Lots of change folks, all at once, like taking off a Bandaid. Sebelius! You owe all us hot chicks, Obama. Sebelius!

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donna — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:57:33 GMT

Adam,

Thanks for the welcome back, and the kind words of encouragement. May all be well with you, and yours also.

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I'mhoping McWAR will be LIEbermann — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:58:53 GMT

Obama/Gore 08
or
Obama/Clark 08

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Cali Guy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:02 GMT

I hate it when McCain says "My friends" I aint your friend old man!!!

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kate, chicago, IL — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:04:06 GMT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/why-radio-silence-can-be_b_119933.html
check it- maybe he's NOT out, he just doesn't know about it...

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Soonerthought — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:13:01 GMT

Biden is still in it.

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Bush Sucks! — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:19:58 GMT

Ralph Nader!!!!!!!!!!!!

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JJackson — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:21:11 GMT

Jesse Jackson

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Hattie, Virginia — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:35:32 GMT

This centrist,independent, Obama supporter wants Nunn as VP pick. What is his status as a possible pick?

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BJ, CA — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:42:07 GMT

Obama needs more "testicular fortitude"...
This could cost him the election...
Especially if the he over sings his song and hits all the wrong notes....Personally Joe Biden is really the only hope this country has...Strong experience and willing toplay for not to long in the mud...

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Gary — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:47:04 GMT

Biden for VP? He's a warrior lib, spiritual and intellectual cousin to the neo-cons: a gaseous empire man. Back him if you're looking for the minor style difference from the Republicans that make you feel superior while living under the same ruinous policies that continue to bankrupt us. Secondly, do you think Obama has forgotten his remark about BO being "clean looking and articulate"?

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John Alexander,PA — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:48:01 GMT

What about the shrinkage factor?
As McCain gets older he shrinks, he cannot pick a VP who is going to look taller as time goes by, what an intricate problem for the RNC to solve.
LIEberman already knows how to talk for McCain so if the bylaws of the RNC permit it, LIEberman would be the string puller they would need to keep the orphan calf in check.
Brand that thar calf with an RNC and put him in the corral with all the rest of them. We will know them by their brand.
Brand X

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DV, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:35 GMT

Rush Limbaugh called the prospect of McCain picking a pro-choice running mate “crap.”

If anyone knows "crap", it's Rush. As for the Repub Party, it's imploding on it's own.

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DV, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:04:52 GMT

Would like to know Obama's feelings about hand guns. I am 70 years old, have a concealed weapons permit. Don't have one to conceal, but would still like the right to do so. My whole family are hunters.
Sylvia Downey, Benton City, Wa.
*****

All my uncles are hunters and not one needs or wants a concealed weapon permit. What does a hunter need a concealed handgun for? The deer let you come close unless you flash a piece?

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DV, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:09:24 GMT

What, just a billion? Hardly enough to keep Saakashvili in caviar. I thought you liberals were tired of throwing money around to foreign countries.
Cole G., West Bend WI
********

*facepalms* Such a moron.

Biden...not liberal. McCain wants to give far more. How about you pull your head out long enough to pay attention.

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Hill Dems in Action — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:37:04 GMT

Doesn't matter who he chooses they will lose ! The DNC and obama and those supers nailed that coffin tight in June ! They ( the supers ) really need to beware of their seats. We know who they are and their next ! I see a republician house and senate again very soon ! And all can THANK the DNC AND SUPERS.

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DallasFan, Dallas, TX — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:37:08 GMT

Be bold! Pick Hillary! You can't afford to lose 25% of Hillary-ites!

Picking Hillary would be a change - a change from all the bickering of the primaries, a change that many southern whites can accept, a change for someone with a better heart!

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Elizabeth — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:40:05 GMT

Sylvia Downey -- One part of Obama's position statement about gun ownership is as follows: "Respect the Second Amendment: Millions of hunters and shooters own and use guns each year. Barack Obama believes the Second Amendment creates an individual right, and he respects the constitutional rights of Americans to bear arms. He will protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, transport, and use guns." http://www.barackobama.com/issues/additional/
Go to "Sportsmen" and click on "Read the full plan"
It doesn't say anything specifically about concealed weapons but that is typically a local government matter. ------- John McCain's statement on the 2nd amendment does not address concealed weapons either, but of course he supports all types of gun ownership, even assault weapons, ammunition that is typically outlawed, and the elimination of waiting periods to purchase firearms.

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Saudia Grelishis — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:40:27 GMT

As long as the VP choice is for waterboarding, then I'm for the VP choice!

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Dorthy Peppers, San Marto, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:42:07 GMT

Where will Hillary be on Saturday?

Lou CT (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 6:21 PM)

The usual. Fundraising.

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Hermine Clouser — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:45:53 GMT

Limbaugh a spokesman for evangelicals? He does not seem to exemplify Christian qualities. He is merely stirring a pot and reaps millions of dollars for doing so. I am an older white female evangelical who believes the marriage and abortion issues can be taken care of according to individual conscience. I am voting for Barack to improve life for our diverse nation. That is a wider Christian goal as far as I am concerned.

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Bryant, Athens KY — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:46:41 GMT

donna -

Insults, and sarcasm only convinces us that you have . . . .

-----------

Us? Who is 'us'? Do you represent some group? For their sake, lets hope not.

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Single Senior, MD — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:51:18 GMT

Great News! Off topic, but hope this gets posted.

Rachel Maddow has her own show on MSNBC starting 9/08/08.

Obama/Biden 08

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Janet Gumenick, West Bloomfield, MI — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:51:40 GMT

What about Al Gore??? He is not listed as a speaker.

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David Souter — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:52:09 GMT

Would like to know Obama's feelings about hand guns. I am 70 years old, have a concealed weapons permit. Don't have one to conceal, but would still like the right to do so. My whole family are hunters.

Sylvia Downey, Benton City, Wa.

-------------

I can help.

Obama as a 'Community Organizer' - Against Guns

Obama as a state Senator - Against Guns

Obama as a US Senator - Against Guns

Obama's comment on SC ruling that Wash DC gun ban was unconstitutional - Against the ruling - would appoint SC justices that are Against guns.

Get the picture? See a trend?

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E, NY — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:18:12 GMT

"Can Biden say "I'm not the guy" even if he really is the guy? God I hope so." --- Keith O just said on his show that Biden returned and, being questioned again, said that he hasn't been called, knows nothing, etc. So he hasn't been told he's 'the guy' therefore he can say he's not. (At least, I hope it works that way! Really want it to be Biden.)