Interesting.

[mahnmut]

Could Joe Biden Pick Barack Obama as his Running Mate in 2020?

Interestingly, it can be done, and it is supported by the constitution of sorts, "The 22nd Amendment doesn't say you can't be president for more than two terms. It says you can't be elected president twice." So, technically, Biden can choose Obama. This is few years old, but it lays it out.

So here's how it goes...

1. Biden becomes Dem candidate
2. Biden picks Obama as VP
3. Biden/Obama win election
4. Biden steps down - boom President Obama
5. RW heads collectively explode.

Well... When you interpret the constitution you give full meaning to every word. The fact that Obama cannot run for president again does not mean that he couldn't serve as president again. But, as I'm sure we've all realized, he wouldn't - among other things he married well and she would just not put up with that crap! ;-)

Biden would definitely pick a woman for running mate. Liz Warren, anyone?

Comments

[mikeyxw]

I don't think this would work. First, in order to be a VPOTUS, you must meet all of the qualifications to be POTUS, which Mr. Obama doesn't these days. Second, getting elected and handing over power to someone else would be a pretty severe betrayal to the voters. Mr. Biden would need to die or something, and while he's certainly a team player, this is a lot to ask.

As far as the running mate, if Mr. Biden is the candidate, I would expect he'd pick someone who would energize the left wing of the party and get them out to vote, so someone as far from Tom Kaine as possible. Mrs. Warren or Mrs. Harris would be good choices since Mrs. Obama would probably say "hell no!"

[oportet]

Whether he picks Obama or not - the right will frame his run as another term of Obama (like they did with Hillary).

The more the divided the left is if/when he secures the nomination, the more boxes he'll have to check with his VP pick. If the primary stayed friendly (unlikely, but not impossible) he'll have more leeway.

Picking before securing the nomination could come across as arrogant or desperate (like Cruz/Fiorina) depending on how he's doing.

Liz is poking at him a little already, but he had a few memorable jabs at Obama and they put it aside in the end.

[luzribeiro]

Those who are saying no should read the entire article, plus the referenced Supreme Court decision. Based on the specific language of the 22nd and 12th amendments, Obama could be VP.

I think he'd never accept and I don't think Biden would nominate him.

But you know what would be funny? If Clarence Thomas retires or dies during a Democrat's term and they nominate Obama to the SCOTUS to fill a right wing seat. Then you would watch glorious fireworks as the right wing went bonkers. :-P