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> http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2015/09/report_prez_will_back_biden_if_deval_gets_vp <http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2015/09/report_prez_will_back_biden_if_deval_gets_vp>
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> Report: Prez will back Biden ­­– if Deval gets VP
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> Former Gov. Deval Patrick — long touted as a potential 2020 White House contender — is now being floated as a possible running mate for Joe Biden if the vice president enters the Democratic primary.
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> Former New York Times Magazine editor Ed Klein reported on his website this week on a scenario that purportedly could pave the way for Patrick to actually become president by 2020.
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> Under Klein’s scenario, which cites “the talk in Democratic circles” and other unnamed sources, President Obama would endorse Biden’s White House bid — but only if the vice president lets Obama have “a final say” on Biden’s running mate.
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> In return for the president’s endorsement, the Klein scenario goes, Biden would pick an African-American running mate — specifically Patrick.
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> In the arrangement, Biden, who would be 78 years old at the end of his first term, also would agree not to run for re-election in 2020 but instead back Patrick as his successor, according to Klein.
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> That would make Patrick the Democratic presidential nominee in a matter of just five years.
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> “It’s completely crazy,” former Massachusetts Democratic Chairman Philip W. Johnston said of the story. “It’s just nuts. There’s no way that anyone can take that seriously. It’s so convoluted. I don’t think they’re that well-organized.”
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> Biden is still mulling whether to run for president, as he continues to mourn the loss of his son, Beau, to brain cancer in May.
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> Patrick isn’t the first Bay State pol to be suggested as Biden’s running mate. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been pitched as a vice presidential contender who would help Biden appeal to progressive voters.
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> Johnston shot down that idea too.
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> “If Joe Biden runs for president, he’s going to make his own decision,” he said. “He’s not going to (pick his running mate) now. He’s going to make it next summer.”
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> Obama and Patrick both boast Chicago roots and have a long, well-documented friendship that dates back to before they took office. For a time, they also shared the same political guru, David Axelrod.
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> Patrick and his wife, Diane, dined with Obama and his wife, Michelle, when the president vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard and at the White House as well. Obama has touted Patrick as a qualified candidate for national office.
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> Klein declined to comment through a spokesman until his new book about Hillary Clinton is released next week.
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> A spokesman for Patrick did not return a request for comment yesterday.
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Eric Schwerin
ericschwerin@yahoo.com