Whoa, Look at this one, new on Page 1....

[monmouth]

WP: Biden trying to make deal with Obama to avoid finishing behind Richardson
A Biden-Obama Deal?

DES MOINES -- Sen. Joseph Biden wants to beat New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson tonight. And Sen. Barack Obama could help him do that.

A source close to the Biden campaign described a possible arrangement, now under discussion between the two camps, that could apply to certain precincts where Biden can't meet the 15 percent viability threshold, but where he is backed by local officials with the clout to move Biden supporters to Obama. In return, Biden could capture some of Obama's overflow in precincts where the Illinois senator has more than enough support to win.

Of course the details are secret, but team Biden knows exactly how much support it needs, and where, for the Delaware senator to finish fourth, ideally in double digits. Biden's poor showing in one public poll after another has confounded many Hawkeye political observers, given the large and enthusiastic crowds he draws, along with his impressive foreign policy resume. But while Biden was unable to raise the money needed to build the statewide ground organization needed to contend here, he did cultivate key relationships across rural Iowa. And some of these state and local officials have informed the campaign that they are backing Obama as their second choice.

A fourth place finish would not turn Biden into a favorite for the nomination, but it would allow him to participate in the Democratic debate on Saturday in New Hamsphire, one last chance for the political veteran to make his mark.

The Biden source described the possible Obama deal as "viability for victory." An Obama source confirmed that discussions had taken place, but that nothing had been decided.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/03/a_b...

[1corona4u]

1. It' been debunked...

not sure which thread though...

[monmouth]

2. To tell the truth, if it hasn't been debunked, it might not be a bad deal.

I'm noticing it's with Obama, my tinfoil is working overtime here. If it was debunked then I shall ignore and go get my mail which I should have done 4 hours ago.....

[gateley]

3. I know earlier statements like this have been debunked, but who can really

say what's going on behind the scenes as caucus time comes down to the wire? It's true, it IS all part of the horse trading game. I hope this isn't accurate, but if it is, I trust Joe and Navarro know what they're doing.

I'm not sure we'll know for sure either way until/unless we hear back from somebody who attended a caucus and can tell us what really went down.

At this point, it's too late to worry about it "getting out" whether it's factual or not -- all the caucus participants are locked up behind closed doors!

[1corona4u]

4. Here it is

Biden Spokesman: There Are No Discussions Of Any Deal With Obama Camp
By Greg Sargent - January 3, 2008, 12:44PM
A spokesman for Joe Biden is denying reports that the Biden and Obama camps are in talks about a possible deal whereby Biden would shift support to Obama in certain precincts.

Via Ben Smith, The Washington Post reports the following about such conversations:

A source close to the Biden campaign described a possible arrangement, now under discussion between the two camps, that could apply to certain precincts where Biden can't meet the 15 percent viability threshold, but where he is backed by local officials with the clout to move Biden supporters to Obama. In return, Biden could capture some of Obama's overflow in precincts where the Illinois senator has more than enough support to win.
WaPo quotes an Obama source confirming that the talks are underway.

But Biden spokesperson Mark Paustenbach is denying unequivocally that there are any discussions at all taking place. He sent us this:

"No discussions have taken place. We have not made any deals or arrangements. We are strong enough on our own."
We're seeking official word from the Obama camp on this. More as we learn it.

Late Update: Obama spokesman Bill Burton also just denied to us that there are any talks underway. He sent us this:

"Iowans are independent thinkers. We hope that we're everyone's first choice but if we're not, we hope that we're they're second choice."


http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/biden_spokesman_there_are_no_discussions_of_any_deal_with_obama_camp.php