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Biden: 'I'm Not the Guy'

Del. senator dampens speculation; Obama calls running mate 'he'

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2008 9:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – After a day in which the media obsessed that Joe Biden was Barack Obama's near-certain choice for a running mate, the Delaware senator appears to have dismissed his own chances, writes the New York Times's Caucus blog. Yesterday evening as Biden got into his car, he told reporters staked out at his home, "Hey guys, I’m not the guy. See ya."

Meanwhile ABC News indulges in its own vice-presidential speculation, noting that Obama used the pronoun "he" to refer to his future running mate. Obama is normally scrupulous about using "he or she," and the remark might exclude Kathleen Sebelius from contention, let alone Hillary Clinton. But an Obama staffer dismissed the meaning of the slip and called attempts at VP tea-leaves reading "really ridiculous."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

Obama referred to his running mate as "he," which may exclude Kathleen Sebelius from contention. (AP Photo)

Joe Biden told reporters stationed outside his house that "I'm not the guy." (AP Photo/Georgy Abdaladze)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware smiles as he speaks to members of the Commonwealth Club of California Wednesday, May 2, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., addresses the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Saturday, June 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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Joe Biden told reporters stationed outside his home that "I'm not the guy." (AssociatedPress)

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Biden: 'I'm Not the Guy'