Biden’s office: No, he wasn’t offered his choice of jobs

Jill Biden’s foot-in-mouth routine yesterday on Oprah, in which she said Joe got his choice of either the veep’s office or secretary of state, was the subject of some damage control last night. Joe Biden’s office released the following statement: Like anyone who followed the presidential campaign this summer, Dr. Jill Biden knew there was ...

Jill Biden's foot-in-mouth routine yesterday on Oprah, in which she said Joe got his choice of either the veep's office or secretary of state, was the subject of some damage control last night. Joe Biden's office released the following statement:

Jill Biden’s foot-in-mouth routine yesterday on Oprah, in which she said Joe got his choice of either the veep’s office or secretary of state, was the subject of some damage control last night. Joe Biden’s office released the following statement:

Like anyone who followed the presidential campaign this summer, Dr. Jill Biden knew there was a chance that President-elect Obama might ask her husband to serve in some capacity and that, given his background, the positions of Vice President and Secretary of State were possibilities. Dr. Biden’s point to Oprah today was that being Vice President would be a better fit for their family because they would get to see him more and get to participate in serving more. To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only — to be his running mate. And the Vice President-elect was thrilled to accept the offer."

I doubt that makes Hillary feel much better.

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.