White House Downplays Rumors Of An Obama-Clinton Ticket

The White House is attempting to play down rumors that President Obama could consider picking Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as his running-mate in the 2012 Presidential election.

“It is … absolutely untrue,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters during a gaggle Wednesday. “It’s not a discussion that’s happening.”

Although rumors that Clinton could replace current Vice President Joe Biden have circulated since the early days of the administration, an interview with veteran journalist Bob Woodward on CNN Wednesday evening, wherein Woodward said the idea was on the table, reignited them.

Gibbs emphasized Wednesday that Biden continues to play a key role in the administration.

“The President would tell you that the decision to pick Joe Biden to be the Vice President was one of the best decisions he’s made,” Gibbs said. “Joe Biden is doing an extraordinary job handling an array of very difficult issued.”

The Press Secretary added that he was unsure where the rumors sprang from.

“This was a little bit of a head scratcher,” he said.