While stumping in Iowa ahead of the February caucuses, reporters asked former Vice President Joe Biden if he would ever nominate former President Barack Obama to be a member of the Supreme Court.
Biden's response was simple: "If he'd take it, yes."
Reporters from multiple news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times confirmed the statement.
Biden asked here in Washington, Iowa, if he would ever nominate former President Obama to serve on the Supreme Court. “If he’d take it, yes,” Biden says.
— Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) December 28, 2019
Biden, in Washington, Iowa, is asked if he would nominate Obama to the Supreme Court. "If he'd take it, yes," Biden says.
— Thomas Kaplan (@thomaskaplan) December 28, 2019
It has been interesting to watch Biden play up his connection to the former president. He's great at invoking Obama's name when it suits him, like when talking about the Affordable Care Act during the Democratic debates. In other instances, however, Biden does his best to make sure people know that he's his own person with his own set of ideals.
The former vice president has made it very clear that he doesn't need Obama's endorsement to be successful. He reiterated that point when reporters asked him if he'd seek Obama's endorsement, even if the crowded Democratic field came down to him and two others.
“No, because everyone knows I’m close with him,” Biden told POLITICO at the time. “I don’t need an Obama endorsement.”
But remember: Joe says him and Barack are "best friends."
Happy #BestFriendsDay to my friend, @BarackObama. pic.twitter.com/JTd1t7NtyL
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 9, 2019
Would a Justice Obama happen because the two are friends or because Biden believes the former president has a clear understanding of the Constitution? One can only ponder.