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."
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