Axelrod and Plouffe shoot down report of Biden-Clinton switch

Top advisers to President Obama shot down a report that said senior aides considered replacing Joe Biden with Hillary Clinton as vice president for the 2012 election.

In Mark Halperin’s and John Heilemann’s new book Double Down, they write that Obama’s aides tested the effects of such a change in the administration by polling people and running focus groups.

{mosads}The New York Times first wrote about the revelations Thursday evening after obtaining an advanced copy of the book, which will be released next week. 

David Axelrod, who served as Obama’s senior strategist during the 2012 race, said a “swap” was never in play. He also worked as an adviser to his 2008 campaign, and served as a senior adviser to Obama from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2011.

VP swap never in play. Biden’s taken on many tough assignments. He’s been loyal friend and wise counselor. POTUS lucky to have him.

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 1, 2013

David Plouffe, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager and former White House senior adviser, also firmly denied the report on Twitter.

Never any – any – consideration of VP/HRC switch. Not even entertained by the only person who mattered. Or most of us. Back to Halloween.

— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) October 31, 2013

Let me be clear: VP-HRC switch never considered by POTUS or anyone who mattered in the campaign. #sillyseason

— Jim Messina (@Messina2012) November 1, 2013

Plouffe now works as an analyst for Bloomberg News. He was one of Obama’s senior advisers from Jan. 2011 to Jan. 2013.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the president “never thought” about the switch.

On Friday morning, however, Bill Daley—who served as Obama’s chief of staff at the time—admitted on “CBS This Morning” that he did assess such a change, and defended it.