Biden tries to shush wife after state-VP slip

This image provided by Harpo Productions shows, from left: Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and Oprah Winfrey on the set of the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' at Washington's Kennedy Center Opera House Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Harpo Productions, Inc. George Burns)Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden's wife said Monday that he had his pick of being Barack Obama's running mate or the secretary of state nomination that eventually went to Hillary Rodham Clinton, a slip that the vice president-elect immediately tried to shush.

Jill Biden's comment came during an appearance with her husband on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," taped at Washington's Kennedy Center on the eve of the inauguration.

"Joe had the choice to be secretary of state or vice president," she said. Her husband turned to his wife with his finger to his lips and a "Shhhh!" that sent the audience into laughter. "OK, he did," Jill Biden said in her defense.

The vice president-elect blushed, grimaced and gave his wife a hug while the audience continued to erupt in laughter. "That's right," he finally said to his wife. "Go ahead."

Mrs. Biden said she told him vice president would be better for the family.

"If you're secretary of state, you'll be away, we'll never see you, you know," she said. "I'll see you at a state dinner once in a while."

After the exchange aired on television three hours later, Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander denied Jill Biden's account in a statement e-mailed to reporters.

"To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only — to be his running mate," the statement said. "And the vice president-elect was thrilled to accept the offer."

While the statement denies that Obama ever offered Biden the secretary of state job, it doesn't rule out that the two discussed the possibility. Obama's transition office did not respond to questions about their private discussions.

Clinton's spokesman declined to comment about the suggestion that she was the second choice.

Obama made no reference to to the comments Monday night, when he praised the Bidens at a dinner honoring his running mate at Washington's Union Station. Obama invited the two on stage, where he kissed Jill Biden's cheek and hugged her husband.

On Winfrey's program, Joe Biden said he didn't immediately take the vice presidential offer since he wasn't sure it was the best place for him to serve. But Biden, who ran against Obama in the Democratic primary race, said he agreed after getting some assurances from Obama about his role.

"This is a partnership," Biden said. "He's president of the United States, but as I said to him when he asked me, I said, 'Barack, don't ask me unless the reason you're asking me is you're asking me for my judgment. I get to be the last guy in the room when you make every important decision. You're president. Any decision you make, I will back.'

"He said he wanted to have a confidant and somebody who wouldn't be a yes man. He's pretty sure about that last part," Biden said with a laugh.

Alexander's statement said, "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."

The Bidens made a surprise appearance on Winfrey's show. The celebrity-filled show also included the premiere of "America's Song," performed by Faith Hill , Seal , Bono , Mary J. Blige , Will.i.am and David Foster in honor of the occasion and available for free download on Winfrey's Web site for 24 hours.

Winfrey also interviewed movie star couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher about how Obama has inspired them to pledge to help end slave labor around the world and encourage other people to make a pledge to improve their communities. Other celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson , Justin Timberlake and Forest Whitaker appeared by videotape to talk about what Obama's election means to them.

Winfrey, who made her first ever presidential endorsement for Obama, heralded the significance of the moment particularly coming the day after Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

"I feel like I am better because of his being elected," Winfrey said. "And I think that the country is going to be better. I feel like it is a beautiful thing, and we all start to see ourselves differently, the possibility."

Obama Family Feted by Sheryl Crow, Beyonce at Inaugural Concert!

President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughter Sasha look on during the 'We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial' on January 18, 2009 at the National Mall in Washington, DC.Us Magazine

Nearly all of Hollywood turned up to the concert of the year -- in Washington, D.C.!

Barack and Michelle Obama smiled, danced and waved to their favorite stars at the inaugural kick-off concert, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

At 2:30 p.m., the Obamas and Bidens -- all sitting in a glass bulletproof section near the stage erected on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial -- had front-row seats to the star-studded show. Obama's two daughters, Malia and Sasha, sat between Barack and Michelle. Malia was busy taking photos with her digital camera. Five minutes later, everyone rose to sing the National Anthem.

Denzel Washington gave an introductory speech. Bruce Springsteen sang "The Rising" with a red-and-white-robed gospel choir behind him.

Then, actress Laura Linney spoke about former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King III read some of John F. Kennedy's famous words. Mary J. Blige then sang "Lean On Me." Obama beamed at her during the performance.



Steve Carell and Jamie Foxx took the stage next to speak to the swelling crowd.

Betty LaVette duetted with Jon Bon Jovi . Obama was bopping to the music, and Malia continued to take photos of the crowd. After the song, Tom Hanks , who as Forrest Gump famously gave a speech at the monument steps -- talked about Abraham Lincoln and said, "We cannot escape history." Next up was Marisa Tomei , who talked about how Americans are a family. The music picked up again when James Taylor, John Legend and Faith Hill performed a song together.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden gave a speech and said: "Anyone can make it if given a fair chance. Work isn't about money -- it's about dignity and respect." John Mellencamp sang "Ain't That America."

Queen Latifah spoke at 3:30 p.m. and said, "We're celebrating not just the Inauguration of a new president, but the journey of America continuing to be America." Josh Groban then sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee." After the patriotic number, George Lopez and Kal Penn -- who had the crowd screaming out "Kumar!" -- spoke. Lopez ad-libbed part of his speech and called out: "Anyone here from out of town? Well, you're all home now!"

Then, will.i.am and Sheryl Crow sang Bob Marley's "One Love." When the song morphed into the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love?," Michelle began dancing along in her seat and waving at the performers.

After that powerhouse performance, golf pro Tiger Woods gave a speech honoring men and women in uniform, and the US Naval Academy Glee Club perfomed. Garth Brooks followed them up by singing two songs -- "American Pie" and "Shout."


Jack Black and Rosario Dawson spoke together before Stevie Wonder , Usher and Shakira sang Wonder's "Higher Ground." During the performance, Wonder shouted, "Good luck, Obama!"

Samuel L. Jackson introduced U2, who sang "In the Name of Love." Frontman Bono congratulated Obama, who smiled back at the rocker.

When the concert was about to come to a close, Obama took the stage to thank everyone for coming and adressed the challenges ahead: "Anything is possible in America. What gives me the greatest hope is you."

Beyonce then sang the finale, "America" as all the day's performers joined her on stage.