Joe is just setting the stage for the Big Gaffe, that one forces him to step aside and let Hillary take the Veep slot. Smart money is riding on 5 Oct.
Smart money ain't riding on it at all. First, he doesn't want her blocking his spotlights--the Clintons do not fade into the background. Obama is not ready for the "Co-Presidency". Second, it would require Barack to
admit he made a mistake, and that'd be a mighty big bump for the bus to roll over. Third, Hillary has already started the "Clinton in 2012" groundwork--she's betting on an Obama defeat, and she is NOT going to wait until 2016. Fourth, people die around the Clintons--nuff said. And fifth, it would be seen as a clumsy blatant attempt at pandering to the female voters, after these few weeks of Dems acting appalled that a woman with children at home would seek office.
And an Obama/Clinton ticket? Even the Paulista/Barr/Libertarian/nutjobs would turn out to vote for McCain, because the two of them spells out the death of America.