This comes via Ben Smith at Sun partner Politico. It’s Washington Post reporting on Biden-Obama deal.

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.

What does this mean? To win a delegate in an Iowa caucus meeting, you need to get at least 15 percent of the people there. If Biden doesn’t get his 15 percent in certain precincts, he’ll instruct his people to move to Obama.

Obama already has such an agreement from Dennis Kucinich. This was a big deal for John Edwards in 2004, who got the same agreement from Kucinich then.

The subterranean issue is this: Biden wants to be Secretary of State. Clinton has probably already nodded toward Richard Holbrooke, former Ambassador to the U.N., for Foggy Bottom. So Biden’s playing a little real politik. Maybe Obama gives him V.P. if nominated?

Biden spokester denies any deal, at this point, according to Ben Smith.