Biden Offers Testament To Obama's Character And Toughness
Joe Biden just wrapped up his first speech as Obama's veep candidate, and it offered a glimpse of his role on the ticket beyond offering foreign policy expertise.
Biden, who has struggled at times with adversity, will offer frequent testament to Obama's character and toughness, and will use his populist cred to sharpen up the campaign's attacks on McCain over the economy.
One thing that will certainly cheer Obama advisers was the fact that Biden appeared totally at ease on the stump and demonstrated a wide emotional range as he linked his own adversity to that of Obama's early years.
"We share a common story, an American story," Biden said, recounting Obama's upbringing at the hands of a single mom and his self-driven rise to prominence.
Biden, who has a hardscrabble Pennsylvania bio and is well respected by labor leaders, also showed that he'd be taking a lead role in voicing sharper populist attacks on McCain that Obama might be willing to venture.
In so doing, he got off the best line of the day, a reference to McCain's multiple homes, noting that McCain might have a bit of trouble sitting down to consider the kitchen table problems faced by ordinary Americans.
"He'll have to figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at," Biden quipped.
Biden, who used much of his speech to link McCain to Bush, also offered a glimpse of how he'll deal with the fact that he's praised McCain in the past, painting McCain as having nothing in common with the earlier McCain he admired.
He "gave in to the right wing of his political party, and gave in to the swift boat politics that he once so deplored," Biden shouted.
Interestingly, Biden also revealed that he may be taking on McCain's war service as an issue a little more frontally than Obama may be willing to do.
"These times require more than a good soldier," Biden said. "They require a wise leader." He went on to describe Obama as "a clear eyed pragmatist who will get the job done."
As Biden showed, his emotional range, experience and rhetorical pugnaciousness will allow him to play multiple roles on Obama's behalf.
Babe Domain '08!
August 23, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eerie.
AABBD EIMNO
OBAMA BIDEN
BABE DOMAIN
Yet more proof that hot chicks dig Obama.
August 23, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
A median Bob
And they try to call 'um elitist.
August 23, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
it was such a great speech. If this is what biden is like all the time, then we can expect a more exciting election
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 23, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay - that clip is brutal. The way he's arguing with the crowd is just... that's simply toxic. Beyond the gaffe itself - the utter contempt in his voice is palpable.
Spread this one far and wide, folks.
August 23, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. McCain is arguing that Americans are so lazy that they wouldn't do a hard days work if you paid them twice what a competent systems administrator with a 4 year degree would earn. The condescension in his tone that he's being challenged is palatable, and it's abundantly clear that he absolutely has no frame of reference with which to relate to what his audience is trying to say.
August 23, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
He probably had no idea that $50/hr is a hell of a lot of money. Working an ordinary 2086 hour work year, that comes up to over $100k! Pretax, of course, but most salaries are calculated that way.
And that was a couple of years ago, as well.
Hell, I'd quit my job and pick lettuce for that much
August 23, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
That isn't a lot of money for McCain.
August 24, 2008 7:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus, I shouldn't post before going out on Saturday nights. Palatable = palpable.
I r idiut.
August 24, 2008 5:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I enthusiasticaly agree. Listening to it will make you cringe.
August 23, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
loks like the video of McSame saying americans wont pick lettuce for $50/hr
The link is there but the vid is gone.
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/video-mccain-americans-wont-pick-lettuce-for-50hr/
August 23, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden hit the seven houses gaffe on the mark. Totally obliterated it. Couldn't have done it better. So. Freaking. Good.
August 23, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about this for a "bitch slap" on McCain's houses:
It's not a surprise that McCain doesn't know how many houses he has.
Since his wife picks up his bills for him, he doesn't have to worry about the mortgages. And if he doesn't have to pay the mortgages, why would why would he worry about how many he has.
August 23, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is it a problem that his wife has a PhD? I didn't get that part
August 23, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I have to admit that line was like, What?
August 23, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it goes against the common-folk theme the speech was about....how they were tying obama and biden as working class regular guys. Someone with a PhD isn't a scrappy person from Scranton, and more of an elitist. But it's Joe...he'll say weird things...
August 23, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
The point is that she is smart...having a really smart wife is a problem for a guy because she will be tough on you...
...it is a joke. Do not worry, it is not offensive to women. He called her gorgeous and in a backhanded way said his wife was really smart, maybe smarter than him.
It was a subtle compliment to her and funny.
August 23, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
BINGO! I can't believe folks missed that one. It is the oldest working class guy's backhanded compliment. He 'marries up' to a smart wife to raise the kids and she also stays on him...cause he is just a regular joe. It's a feather in his cap but he whines in his beer about it with the fellas to be 'one of the guys'
August 23, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe his wife is a teacher. How a teacher with a PhD has now become an elitist is beyond me.
August 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is a professor at a community college.
August 23, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pointy-headed snark.
August 23, 2008 6:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
What he meant is that he's smarter than he is, knows more than he does, etc. and that's the problem. to a guy his age, it's a compliment. To those who want to see it as and why shouldn't a woman be smarter, it's a slap. So, yes, it's a gaffe. But it's not going to make me not vote for Obama, or anyone else who was going to (the nutsoid Hillary deadender feminists are lost anyhow) so big deal.
But, unh, whire Joe Sixpack guys don't need a translator on this, and it might make them like Biden better. He's not the not us elite.
August 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're right. It's sad that we have to appeal to people through the anti-intellectualism. In a perfect world...
August 23, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's simply a joke because he didn't graduated magna cum laude. I really didn't take it offensively at all.
August 23, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm wondering if Chrono is right. And if Biden meant which is a problem "for me", ie a joke that she is smarter than him.
August 23, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's all I think it is, honestly. I don't think it was misogynistic. Biden was being himself. He also said his wife is dropdead gorgeous. I really think it's more of an inside joke than anything else, especially for people that know him.
August 23, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Typo. What he meant is that she's smarter than he is...
August 23, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep...and for chauvinist, that might be a problem but most working class stiffs know it is a good thing to have a smart wife, to keep their 'dumbfratboyasses' out of trouble and to bail them out when they go to far.
It was all good natured fun.
Kinda like when Southern men say when they are tired of listening to their wives/girlfriends 'honey could you please just sit there and look pretty' instead of be quiet.
It's a backhanded compliment but women get it.
However this one was more on Joe, cause he told the fellas, she looks GOOD (which men desire) but boy is she smart aka as probably gives lots of backtalk...hahahahaha
August 23, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kinda the antithesis of Stepford wife, Cindy McCain.
August 23, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah I also didn't get it
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just Joe being Joe.
August 23, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joe being Joe will contact emotionally with a lot of people that Obama can't reach. I know I respect Obama, but I like Joe.
Given a choice between the two I would personally pick Joe as a personal role model. Whatever - for a party trying to get mass voters to pull the lever for President, the two are a great combination.
Now if we can just get Hillary to convincingly join the two as closely as possible .... (Convincingly will be the trick. She fits well with these two. It's some of her so-called followers who don't.)
I seriously doubt that McCain will find someone who is such a good match for him to the voters he has to reach. Someone who will attract more voters without alienating the ones the other attracts. That would require a moderate Republican, and the conservatives have run those out of the party.
August 23, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe it's a problem because she is always correcting him about his habit of using the word "literally" to mean "really." I have to say I was a little frightened when he said Obama would literally, literally, literally change the direction of the world.
:)
August 23, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, boo. I was a little hard on myself for being so bothered by that. Glad I wasn't the only one.
August 23, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Language police make bad politicians in a mass politics situation.
Other than standard language sometimes connects to those who are put off by language police.
And don't bother to remind me I wrote this the next time I write that someone who says "Where are you at?" is using a redundant "at" which adds nothing to the meaning of the sentence. "Where are you?" is the sentence. God! I hate it when someone says/writes the redundant "at"!
August 23, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Language police make bad politicians in a mass politics situation."
If you mean that people who police their own language for imprecision make bad politicians, I think you're demonstrably wrong. The very most important politicians, on the contrary, have been the best with verbal precision: see the Lincoln quoted at the outset of that very speech, or Jefferson, or Churchill -- master stylists all, who never tolerated a misplaced syllable.
August 24, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe he was using "literally" as opposed to "figuratively" -- in other words, what I'm saying is not a rhetorical exaggeration but an actual fact.
August 24, 2008 2:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
But that's just the point. He meant "figuratively" but said "literally."
August 24, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was an attempt at self-effacing humor. My wife has a PhD and that's a problem because it makes her a lot smarter than me.
August 23, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
A PhD is someone sufficiently intelligent to master a given body of knowledge, but more important, is someone who can put up with the bullshit handed out and the politics required by the committee chair and members who award the degree.
Most people who can get a bachelors are sufficiently intelligent to get a PhD. The question is if they can also add the sacrifice and discipline as well as play the games, and adequately socialize with the other PhDs who award the degree.
The measurement of intelligence will ultimately be based on the value of the research the individual with the doctorate publishes. Getting the PhD is merely a minimal license to ask questions and get paid for it.
By the way, the difference between a doctorate and a Doctorate of Philosophy is the difference between someone who has mastered a body of knowledge and someone who has both mastered a body of knowledge and has performed original research that has added to the body of knowledge. A mere MD is a certified technician, not a certified researcher.
Perhaps you may suspect from this that intelligence and a Doctor of Philosophy are not that closely related.
August 23, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I think the line that American needs more than a good soldier, it needs a wise leader, is one of those jabs that Biden can get away with but Obama would get blasted for being not respectful.
August 23, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you. It could be construed as part of "The One" meme, but the risks are nothing compared with the gains it could get.
August 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Both of them were 'on fire" today. Barack showed more passion than I've seen in a while, and while dealing with down to earth
issues...while Biden showed that in areas where he will campaign,
he will definitely have an impact among voters that still might be reticent about Obama. And I really am interested seeing who McCain picks, because we might be seeing two more rich white Republicans, and Biden is the anti-elitist if every there was one.
Anyway, neither of them disappointed today (heck, even over at Fox they were nit-picking to find something negative to say).
And the Repubs will certainly go after Biden's foreign policy positions, but when Biden goes on the offensive, in stumping, he'll more than hold his own.
August 23, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to go out on a limb and speculate a bit. I think I saw what you did, and I think it comes from Obama finding someone he trusts and respects in the campaign.
Up until now, the final authority on everything in the Obama campaign has been Obama himself. If he isn't both exhausted and really concerned that he is missing something, then he's not human. But who does he have that has the experience of a Presidential campaign that he can also trust with his inner thoughts? The stress is showing.
James Fallows pointed out that Obama was a lot more comfortable and fluid dealing with The extremely well-trained and talented debater, Alan Keyes, in 2004 than he has been in the Democratic Primary. Frankly, the pressure wasn't on him then the way it is now in the Presidential campaign. Keyes was a throw-away Republican candidate brought in at the last minute to replace Jeri Ryan's husband when he self-destructed. But since Adlai Stevenson, Democrats have not been forgiving of candidate who lose an election. One shot, fail, and you are gone after 1956. So this is probably Obama's only shot at the Presidency. He's got to get it right.
With Biden he gets someone whose politics he agrees with and who has been there. He's run twice for President. He's also age 65, so he will not compete with Obama as Veep. He tried competing with Obama already and lost. So they can both relax with each other. In short, the chemistry is possible. Both can win together, without competing with each other.
I think the speech today showed how they can play off each other. It's a chemistry that no one on the Republican side can match (name a prominent Republican McCain can choose to complement himself. He was the default candidate when all the rest self-destructed), and Obama/Bident looks like a very attractive chemistry for the voters.
If the choice of a Vice President is the first Presidential decision a candidate makes, then Obama has set a very high bar for McCain to try to match.
If the Republicans had any good sense they'd call St. Paul, cancel their convention, and throw all their weight behind Bob Barr and the Libertarians. Maybe offer McCain as Barr's Vice Presidential candidate. Anything else is a waste of time and money.
OK. Over the top. But only a little. This is going to be the decision that puts this election away for Obama.
August 23, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn! I hate the absence of a review function! I didn't properly close off the hyper link!
August 23, 2008 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
RicharsXX - I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said. It occurred to me today that Obama must be very relieved to have some 'company' there in the spotlight. And, as you say, the company of someone he obviously respects (and with casue) and who isn't going to be 'thrown' by the pressure and the contact. -- It was a great day. -- ""These times require more than a good soldier. They require a wise leader." was the line of the day. And you have to believe he means it: there would be no reason for Biden to leave his secure and powerful position to join ranks with someone he didn't feel was exceptional.
All and all, it felt like watching Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly: both great, but very different (Obama - the elegant and slightly aloof, and classically superior, Astaire; Biden - the muscular, earthy, and very appealing Kelly). A dynamite combination! And one that will only get better as they interact more and become more comfortable.
August 24, 2008 2:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um, Stevenson ran in 1952 and 1956.
August 24, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, that's what he's saying: Since Stevenson, nobody has been given a second bite at the apple.
August 25, 2008 1:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought Biden was excellent, hitting all the right points in all the right aways (other than botching "Obama" at one point). I was already feeling good about his selection and this made me feel even better.
August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree Moose...Biden had that 'working class lingo' down pat..from talking about how his dad told him to get up quick, champ...to how he had to overcome adversity and keep on going. He spoke the language of a 'fighter' which is what blue collar guys identify with A LOT.
It helps that he did not go to Washington and get rich as well.
August 23, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Epilogue: Hearing/Seeing Biden, I couldn't help but think about our last two VP choices: doughy, wishy-washy Lieberman, and
AWOL Edwards (maybe his fault, but...). Neither of whom have the working class cachet of Biden.
August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Wasn't a huge fan of this pick until now. This is the perfect blend of personalities. Excellent speeches. If Biden is going to hit these points with consistency until November, its going to be a good time.
August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. This gathering in Illinois got me fired up and ready to go!
August 23, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, that's kind of . . . hot.
August 23, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
TOTALLY hot.
August 23, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You aren't ....
Nah. I don't believe it.
August 23, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
the mccain campaign is apparently (got report from my wife) already trying to make hay out of the "next presid- vice-president of the united states" misspeak.
douchebags. that's all they got from this?
August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This from the guy who thinks Czechoslovakia is still a country and Iraq has a border with Pakistan?
August 23, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
And from the guy can't remember how many houses he has? He shouldn't push his luck... Oh, wait!
McCain doesn't know what is about to hit him for the next 73 days. The Reckoning is indeed coming.
August 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Biden is going to drive him batshit crazy.
August 23, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
And has a solid working knowledge of how to push his buttons, having watched John Sydney get pushed around in the Senate for years.
Anyone wondering if McCain would have a touch of the tantrums coming will certainly be pleased, as Biden's quite obviously been given clearance to Twist the Knife in light of the narrative tracks unveiled today.
August 23, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I belive Biden's explosive faux-indignant rampages trump McCain's anger.
McCain will certainly know how to bring that out in Biden if need be. Get the popcorn and sit back. Between McCain getting him in a lather and Obama telling him to shut up I think it won;t be long before Biden's head explodes.
August 23, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the hell is there to say? Obama doesn't know if he is running for president or vice president. He has dementia like McFuddle? It's gonna sound pretty lame. Non-issue.
August 23, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
something to the effect that, "see??!! obama was freudianly admitting that he isn't qualified, and that biden will be the one really pulling the strings!!!" or something like that.
it struck me that this wasn't a well thought out attack (no surprise there, i guess), because to all of the arugala-eating pointy-headed professor types who were going to vote for obama, well, they know different. on the other hand, to the the constituency that mccain has been trying to frighten by talking about how obama doesn't have experience or judgment or whatever the attack is (i still haven't quite figured it out), it seems to me that it would soothe those sorts of voters (if they exist) that such a time-tested veteran might be pulling the strings (regardless of the fact that it's not true).
maybe i'm overthinking it, in addition to being oversensitive to every dumbass mccain "attack."
August 23, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, that was my take on it, too. (See my reply below)
August 23, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of their main attacks will be it's a good ticket it just that got the order wrong. Quite frankly it pretty much a old-school democrat attack. Seven kitchen tables, now that's what we're talking about.
August 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is how their spinning a quite understandable misspeak:
“Barack Obama sounded as though he turned over the top spot on the ticket today to his new mentor…The reality is that nothing has changed since Joe Biden first made his assessment that Barack Obama is not ready to lead.”
Weak. They're flailing. That performance by Biden scared the crap out of them.
Now awaiting how they will spin the - also very understandable - "Barack America" - misspeak. Because you know they will...
August 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
With the convention, McCain's people will have a hard time getting any take on this speech to reach beyond the political online world, where everyone has taken up sides.
August 23, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree.. weak.
Possible response:
This comes from the guy who frequently refers to countries that no longer exists and who once sad: "I will veto every beer"
McMansion camp gains nothing from this
August 23, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
And what was that about bottling hot water to give to dehydrated babies?
August 23, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I liked the Barack America "gaffe". It fits with Obama's well-placed patriotism.
I want me a "Barack America '08" sticker!
August 24, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know why the McCain camp would want to make an issue of it. The idea that Biden pulls the strings is probably comforting to a lot of people on the fence. That's what he's there for, afterall.
The Obama camp would probably love for McCain to push that as a gaffe.
August 23, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
ha, that was my take, too. (see my reply above)
August 23, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Took the words out of my mouth, Michael Hussein. You are exactly right.
August 23, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Douchebas are douchebags. Nothing can be done for them...
Except butt slamming them on November 4th!
Obama-Biden'08: It's our time, it's America's time!
August 23, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Misspelled the first douchebags. My bad.
August 23, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
There was a pundit who said Obama has been saying president for so long, that vice president wasn't a phrase that he had gotten used too. I can agree with that.
Biden did follow up saying that Barack would be president right after.
August 23, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's not all they got from that. It's the very best a bunch of reich-wing propaganda experts could find in it to counter it.
August 23, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Outstanding debut. I'm feeling really good about the Obama camp getting back on track now (*crosses fingers).
August 23, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brill-yant.
August 23, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was my favorite line. I think they need to hammer that message home on a daily basis
August 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I think it's important to note that the media would never let Obama get away with a line like this.
August 23, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am pretty sure they will jump on it but who cares. Let’s face it, McCain is not wise leader, he is a hot head. I think Obama should hammer it home. McCain is a hot head…
August 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's so clever b/c it speaks to both national security, but also the partisan politicization of every govt agency.
Hits McCain and Bush, while tying them together.
Just so good.
August 23, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
The beauty here is that while Biden has been in the senate for 30 years, and knows a ton, he doesn't come across as having the vision or the persona to lead. But he can say admiring things about Obama's leadership qualities, and it will work well. It's like he's made for the number 2 job.
August 23, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, no - one cannot refer to oneself as wise and have it come across with any real meaning. That Biden is Obama's elder adds tremendous weight to boot, given the demos they're going to be pushing into over the coming months.
I'm guessing this frame will be Biden's to run with the entire season, and it kneecaps McCain on this front given the POW Card ire being raised in the network bleachers.
August 23, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed. And I'm surprised that the McCain camp hasn't decried it as an attack against McCain's patriotism. If they have, I haven't heard it yet.
August 23, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
How can McCain's camp do that? He and McCain have been friends for 30 years. Biden is the only one who can call McCain out on the carpet. Clark essentially said the same thing and he was panned by the MSM and the McCain campaign. McCain's camp cannot say anything about it without making McCain look like the arse and hot head he is.
August 23, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Biden botched "Obama" (didn't he say "America"?), Barack introduced him as the "next President"...both quickly corrected themselves of course. Gee...the Republicans are back to running Ads showing what Biden said in the primary about Obama and years ago about McCain. We'll survive the former, and Biden took on the latter angle in his speech: the old "maverick" John McCain has sold himself out to Bush.
I really feel the golden jab for Obama/Biden is to stress that the "maverick" imge of McCain is a thing of the past.
August 23, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
"...the Republicans are back to running Ads showing what Biden said in the primary" -- I can almost hear Biden's response: "Hell, I was competing with the guy .... and he's so damn impressive and had to say something..... " Everyone will chuckle, accept it, end of 'issue'.
August 24, 2008 3:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama-Biden is going to be a dynamic duo. I don't see how McCain can come out of this mess. Biden successfully link McCain to Bush. Here is my favorite line "It is not enough to be a good soldier but we need a wise leader"
August 23, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope that when the Dems keep hammering on the "houses" gaffe, they play up the "couldn't remember" aspect more and let up a little on the pure "McCain sure is rich" aspect. It's key that he didn't know how many he had.
August 23, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that this is important.
August 23, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Add that his wife handles the money. That's devastating.
August 23, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Feel The Synergy:
OBIDEMA OBIDEMA OBIDEMA
August 23, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome!!!
August 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beats Barack Omera for sure
August 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
but would obidema veto every single beer that comes across his desk.
August 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
That some sort of skin disease?
August 23, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Open the wallets, my friends, we need to do our part too. And hopefully the Obama campaign has realized that it can't afford to allow itself to be outspent 2 or 3 -1 in Ads in battleground states.
August 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just gave $50 for this ticket. I love the ticket
August 23, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boing! Me too, $50. Anyone else?
August 23, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
heck, i gave $100 at around noon eastern, BEFORE this. might have to double down. :)
August 23, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK. That's just advertising. Compare also the expense of the ground game in the same geographic areas.
This election will depend on voter registration and the get out the vote effort more than state by state advertising.
The 50-state Democratic primary built a state-by-state infrastructure the Republicans can't match. But the reported statistics haven't caught up to that fact yet, and probably won't until after the election.
August 23, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Obidema"....sorry, but sounds too close to "Enema"....:)
August 23, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
"O'Biden" works pretty well, and has been mistakenly said on TV today at least twice. No harm in playing up the Irish Catholic angle of Biden, eiher.
August 23, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can not use O'Biden. It would come across as elevating Biden's name, while making Obama's name vanish. That would not wash, since Obama is the Presidential nominee and Biden is his running mate.
You could possibly get away with O'Bidema. Did you know that Obama also has some Irish roots on his maternal side of the family. A great great great grandfather was an an immigrant from Ireland. His name was Falmouth Kearney.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/familytree/545452,BSX-News-wotreem09.stng
August 23, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
No it doesn't: Sound it out, O Bide Ma. Not even close to the word you suggested. If that is your comparison, then you would have to say the same thing about O Ba Ma.
August 23, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I personally like Joebama. :) But can't be used for obvious reasons!
August 23, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joebamamentum!
August 23, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the McCain house thing is going to be the great running gag of the Democratic convention and if they play it right, can make for a great, populist, bread-and-butter theme. I hope they repeat the fact that he resisted helping borrowers facing foreclosure, calling them irresponsible, and that his wife was impulse buying another $1 million+ vacation condo at the same time McCain was advising Americans to get a second job and skip their vacations in order to avoid losing their homes.
The fact that Obama is middle class by McCain's definition (he made a measly $4 million last year) and Biden is middle class even by Obama's definition, means that they can really hammer it home all week that McCain is running for President just to line his own pockets and the pockets of his super-rich buddies at the expense of regular Americans, and that he has shown contempt for those Americans.
By the end of the week it might just have the McCain camp really regretting that they promised the press they would announce his VP right after the Democratic convention, given that it's almost sure to be uber-rich and uber-plastic Mitt Romney.
August 23, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is working class under McCain's definition. Chris Matthews' big number tonight was that Biden's net worth is $100-150K. Obama's net worth is $799K. Compare that to McCain who is worth $34M and Mitten's $200M.
August 23, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just heard an MSNBC pundit making the point that Biden is well liked in the Senate, even by most Republicans. That's a very good
point, especially if McCain chooses someone (which he will) who
has no experience with the Senate.
August 23, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Ph.D thing was a joke! Among Irish Americans it's a constant riff on men that they marry "up."
August 23, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
She got an advanced degree AND she could beat Cindy in the Miss Buffalo Chip category.
August 23, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's too ridiculous. These guys are talking, they are going to make some mistakes, it seems silly to pull apart any fucking thing they say and try to make a negative ad out of it. Very petty. I sort of like Barack America.
August 23, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very sane.
August 23, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chuck Todd just made an interesting point - Biden is the response to the "Celebrity" charge embodied
August 23, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched the two speeches live on MSNBC. I was very impressed with how passionate and intelligent both men were. On their game. This old cynic is totally won over.
Biden did great mentioning not just his and Obama's stories, and aluding to his Catholicism, but bringing in secretaries, veterans, police and fire people, etc. Much more down to earth, "working class". He also looked good bounding up the runway in his entrace.
The image of the four of them standing on the stage--a black man and woman and a white man and woman--was to their theme songs: "Its a Beautiful Day" and "Only in America" (Not familiar with the songs, so unsure of the names.
August 23, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do you think Obama emphasized how "down to earth" Biden is....taking the train to Wilmington every day. Think McCain. It all is to emphasize that after 30 plus years in Washington, Biden has not become a millionaire, far from it. And his legislative history in respect to cops, children, women, veterans plays well to the kind of voters that the Dems need to attract. (My main complaint with Biden's legislative history was his role in the 2005 Bankruptcy Reform Act, but I've forgiven him).
August 23, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and don't forget that this week McCain used a nine-car entourage just to go for a latte at Starbucks. Yeah, that will connect with working class people.
Obama-Biden'08: It's our time, it's America's time.
August 23, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, Biden is going to be travelling with an entourage now too because of all the secret service protection. No taking the amtrak any more. His life just changed a lot.
August 23, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
In that case, it's just a matter of security.
August 23, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great Gbenga! I've matched you (and even upped the ante a tiny bit).
August 23, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain picks Meg Whitman we have got real trouble...
The die hard Hillary voters will be gone. They are already mad that Obama did not even offer her the courtesy of consideration. White women will choose the next President.
Biden offers no expertise on the Economy.
His foreign policy credentials are well noted, but here is what the McCain campaign will say.
- He voted against the Reagan buildup that ended the Cold War
- He voted against the first Gulf War, one that was highly successful and increase US prestige and stature
- He voted for the Iraq war, so what kind of judgement is Obama really looking for?
- He was non-commital on the Surge, which is de facto against it
Biden cannot really claim to be on the correct side of history on foreign policy.
Biden is also the quintessential Washington insider, so that dilutes the change message.
Biden has also called McCain a great friend, and the GOP will play those adulatory, and recent, quotes endlessly, and Biden will look bad as he sticks the knife in his good friend with a smile. This will not appeal at all to women voters, not at all.
If they position Biden as a power-hungry disloyal friend, who is admittedly narcissistic and long-winded, women will flee.
Hence, Meg Whitman is the silver bullet. She is smart, understand the economy, is accomplished and has empowered 1 million stay at home moms to earn a living.
How is that for an economic populist message-bearer.
...and if Biden goes after her in the debate, he looks like a major league a-hole.
Fear Meg Whitman...Romney would be a blessing compared to her...
August 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
i welcome her addition to the republican ticket. the debate between her and biden should be entertaining as hell, as he tears her apart on every question except, "how much do you think i could get for this astronaut pen? it writes upside down, and hasn't been used very much ..."
August 23, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
That shouldn't be a problem. Die hard Hillary supporters are only 0.05%
August 23, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen, brother.
August 23, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's more complicated than you make it out to be. It's far from certain that their dislike of Obama is going to translate into a vote for McCain. I think it will depend on how McCain's campaign moves on and whether or not the "out of touch" line from Obama is going to stick. I don't think Hillary voters decided yet how they will vote.
August 23, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're right. And I think alot will be like me, a conscientious objector, and refuse to vote at all.
August 23, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
My sympathies. If you are so totally tied up in your own personal limitations that you can't see how utterly bad the conservatives/Republicans are for American families (especially the children), then you have no hope of ever gaining a feeling of control over your own life.
August 23, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congratulations! That's the first "it's for the children" post.
Go to the front of the line!
August 24, 2008 1:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Should that read "Some Hillary voters haven't decided"? After all, the polls certainly show that Hillary voters are shifting to support Obama.
August 23, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking as someone who knows folks who used to work for Meg...
That women's skeletons have skeletons. The stories of her KILLING her staff to increase quarterly profits will only add to the elitist attitude of that ticket.
I'd love to see it. Bring it on. There is a reason she's no longer at Ebay as CEO.
August 23, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
This woman voter has no problem with Joe Biden at all, no matter what the Republicans might say about him. Anyone who would claim to be swayed to that kind of lame characterization would likely not have voted for Obama anyway.
August 25, 2008 2:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, NOW it's on for sure.
Judging that McCain's boys reacted immediately with weak responses (just like when 'Seven Houses' broke the other day), they've been revealed as a media response team that's in way over its collective head.
McCain will cross the Rubicon and bring Karl Rove aboard before the Dem convention is over.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Senator Seven Houses is currently experiencing entirely new levels of desperation.
August 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain has already crossed the Rubicon, but I agree that Rove will join the campaign sooner than everyone thinks.
I see a "Helm's Deep" (LOTR:Two Towers) scenario, where the entire GOP machinery (the official camp, the 527's, the conservative talk show hosts, Fox News, the religious right, etc.) will make a siege on the Obama-Biden camp and the Dems for the rest of the election campaign. Not surprising, they will get help of the MSM pundits and even from the PUMAs.
But after today, I feel that this challenge will be faced and defeated. Half of the battle plans are already established (The Ground Game) and now is time to finish the job.
Obama-Biden'08: It's our time, it's America's time.
PD. I know that sounds funny to use a fantasy movie as a metaphor for a election, but sometimes the most easy and effective ways to explain something are the most unusual.
August 23, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
They've already crossed the Rubicon. The Republican/conservatives only hope is to set up a threat as dangerous as the Communists of the USSR. Al Qaeda was the previous effort, but it hasn't worked. So was Iran.
The most recent effort was for the Bush people to push the hot-headed Saakashvili into attacking into South Ossetia. Had the American advisers offered the satellite photos of the Russian troops and tanks waiting to attack the Georgians, the Georgian high command would never have attacked South Ossetia and set off the latest "Russian Cold War Threat."
Think that wasn't a Republican ploy to start a Russia - US Cold War? The Russians have been pushing Georgia into attacking for months. If the US didn't have satellite surveillance that showed the Russian troops already in position to spring the trap, then our technical Intelligence agencies are a total failure and not worth the billions we pay for them every year. The Bush administration urged Saakashvili to attack South Ossetia. They knew the Georgians were driving into a trap. It was an effort to create a new US-Russia Cold War to get McCain elected.
The conservatives/NeoCons/Republicans will do anything to raise the fear level so that their anti-Constitutional efforts will succeed. There is no lower limit to what they will do to win politically inside America. And their goal is to create the Unitary Presidency - a new monarchy that makes the checks and balances built into the Constitution into an unimportant fiction. The FISA bill is a perfect example. No restrictions on executive actions at all. No restrictions either judicial nor Congressional.
How do they accomplish that? Create an enemy so threatening that only a unitary executive can protect us from it.
Of course, Putin gets to use these very actions by the American conservatives to create a unitary executive in Russia. Authoritarian governments create more authoritarian governments as counterweights though fear.
That's what we are watching happen right now. Putins authoritarians are using the American Republican authoritarians to gain power in Russia and vice versa. They know what they are doing. They work the game. They play isolated and ignorant politicians like Saakashvili to make it work.
Which is not to say that Putin and the Russians are people we can easily work with. It is only to say that we should not accept the unitary executive of fools to counter them. The American Democratic Republic as defined by the Constitution and the Rule of Law is still a unique political organization, one well worth fighting to keep. If the American Constitutional Republic had existed then FEMA could have dealt with Hurricane Katrina. The Bush administration failed to deal with Katrina because it abandoned the American Constitutional Republic and tried to replace it with the Unitary Executive.
That's what the Republican conservatives are trying to achieve. It is a new monarchy, one with no checks and balances. The Republicans call it the Unitary Presidency, and as all such tyrannies, it is justified by the fear of an existential enemy.
Is it any wonder that the conservatives who desire a tyranny are working very hard to create some supposed existential enemy?
August 23, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was great start. Kitchen table was a great zinger. It made me jump up and fist pump. I missed the good soldier wise men line...
August 23, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the battle of the WDC media darlings--Biden and McCain. It will become the battle of the quips with Obama above it all.
This is going to be fun. Well, back to canvassing. Any of you interested in pushing back from the keyboard and joining me on a hot and humid St. Louis afternoon?
August 23, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the "media darling" thing might end up being the unheralded boon of this pick. Biden gets the same treatment from the msm as McCain historically has gotten. "That's Biden being Biden!" That gives him a good bit of latitude in hitting McCain and going after some of the issues it's tougher for Obama to broach.
August 23, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just watched the Repub strategist on CNN try to say how Biden, being on the federal dole his entire career cannot connect with small business owners and blue collar workers. Not sure McCain wants to go down this route, being that McCain has been on the Federal dole and the Cindy dole.
August 23, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is way easy to respond to...The McCain campaign is running scare.
August 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would make him the new Bob Dole.
August 23, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
KaZing!
August 23, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
as long as he hasn't been on libby dole. now there's an image i wish had never entered my consciousness.
August 23, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hehee.
August 23, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
So gross. So... unholy.
August 23, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meg WHitman lmao ooooooooo fraidy cat....give me a break Whitman? Not gonna happen the base would hate her
August 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think McCain wants to pick Ridge, but the strategists are saying no no no, we won't be able to attack Obama on abortion, and the base will flip.
That leaves Mitt and Pawlenty. Mitt will take the seven kitchen tables to new heights and Pawlenty, and he will chewed up by Biden.
August 23, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
So Obama has chosen Biden as Veep. There is a real chemistry there between them. Name a Republican that has any chemistry at all with McCain. Then explain why Republicans might like that person. I'd be amazed to find such a person.
This is an Obama decision that McCain simply can't match. It doesn't hurt the Democrats that the choice of the vice president is the first real Presidential decision the candidate makes.
August 24, 2008 12:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, anybody notice how similar Obama Biden is to Osama Bin Laden? LOL, I was just typing it in a post when it hit me.
Obama Biden
Osama Bin Laden
August 23, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
No you didn't, you....
lol
August 23, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jonze pointed that out a few days ago. You must have ripped him off.
August 23, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain picks Romney, i will be dancing in the streets. Those two would kill each other before the general election.
August 23, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. I think his strategists are saying Mitt, you can't get elected without Mitt, but John really, really doesn't like him, and vice versa. That type of anamosity is hard to hide on the campaign trail and everyone is exhausted.
August 23, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
is there video of the biden speech. i can't find anything but snippets
August 23, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cspan is re-playing it right now, and I'm sure will be repeating it many times. And you'll be able to stream it off their website www.cspan.org.
August 23, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
thanks
August 23, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forgotten Middle above - Don't worry about Meg Whitman - There is no way this will happen. She's not at all qualified, same with Fiorina. Whitman has insider trading issues also from her last months at E-bay. She worked at Bain before E-bay - giving advice that sent thousands of US workers into unemployment with their jobs shipped overseas. She & Romney worked together there. I wonder how many houses she has.
We should all start sending in more $$$. Also, maybe it's time to read "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It's been influential in Obama's thinking, as he has stated in the past.
I feel really good about this choice. The speeches were very good and Biden did show how well he relates to the middle class, normal people. I liked the line about "I'm here for everyone in Scranton PA who's been forgotten..." The quotes from Lincoln were good.
August 23, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ive read that book three times. It really is fascinating. highly rec. who do you think would be Seward in today's election?
August 23, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
A lack of self-confidence is exactly what this pick by Obama doesn't indicate. And that showed already. Sure, Obama picked someone who can help during the campaign - but more importantly he picked a serious man who's serious about governing. And who in some areas, especially foreign policy, outshines him. That indicates mettle on Obama's part.
I like the moxie the two showed already.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 23, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Moxie. There's the word for the day. Obama/Biden - Moxie We Can Believe In.
August 23, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sugary sweet soda pop. Buuuuuurp!
August 23, 2008 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
"A lack of self-confidence is exactly what this pick by Obama doesn't indicate."
This bears repeating. Confident people don't worry about being upstaged.
August 23, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama wouldn't have picked Biden if he didn't think he could sit on him when he needed sitting. Kennedy certainly sat on LBJ, and Lincoln on Seward and Chase. I'd almost bet someone's been reading A Team of Rivals.
August 23, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone (if you mean Obama) has mentioned on several occasions that he's read the book, thinks highly of it, and would like to take that approach in his administration. ----- He really did look rejuventated today.
August 24, 2008 3:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden will vanish once his freelancing becomes a liability. Enjoy your little crack high now, this guy will be pounding holes in the bottom of the ship soon enough.
August 23, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched the speeches on cspan so I did not have to endure the crawl at the bottom and all the b/s from the bloviators afterwards. Then I watched it again online from the cspan site. I've been up since 2 am and I've had it. Time for some jazz & a glass of wine. Have a great week-end. We all need some rest and then we can get some clever ideas together for how to continue to attack McSenile and Company, Inc during the days ahead.
August 23, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just to jump in on the response to Biden of Hillary folks: Her comments today in support of Biden seemed quite sincere. As other commentators have pointed out, the Clintonistas would have howled that Kaine was inexperience, that Bayh was blah, and that Sebelious was yet another "slap on the face." Obama could not have done better--excepting choosing Hillary and all her baggage and Bill. Excellent decision in that regard as well. This should help quell most of the genuine if defeatist angry so-called PUMAs.
August 23, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary knows how to play the game.
Her supporters know that she was screwed and have no intention of supporting this abortion of a ticket.
August 23, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just helping the candidate who will put an end to all legal abortions.
August 23, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bwahahaha. Playing the fear card now? So much for the "new politics".
August 23, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I truly fear the idea of a President McCain, and the continuation of the rape of American ideals. Anyone who sees that as no problem is an idiot, or is in the arms and/or energy business.
August 23, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
FISA baby, FISA.
There's your American ideals.
military intelligence. jumbo shrimp. barack america.
August 23, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
>yawn
Scroll.
August 24, 2008 12:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary screwed herself and the Democratic policies when she failed to get out of the race when the numbers were CLEARLY against her. Hillary had no lock on the nomination nor a vp slot. The fact that her surrogates were trying to strong arm Obama was beyond the pale. She IS to blame not Obama. If she can't accept responsibility for her actions and decisions then she DOES NOT have the judgment to be the nominee nor POTUS.
In the words of Keith Olbermann, GROW UP! and get over it. It is over.
August 23, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
To the tune of Chicago is My Kind of Town:
JOE BIDEN IS MY KIND OF GUY
JOE BIDEN IS MY KIND OF GUY
HE'LL HELP BARACK MAKE MCCAIN CRY
HE KNOWS THE VALUE OF ISRAEL TO US
ANY OF YOU WHO DON'T LIKE IT-- YOU CAN SUCK PUS.
Jewish Daily Forward, March, 2007:
Delaware Senator Joseph Biden rejected the notion that the U.S. needs to become a more neutral player in the Middle East, while criticizing the White House as uninvolved and ineffective. He spoke to the Forward for 45 minutes over oatmeal at Manhattan’s Regency Hotel yesterday morning,
“In my 34 year career, I have never wavered from the notion that the only time progress has ever been made in the Middle East is when the Arab nations have known that there is no daylight between us and Israel,” said Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations committee. “So the idea of being an ‘honest broker’ is not, I think, like some of my Democratic colleagues call for, is not the answer. It is being the smart broker, it is being the smart partner.”
Biden, a dark-horse Democratic presidential contender known for straight talk (and the occassional gaffe), has long been a strong supporter of Israel in Congress and is now aggressively courting Jewish voters and donors for his 2008 bid. The debate over the U.S.-Israel relationship, meanwhile, has reached a fevered pitch in the wake of last week’s Washington conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee: On Sunday, New York Times columnist Nick Krisof published an op-ed in the paper that argued that the country lacks a serious debate over Israel, and needs to back away from its “crushing embrace” of Israeli hardliners.
Biden argued that the U.S. doesn’t need more distance, but does need to become a more effective, proactive partner for peace.
“We contract our foreign policy, and that is a dangerous situation,” Biden said. “Do you think there’s any reasonable prospect that the Saudis are going to push Hamas to recognize Israel? So now we have a quote unity government and we’re going, ‘Oh my goodness, we have a problem.’”
August 23, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, we got it the first time. And Israel is still conspicuously missing from your name.
August 23, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excuse me, but where were said 'hot chicks?'
And how do I get there?
Robert
August 23, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is a terrible choice.
Wordy, pedantic, self-absorbed, frankly boring, uncharismatic, faux-populist and quintissentially Washingtonian. I don't think one can find a better example of "broken Washington" than Biden!
Unlike someone like WEbb, who would have brought some real-world street cred to the campaign, we have mamby-pamby Bidan, who was a senator essentially all his life. Now, instead of just one "arugula eating elitist" on the ticket, we have two.
This tells me Obama's campaign really doesn't understand their candidate's image problem. He is simply not "plain-talking" enough for most middle class folks. Adding "talk in circles" Biden to the ticket only makes their problem worse.
Very bad day for Obama's campaign.
August 23, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
you're joking, right?
August 23, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry. I know everybody likes Webb, and I think he has his good points to, but ego problems just oozes out of his pores. There's something wrong there, and it isn't just his misogynistic tendencies that turn me off, there's just something that raises the backeles on my skin. He often seems like a smile would really hurt him -- and he's a loose cannon to boot. At least Biden's funny when he messes up. Webb comes off like a pooh bah heavy.
August 23, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hackles, everyone. Can't type to save my life.
August 23, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'm glad you don't have backeles on your skin, anyway. Those things are gross when they ooze.
August 23, 2008 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah...Joe Biden, the train-riding, non-millionaire, teacher-as-wife, soldier-attorney son, Scranton-born, Catholic-raised elitist.
But it's you saying Biden isn't "plain spoken" that reveals your absolute lack of knowledge about the man. It's his "plain speaking" that caused him to abort his two Presidential runs. He'll play like a champ in the Rust Belt.
Why would he need to bring economic expertise? Obama can kill McCain on the economy all by himself.
*snicker* You'll have to do better.
August 23, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
She began her career as a lawyer. Currently, she works as Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University Chicago Hospitals...on a part time basis.
August 23, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hahahaha. Bet you all need a smoke and a nap now. Nobody will care about Biden in a few weeks and his attacks on Obama will rightly be dismissed as Obama being to weak to defend himself. Sloppy seconds anyone?
McCain for his part will certainly know how to drive Biden batshit. And from all appearence, Biden's anger surpasses McCain's. Watch for the disappearing Biden as he becomes a liability more than an asset.
August 23, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey lady! Wait! STOP! Do NOT eat that booger on the end of yer finger!!! Snotty whiners have such bitter boogers!
August 23, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dimitry, who do you think Obama should have picked?
August 23, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
He should have picked an EXCITING and TOUGH vice-presidential candidate, who reinforces Obama's APPEAL and counteracts his lack of military experience.
Instead, he picked a BOOOORING candidate, who theoretically can help Obama's theoretical weakness - lack of experience.
Unfortunately, Obama's campaign wizards do not seem to GET, that their candidate's MAIN LIABILITY isn't some theoretical "lack of experience", but rather, his nerdiness and brainiac image. To correct that problem, they needed an "anti-Biden".
August 23, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is just hilarious.
"Military" experience is NOT the hole Obama needs to fill. "Foreign policy" experience is far more important. Obama won't have to go into a foxhole or find land mines - but he'll be setting policy for those who are. Biden's got 30 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Can't get a whole lot more policy experience than that.
Your argument against Biden? He's "boring". Why does the ticket need more zing than Obama himself? He IS the novelty this season. Biden is the perfect complement. They definitely don't agree on everything, but his background is smear-proof, he's almost as much a MSM darling as McCain, and his campaign speeches will be must-see TV for the one-liners he'll unleash on McMansions.
OK, you still don't like it. Name some alternates, with reasoning. What one candidate fills all the alleged "needs" you list?
August 23, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crickets.
August 23, 2008 9:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have seen this comment before and I am not sure what it means.
If this is meant to make it look like I am not responding to a "tough and devastating" critique, then it is misplaced.
I can't always glue myself to TPM for hours at a time...but I will almost never ignore a reasonably well articulated argument against my position.
August 23, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
==This is just hilarious. ==
Why is my political opinion "hilarious"?
=="Military" experience is NOT the hole Obama needs to fill. "Foreign policy" experience is far more important.==
Oh, I am so sure that the multitudes of Democrats who did not vote for him in the primaries were definitely stopped by his lack of "foreign policy experience". After all, foreign policy is the driving engine behind American middle class voting. Wake up and smell the coffee!
==Obama won't have to go into a foxhole or find land mines - but he'll be setting policy for those who are. Biden's got 30 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Can't get a whole lot more policy experience than that.==
I can definitely see all of Appalachia and great majority of independents lining up behind the "Foreign Relations Committee" Biden. His "Foreign" credentials is a liability outside of 5 or 6 metropolitan areas.
==Your argument against Biden? He's "boring". Why does the ticket need more zing than Obama himself? He IS the novelty this season. Biden is the perfect complement. They definitely don't agree on everything, but his background is smear-proof, he's almost as much a MSM darling as McCain, and his campaign speeches will be must-see TV for the one-liners he'll unleash on McMansions.==
My argument against Biden is that he brings nothing to the ticket and weakens Obama's already weak "tough guy" image further, if that is possible.
==OK, you still don't like it. Name some alternates, with reasoning. What one candidate fills all the alleged "needs" you list?==
I don't really know - my job is not campaign running. I liked Webb, but I guess he wasn't interested. I would have liked someone who wasn't from Washington and who could reasonably pass for a "regular guy".
August 23, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
American middle-class voters don't base their primary reasoning on the VP anyway. All the more reason for Obama to pick someone who brings good qualities but doesn't have much downside. You should brew some of that coffee for yourself.
This you'll have to explain. Biden's got "regular-guy" cred out the wazoo, PLUS foreign policy experience that shows every time he talks about the subject. Biden won't bring a ton of voters in, but he won't turn off anyone who wasn't already anti-Dem.
(1) "...brings nothing to the ticket..." You're simply being obtuse here. Biden's an obvious gap-filler pick, in terms of Obama's resume.
(2) Obama doesn't want to project a "tough-guy" image. We've had eight years of that, remember? He wants to project a refined, thoughtful, intelligent image. Of course, he's shown more than once in his political career that mistaking his refinement for weakness is a grave error.
So, you spend time on numerous threads pissing on Biden, but can't offer much reasoning as to why he's bad, and can't identify a compelling alternative. The "it's not my job" cop-out doesn't fly when you drop that kind of criticism.
Webb would have been a good pick, but he pulled out of the search back in June, I believe.
Again, what about Biden doesn't pass as a "regular guy"? He *commutes* to DC from home. By train, no less. He's utterly down to earth, his wife's utterly down to earth. He's got a personal story that's compelling. His son, who happens to be Delaware's AG, is shipping out to Iraq. He hasn't gotten rich off life in the Senate. Everything about the man screams "public servant."
August 24, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
They asked who you wanted and you have no answer. Then you wonder why they dismiss you, when you dish out all this bile.
August 24, 2008 4:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden has never served in the military.
Never served. Educational deferment during Vietnam?
A lawyer and pontificating politician his entire career.
Never served in the military.
Think McCain is aware of that? Bwahahaha.
Obama/Biden-two career lawyer/politicians neither of which has ever served in the military.
August 23, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary, Billary, mock.
Fogu is such a crock.
Big Dog controls
His mindless trolls
And herds his bleating flock.
August 23, 2008 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I was thinking. He should've picked Hillary to buff up his military cred. Afterall didn't she try to join the Marines?
August 23, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dopn't forget the Tuzla sniper fire...
August 23, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
She has 18 million voters. Biden has....none.
August 23, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
oh, there's that imaginary number again. actually those "18 million" went over to Obama except for a very few silly or unbalanced ones that are also terrible at photoshop. we wish them well. but maybe if she adds her imaginary 18 million to Nader's number from 2000 (im sure they're all still with ralph just as much as Hillary's imaginary millions are still with her) they could pull a surprise and hijack the convention! woohoo! that's the ticket!
Clinton-Nader '08!
(is it wrong to give a fogu false hope?)
August 23, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You think McCain would have attacked Hillary for not serving in 'Nam?
Bwahahaha.
August 23, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, Obama blew it.
He should've picked Hillary, because Clinton earned her oak leaf cluster in her famous mission, "Operation Tuzla: 3AM Call of Duty".
August 23, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
There could not of been a more better choice than Joe Biden. He went straight for the punch, mocking McCain's lavish life style and going right after his military service. Biden is what Obama needs.
August 23, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love the blue and red ties. Great imagery.
August 23, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Food for thought via TNR:
What's noteworthy is not so much that Biden will turn a lot of McCain voters on -- Tim Kaine and Hillary Clinton would have done a better job of that -- but that he'll turn very few Obama voters off. As a result, this method projects a net swing of 2 points toward Obama, which is better than he'd do with any of the other candidates. Biden also performed quite well in these ratings among undecided (43-22 favorable) and third-party (45-36 favorable) voters, though the sample sizes are probably too small to be worth worrying about.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 23, 2008 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I posted about that in my thread on Biden ( http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/why-biden-works.php )
It's Nate Silver from FiveThirtyEight -- you can find the same post over there.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/08/can-biden-out-hillary-hillary.html
August 23, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, cool. Yeah, Nate Silver does great stuff. And those numbers are pretty interesting.
August 23, 2008 7:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. I thought today's presentation was effective, especially Barack's telling Biden's life story.
2. I nonetheless don't think that Biden adds much to Obama's chances to get elected. Rememebr that after campaigning for months in Iowa, Biden got less than 1 % of the 2008 Iowa caucus votes. Biden also has some legendary statements that will be used in attack ads against Obama.
3. Biden would help Barack be a better President on foreign policy so thet is a plus.
August 23, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I participated in the caucuses. That 1% underrepresents the support he had because of the 15% viabilty threshold. When you got to people's 2nd & 3rd choices, he had a lot of support. It's a great choice. He'll tear the bark off McCain.
August 23, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I heard too. My brother caucused for Obama and Biden was his second choice. I think his numbers would have been higher there if people believed he had a chance to win.
August 23, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did his life story note that he avoided serving in the lmilitary during the Vietnam war? Biden had a college deferment? While MCain was a POW? Is that what ya say?
Interesting life story that.
August 23, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let me get this straight. Nixon sent troops to Vietnam in 1965. Biden began college in 1961 and graduated in 1965 then went to law school. He was 23. He got married in 1966 (24) and had his first child in 1969 (26). As a husband, a parent, student, he would have been eligible for deferment on those three factors.
August 23, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh... Nixon wasn't even president in 1965, he was elected in 1968 and took office in '69. And we had troops in Vietnam since 1959.
Christ, what makes people spout off about things they are so obviously ignorant of. Maybe you'd like to think that the liberal hero JFK wasn't the one who started the war, and LBJ wasn't the one who escalated it way out of control.
August 23, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
The initial troop presence in Vietnam, as you noted, was in 1959. Eisenhower sent them.
Kennedy didn't start anything in 'Nam. It is true that Johnson let it go out of control.
August 24, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love them both, loved the speech. But is Greg's new favorite word quite the mot juste?
testament
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testamentum covenant with God, holy scripture, from Latin, last will, from testari to be a witness, call to witness, make a will, from testis witness; akin to Latin tres three & to Latin stare to stand; from the witness's standing by as a third party in a litigation — more at three, stand
Date:
14th century
1 a: archaic : a covenant between God and the human race bcapitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible
2 a: a tangible proof or tribute b: an expression of conviction : creed
3 a: an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death b: will
August 23, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone like Hillary? She had that combat jump into Bosnia. Oh wait.... Never mind.
August 23, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Though both Barack and Michelle graduated form Harvard Law School, neither one of them has practised law since the early 1990's (1995 in Barack's case when he first began his run for State Senate).
Michelle's been a PR person for the University of Chicago and its Medical Center for many years. She got a huge pay raise after Barack was elected US Senator. Barack then earmarked money to the University and its Medical Center.
August 23, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mrs. Obama was not a "PR person." She started as the associate dean of student services and then became the executive director of community affairs, focusing in particular on better services for the low-income population. She was finally promoted, directly within her field, to the position of vice president. The job offer was made previous to Barack's election. Her salary was at the lower end for that level.
Although I must admit that Obama, the Senator from Illinois, pulling home to grant funding to the largest research hospital and largest hospital period in the state of Illinois is certainly troubling.
August 23, 2008 7:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Both Obama and Michelle both practiced corporate law. Obama was working for the Davis Miner Barnhill law firm in 1993. Michelle Obama worked for Sidley Austin in Marketing and Intellectual Property law.
Amazing how well google works.
August 23, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
You stopped quoting the latest polls.
I wonder why?
LOL
August 24, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
there's nothing wrong at all with being 'sensitive' to every McCain rove-like attack. it's because you care supremely about the country and you know/we know, Obama and Biden do also. McCain sold his POW gained principles down the river when he saddled up with Rove and his proteges, and decided to listen to the Neo-cons and their whisperings of sweet-nukings, all done in order to further his staggering ambition to win the keys to the White House. it sticks in your craw, and mine too, when he attacks Obama for getting in his way to that end. he attacks him spitefully and viciously and unprincipally. McCain has shown himself for what he really is: a real elitist, out-of-touch, reactionary, thin-skinned, petulant, and unprincipled. thank you for service, sir, but that sacrifice doesn't translate into automaticaly getting the job of President (no matter what hannity thinks). you could've taken the high-road, the one that 2000 version of you did, and perhaps it might've gotten you somewhere this election season. but you didn't. for that you should be ashamed of yourself. you really are better than that. i used to think so at least.
August 23, 2008 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Biden's vote for war and his proposal to partition Iraq will make for a great foreign policy.
Did I mentioned that he never served in the military?
August 23, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Biden's vote for war and his proposal to partition Iraq will make for a great foreign policy.
Did I mentioned that he never served in the military?
August 23, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does it stroke your troll thang to be one with us idiots or do you do stroke it all by yourself?
August 23, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for the question. I will refer it to my foreign policy expert.
August 23, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nothing nearly as bad as the skeletal remains buried underneath the Clinton library.
If you want to be mad at someone for Hillary's predicament, blame her husband.
August 23, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forgive me if I instead blame the racist black voters and delusional Obamites.
August 23, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean those racist black voters who pulled the lever no less than 100% of the time to-date for white presidential candidates?
Go back to your hole already.
August 23, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Joe. I always consider you one of the most refreshing commentators that we have.
August 23, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even if he is delusional.
August 23, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah that militsary experience worked out so well for Bob Dole and John Kerry.
August 23, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that the same Kerry to whom Biden recommended McCain as a presidential running mate?
August 23, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, the other John Kerry.
But that was a McCain does not exist anymore. That McCain dissed the evangeical freakiod leadership, unlike this one who has gotten on his knees and is currently...
August 23, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chris Matthews just took a ripped CNN and Fox for there intentional reporting to incite the Hillary vs BO rift in the party. He said "CNN is crying crocodile tears for Hillary and Fox is trying to rip this thing [the rift] open."
I think tweety is still stoked from the Obama-Biden campaign event today, but what he said was true. CNN is totally pushing the Hillary-Barack rift hard.
August 23, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on. CNN is really pushing the Hillary-Obama fight very hard and last night they did the absolute impossible to spoil the VP text announcement and sadly, they quite did.
Obama-Biden'08: It's our time, it's America's time!
August 23, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's all about the ratings. Sad.
August 23, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN lose it with Obama's VP text message:
http://www.236.com/news/2008/08/22/media_waiting_for_obama_vp_ano_8441.php
August 23, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
oh gosh.. the video is no longer available. Suspicious!
August 23, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm thrilled. This is the first time in my adult life (coming of age in 1978) that I've backed the Democratic presidential nominee from the earliest (Obama's announcement in Feb. 2007) and that the nominee then picked my preference for a running mate. I'm just glad that my "historical results are not predictive of future returns." But this combination really seems to work. Biden did not seem to be a great presidential candidate (I liked him but didn't back him during the primaries), but he seems to have just the right general qualities and a particular personal chemistry with Obama to make him a truly outstanding vice-presidential candidate. In the past, with failing Democratic campaigns, because the losers were always not my personal favorites, my sense of emotional defeat was more "oh, well." This time, I've got a much greater emotional stake in it ... So I am both thrilled ... and in a state of dread!
August 23, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here. My candidates never win primaries. They always get beaten by dubious southern governors or mind-numbing technocrats.
Till this year!
August 23, 2008 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't matter if the VP announcement got out a few hours before the text messages. What matters is Obama controlled the media with the suspense all week through late Friday night, and essentially kicked off the convention coverage today as the reporting is being done from Denver.
Even Rove must be admiring Obama's manipulation of the news coverage this week.
The word is McCain starts running ads for the disappointed Clinton supporters tomorrow. Hopefully Hillary will make it clear at the convention that her truly loyal supporters would not support a McCain presidency. If she isn't able to do this and the unnecessarily long primary ends up weakening the candidate (which she insisted it wouldn't), I think Hillary's political career will be essentially over. She won't have very many friends left in the Senate.
August 23, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
See this?
Now maybe, just maybe, the pathetic media and insane Hillarybots will stop their obnoxious whining about why she wasn't vetted.
She asked not to be vetted. End of story.
August 23, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh fogu2, don't you ever get tired of being wrong?
August 23, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll let you know if that should begin to happen.
August 23, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
You nailed it, Bill the Cat!
August 23, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
black racist voters and delusional Obamites? Projecting much, eh fogu2?
August 23, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
The point being that this is not the John McCain that Biden has known for 30 years. He has sold his soul to the Devil. He is taking lessons from Karl Rove and his assistants on how to negatively attack his opponent with ridicule and jokes and outright lies. Keep your opponent on the defensive at all times. Never surrender the offense.
This is not the same John McCain. Biden will have no problem criticizing his surrender to the right-wingers. The McCain ad was useless and meaningless.
August 23, 2008 9:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
"He has sold his soul to the Devil."
Well said. John McCain's obit, right there.
August 23, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is this site featuring McCain web ads?
August 23, 2008 9:20 PM