Choice Of Biden Signals Vigorous Debate With GOP On Foreign Policy, But There Are Risks
In choosing Joe Biden as his running mate, Barack Obama is gambling that Biden's many strengths will compensate for his own weaknesses as a candidate, rather than serve as a backdrop against which those weaknesses will appear in sharp relief.
You've already heard much about Biden's strengths on paper and how they shore up Obama's weaknesses: He's one of the most knowledgeable about international affairs in the Democratic Party; he's Catholic; he has decades of D.C. experience.
But Biden brings another key strength: He's extremely effective when he goes on the attack on foreign policy. Rather than whine about how mean Republicans are when they hit Dems on national security, as so many Dems do, Biden has a real talent for responding with an appropriate mixture of mockery and contempt.
When Biden takes aim at Republicans on foreign policy, he exudes a strong sense of authority on the topic that tends to shrivel his target into a cartoonish figure rather quickly. Exhibit number one of this trait is Biden's now-infamous "noun, verb, 9/11" claim about Rudy Giuliani. Another choice example of this is here.
Biden, ultimately, shares and embodies one of the core convictions driving Obama's campaign: That Democrats can win an argument about national security with Republicans, and shouldn't run from a fight on the topic or concede any sort of presumed GOP superiority on it.
Biden's charisma and authority on the subject add a ton of firepower to Obama's arsenal in this regard, allowing Biden to act as an extremely credible voice to deliver the message that the GOP approach to foreign policy in the 21st Century has been a sad, sick joke. One has to pity the poor chump who will be facing Biden across the Veep debate table in a few weeks.
Risks Of Biden Pick
But McCain, of course, may prove a far more elusive target on national security for Biden than hapless buffoons like Rudy -- and the danger that Biden could be effectively used to highlight Obama's weaknesses is the reason why.
Biden has been a member of the Senate club for decades, just as McCain has. He supported the war, as McCain did (though he sensibly tried to slow the rush to invade Iraq in various ways). Republicans will argue that Biden himself embodies the notion that foreign policy "experience" -- which McCain, too, has already been accorded by the D.C. press and pundit establishment -- is what is required for a president looking to navigate the dangerous and complex world of international affairs in the 21st Century.
Indeed, the McCain camp is already working hard to push the notion that Biden's candidacy embodies an argument for McCain and not for Obama, running a new ad highlighting Biden's previous criticism of Obama's inexperience and Biden's praise of McCain. One hopes against hope that there aren't examples lurking in the archives of Biden praising McCain's national security credentials.
How Obama Might Respond
Obama is likely to try to reconcile such tensions by arguing that the choice of Biden shows that he's a change agent, but one who understands the wisdom of tempering the ardor for change with the counsel of experience -- that experience complements and enables effective change; that Biden complements him.
There's another risk in Biden, and it represents the flip-side of his undeniable talent for rhetorically dismantling his foes. The choice of Biden introduces a loquacious and occasionally gaffe-prone figure into a campaign that's largely succeeded because of its extraordinary message discipline.
Ultimately, though, we think the risks of picking Biden will be outweighed by his many strengths -- and we're looking forward to the vigorous debate on foreign policy the choice of Biden portends.
Interesting. I think you're right about what Biden is good at.
But I'm not sure the Obama campaign is shifting focus. They prepared us for the veep pick by saying they wanted someone who was genuinely "mad" that people were losing jobs.
That tells me they're looking less for Biden's "experience" in itself than for stylistic balance. To make the populist argument they're now pivoting toward, they could use a spokesperson who comes across as direct, a little hot-headed, a little gritty. Those aren't Obama's strengths, but they're things Biden can provide.
August 23, 2008 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
yeah, it's def true that biden's style lends itself to a populist campaign. v. good point.
August 23, 2008 8:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree he can pursue an effective strategy that taps inton populist sentiment. Senator Biden, notwithstanding his corporate connections, is very well liked in organized labor circles.
August 23, 2008 8:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Bruce-Good Points.
David here from the Obama Party in Brooklyn with Michael.
Send me a note so we can connect.
drwilbur@gmail.com
August 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
But how can that populist tone fit in with Mr. Bank of America Biden and his vote on the bankruptcy bill? I know he represents Delaware and all, but I would have preferred some one with clener hands on stuff like that. Biden is going to take off the gloves and go after the big banks and corporations who are all registered in tiny Delaware???
August 23, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Best Shot of the Season: Noun Verb 9/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPOAKXBi9Pw
Let's go JOE!
Gouge their eyes out and skull f--- em
August 23, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Come on. Say what you really mean.
August 23, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd love to see Joe take on Mittens!
August 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the quote. "I want somebody who is mad right now that people are losing their jobs. And is mad right now that people have seen their incomes decline, and want to rebuild the middle class in this country. That's the kind of person that I want; somebody who in their gut knows where they came from and believes that we have to grow this country from the bottom up."
I suspect we'll see more of that framing today. "Mad" may be a key word.
August 23, 2008 8:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
let Biden take foreign policy and let Obama pivot fully to domestic and economic policy. after the conventions, once everyone is paying attention, Obama will be the economy candidate with a strong FP VP and McCain will be the guy who doesn't know anything about the economy but is hawkish (and therefore experienced, according to the media) on the foreign policy front.
August 23, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think given that Hillary was not even given consideration, I'm glad that he ended up with Senator Biden. Other than Hillary, whom I thought should have been the nominee, Biden is the best choice. He's safe, he's a foreign policy expert, and other than the fact that he's not an agent of change, he will not overshadow Senator Obama. To paraphrase Chris Matthews in words he used about the female contender when she conceded in June: Biden can obey.
August 23, 2008 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, there's Bruce, hi, ole sock :-)
Bruce, I like Biden, I've always said Biden and Luger are the best we have on foreign affairs.
On the other hand, I think if Obama had chosen Hillary the race would be over, Obama would be on his way to the White House, and McCain would have to think about retiring.
One thing about Biden I don't like was his vote for the war.
August 23, 2008 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Guys, I know you love her, but as long as Bill came with the deal, it just wasn't doable once you looked past January 20. Unless, that is, they could pursuade him to give up all of his Ex-Presidential activities and promise to never, ever, ever say anything to the press or anything to anyone who would leak it to the press.
August 23, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like that would ever happen......
August 23, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
JOE BIDEN IS MY KIND OF GUY
HE'LL HELP BARACK MAKE MCCAIN CRY
HE KNOWS THE VALUE OF ISRAEL TO US
THOSE OF YOU DON'T LIKE IT-- CAN SUCK PUS!
Excerpted from 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 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think Obama knows the value of Israel regardless of who his VP was. I find it somewhat annoying people would think he needed a VP to step up his Israel credentials.
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 23, 2008 8:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
You expect to be taken seriously when your username isn't even correctly spelled. You conveniently left out the "i", Israel.
Troll.
August 23, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
totally, except i thought maybe he was an aflac member.
glad we can look forward to not having that debate about our israel policy though, cause clearly there's nothing wrong there.
August 23, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Far from being a troll, I am a better Democrat than you will ever be-- having served the greatest Democratic Senator and Governor that Connecticut ever produced, not top mention the last great Democratic Gocvernor. You can play with your tw-t which is where your brain should have been.
August 23, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The greatest Democratic Senator and Governor that Connecticut ever produced???
Who the fuck was that? CT hasn't had a Democratic governor in at least 20 years.
August 23, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Alexander_Ribicoff
August 24, 2008 8:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
all we need now is mccain to pick romney.
everyone focuses on biden's foreign creds. but he also has a regular guy creds
lookie here for joe biden:
Earned income: $193,900.
Honoraria (all donated to charity): $800.
Major assets: Bank accounts and life insurance policies, $22,008-$155,000.
Major sources of unearned income: Life insurance dividends, $1,001-$2,500.
Major liabilities: Loan against life insurance policies, $15,001-$50,000; lines of credit, $114,002-$300,000; credit union note, $10,001-$15,000.
August 23, 2008 8:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Prescient post - scanning FNC, Cavuto is very caught up with himself in wondering what the worth of Biden's home is, making it his first question to each guest as well as they remain on the ariel shot of the house throughout. "We have people on it" lol. Keeps referring to it as a "compound" and implying that the Secret Service SUVs in front of the house are all his - "he can pick any one of those when he leaves the house." I kid you not.
Truly priceless, but I've had my Recommended Daily Allowance of Moron and need to change feeds now, lol.
August 23, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
TrollCritic,
to rational people, drones like Cavuto, Hannity, O'Reilly and a few others on FOX are not to be taken seriously, but to their brain dead, mile-wide-half-inch-deep fans they're a hybrid of Socrates, Isaac Newton and Leonardo DaVinci.
August 24, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Major sadness that certainly can compare to tragedy in McCain's life.
Biden was elected to the Senate at the age of 29 in 1972, but personal tragedy struck before he could take office. His wife and their 13-month-old daughter, Naomi, were killed when a tractor-trailer broad-sided her station wagon. Biden took his oath of office for his first term at the hospital bedside of one of his sons.
Tragically, just before the New Hampshire primary, Biden (45 at the time) suffered a brain aneurysm. His doctors gave him a 30 percent chance to pull through – and he did
August 23, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama struck a powerful chord with his latest economic attack on McCain with "Country Club Economics". With "modest means" Biden now in the VP slot, I think we will be hearing that phrase a lot more.
August 23, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is most likely to pick Romney, and a Romney/Biden debate I think would show Biden in a better light.
I think once people get to know Biden then people are (hopefully) going to look past his future gaffes.
Biden may be a loud mouth at timtes but he is passionate and shows it. Obama can be somewhat calm...like all the time, and sometimes people want to see someone get angry. Biden is going to show that. And people who are for Obama are going to continue to be for Obama, Obama needs to reassure older voters that he can be trusted in the qhite house, and Biden offers that. Its really just another reason for people to have an excuse to vote for him.
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 23, 2008 8:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
i don't understand how he can possibly pick romney now, given the commercial the mccain campaign defecated this morning about statements made during the democratic primary. i haven't reviewed any specifics, but i seem to generally remember that romney and mccain couldn't stand each other and were very nasty to each other.
am i not remembering correctly?
August 23, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden (cringe when I trype this) = the guy you want to have a beer with = nice segue into populist message
August 23, 2008 8:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a great pick for senior appeal. My pro-Obama Mom is 87 and is really happy about this choice.
August 23, 2008 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
middlegirl says:
"This is a great pick for senior appeal. My pro-Obama Mom is 87"
MY GOD! someone older than me! :-)
August 23, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Even Chris Matthews loves Biden.
The tingling in his legs must really be driving him nuts now...
August 23, 2008 8:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is much better than Obama off the cuff. Obama is an orator. Biden is a talker. In terms of just getting the message out there, I think he is a great choice.
If he makes a mistake he can talk his way out of it.
Of course, there are other considerations which you know he has been thorough;y vetted for.
August 23, 2008 8:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I happen to really like Obama as a talker. From a general political standpoint I understand he's not great at hitting talking points and soundbytes. But every time I listen to him speak I feel real pleasure at listening to someone with genuine intelligence.
But of course, I'm a pointy-headed elitist.
August 23, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Based on his Senate campaign, I think Obama is a great off-the-cuff talker. I suspect, however, that when he's taking his one and only shot at the presidency, has the hopes for racial reconciliation of an entire nation on his shoulders with the prospect of a giante step backwards happening should he fail, camereas from every network hounding his every footstep and every word, fifty McCain loving national media hyenas looking to tear the flesh from his bones following every statement that can be pulled out of context and turned into something that would scare the old white people, oh, and of course, Howard Wolfson and the Sons of Rove pouring over ever second of footage looking for something, anything, that they can inflate into a media shitstorm and a few thirty second ads has had a slightly inhibiting effect on him.
Imagine.
Considering the fact that every statement, every intonation, every inflection he makes was, is and will be subjected to a degree of scrutiny unprecedented in the history of the Republic, one that was several orders of magnitude more intense than anything any Republican has ever been subjected to, I think he's done pretty well.
August 23, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Only the gullible take Obama's word seriously. It is too late for him to reclaim his false believability. He is not trustworthy.
August 23, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Feeling blue?
August 23, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
False believability? WTF does that even mean?
August 23, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, you are just intelligent and have more than a 20 second attention span. Sadly, many cannot make those claims.
August 23, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is my second choice (Sebilius - who I am still hoping gets a cabinet position was my first) but he was my first choice back in Dec before I had even heard of KS (hey- her initials are the same as her state- how cute is that?) so I am really happy about this. My husband was even planning on voting for Biden before he dropped out so this is great for the newfapalooza household.
I think this is a good choice because he brings a sense of stability to what some feel is a risky proposition in the Obama campaign. I am willing to bet the #1 reason 'undecideds' are hesitating on Obama is because he is risky (#2 - foreign policy so we get a twofer in Biden)
I also think his being a no-nonsense smart-ass is a bonus. Talk about a great attack dog -How can you go wrong with Mr A-Noun-A-Verb-And-9-11? (now a noun, a verb and POW) Sebelius would have been for governance but not as great at getting Obama elected I think.
If nothing else I am just happy the insane media circus can move on to something else. This was absolutely ridiculous but huge kudos to the Obama folks for whipping them up into a frenzy.
August 23, 2008 9:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Appeals to the Chris Mathews "regular guy" vote, AND can make McSenile look like the ignoramus he is on foreign policy = decent pick. He doesn't rock my world but he's sure as hell 100x better than (ugh) Bayh. Let the games begin.
August 23, 2008 9:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I actually think that Biden is a brilliant pick for Obama.
Everybody is talking about Biden helping with foreign policy experience but Biden will also help with economics as well. Biden will help with blue collar workers and "little old ladies".
August 23, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is not presidential material. He proved that conclusively. The VP is supposed to be presidential material. Biden = fail.
August 23, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you have an argument to justify this oracular pronouncement?
August 23, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you have an argument to justify this oracular pronouncement?
From fogu2? Are you kidding???
August 24, 2008 4:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
My only complaint, and you'll probably hear alot of this, is the bankruptcy bill vote.
But I'll get over it. Biden can, when he isn't embarrassing himself, really take the fight to the GOP, and Obama needs that. Hillary was also good at that, but she had WAY too much baggage.
August 23, 2008 9:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking the same thing when I found out that Biden was the choice.
August 23, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me too - I thought the bankruptcy bill vote was a mistake. But it's unrealistic to think that Obama could have found a perfect VP and Biden's positives are so strong that he makes by far the very best choice Obama could have possibly made.
Did I mention he teaches Constitutional law??? Ab Obama-Biden administration cannot arrive too soon in that regard.
August 23, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I co-sign this - it's just where I'm coming from.
Someone else said I was "resigned" and that's pretty accurate.
August 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tena: He does have a sense of humor (Rudy line was priceless) and the media loves that. When Obama shows his, it is such a delight, but it is a rare thing to see.
August 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're very right about that.
Biden has always been one of my faves on Mahr's show, which is no criterion for being Veep to say the least: but - he's someone who really gets your attention when he's on his game.
August 23, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
No doubt, the bankruptcy bill was/is bullshit.
But Biden's leveling of Rudy Guiliani had to warm the cockles of every lefty's heart.
Obama-Biden '08!
August 23, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden's a good fighter, so he should compliment Obama nicely.
Just curious, though - one of the local paper's bloggers has already made some noise about the old plagiarism story. Is this going to be a problem?
August 23, 2008 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
My understanding is that he had previously used those quotes with acknowledgment. I don't think that excuse completely addresses the issue, but it can blunt the edge of the criticism.
I suspect the main thing, really, is that it's pretty old news now.
August 23, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
The plagiarism thing derailed his 1988 bid. It's 20 years later - I don't think much will come of it now. The Repugs will bring it up but it's old news - and the statute of limitations has to be over for something this relatively benign.
August 23, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain plagiarized too. His response to Georgia crisis is right out of Wikipedia. I am pretty sure there is a standard response for that.
August 23, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo!
August 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
great pick!!
August 23, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
The only rule when it comes to picking a veep is don't fuck it up (Bush-Quayle). Obama definitely didn't do that here. I've been sold on the guy for a while. Biden was my second choice after Obama in the primary. Biden has a way of sounding pissed off about Republican stupidity that will serve Obama well. But this couldn't have been an easy pick for Obama. Biden will be a handful. He was critical of Obama's experience in the primary, will look stronger on foreign policy and could threaten to shrink Obama in the gravitas department. They are not friends. Obama has picked a rival.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 23, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have to believe, or at least hope, that Obama already has looked at Biden's past positive statements about McCain and his negative statements about Obama.
I like Biden and agree that he adds a scrappy element to the race, too. His "Rumsfeld doesn't know what the hell he's talking about" comment during a congressional hearing a few years ago is a good example of Biden at his best, as far as I'm concerned.
As for populism, didn't Biden support that really awful bankruptcy/credit card 'reform' a couple of years ago? He certainly wasn't alone on the Dem side, but it might be a problem for him. I'll have to go back and look.
August 23, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
He was very early to call for Rumsfeld's firing in short of torturous ritualized way: He said if he were President, he'd tell Rumsfeld, "Let's play golf."
Anyway he couldn't have been any more right about ditching a spectacularly arrogant, egomaniacal madman ("Six days, six weeks, I doubt if it'll be six months").
August 23, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
This will be a problem for all the undecided working-class voters who pay close attention to obscure details of economic policy.
They exist, but they're not legion.
August 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Please note "undecided." There are plenty of working people who do pay close attention to voting records, bankruptcy law, etc. But those folks tend to be pretty solid Democrats.
August 23, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
My initial disappointment with the Biden pick is starting to wear off a little.
On the upside, I guess Biden brings a snark factor to the campaign and can be the attack dog against McCain while Barack pushes the positive message.
Chet Edwards would have been the better pick for a lot of reasons, but sometimes a campaign needs an a--hole to turn against the opposition, and certainly Biden fills that role much better than Chet could have.
August 23, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
So I'm waiting for Tena to wake up out there in Central or Mountain time or whatever and weigh in on the man about whom she was so, uh, hesitant shall we say.
August 23, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
We'll be able to gauge Tena's reaction by how many "fucks" and "shits" she uses in her first post. ;)
August 23, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
She was okay with it last night. "Resigned" would be the word.
August 23, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, she was quiet at least. Of course, we can't exclude that she spat so many tacks at her screen that she needed to sign off for technical reasons!
With a night's sleep on it, we'll see how she does!
August 23, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so glad that my language gets so fucking much attention.
I'm so glad y'all are such grown-ups, too. You know,y'all are the most sensitive little group over what I say that I've ever posted comments with.
August 23, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tena - I was just kidding! I love your posts and you often make me laugh. Apologies if it sounded like anything other than teasing.
August 23, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
be nice. we're is suppose to be a friendly group.
August 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
We're just having a friendly little giggle here, let's not misinterpret...
August 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
You talking to me? Be nice yourself.
Please don't get all up in my shit this AM - it's fucking early as far as I'm concerned and I'm a very nice woman, frankly.
Nicer than you'll ever know, I imagine.
August 23, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nicer than Glenn Greenwald will ever know...
August 23, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only thing I've done to Glenn is say mean but true so far as I know, things about him.
I doubt very very very much that Glenn gives one good goddamn; that he knows I hate his guts or cares in the slightest - or that he has clue one who I am or that I exist.
Words have power, but not that kind of power. ;)
August 23, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you hear the latest: Biden once praised John 'Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde' McCain. OMG! I just don't know how the Obama Campaign will respond.
August 23, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't agree with how you say Obama has "weaknesses" in areas like foreign policy, because he clearly doesn't. Perceived weaknesses per the conventional wisdom maybe, but weakness? Certainly not. He is right on all of the issues, and he is been effective in tearing McCain apart on them (of course you wouldn't know that by listening to the media).
I'm just glad he didn't go with a military person, which really would have made it look like he was trying to make up for something.
I still wish he would have picked someone against the Iraq war from the beginning though. Oh well. Biden is good.
August 23, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's a good pick. Now, let's give 'em hell.
August 23, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yessir, that's the way alright!
August 23, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just watch Joe Scarborough heap all sorts of praise on Biden. I learned a lot about his biography I hadn't previously known - his poor upbringing, losing his wife and daughter, his health scare.
It almost feels like McCain is trying to run on Biden's biography.
I think it's going to be great.
August 23, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I learned alot about biden that I did not know. I think that he will be fine, even though he wasn't my first pick.
Now I wonder if we will ever get any gd information about mcbush and his history, other than he was a pow. I know nothing about mcbush, as I am sure that most of america knows nothing about mcbush other than that he was a pow. I hear scarborough say that america knows mcbush and that is just a total lie. We know about the media spin on mcbush as an alleged "maverick" and that he was a pow, pow, pow, pow, pow and a pow and that's about it. Pathetic.
August 23, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
The part that tripped me out was Scarbarough practically getting a tingle out of Biden. If even Joe likes Joe, maybe the media won't be such a hassle.
August 23, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
bslev,
Biden will make the McCain comment on the number of houses McCain's "Macaca moment."
August 23, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is an excellent choice. Biden helps with all of the demographics where Obama is weak. Shockingly, of course, he is not in 100% agreement with Obama on say, Iraq and bankruptcy reform. (Its amazing how difficult it is to find someone who agrees with you 100%). But he has been much more responsible on Iraq than most of those who voted to authorize and Obama's willingness to have someone who voted to authorize can actually be good by showing that he does not think that is disqualifying, since the fact is, of course, that most Americans supported the Iraq War when it began. Its a way of saying its the future, not the past, that matters. Further, Biden can talk to those in his demographic who are unsure about Obama and say that Obama's choice of him shows Obama's respect for those with Biden's background. Remember, the evidence is that people want to vote for Obama and change and the task is to get them not from McCain to Obama but from undecided to Obama. On the criticism of Obama's experience, I think most voters realize that one makes what criticims are available when you yourself are running against someone and it is easily resolved by Biden saying that the campaign showed him that Obama is up to the job. On the nice things about McCain front, that could actually help reinforce the campaign's current message by Biden being able to say that was a different John McCain and not the one who is now campaigning for president, whose ambition has caused him to reject all of the policies that made Biden look favorably upon him. Finally, this choice will let Obama be Obama, talking positive while Biden can do the attacks, again helped by Biden's previous regard for another John McCain.
August 23, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is pretty much how Biden will respond to those issues. We'll see one of them pretty soon since McCain apparently already has an ad up with Biden praising him.
August 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's the right choice. While I've never been in love with Biden, and have definitely gone through phases of genuine dislike, I think he's an excellent choice. He brings many qualities that will help the campaign and, hopefully, the Obama administration.
I was hoping for Sibelius (I suspect she was Barack's personal preference) but Biden's probably the strongest choice from a general political view. Chuck Todd said this morning Biden brings the least drama - Sibelius would have set the Hillbots into yet another frenzy, Kaine has "no experience," yadayada. Overstated the point but he's right - Biden will be perceived as a positive.
I just praise God that it's not Hillary. THANK YOU ZEUS! And also not Bayh or (gag) Nunn. If Obama felt he needed someone less "progressive" with international or military creds he picked the right one. And the fact that Biden can rip McCain a new asshole if necessary is a real bonus.
Now let's kick some rightwing ass!
August 23, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
a "debate"? WTF are you talking about. This is a frickin election.
August 23, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
In many ways he is the Charles Barkley of politcs. Brash and unafraid to say what needs said yet prone to the odd WTF moment. Like Barkley he has been near the top but not quite able to get there and instead of becoming bitter has become a voice respected and acknowledged across party lines to know what the hell he is talking about.
Barkley has that universal appeal. We all like because he is a forthright guy with flaws not afraid to be himself. Biden fits that to a tee. Instead of the round mound of rebound he is the acute wit to impale a twit...ok kinda weak :)
August 23, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Haha, it is a pretty apt comparison. Charles Barkley had the second best quote of the election season when he said "I'll bet Geraldine Ferraro is spinning in her grave right now" after Obama clinched the nomination.
August 23, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a TERRIBLE choice. a simple Google on Biden would have shown all of Biden's political errors and mistakes, from plagiarism to the Iraq Invasion to his DLC/Republican-lite voting record. I have lost faith that Obama means it when he gave hope that he would change Washington, Biden is one of Washington's oldest hand!!!
August 23, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
If your conception of "change" is as shallow as "kick out all the old people," then you're right -- Obama is not offering *that* kind of change. Jeez.
August 23, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
today's fiasco with Russia to judge Biden's record
qwerty ... What did Biden have to do with Russia and Georgia.? I thought that was a McCain foreign policy misadventure gone back?
August 23, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
qwerty's favorite sneakers are PUMAs
August 23, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about seriously looking up Biden's records wrt Foreign Policy? You know, Google?
August 23, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the analysis is largely right, but I'd add a couple of strengths
You cite the risk that: "Republicans will argue that Biden himself embodies the notion that foreign policy "experience" -- which McCain, too, has already been accorded by the D.C. press and pundit establishment -- is what is required for a president looking to navigate the dangerous and complex world of international affairs in the 21st Century."
While that is doubtless true, it also offers the opportunity for Biden to turn that argument on its head -- if he is willing to engage in a bit of self-deprecation by offering himself up as an example of how experience doesn't always get it right, and that Obama was right early on (about Iraq) while the experienced DC hands (like him and McCain). If he uses his perceived foreign policy credentials to attest to Obama's superior judgement, he could mute McCain's argument.
And Biden, having already been willing to admit his mistake on AUMF can take that argument directly to McCain (While McCain keeps hammering on the idea that somehow Obama is wrong to "not admit that the surge worked", Biden can press the question of why McCain refuses to admit that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake in the first place).
And he is probably the most credible and effective messenger we could hope for to really challenge the ways that McCain's hot headed, sabre-rattling, militaristic response to every possible foreign policy situation will undermine American security and military, not improve it.
But in addition to the foreign policy stuff, it is a mistake to underestimate Biden as a tough and feisty messenger on the domestic front - economics, housing, women's rights, Roe v Wade, judicial appointments, etc etc... If you think back to the days he chaired Judiciary, you're remember him as an aggressive and effective voice against the Republicans, and there is every reason he will be used on the campaign trail to offer a populist and vocal attack on Bush/McCain.
Sure there are risks with Biden, but I think we'll all find that the pluses will completely outweigh them...
August 23, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I, too, am disappointed to see a DLCer on the ticket. I had hoped that Obama's primary win would drive a stake through the heart of the DLC; selecting a DLCer as running man keeps the DLC on life support for the next 4 - 8 years.
That having been said, I would call Biden "DLC Lite" as opposed to (urk)Bayh (sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little). So just keep repeating to yourself "at least it's not Bayh...at least it's not Bayh...at least it's not Bayh." Talk about someone who would have brought NOTHING to the ticket.
I have issues with Biden, chiefly that he's the person most responsible for Clarence Thomas sitting on the Supreme Court, but I'll give him this: he's one of the most effective surrogates/attack dogs that the Democrats have. That's a good thing in this scenario.
August 23, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd grade the Biden veep pick a B+. He'd be a good president, god forbid, but...
Me, too. I remember Anita Hill. I think the final vote was 53-47, and Biden's support was critical to ScaliaWannabe's confirmation.
While I've mostly gotten over it, I worry that many Hillaristas haven't and won't. It's a lost opportunity to defuse a lot of the PUMA petulance that's infected so many of Hillary's more-rabid supporters.
A female pick would have gone a long way to mollifying many of them. (I really do think the number of Hillary-only cultists among them is small compared to her female-president single-issuists.)
True, any Y-chromosome pick would be a lost opportunity in this regard, but Biden's CT baggage will give a fair number of them the excuse they need to continue their tantrum through November.
August 23, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with Jenn. Biden is a disappointing choice - certainly not the worst, however. A reasonable choice on pragmatic grounds, likely. I suppose that we'll see how Obama's judgement was on this in the coming weeks, won't we?
August 23, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Qw you actually think Obama's campaign is so incompetent they didnt google Biden? Who should they have picked then? Please enlighten us on why and whom Obama should have picked.
August 23, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama - So, someone googled Biden, right?
Axelrod - Oh, yeah, Plouffe did.
Plouffe - What? You said you were going to...
Axelrod - No...I asked you to do that last week. Didn't you get the memo?
Plouffe - Memo?
Obama - shit...
August 23, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
F*ck OFF.
August 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
haha, aw....
August 23, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe Mark Penn should have googled "Democratic Party primary vote allocations" before Super Tuesday?
August 23, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is going to APPEAR as if he's the "safe" choice but he isn't - he is as bad if not worse than Hillary in his DLC-Republican-lite cred. There's a ton of material for McCain to use. Obama is undercutting his own message of CHANGE, he is not going to convince the independents, whom he badly needs, that he is really going to reform corrupt Washington by choosing one of the most insider of insiders and a hand as old as McCain.
If people are looking to vote "safe" and "experienced", they'd be voting for McCain. Obama is for those who are so sick of Washington, i.e. the majority, they're willing to risk it on a relatively unknown and inexperienced political rising star in the belief that anything is better than the rot among tyhe insiders. Right now, Obama just appears not only inexperienced, he is one of THEM, or intend to hew close to the Beltway.
If only some of us were out there on some of the libertarian and market-oriented blogs and sites where indies and paleocons hang out - they spewed derision at Biden for suggesting the $1billion aid to Georgia. He didn't win any brownie points for being tough on Russia, he was solidly laughed at for the absurdity of his proposal, a tax and spend "liberal".
I would prefer Obama pick another Dem or even Republican with "outsider" cred, running on a throw-out-the-bums platform. Sebelius would be fine in my books, as she doesn't contradict Obama's MAIN message.
I'm SO DISILLUSIONED, I'd still vote for him over McCain, but he's going to lose a lot of the indies with this choice.
August 23, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
The "indies" who hang out on libertarian blogs are not a huge demographic.
The undecided voters we need to pursue now are largely working- and lower-middle-class people. People who don't hang out on blogs, and frankly have not been paying close attention to politics over the summer. People who know the attitude they like, but aren't particularly obsessed about policy details.
August 23, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Understatement from an avatar in a shirt with ruffled cuffs.
I just love it.
LOL!
August 23, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alex: exactly. And as I said earlier, have a 20 second attention span and are not into politics, but rather sound bites.
August 23, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1op8vwF5UA&feature=related
This is why he'll be good. He's smart and experienced, sure, but he's not afraid to get up on his hind legs and tell the truth in a full-throated roar. Obama's coolness will help moderate that, and make sure that the timing of unleasing Joe on the repubs will get maximum effect, but he loves it and will be great.
Great move!
August 23, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
THANKS, GOSHEN! Everybody should watch that clip! I respect qwerty, though I'm tempted to say "Google this!" in regard to your clip.
Thanks again! GOOD VIEWING!
August 23, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm absolutely thrilled it's Biden. He's always struck me as the absolute opposite of so many politicians who carefully parse their words and offer vague answers. Biden not only tells you what he thinks, but with brutal honesty (and wit) what he thinks of 'the other guy.' He'll prove to be a fantastic 'bad cop' to Obama's 'good cop' persona.
August 23, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
How awesome is this pick is like ying to yang.
Obama=cool
Biden=hot
Obama=professor
Biden= rabble rouser student always challenging professor
Obama=empathetic (knows your pain)*
Biden=feels your pain *
*BIG difference, and I think that's why the populist stuff hasn't connected well with Obama. Hillary was good at both, because let's be honest she can be what she wants to be and Obama can't
In all candor, I would not want Biden as President but V.P, because after Bush we need someone to really really be able to think things through, and not that I don't think Biden would, just Barack might be more inclined to take advice than Joe taking advice from someone else. Overall, excellent pick- I know the republicans are mad. I heard Chuck T say he talked to a couple a few days ago, and they were terrified of Biden, because he does NOT back down. Karl Rove tried to pigeon hole Obama and say oh he's going to pick a red state gov.
August 23, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yin/Yang
Nailed it
August 23, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I look forward to Biden showing the country what a real maverick politician looks like.
August 23, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is just what the doctor ordered.
The MSM is all ready doing there pathetic spin machine.
Great link of Biden on the senate floor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1op8vwF5UA&NR=1
August 23, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
An excellent choice. Biden's "passionate fighter" is just what Obama needs to complement his cool thoughtfulness. Especially during the rest of this campaign. Biden will eat whoever McCain chooses for lunch during the VP debate. Especially if it's Romney; god, I hope we get to see that debate. He also shows that Obama is secure and strong enough to pick someone who is smart, has experience, and has disagreed with him at times.
There were no perfect picks out there, just as there are no perfect presidential candidates, partners, etc.. Most of all, I love the fact that Biden can really get after McCain and the Republicans. I am so sick and tired of decades of Democrats not coming back strong against their blustery bull shit. Biden will also help Obama connect with some demographics which have been difficult for him. I liked Kaine and KS, but I think Biden is the best choice.
August 23, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just heard that Biden doesn't have a house in DC, and commutes everyday to Delaware, ever since his first election (after the tragic accident). He seems less Mr DC now... You need experience, but more importantly, the right kind of experience (paraphrasing Biden).
Obama/Biden - 2 houses, $2 million net worth (most of it out of Obama book sales!)
McCain/Romney? - 20 houses, $350 million net worth (inheritance/downsizing).
Tax policy and foreign policy debates - bring it on, bitches!
August 23, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
best hidden things about Biden:
Agreed about Biden's $$ or lack thereof in comparison.
The other thing that Biden is (like McCain) is he is friendly with the inside the beltway hack press. Kissy-faces all around.
August 23, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a winning formula for Obama. I am very pleased with this pick. I think the two represent quintessential American story.
During the primary I remember riding Southwest plane with Joe from Manchester - Philadelphia. He is a great guy and well loved in Pennsylvania. I would have voted for him in PA had he not dropped out of the race. Folks, this is a great pick
By the way, the guy didn't fly first class during the plane ride.
August 23, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1op8vwF5UA&feature=related
Do yourselves a Saturday favor. Watch Goshen's clip.
August 23, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cheer up folks. You don't have to like Biden for him to be a good choice in the circumstances. Biden's far from perfect, but he's a pretty good choice for the job at had, and that's to win the on November 4th.
You can check all of the boxes with Biden. Foreign policy is his strongest policy suit. Blue collar background. Ties to Pennsylvania. Not reluctant to use plain and forceful language. Strong family man. Suffered and bounced back from tragedy - twice. Confident debater who sometimes has the timing of a stand-up comic. Will be replaced by a Democrat in the Senate (this is no small matter.) Joe is going to be seeing a whole lot of the Appalaichan states.
There are downsides - mainly that he knows how to shove his foot in his mouth. But in a VP, that has become a trait of affection in the past.
Not perfect, but better than most of the possibilities. Game on.
August 23, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Alot of older, swing-voting americans I have spoken to have now firmly put their support behind Obama.
Biden was the right choice.
August 23, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
The MSM loves Biden almost as much as they love McCain.Having Biden on the ticket will help diminish the
MSM/McCain lovefest
August 23, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Could someone please help me understand what was the wisdom of rolling this out in this way?
CNN reported this in the middle of the night. The SMS went out in the morning. Saturday.
Half of the country will not find out until Monday.
Suddenly, it looks like he wanted this to be engulfed by the convention coverage. What was the logic?
August 23, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I got my text message at 12:13am.
August 23, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Couple of things, but I think the main thing is that he wants curiosity about the veep to fuel convention viewership. The veep is really the only *news* that the convention has to offer. If it's already old news, there's not a lot of reason to watch.
We want people to watch the convention. Not to read WaPo articles dissecting Biden's record. Those articles don't help us much. Having them tuned in to the convention helps.
August 23, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
This makes sense. What do you think about the potential deflation after the guessing game went on for so long?
August 23, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not pleased about the whole "text message" stuff. I hope they got a good mailing list out of it, cause they annoyed some supporters.
But I'm not too worried about deflation. Maybe it's just because I'm pretty gung-ho about Biden. For me, this really was an exciting choice.
But I would say they better have a good event on tap for this afternoon, and produce some good clips that can be played on cable news.
August 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
That a bit naive, wouldn't you say? This is *the* single most media-whipped selection process in the history of US politics. Devil's advocacy is one thing - but at least make it somewhat realistic.
August 23, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think, Lalo, that the mode of notification was significant in that it illustrates the progressive angle with modern technology...text and e-mail.
McCain is promoting dinosaur politics and eschews computers.
Everybody will know about the selection before Monday, too. I'll bet the choice will even slip in to Olympic coverage.
August 23, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
How else are you gonna get a few million "turn out the vote" cell phone numbers? ;) Marketing ftw.
August 23, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
The MSM loves Biden almost as much as they love McCain.Having Biden on the ticket will help diminish the
MSM/McCain lovefest
August 23, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Praise the Lord, the establishment has been preserved! It's still safe to vote for middle east wars and bailouts for credit card companies. I shall sleep well tonight knowing I don't have get all stressed worrying that all the same old players won't be in the same old places doing the same old things when I wake tomorrow. Yawn. In fact, I feel so comfortable right here in the status quo, I think I'll turn right over and go back to sleep.
August 23, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden's talent on the attack isn't limited to foreign policy
August 23, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden definitely is a good pick for the reasons you give, Greg, and it makes me feel better about the choice. I've heard him do it more than once- Biden can be devastating. He sure wasn't my choice.
I am going to trust Plouffe and Obama - they've gotten this far.
August 23, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was utterly statesmanlike of you, Tena!
August 23, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well I'm not the one who is running - I don't have to work with the person they choose as a running mate.
And I trust both Obama and Plouffe - this campaign is one of the best run I've ever seen and they've thought about almost aspect of this, from what I can tell. I don't think when they planned this campaign that Plouffe or Obama left one stone unturned - so all I can do is trust the candidate and his campaign to know what they want to do.
And it's working - so...
August 23, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
No h/t to Axelrod? He'd be so sad! :-)
August 23, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
One hopes against hope that there aren't examples lurking in the archives of Biden praising McCain's national security credentials.
Oh, there are. He's praised McCain quite a bit, but more in the 'velvet hammer' way, especially recently.
The Real Surge Story, by Joe Biden, April 2007
August 23, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, my favorite part of that article:
I think this is a good attack because it hits at McCain's perceived strengths: Sure, he was right about the tactics of the surge, but he's unfit to lead because he can't see past that to the strategy. And deciding tactics are not the President's job -- deciding strategy is.
August 23, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Repubs are already preempting this:
"How exactly is Biden going to defend during the Vice Presidential debate his ludicrous but passionately argued idea of a few years ago that the United States should unilaterally dissolve the nation of Iraq and divide into three separate countries?"
August 23, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
AP: Choice of Biden shows "lack of confidence"
NYT: "In picking Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate, Barack Obama sought to shore up his weakness — inexperience in office and on foreign policy — rather than underscore his strength as a new-generation candidate defying political conventions. "
Ambinder: "That Obama (apparently) picked him demonstrates a recognition that the Democratic ticket ought to be more than just about Obama’s personality… or a statement of bipartisan pragmatism… it’s easy to float on gossamers when the world is safe, but when it’s burning down, a guy like Biden is just the ticket."
August 23, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're so right! A guy like Mitt is what is really needed her. We so value your pithy contributions.
August 23, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, the AP "analysis" WAS penned by Fournier. If he couldn't land the media job that he relished with McMansion, he can still do his dirty work on the "other side."
August 23, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point. With Rupert Murdoch on the board of directors, AP has gone to the dark side.
August 23, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
The fact that Biden previously praised McCain is going to open many great opportunities for Biden to say that McCain has since "lost his way." And he will also be able to explain his growing respect, over the past year, for Obama. All this just strengthens Biden's ability to attract attention to a new message.
In the end, I just think Biden's experience and verve will trump all the old quotes -- and reassure a lot of older Democrats and older Independents that this is the right ticket.
As for AP, it is a cesspool of obvious bias, a shame ful thing for a once objective medium.
Theda S.
August 23, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly -- Obama needs the votes of a lot of people who are thinking the same things right now that Biden was saying the beginning of the year. Biden is better suited to convince the voters who are skeptical of Obama's inexperience than would be someone who's been with Obama from the start.
It seems like McCain has made a major blunder by highlighting Biden's change of heart, since convincing voters to make that same change is essential to Obama's success.
August 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
The AP lost it's credibility some time ago. I don't take anything they say as much more than a Republican talking point.
August 23, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans:
"After all, Biden is anything but a change agent, having been in office longer than half of all Americans have been alive. Longer than McCain. And he talks too much. "
"There is something extremely incongruous about waiting for a text message that Joe Biden is the Agent of Change’s vice presidential pick. There could be no more fitting gesture to expose that the Obama campaign is built on an increasingly shaky premise."
“There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama’s lack of experience than Joe Biden. Biden has denounced Barack Obama’s poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing – that Barack Obama is not ready to be President.”
"I think the nation should offer profound thanks to Barack Obama for the Biden choice because of the real possibility that there will be unexpected moments of comedy between now and Election Day. For the thing is that Biden doesn’t just have a big mouth. He actually has an identifiable problem. It’s called logorrhea. When he starts speaking, it is nearly impossible for him to figure out how to stop."
August 23, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
You were right, Lalo. I was wrong.
I have to admit it!
August 23, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're really starting to change some minds with this jejune verbiage of yours. Think of yourself as one troll who makes a real difference!
August 23, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
You'd rather not know what the other side is thinking and how they plan to spin this??
Stick to your KoolAid then.
August 23, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't matter what the republican says about Obama -Biden. All i know is this: It is a winning formula.
I am looking forward to Obama's poll among the senior.
August 23, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
..the republican responses seem to lack any real substance or sting to them - just highlighting that Biden was a good choice.
August 23, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
It may be that, indeed. Or else the trolls we attract are just, overall, surpassingly stupid.
August 23, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, Lalo is a smart troll -- and I don't mind hearing what the Republicans are saying.
It's thin stuff, folks. Read it carefully. It's spin; it's all about perceived appearances of what someone might think the perception was, if they overthought it.
Whatever. Just watch them this afternoon. Then see what you think the ticket looks like.
August 23, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo has been a straight-up commenter lately - just one who is on the opposite side of most things.
I feel like anyone is welcome to post their shit if it isn't just stupid trolling and frankly, Lalo has just been part of the conversation lately.
Now don't do something stupid, Lalo, and make me look like a fool.
;)
August 23, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's besides the point. What the quotes show is that their immediate strategy is probably going to be:
- Find the "for it/against it" piece on Biden and turn him into a laughing stock.
- Exploit the contradictions between Obama/Biden to frame the questioning of Biden as poor judgement and/or panic regarding Obama's weaknesses
- Set up traps on Iraq
Basically, the Celebrity decided to pick the DC Idiot and they can't even see eye to ey.
August 23, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good analysis. I think you're right about their response strategy.
They'll always have some goddam response. If we picked Jesus Christ, the Repuglitards would say
"this undermines the gravity of the ticket"
or
"I thought you guys were for separation of Church and State"
or probably
"Psst. I hear that Jesus guy is kind of gay. Pass it on."
That's the post-Atwater Republican party. They make me ashamed to be a primate. But screw it. We're still going to kick their lying sophistical asses.
August 23, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just got up here on the West Coast. Obama's text message finally came through sometime during the night. Glad they kept at it, even though the news was up on their web site before I turned in.
I just feel sorry for the poor guy they hired to send out all those text messages. He must one helluva sore thumb by now!
August 23, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah that Goshen clip!!! It basically says that the Iraq war was CONDUCTED wrong, if only Bush had followed the example of Serbia-Kosovo, it would have been "right". Listen carefully, he is talking about the "sectarian violence" and the logic of partitioning another sovereign nation. He thinks Iraq should be Kosovoed!!! This is a partisan attack, it is NOT an honest attack, it is most definitely NOT a moral attack. Biden is no Ron Paul, he can't even hold a candle to Byrd, he wasn't even criticizing the authorization for War, god knows he was one of its architects, he was loudly saying it's going wrong because of the abdication and incompetence of this administration, as if He's got the right kind of experience and knowledge to Fight this War the Right Way.
He comes across as another of those cunning old foxes in Washington.
August 23, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Something you ate? What's your idea for Iraq? Centralized democracy? Figure that will work, do you? Where has it worked in the Arab world so far -- **give us an answer** *When* we pull out of the sorry misadventure, what are you predicting? Lincoln-Douglas debate type scenario?
August 23, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, punk, get it into your numb skull that *I* am not running for President and under no circumstances am I obliged to answer your question. I am merely pointing out how dangerous that "angry" Biden speech was, why didn't he reserve that fire for the moment when the WH had a 80% approval ratings but was about to launch a war based on fake intelligence??? Surely he should have known as well as Ron Paul or Byrd what was going on, he's as old as they are, and he's Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations, so he has been privy to ALL the intelligence about Iraq. Yet he reserved his vitriol for the WH AFTER public opinion has taken a definite swing the other direction!!!
OTOH, I take it that you believe together with Biden that the problem is that Iraq has not been splintered by NATO into 3 countries, not that an illegal war has been waged in the first place?????
August 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nobody is as old as Byrd except for dead people.
August 23, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden has been saying that for a couple of years now. He always did favor that solution for Iraq.
Doesn't mean that's what will happen.
August 23, 2008 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
That it is right on. I like Biden personally. I think adding a Catholic to the ticket is a great move. He's not a neocon zealot. That's all swell, but when it comes to foreign policy, he's the same old establishment dead set on squandering every resource we have abroad while the country goes to hell at home.
I'd hoped Obama would be able to start getting us out of this 20th century box where we keep trying to replay our WWII glory days but I see nothing that's likely to change our inglorious pursuit of the Decline and Fall of the American Empire, patriotically of course and with flag pins in place.
August 23, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is a SILLY ILLUSION that Biden is somehow "good" at Foreign Policy simply because he is one of the OLDEST members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. If you can figure out with a Venn Diagram McCain = "Old" and perhaps "Experienced" but not necessarily "Good", you have to consider the entire US Foreign Policy under Biden, from Kosovo to Iraq culminating in today's fiasco with Russia to judge Biden's record. In other words, his record isn't quite as dissimilar from Clinton's or Bush's, from the Middle East to Russia.
I'm just shocked how no one seems to understand the axiom the taste of the pudding is in the tasting.
August 23, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm shocked at how badly you mangled that.
The Proof of the pudding is in the eating.
August 23, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wait, who's giving out pudding?
August 23, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Tena, typing under intense angst....you got the proof for that. :)
August 23, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
O well, I'm sure that added to your general feeling of goodwill this morning when I corrected your post!!!!!
sorry.
August 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, I feel no love here. Just speaking my mind, as HONEST as I can manage, and openly inviting anyone to contradict my points.
It's not even whether Obama is serious about winning, it is about what Obama actually meant when he rode the "Hope" and "Change" wave and his pledge to his supporters who have unfailingly pulled the lever for him.
August 23, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
"There is a SILLY ILLUSION that Biden is somehow "good" at Foreign Policy simply because he is one of the OLDEST members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."
Oh no there's not. What there is is a sober observation that he knows what he is talking about and he is not afraid to speak is mind. The blather above is you trying to put gibberish in the mouthes of others, that's all.
August 23, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I continue to be amazed at the number of people who are shocked, shocked, that Rosa Luxemburg didn't get the nod.
August 23, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ding ding ding. Wins the thread.
August 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Biden will pulverize Romney, or anyone McSenile picks in the VP debate. His rapid fire responses are just what the Obama campaign needs, as long as he's a little more careful with what he says and does not insult the wrong group. I do think he's learned more about how to control his mouth. His quick wit, working class background, a down-to-earth, attractive wife who is an educator, will all help the ticket. His vote on the bankruptcy bill was a mistake, but Obama wants to re-write that legislation, and I think it will happen.
Does anyone know how many houses Romney owns? And, how many people lost their jobs in US companies during his tenure at Bain Capital? And what about the sickening amount of money Romney made at Bain, at least $35 million of which he "loaned" his own campaign this year.
August 23, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think Biden makes it a lot less likely that Romney will be the pick.
August 23, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you.
How would perceptions change if McCain now were to pick Lieberman? Media would lap it up in a second
August 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would give my right arm to see McLame pick Droopy Lieberman.
August 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my god, the "McCain/Loserman '08" stickers would be priceless.
August 23, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tena, I too have often referred to Joe the Nebbish as Droopy the old cartoon hound dog character with negative charisma. He cost Gore the election in 2000 by making West Virginia and Arkansas go for Dumbya.
August 23, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
They're already arguing (GOP included) that it makes Lieberman an impossible pick - would be seen as a Hail Mary at this stage. We can always hope for Ridge, I suppose.
August 23, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope he picks Lieberman! It's not like Lieberman is a media darling. The conservatives would be pissed and McCain wouldn't stand a chance.
Unfortunately, I think it's going to be Pawlenty.
August 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think that Liberman was ever a serious pick, just more same from the disaster that is the McCain campaign. I really wonder just who is in charge over there...
August 23, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure the McCain camp is freaking a bit about Mitt right now. Biden is a one home kind of guy. The celebrity/elitist meme is coming back to bite McCain on the butt.
August 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're right. In the current state of play, he'd have to be a drooling idiot to pick Romney. I'm not ruling it out . . . but I think it's still Pawlenty.
August 23, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Bruce-Good Points.
David here from the Obama Party in Brooklyn with Michael.
Send me a note so we can connect.
drwilbur@gmail.com
August 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama did the right thing. You guys should stop worrying about what the republicans we say. The republican will say anything to get elected but bad ar governing.
August 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nancy Pfotenhauer said she had a "cone of silence" over her office when she was asked about whether McCain chose a VP. Glad they're joking about that BS.
Still, anyone else find Pfotenhauer really attractive?
August 23, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think his wife could be a real asset--google Jill Biden. A working wife, a junior college teacher (no wonder they're not rich). When he was running in the primary she brought along her students' papers to correct. Doesn't hurt that she's pretty, too.
August 23, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I did not know one thing about Biden's family - I'm just now finding that out and I like it too.
Biden looks good, he sounds good - when he's not making a gaffe, he can lay someone out in a debate - I've heard him do it a bunch of times. He's good - I don't agree with partitioning Iraq, but I haven't even heard a word about that since long before the Surge - a lot of people were suggesting that solution a year or two ago - Biden didn't come up with it.
August 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
And in the end, Iraq is basically partitioning itself.
August 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm trying to remember now where the idea of partition originated. I keep thinking it actually originated with the British when they tried to hold Iraq at the beginning of the 20th century.
But I may be making that up - hell, so much has been said about Iraq that it's impossible to keep up anymore.
August 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
On our side, I think Peter Galbraith talked it up quite a bit at the time. I think it had a few proponents on the other side too.
August 23, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hearya Tina. Partitioning not good. The present day confrontation between Pakistan and India is a prime example.
August 23, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
If a country is going to divide up, let the country do it.
That's where you go so wrong - trying to carve up countries and people's lives from a 3d party standpoint - it's nuts. People are people - not pieces of something you can shove around a board.
August 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, and relax. Partitioning? It is three provinces of the Ottoman Empire, the North One, the Middle One, and the South One.
I am *not* advocating partitioning! Rather, I blame the American people very strongly for being so idiotic as to (almost?) elect an utter incompetent as President in 2000 and then (re-?)electing him in 2004. No minimally competent manager would have *ever* invaded Iraq to begin with, based on optimism alone and with zero sober consideration of the risks. A high school student would likely do better. *Nor* would even a minimally qualified individual have prosecuted the inane misadventure with such spectacular incompetence, rightly highlighted early on by a courageous Biden. Look at the clip again! Biden is saying there is no policy, no plan, and manifest, gross incompetence. Partition is a side show. No matter what, a real bloodbath may well yet await. All 100% avoidable.
August 23, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't think you were advocating it and you know what? I'm not at all excited, nervous or otherwise reaching for the smelling salts, so if I relax anymore than I already am y'all will have to get something to scoop me up with.
:)
August 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I know, I meant the relax remark more for the other poster, and no offense at all there meant either. I just really liked the link with the impassioned rant of the next Vice President of the United States, fire and brimstone, and I considered the idea of partition (I don't think he used that word in the instant recording) as incidental at best to his righteous indignation.
Biden can't be the first pick that the McCain campaign had in mind.
August 23, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oops - my bad.
I got a little touchy there.
:)
August 23, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jill and Michelle '08
August 23, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
You mean Jill and Michelle '16.
August 23, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
O'BIDEN 'O8!
JOBAMA!
Let's kick some ass. ~
August 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who let the damn trolls out of their pen?
I told y'all not to leave that damn gate open - told y'all 80 times at least and look what happened - we're drowning in idiotic trolls.
August 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Frankly, the BEST thing for Iraq is for the Iraqis to OWN their country again, they have been a nation for decades through a succession of different governments and strongmen leaders. They did not undergo sectarian violence until UN interventions, they were able to promote and pursue their own secular, nationalistic identity and agenda, THEY WEREN'T A FAILED STATE. Who knows what is truly behind their "sectarian violence"???? How can you be sure it isn't a CIA op to decimate the country to make it more pliant to occupation???? It is IMMORAL for us to invade, occupy and quarter a soveriegn nation.
August 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was addressed to TrashTalkingJohnnyy, and little Johnny, you ain't no Euro.
August 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apart from the ad hominem, you obviously have no understanding of this at all. Insult me all you want. "The Iraqis to own their country again?" Good heavens.
August 23, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, the IDEA that a people should be entitled to self-determination, that their country belongs to THEM, not to a hegemonic invading-colonizing power, how shocking!!
August 23, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Qwerty, learn something. The British created Iraq and forced a union on sects that didn't want anything of the kind.
August 23, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, learn this, the British *carved up* the Ottoman empire.
August 23, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
300 yrs, is that long enough to count as one contiguous entity??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq
"For three out of four centuries of Ottoman rule, Baghdad was the seat of administration for the vilayets of Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra."
August 23, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
The liberal blogosphere vetoed Evan Bayh as a running mate because he voted for the Iraq War in 2002. Well, so did Biden.
This essay above describes Biden as "charismatic." He is, in fact, so charismatic that he has run for President two times (1988 and 2008) and got a grand total of zero delegates -- nil, nada, bupkis. Fewer than Dennis Kucinich did.
I like the pick because if Obama wins, Biden will help him be a better president. But I don't think Biden increases Barack's chances of winning.
August 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cheney never ran a political campaign, but when it came to the base he was very char,ismatic and fired them up. I would bet that had Cheney ran for President in 2000 he would have fared about the same as Biden. People don't cast their vote for the VP, but when it comes to the base and some of the leaners the VP can do a lot.
August 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
In the 2000 election, Cheney was seen as the old hand, bringing gravitas to the more feckless Bush. I think that the addition of Cheney actually allayed the fears of some voters that Bush was too inexperienced for the job, giving them a pass to vote for the schmuck.
August 23, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Vetoed Bayh because he was on a pro-war committee with Lieberman and McCain. Not the same thing as voting for AUMF.
August 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Evan as running mate? When you say 'liberal blogospeare' do kyou mean libertarian? What liberals were pushing him?
August 23, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The liberal blogosphere vetoed Evan Bayh as a running mate because he voted for the Iraq War in 2002. Well, so did Biden.
This essay above describes Biden as "charismatic." He is, in fact, so charismatic that he has run for President two times (1988 and 2008) and got a grand total of zero delegates -- nil, nada, bupkis. Fewer than Dennis Kucinich did.
I like the pick because if Obama wins, Biden will help him be a better president. But I don't think Biden increases Barack's chances of winning.
August 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Praise the Lord, the establishment has been preserved! It's still safe to vote for middle east wars and bailouts for credit card companies. I shall sleep well tonight knowing I don't have get all stressed worrying that all the same old players won't be in the same old places doing the same old things when I wake tomorrow. Yawn. In fact, I feel so comfortable right here in the status quo, I think I'll turn right over and go back to sleep.
Posted by bluebell
August 23, 2008 10:56 AM"
>I have read all of the praises above of Biden. And I am with the status quo who say the Republicans have to go. The country has been screwed by them like never before. But, laying Biden aside for a moment, we need to keep in mind that the Democrats have played their part in that screwing - the latest example, but not the only one, being that the Democrats also supported immunity for the tele-com industry by supporting the lie that if the country ever needed them again, they would not be cooperative. Anyone who believes that is a fool.
Having said that, I endorse the following, on target, point of viewas statted by Bluebell. "Praise the Lord, the establishment has been preserved! It's still safe to vote for middle east wars and bailouts for credit card companies."
So a word of caution for those who are dancing at the choice of Biden. Assuming that the Democrats win the White House, it's going to be nothing more than "business as usual."
I've lived long enough to see it; there's hardly a dime's worth of difference between the two political partys. Both are just two factions of one party and that is the Business Party.
>You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
August 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
AMEN. You and bluebell are a few of the sane voices left. This isn't even a Dem vs. Rep. issue, what's at stake is Past vs. Future, and right now, the Future looks bleak.
August 23, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
So you're voting for McCain then, right? You only have two choices and you don't like this one, so go onto the Club for Growth site or some place and get organizing. This isn't the primaries, or the the pre-primary season, this is it. You've evidently made your choice between the two -- be proud of it and go support it.
In the military, they say, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."
August 23, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why can't you just shut the fuck up if you have nothing intelligent to say?
You are here for the cheer leading and Kool Aid, that's why you get apoplectic everytime someone has an opinion that doesn't fit with your talking points.
August 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
How old are you Little Johnny, 12, 16 at most????? Go practise your amateur sad little strawmen-lighting flaming on some other teeny bloggers on MySpace.
August 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
So what is your proposal to fix this, Einstein?
I've been around awhile, and there is a hell of a lot more than a dime's worth of difference between the Repugs and the Democrats. A hell of a lot.
But basically, we could have 5 parties running all the time and it still would result in the same thing: the party in power would be the Establishment and instantly our enemies because the truth is that the government is our enemy, no matter who runs it. That's what the founders intended.
They didn't intend for us to get cozy with our leaders, but to keep them in line.
August 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Shit - that was a reply meant for das.
The Naderite.
August 23, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ron Fournier with a hit piece
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080823/ap_on_el_pr/veepstakes_analysis
August 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Or it could be that Obama is so confident in his own abilities that he doesn't worry about surrounding himself with very capable people.
If Obama had chosen Kaine, Sebelius etc. Fournier would have probably wrote that Obama is so self-conscious about his inexperience he couldn't bring himself to naming somebody with more experience then he had and that shows bad leadership.
August 23, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
So Ron Fournier claims that the "Biden pick shows lack of confidence." And the Cheney pick showed...what exactly?
August 23, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is the first time I've seen your avatar.
I have a brand new laptop and you have caused me to drool all over the keyboard. I may hold you liable for any damage to this machine.
*swoon*
August 23, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right. I'd like to know where these types were when Bush picked Cheney for all the same reasons.
August 23, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup.
August 23, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who let Ronny put this piece of Repub nonsense out there? Really, the AP keeps pumping out this junk culled straight from the RNC Talking Points (TM), smearing with a thin veneer of 'common sense', and then thrown out there for every right wing troll to link to and tsk tsk over.
Good thing Ronny didn't decide to work for the McCain campaign after all...
August 23, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even if you hate Biden's guts, he's not supposed to appeal to you. Obama is your appeal (assuming you are support Obama), Biden is supposed to reach out to those on-the-fence types that wanted to vote "change" but were unsure in their guts about Obama's inexperience.
McCain will choose Tim Pawlenty. And then point to the fact that both tickets have youth and experience, but his has it in the right order. Furthermore Pawlenty is a Governor, thus has executive experience. Obama and Biden have never ran anything.
I guess Obama could say that he's run a $500M campaign
August 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the house gaffe makes it more likely he'll go with Pawlenty given Pawlenty's background. Pawlenty absolutely excels in making the suburban white guy believe that every trouble he's got from a nagging wife to an irritable boss is the fault of someone who is worse off than he is.
August 23, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
But can he step in and immediately be CIC. McCain has made foreign policy such the cornerstone of his campaign, Pawlenty is weak in this area.
But yeah I would lean toward Pawlenty as the choice at this point.
August 23, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can he step in and be CIC? Pawlenty is a smarter Bush. He'd be more than willing to be a tool of the Cheneyites. It was Cheney who decided Coleman would run for Senator and Pawlenty would run for governor. Pawlenty does what he's told.
August 23, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is the right choice to calm the jitters of older Americans.
Biden is a man they recognize; he represents the best in us, epitomizing the character traits we used to take for granted about ourselves as a nation. But his participation on the ticket will not be an exercise in nostalgia, a paean to the past. Rather, Biden's realistic world view encompasses past, present and future: he is historically-aware, reality-based, and yet has the courage and conviction to believe we can implement a future that is better for the world in general, not just for ourselves -- the prime component of which is his recognition of the right of other nations to have autonomy.
August 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
It will be interesting to see just how many jitters will be calmed but right now I think it will be significant in places like Florida.
And now that he is no long a dark horse candidate but will have the spotlight, a lot of people are going to be quite impressed with what they see.
August 23, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
And Biden will help to move the foreign affairs beyond the surge/Russia blathering of McCain to the whole complex pictures.
August 23, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Outside of the Foreign Policy issue there is
the 'recognizable and comforting to the uneasy older white male' demo - a huge plus
but the best for me -
the Corporate Media loves him. no, not quite like the maverilicious fawning, but this will go some distance to keep the Villagers off of Obama's back
long after November
August 23, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
The economy, foreign affairs, the federal regulatory agencies (SEC;FERC;FEC; NOAA,mines, etc) were screwed up so badly in the past 7+ years, that only proven adults need apply for roles with Obama and Co. In short that change it about cleaning up crap.
Biden is no savior but is firmly grounded in foreign affairs, and can well navigate his way around many pressing issues: foreign affairs, the judiciary, the economy, etc.
August 23, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
How has it escaped everybody that Biden voted for all of that crap????
August 23, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, let's look at some people and their votes and their positions:
Until he decided to run for president, Dennis Kucinich was aggressively anti-choice- he apparently really does believe that abortion is murder.
Russ Feingold votes YES on both Roberts and Alito.
And perfection is forever the enemy of the good.
August 23, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
from tone-deaf republican land (via Jmart). Biden is the 'second biggest celebrity in washigton' (behind McCain maybe?) so Obama Biden is like a Paris-Britney ticket. Ha ha ha. I cannot wait to see Biden get in fron to that .
August 23, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is great buzz heading into the convention. McCain's vp pick wont garner nearly as much free media attention because all the focus will be on the Dem convention next week.
For a week that started out bad for BO, it sure is ending sweet.
August 23, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink