When Biden Was Barack Obama (VIDEO)

It's hard to remember, but at one point in time Joe Biden was considered the Democratic Party's Barack Obama -- the up-and-coming candidate of a new generation.

That label followed him closely during his first run for the White House in 1988, even though, at the time, Biden had been in the Senate for 16 years. And, indeed, during a interview with Newsweek Magazine in August 2007 (notice who conducted that interview), the Delaware Democrat said he saw parallels between his campaign back then and Obama's -- parallels that led him, now famously, to declare that he didn't think Obama was ready for the job.

Now, a reader sends over a local news footage that documented Biden before he decided to make that '88 campaign run, which flamed out amidst allegations of plagiarism. There are, to be sure, some similarities, with reporters and academics discussing the Senator as a "different kind of Democrat" and a self-envisioned heir to the Kennedy legacy. There are also some classic clips of George Will and Ron Brownstein expressing doubts about Biden's ability to handle the big stage. And then there is this germane quote from Biden himself on why he wouldn't make a good vice president.

"It would be hard for me to go out and make the case for my president that I had strong disagreement with," he says. "It would be a hard thing for me to do. And I don't criticize those who do because you must be a team. So I would not recommend that anyone pick me for vice president."

The documentary is worth a watch, if just for a reminder of how in politics, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Comments

[seachild]

he looks A LOT LIKE CHARLES GRODIN

[ChicagoSuz]

Joe Biden was my first and only pick for v.p. I was thrilled when Sen. Obama chose him. Still am... :-)

GO VOTE! MAKE HISTORY!!

Yes We Can and YES WE WILL!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!

[The Lorax]

OMG, he's so young here. Still the same heart melting smile though. I love him!

[eden4barack08]

I LOVE JO BIDEN!

[thehonestpolitician]

GO VOTE NOW! Make History! Obama is need of all the votes necessary to create a landslide. Let's make sure that our state turns blue! Bring your friends and family - make it a group thing! Wouldn't you want to say 1 year from now, 5 years from now, or even 20 years from now that you contributed to the most highlighted election in US history? Wouldn't you be proud to tell your kids/grandkids years from now that you voted for this election? It will be the most talked about election for centuries. Voting is a right and a privilege. Let's all make history together!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[caywen]

I think Obama studied Joe Biden and came to the conclusion, "wow, this guy was me 20 years ago." I think he saw the mistakes Joe made and how dearly he paid for them. Joe was never gifted with the great level of message control Barack had, but was someone Barack recognized as, well, great. Someone who could have been President but for whom things just never worked out. And I think Barack thought, "I am going to make this man VP and show him redemption. Because Joe Biden is awesome."

[Enigma2008]

I have always loved Joe Biden! When he dropped out of the presidential race back then I was so disappointed--he had it all but, unfortunately, his inability to maintain strict message control, endearing to those who loved him, was not adored by his challengers and the media. So sad for all his supporters. I am thrilled that Obama recognized his greatness and gave him this chance to contribute to a great administration. Rock on Joe!

[seachild]

Barack made a SMART move with Joe...all respect to Hillary, but JOE WILL DO...JUST FINE..!

[bonchesva]

I love Joe! It was brilliant of Barack to chose him to be his vp running mate.

[mnyobpres]

Joe Biden ROCKS!

[uheardme]

Ok, Joe's had a little work done and he didn't need it.

[hogoza]

where? his eyes? I think Obama did too, ( his teeth).

[IndyReader]

Not likely. If he inherited anything from his biodad Obama inherited his teeth. No tinkering needed.

[NickNas]

TWENTY YEARS AGO (20) TWO DECADES- 1/5th of a CENTURY AGO!

Jesus talk about expecting someone to NEVER change their mind or grow in ANY way huh???

I think he will be a FINE VP. Now lets move on SHEEEESH

FOX NEWS is BLAREING the COAL LIE every 10 minutes saying it is TRUE and convincing people in PA and OHIO that Obama is going to drive them bankrupt over it and we are talking about some crapa man said 20 years ago......

[DemocracyIsComing]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OETwbVBPI1U

“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves ... self-discipline with all of them came first.”
~ Harry S Truman

“Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.”
~ Sun Tzu

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you WIN"
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) - Lawyer, Community Organizer, Patriot

Move over PUMAs … say hello to BEMA (BRADLEY EFFECT MY A$$)

Go OBAMA/BIDEN 2008 & ’12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OETwbVBPI1U

[houstonobserver]

Thanks for the heads-up

Actually, I see both of them as being pragmatists, and I like the part where he said he was now concerned with "the governance issue" (around 6:27) of the 3rd video. This is exactly what Obama said he did and would do as well, and I am sure that Biden appreciated the fact that he would like a VP that would disagree with him.

They are definitely on the same wavelength.

[LiberalDemIda]

I agree, Sam.

Biden most likely recognized his old self in Obama and that's why he agreed to be Obama's running mate. Obama too, is labeled as a different kind of Democrat just like Biden had been labeled earlier in his career.