Biden: I'll Be Confidant, Not Deputy President

WASHINGTON — The president's confidant _ not the deputy president. That's how Joe Biden sees his role as vice president to Barack Obama.

Biden says he hopes he can help the president shape policy. And Biden hopes he's the last person in the room for every key decision that Obama makes.

Biden said that when he was asked to be Obama's running mate, he told Obama he didn't want to be on the ticket unless he was being hired for his judgment.

He says that's how it has worked so far in the early days of the Obama presidency.

Biden says he sees his job differently from the way that Dick Cheney operated in the Bush White House.

Biden spoke on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Comments

[bluesman62]

Obama is a very smart man ! Who in their right mind would want to harm Obama knowing Joe would then be in charge .Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[libcrusader]

Just glad to be rid of Cheney....

[harrymellon]

Well the New York Times basically said Rahm is the Deputy President. Doesn't he have dual citizenship? Can you be a member of Congress with dual citizenship as long as you're born here?

[JinMN]

He's a dual citizen-rahm? I haven't heard of that.

[TravelDog]

Dual citizenship is perfectly legal in the United States, and it doesn't disqualify anyone from holding office or anything else. It's really not a big deal.

[krechsd]

What's your point?

[MalloMel]

What's with the dual citizenship? I would think that one would have to be 100% American to hold a high office such as that. Really, what are you talking about?

[Helzapoppin]

RE allegedly had dual US/Israeli citizenship (although I haven't tried to confirm this yet)

[Jenjohnson]

..remember back then when he called the then senator "articulate and sharp" ... in a debate...lol..

Little did he know that would eventually get him to high places......

[JinMN]

I remember-I can't believe its been over a year since we have seen all those debates-before you know it 4 years will pass by.

[conniedogs]

Well Hillary said worse....

[libcrusader]

He said he was a clean Black...another foot in mouth moment for Ole Joe.

[MalloMel]

Well, there are some clean whites, also. What's the problem?

[DinSea]

It's a curse for Joe to be so brilliant and so utterly ethical, and yet such a vocal bafoon. Obama understands this, to his great credit, and surely has pondered the ways to work with this beautiful man.

Joe needs to keep real close to the President until he learns how to make friends with his "Quality Control Center" between brain and mouth. As long as he keeps to a tight script, no problem.

[JinMN]

I think that Joe has been pretty good. Granted I didn't see FTN but what was said by him in this article wasn't really bad-he was probably asked the question. On gaffe-the robert comment and people are on him for it lol (and the oprah thing was old new lol-NYT, NWeek, NY observer, etc).

[TravelDog]

Does everyone have to have comic-book images of these very real people who are working, quite hard, to run our country in a positive way. I watched Face the Nation (and have watched many other interviews with Biden) and there wasn't a single "gaffe" --- yet that is the comic book image so everyone has to jump on it and repeat it as if that's all that's worthy of mention about the man. Instead you should be watching that interview and getting down on your knees in fervent gratitude that the person sitting there is the very capable, and honest, Joe Biden ......... and not Sarah Palin! I still get slightly nauseous thinking that that was even a possibility.

[enyapjeff]

This is a great team, they compliment each other.

The President is mature enough to know his weaknesses and humble enough to admit it, and brave enough to ask for help when it's needed.

This is a 180 degree turn from the "decider and chief". Who "misunderestimated" himself.

[Bocado]

Exactly.

For someone to know their own weakness(es) and know when to admit to them, that's a sign of strength like no other.

Like asking for directions, if you don't know where you're going, ask, then you'll get there.
If you pretend to know and don't ask, you're lost and get nowhere.

[Jenjohnson]

I love Joe Biden... Lay off him will ya......

[SparkyDash]

;-) I love Joe Biden...I was impressed with him today. I forgot how much foreign policy experience he has, among other things. It was good to see him...I've missed his interviews.

[Tom Joad]

I hope you have it in you, Joe. He's gonna need a confidant. Most confidants I have known can keep a secret and keep their mouth closed. "En boca cerada no entran moscas" - Spanish proverb. (Translation: Flies don't enter a closed mouth)

[SparkyDash]

I would gladly have Joe Biden as a confidant. There are few in this world as loyal as Mr. Biden. And, he will gladly take a hard hit for another. I'm good with that...he's a rare politician.

[TiredandPragmatic]

Boy, you commentators must be bored. Biden did not say anything wrong here and yet all you can harp on is that he's not a brilliant orator. So what? He doesn't need to be. Want to hear my theory about why Obama is such a great orator? He was a professor of law. Seriously, if you are both an attorney and a law professor from Harvard, you know how to talk well or you learn quickly.

[Helzapoppin]

agreed. Unlike so many around here parroting the media-driven characterization of Biden as a gaffe machine, I find his bluntness often refreshing. It's a shame that people saying what they think is considered a bad thing.

[TiredandPragmatic]

Yeah, really. Thanks for understanding.

[TravelDog]

Actually, Joe Biden has been teaching Constitutional law for, I believe, 17 years. In fact, when he went to Illinois to be introduced by Obama, one way people knew about it was that he had to cancel his Saturday class. We have two men running our country who KNOW and, more importantly, understand the Constitution. It's amazing we don't have whiplash from the sudden change!

[Jeff7772]

Yeah Biden is a royal gasbag. Obama was clearly furious when he was making fun of Roberts after the flubbed oath.

[oldjerseygirl]

Maybe that's how YOU saw it.... but, not me. Clearly, when Obama took one step forward and reached out his arm to touch Biden's, he was doing more to try to stop Joe from going any further just to get a laugh. Obama did it as one would do with their child.....stopping in a humane way.... but with love. The mutual respect and admiration the VP and Pres have for each other is something I have NEVER seen in this country. It is so wonderful. Obama was SO NOT furious.

[SparkyDash]

It's funny reading the incorrect accounts of the gentle jab of Biden's. Obama was pretty much moving things along. Most sites have taken down the clip because it was nothing.

[PrincipiaChamp]

Well, you're wrong here. Go back and view the whole proceedings. No ire from Obama, hand shaking, everyone was just moving on...nothing there, sorry.

[JinMN]

We don't know what O was thinking either-all I know is I thought it was hilarious. Oh well lol.

[swo68]

Obama needs to find something engrossing, yet frivolous, for Joe to do.

[Three Four Five]

Inauguration Crowd Count:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/25/142649/219/703/688841

[alvdh1]

Joe I love you, but if you are going to be Obama's confidant, you will need to choose your words carefully. Some lip biting will be in order.

[oldjerseygirl]

I will take Biden's "gaffes" over Cheny any day. He doesn't have to mince words. It's what makes him the "honest Joe" that I so love.

And so much better than the last 8 years of nothing but lies.

[SparkyDash]

Joe Biden will do just fine. He doesn't mind learning and will be the first to admit if he has a need. Obama has known Biden for years, and has worked with him directly for a long time. They obviously like and respect each other. I will allow them their growing pains.

[JinMN]

Whats wrong by telling the american people that he isn't going to actually run the country like Cheney did? Lol.

[hamchunk]

Where you all you Biden supporters during the primaries? Why didn't support him with as much enthusiasm as I see here? Because I thought he would have made an excellent President and I wasn't afraid to go against the grain to let others know that fact.

[CR46]

I've always admired and liked Joe Biden. If not for his foreign policy expertice the war in Bosnia would still be going on. Honesty in the White House,what a wonderful change!!!

[PrincipiaChamp]

You're correct, Biden would have made an excellent president. He is one of the least wealthy of candidates and with a poor showing at first, had/chose to drop out. We'll never know how Biden would have done in other states. He was considered the best or one of the best in the early debates...he knows his stuff. But MSM certainly fell in love with others. Too bad, but he'll be a great VP. I was behind him for president...many were who have watched him through the years. Obama took notes ;-)

[JinMN]

The Wash. Post of NYT's article said because he didn't do the cocktail party circuit he was hurt politically and know one knew who he was when he ran for Pres. B/F my grandma died I think she was for him.

[Helzapoppin]

My previous objections toward Biden were mostly based on his clear attachment to the banking & credit industry, as exemplified in his support for the egregious bankruptcy bill. Many called him the Senator from MBNA. He forced the "average Joe" thing in committee hearings too much too. But he does know his foreign policy. Obama could have made worse choices. I'm generally happy with Biden where he is.

[TravelDog]

Uh, actually, I was campaigning for him --- I thought he was more qualified and ready than either Obama OR Hillary! Next question?