Biden And Our Twenty-First Century Election

In picking Senator Biden, Senator Obama and his operatives have set the tone for the General Election. Choosing Biden was the safest bet inside the party and outside. Senator Clinton and her supporters can get behind this decision. Biden's not a hawk or a dove, he's a foreign policy expert. He has the judicial experience. He's real and a straight-talker (so straight there's even a nasty remark to play on his running mate.)

The Obama camp has decided this election is a bigger battleground than a basket of states that are too tough to call two months out. This has nothing to do with winning a battleground state, as evidenced by the size of Delaware. This is about scope and ideas. It's about an electorate that is choosing between the status quo of the 20th century and defining its identity for the 21st century. Obama is betting this is a message election, not an electoral map puzzle.

Like in 1992, when Bill Clinton of Arkansas picked Al Gore of Tennessee, economic times are tough. This time, we are post-9/11. This time we are in a war and playing on a completely different global political and economic stage. This is the first real turn-of the century election, post-Clinton era, post-Bush era.

Ipso facto, reading the mood of the electorate is the challenge ahead for Obama-Biden and McCain-?

Listening to and addressing the source of the electorate's discomfort, like in 1992, is crucial. McCain got fancy in trying to pin Obama as an elitist celebrity, because now the storyline is that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

The Olympics are ending this weekend, officially ushering in perhaps the most intensely watched presidential election of our lifetimes. Led off by back-to-back convention weeks, we will then see four weeks of debates, one week apart, vice-presidential debates, and vote. It will be two months of grueling campaigning and soul-searching for the electorate.

Then we'll know who most Americans feel they are and want to be this century, in the first full democratic expression of their will in the 21st century.

Comments

[yareallygotmegoin]

If we were really allowed change, this race would be between Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich. However, the MSM makes sure those guys are stifled, so nothing ever really changes in a big meaningful way. Ron Paul wanted to bring all US troops home from everywhere. Dennis Kucinich wants to establish a Dept. of Peace.

[serena1313]

I think Obama did the right thing. Joe Biden is a good fit.

Already McCain is pointing out that Biden said during the primaries Obama was "not ready." However that is a double-edge sword. McCain looks foolish showing the ad because Obama chose "experience" -- he chose Biden as his running mate therefore it shows Obama's judgment is solid.

And for those who say Biden is a Washington insider, yes to some degree. More importantly Biden knows how to work the halls of Washington which is necessary to get things accomplished. Biden does not live in Washington. He has a compelling story not to mention his son is on his way to Iraq.

Obama said he wanted who would argue with him and Biden fits that bill. Obama feels he can trust Biden which is vital for his success.

Furthermore Biden will help with voters who want to vote for Obama, but have been on the fence. He'll help with the Catholic voters and the Appalachian voters, too. Labour Unions are happy.

Although Biden did vote for the Bankruptcy bill -- he did so because the banks are located in Delaware. Iam not going to fault him for one or two votes when he has done a lot for civil rights and other issues.

All in all Biden is a good pick. I think it was a smart move.

Iam relieved he did not pick Hillary because if he had the Clintons would have undermined Obama at every turn.

[Independent-for-Obama]

Biden is the choice a true leader makes; a leader concerned for the country; a leader who by being less political is taking politics to a whole new (higher) more effective level.

Even though I am laid off now, I'm going to be giving more money to Obama/Biden. They must win for the country, and me, to win. If McCain wins, only the rich and corporations win.

[Livvy]

a very fine choice.

[CAPTAINSKIPPY]

Aye, a reasonably good choice though it further muddies the change theme, and will give bigots a bigger target.

[coldblooded]

gro, if this cite is accurate, Obama did technically pick a southerner:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Atlantic_States

[gro]

Thanks for the pointer. Fascinating history - Delaware was a slave state and stayed with the Union in 1861. And the Mason Dixon line runs right into northern Delaware.

[PATina]

I was pleasantly surprised by this pick. I thought Sen O was going to get punked into choosing HRC for his running mate. I'm glad he didn't. I think Biden is a good choice... not the best choice... but a much better choice than The HIll.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

Ditto PATina,

To pick a man who has called you not ready is bold, and though twisted by some as indicative of a weakness on foreign policy, was a stroke of genius. Biden is a knowledgeable Senator who can help guide Obama in changing the culture of the old politics in the Beltway.

[gro]

If elected, Obama/Biden will be the first Dem administration without a southerner in either position since FDR and Henry Wallace (NY and Iowa). Could that be a mistake? How will Virginia and Florida vote?
Good to see Obama wants more in a political partner than another YES man. Biden's YouTube videos are impressive. He will be a forceful and articulate campaigner.

[coldblooded]

Technically, that'.s not true. Delaware is considered a southern state by the U.S. Bureau. It's apart of the South Atlantic States division of the South along with Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the District of Columbia. Check it out on the government's website or wikipedia.

[coldblooded]

... I meant the "U.S. Census Bureau."

[HankInTexas]

One House, One Spouse --- Obama-Biden '08

Folks, keep this in mind on November 4...

ANTI-ABORTION = ANTI-CONTRACEPTION

and

McCain = Bush = More of the same

and

McCain graduated 894 out of 899 from the Naval Academy. He never exhibited a disciplined intellect or much mental capacity, even as a young man.

THINK

[AdvancedDegree]

I am excited about this ticket. After Jim Webb dropped out, I wanted someone like Biden - someone with foreign policy heft and someone with the chops to go after McCain.

Obama - Biden 08!!!

I will be making another small donation today.

[OleSmartee]

Sorry, I'm just not excited about this VP pick AT ALL.

After months and months of thinking we're going to get an all new, complete overhaul of the crappy way Washington is run -- we get a guy who's been in Washington for 36 years. Since Nixon was president. Since "Gunsmoke" was on TV. Since Nissan was known as Datsun. Since computers were the size of barns and used cobalt to communicate. Since the Colts were in Baltimore playing the LA Rams. And since the Carpenters were the top pop group on the radio.

When Biden talks about Washington being a mess, won't he be part of the problem? When Barack mentions "Change You Can Believe In", won't Biden be the antithesis of change? When we all decide we're going to bring a fresh new face to the old way of doing things, won't Biden's 66 year old wrinkled look blow that out of the water?

No, I'm not enthused about this at all. But, I'm holding out hope that something dramatic may still happen.

[timewaster2dcore]

Hey, OleSmartee, I understand what you mean, would you read an article about this, it's kinda interesting. Here is the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-trounstine/im-just-sayin-saying-bide_b_120863.html

Peace.

[LordMoon]

Sorry, this choice confirms McCains views that Obama is in no experienced enough to make good decisions. Almost anyone would have been better than Biden.

As the principal architect of Bankrupcy reform legislation and credit card reform. Biden is not change anyone can believe in, but more of what is wrong with the economic system in the United States.

His selection is a slap in the face of all working men and women in America, one that will be easily capitalized on by the Republican right.

The polls will quickly show a huge increase in McCains lead, as indepents shift toward him.

Once again the Democratic party has shown itself of incapable of electing a President, and failing to do what they promised. This will just about sink the Democratic party.

[InfiniteShibumi]

Two words: Keating Five

[Kache]

This choice confirms that Obama is experienced enough to make good choices.

[LordMoon]

No, it shows that Obama did not do good research on Mr. Biden, it shows how naive, how inexperienced he is. Didn't he realize how unpopular Biden was with working men and women?

Hillary Clintion would have been a much better choice. For that matter almost anyone would have.

As previously mentioned by "OleSmartee" the choice of Mr. Biden is antithetical to Obama's message of change.

This is not change I can believe in but, politics as usual. I am also hoping against hope that something dramatic will happen.

Otherwise its McCain, and maybe Liberman.

[Illumina]

Do the people truly want "change?" This is supposed to be the Democratic Party Ticket. The dems are supposed to be the party of the working man. If we are smart enough to pick Obama, then we are smart enough to pick the VP candidate - what a concept in a constitutional republic. Why was the choice of the vice presidential candidate made in secret by elitists? Because Obama is so insincere about his campaign promise of "change" that he missed the first, real opportunity that would have been a great place to start and prove his sincerity, honesty and integrity. Not that we have any of that to be concerned with on the Rep's part, but still, doesn't anything a politician say have to mean something? This was a typical politician's arrogance on Obama's part. Biden, while probably as good as we can get on this ticket (because there really isn't anyone of any integrity or political willingness to do the right thing anyway) should not be accepted at face value. He's got some mis-steps to clean up and We, the People, will be better off if we start making changes for ourselves right here and now: demand that Joe Biden apologize for his support of corrupt legislation, get busy repealing it (the bankruptcy reform law for starters) and conduct himself according to the oath of office he takes each time he is elected. If not now, then when? Who will do it if we don't?

[Dap]

Dear Ms.Donahue,

Eloquently expressed, seems that we (you and I) are in the exact same stream of consciousness on this one, it's is as if you had taken my thoughts and put them to pen. (so to say). Agape.

[renatam]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/23/opinion/23herbert.html?hp

August 23, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist
Voters Want More From Obama
By BOB HERBERT

“I refuse to sit back like we did in 2000 and 2004. This administration is the worst administration in American foreign policy in modern history — maybe ever. ... Every single thing they’ve touched has been a near-disaster.”

A populist message and a willingness to take the fight to his opponent is Barack Obama’s ticket to the White House.

He’s got 10 weeks to show if he’s got the right stuff.

[SShaw490]

Fantastic post. That's it exactly. It's not about winning Ohio or Indiana or Virginia - it's about winning over the electorate and proposing a new politics. And Obama will win by 8 points in the general, and history says if you do that the electoral map will take care of itself.