That Biden Magic

Who would have guessed he'd shine in yet a second debate? Isn't this the Joe Biden who jokes about how frequently he inserts his foot in his mouth? Yet this is also the Joe Biden who has been impressive not only in debate formats of late but in other venues as well.

If anyone came across as having the necessary experience to be President last night, it was Joseph Biden. He turned the debate around, away from pettiness, to focus on what matters to the American people when he said they care about making mortgage payments, their sons and daughters fighting in Iraq, crime, and keeping their jobs.

Who is this unmasked man? Suddenly he's the candidate with the big picture, the one capable of articulating it as well. I don't know about you, but I keep expecting him to say something completely off base, but he's been focused. And his preparation showed - all thirty-five plus years of it.

Kucinich firmly called for bringing the troops home now and not giving George Bush another dime. Richardson aptly framed Edward's strategy as an attempt to elicit a class war, Obama a generational war and accused Clinton of simply not being sufficiently anti-war. Dodd's comments about education were excellent and he, with Biden, altered the course and tone of the debate by calling attention to the growing "shrillness".

Clinton likely regained her lead. She was alert, prepared on every question this time, humorous, and comfortable. Edwards had good moments despite the unnecessary, sarcastic "Cute" quip in response to Kucinich. Obama was persuasive on the topic of renewable energy, lectured less and, with the exception of likely losing ground due to his support of illegal immigrant driver licenses, he landed on his feet.

Any of them would make a far better President than the one we have now. But Biden stood out, demonstrated depth, and connected with the concerns of real people. It's inspiring to hear the views of this relaxed Joe Biden and to observe his class, searing intellect, dedication to country, and engaging humor.

I remain undecided. But Biden is growing on more than just me. Something very magical has happened to Joe. Maybe it won't last. But it's good for the country and a joy to behold.

Dr. Reardon is author of The Secret Handshake and It's All Politics.

Comments

[Ravenlea]

There's something really grounded an genuinely kind about Joe Biden, paired with a clearly very keen and thoughtful mind. He was my original candidate of choice. I've kind of moved towards Kucinich, particularly because of the impeachment issue which only Kucinich is talking (and doing something) about.

But I have always been very drawn to Biden. I'd be proud to have him as president of my country. I really wish we could rank people in order of preference in the primaries. I think it would give us a truer picture of how people really feel about the candidates.

[cblcar]

It sounds like there may be a lot of people out there who are supporting Biden but just not making enough noise about it. I just sent his campaign $25 which I couldn't afford and bought a Biden'08 cap and bumper sticker which I also can't afford, but thought it important enough to do so. By wearing the cap and having a bumper sticker it encourages people to talk to us about why we support him. I'd also encourage anybody who has friends and family in Iowa to call them and try to get them on board. We don't have to be led by the media and pollsters like sheep. We CAN raise our voices for Biden. Just my humble opinion.

[Dap]

Dear Dr. Reardon,

Your correct about Senator Joseph Biden, he is a good man, although, I do like to bust his chops a bit. :) We, are lucky to have him in the United States Senate over the years.

Yet, I have to say, even though the good Senator has been on his and best behavior of late... The idea of him winning the Democratic primary sure does worry me, for one big reason, that shoehorn hanging from his bottem lip.

I'm sure it will be used in the general election to slide that foot into his mouth, without any doubt.

That's all I got to say about that. :) Agape.

[SRegnet]

If Democrats were ever to elect a President on
the basis of foreign-policy expertise, who'd be
better than Joe Biden? Problem is, that's what
*Republicans* do, except when they go with a
nincompoop.

Democrats elect on the basis of domestic-policy
expertise, so of course they should go with Dennis
Kucinich, obviously.

Joe Biden for Secretary of State!

[Azor]

I agree with all the pro-Biden comments already posted. It is so frustrating to see the media focus almost exclusively on the "top three", and more recently specifically on the bickering among the top three, parse every word, every inflection, every stare, and almost completely ignore the other candidates. The post debate discussion the other day was an extreme example of this. Not only was the openly pro-Clinton Carville given a place of honor to "impartially" discuss the debate, but as far as I can remember the names of the other candidates were not even uttered!
If anybody bothered, a point by point comparison between Biden and Clinton on the famous "experience" factor would be a serious blow to what Clinton touts as her main credentials.
We know what the polls say that Clinton or Obama would do against Giuliani, etc. Has anybody even bother to poll how Biden or Dodd would do against the republicans?
All this is extremely frustrating and scary. Without going into any details now, I thoroughly distrust Clinton, I trust Edwards less and less and am afraid he has turned into a first class demagogue obsessed with winning (I hope I am wrong), and while I really like Obama, and trust his intelligence and good will, I also think that due to the mess the country and the world are in right now, this indeed not the time for on the job training. IMHO Biden, and to a lesser extent Dodd, are the best of the crowd, and I hope that some MAGIC will indeed happen and more people will start to understand that things are not as they seem when seen only through the eyes of the superficial and ratings-obssesed media.

[AC123]

Biden's knowledge of foreign affairs in particular (the middle east), veterans affairs, healthcare, education, domestic crime, and immigration are unprecedented. What's more impresive is that he has practical solutions (trhat include specific budgets. These other candidates are blowing steam and have no plans for anything, just punchlines. If Joe Biden is the best choice to restoring America's greatness then we should all get behind him.

BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT!!! BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT!!!

BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT!!! BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT!!!

www.planforiraq.com

www.joebiden.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OhPG7mk8yQ


...the world is waiting.....

[xrayman]

Joe Biden would make an excellent president. He would be more of a uniter than Obama, he has more experience to "hit the ground running" than Clinton, and has a record of helping the neediest citizens.
The problems as I see them:
1. He makes himself too available on political shows where he runs his mouth and says stupid and contradictory things.
2. He has too long of a record as a senator. It can be used against him by the opposition.
3. Probably the most important: He has no charisma.
4. In a year when the Democratic party could nominate a woman, a black, or a latino, it would be depressing to have to choose between two old white men in grey suits come next November.

[ClevelandTom]

I agree with Ms. Reardon but for slightly different reasons.

While there are many issues afoot in this presidential cycle, I believe the most pressing is to get US foreign policy back onto a rational footing, re-build alliances, begin using diplomacy as a tool of state again, and coming up with a much smarter strategy to deal with the overall situation in the Middle East. Dealing with this issues effectively will have a significant, positive ripple effect on other domestic issues including the economy.

Among the entire presidential field of Democrats and Republicans, I think Biden and Richardson are by far the best-equipped to deal with the foreign policy issue by virtue of their experience, intelligence and demeanor.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

You can keep Joe Biden, Kathleen.

His crap diplomatic plan to divide Iraq keeps troops on the ground there. And, he continuously FAILS to address where he stands on shared oil and natural gas leases, FORCED on the Iraqis through a puppet government as long as OUR troops and jets are still there.

While any of them are far better than the current preznutz, I personally don't want Washington 'insiders' like Joe, Barack or Hillary leading me ANYWHERE.

[factanonverba]

It is quite evident that amongst the Democratic field there are numerous top-flight candidates. I've been supporting John Edwards because I like his passion and I believe that he would win in November 2008 but issue for issue I am a Kucinich man. Dennis has my heart. Gravel too has captured my attention though he is rough on the edge at times. But Biden is a thinking man's candidate. He is the one with the vast experience and that counts for a lot. I also like Dodd, though I am not sure if we should go with a New Englander. I would also be comfortable with Obama. Richardson hasn't really grabbed me but I am unequivocally opposed to Hillary. I will not support no matter what. They will have to drag me kicking and screaming before I go vote for her. She is politics as usual, corporate groomed and corporate bought.

[DCMike]

Kathleen Reardon's summary of the debate is right on the mark. If one can get past the media programming, we clearly have some very interesting choices beyond Cheez Whiz, Velveeta, and Easy Cheese.

[Mariel]

Who have I donated to in this campaign? Biden and Huckabee. The best of the Democrat and Republican candidates. Huck is moving ahead in Iowa, right behind Romney, but Biden doesn't seem to get far except with a small percentage. It's too bad. I'll probably vote for Huck because I am against abortion. I'm an old fashioned Democratic liberal from the real way back days, when abortion was considered murder by liberals. The old, old days. It was better then. Biden is a Catholic and yet is for abortion rights. I know my opinion must sound utterly stupid on Huffpost. I voted for abortion myself; I was wrong.

[kad7777]

In these troubled and dire time we live in, Joe Biden, to me, encompasses all that we desperately need for our nation:

1) Intelligence
2) Experience in ALL phases of government
3) Strength
4) Respect from world leaders
5) Diplomacy
6) Command of issues
7) Solutions to problems that face our nation
8) Honesty
9) Integrity
10) Respect and trust from his peers
11) Respect and trust from the people who follow him
12) an EXPERT in foreign policy

Joe Biden certainly meets ALL of the criteria above.

I pray and hope every day that Mr. & Mrs. America, the people of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina know in their hearts, that if we lose Joe Biden, we'll have lost one of the best Presidents our nation will ever have.

Please watch a video I produced to show my support for Senator Biden. If you support him, please send the link below to family and friends, and ask them to do the same.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

[Chachi]

I've been looking at HuffPo blog posts now for a long time, and I have yet to see one that positively focuses on Biden (though I may have missed some I guess). However, today, this is the third post on Biden. Finally.

Biden has been very impressive in all the debates. And, after each one I kept thinking this must surely be the thing that springboards him. Then reality checks in and all the coverage is the same old, same old. But, maybe this really was the one that got people's attention. Maybe it's just that with the first voting less than two months away people are now starting to take this election seriously. And, when that happens it helps Biden because he is a serious candidate, and these are serious times.

Are the people waking up from the Clinton vs. Obama sideshow? We can only hope.

[plummaddie]

I've been for Biden for a long time, but people look blank when you mention his name. The cycle is Clinton-Obama-Edwards(less and less Edwards). Maybe Iowa will give him some attention. Or maybe, Biden is just running for a cabinet post. Our loss!