Senator Biden: The Steady Hand That Wins the VP Race

Over the last couple of weeks, with the excitement in certain parts over Sarah Palin, many commentators have taken to denouncing for Barack Obama for selecting Joe Biden as his running mate. Why didn't he pick Hillary Clinton, some wondered? Even Senator Biden said that Obama should have picked Hillary. Why didn't he pick a celebrity, someone new like Palin, others asked.

But the right person to pick was Joe Biden. And not just for all the reasons stated ad nauseum - his experience, his middle-class attitude, his fiery speaking style; but because Senator Biden is steady. Palin represents the bubble, like Lehman Brothers, a reach too far; Biden represents the steady old-fashioned bank, doing the business it was intended to do, not paying attention to the flashy hype of the new, new thing.

In the end, Palin's New Coke-ness will wear off. They already are, and they have to, for a reason brought about by Palin herself: her steady nonsense about the "Bridge to Nowhere," in which she says, "I told them, 'Thanks, but no thanks.'" It's a-not true, and b-it's repetitiveness means she does not have much to say. If the story were true, her repetition of the same line, heard nightly on the news and talk shows, still would make her look bad. It's a cute line the first time it's delivered; so was "Nanu-Nanu."

As Sarah Palin returns to earth, Senator Biden will continue to hold steady. After all, he does not really need to engage Palin, even at the debate where the two will face off. He needs to talk about John McCain, as he has done. He needs to continue to speak about how McCain has gone off the rails and become a tool of the right-wing, and he needs to talk about Senator Obama in a way that humanizes the Senator. Specifically, Senator Obama was abandoned by his father and raised by a single mom on food stamps. This is the introduction of the narrative that the nation needs to hear in order to relate to Senator Obama and to believe that Obama gets it.

Senator Biden may not get the big crowds that Sarah Palin receives; he may not have people buying the ties he wears, and there may be no Joe Biden action figures for sale on the Internet. But Senator Biden is the slow, steady hand that Barack Obama needs in a VP nominee.

Comments

[gisellestwocents]

I love Joe Biden, SUPERDAD!!! The MSM is enamored of SP because she's cute and unknown; but I watched both of their BIOS on CNN and HIS is the one that I related to. HIS is the one that had me crying.

I related to him because he's been a single parent, just like me. His commitment to his sons, his devotion to their mother and then to Jill demonstrate a strong character and a humanity that can't be manufactured. This guy is the real thing.

His work in the Senate on behalf of Women's rights also demonstrates that he gets it. He empathizes with our struggles and he's committed to making a difference. He understands that advocating for women is advocating for children and families. I totally trust Barack and Joe and I think that they have the vision, wisdom and compassion to address the challenges that we face as a nation and as citizens of the world.

[MagisterLudi]

ANYONE who thinks that Biden thing is working out well needs to have their head examined.

[neworleanslady68]

I think it's working out well.

And I don't need to have my head examined.

Just wait.

[cgr]

I agree with you whole heartedly. I think the thing everyone seems to be missing in all the talk calling Obama to trade in Biden for Hillary, and how Obama "should" act, say, or be, is that the Obama -Biden ticket is A-1 for this nation at this time. They both are very intellent, reflective, look deeply into issues, not just saying whatever scores votes; they are both truly concerned for the welfare of all the people, not just their special interests and supporters; they are both steady, consistent, and genuine in who they are, comfortable in their own skins and forthrightly honest.

Other candidates alter their ways of being and say anything to suit the pundits. These two don't. Day after day, they are who they are; what you see is what you get. No erratic swings, just steady and true. God, I respect that! In the world of politics, it's anomaly.
We've been disgraced and sold out by the sleazy, self-serving, greedy and corrupt too long..

Now the opportunity to have these two truly admirable, honorable men, worthy of respect, making crucial decisions that affect us all and representing our wonderful people to the world community... I'd given up hope of ever having the opportunity to vote for such a ticket.

I see in them sanity. Reasonableness. Responsiveness to reality without egoic clutter affecting their judgement. This is such a fine ticket!

A "Senior Citizen" filled with hope I am.

[jarrej]

You just made the case for electing McCain over Obama. It's simple - Welcome to the Republican party!

[canobs]

Obama had made the most obvious and predictable VP pick imaginable (except Hillary, of course, a selection which probably would've given him the keys to the White House).
First of all, it's painfully clear that Joe Biden was mostly brought in to give the ticket some sort of illusion of experience. While it's true that Biden has 35 years in the Senate under his belt, don't forget that all his supposed judgement didn't prevent him from coming up with that utterly idiotic plan to break up Iraq into 3 separate countries along ethnic lines.
Regardless, Obama thought that he himself was lacking in the experience department that's why he'd chosen Joe Biden. Since the selection was so predictable, it gave Obama absolutely no bounce.
McCain's camp, on the other hand, played it smart and close to the chest. Sarah Palin, the Republican Governor of Alaska, was a serious candidate for a Republican VP spot even before McCain had wrapped his nomination. Anybody somewhat interested in the conservative politics would have known that. Where do you think the enthusiasm of the Republican base comes from? Still, when she was announced as McCain's VP pick, it hit the clueless Obama campaign like a ton of bricks. Talk about the foresight required for the Presidency. To this day, Obama's camp hasn't completly recovered.
But yes, keep telling yourself JOE BIDEN WAS A GREAT PICK.

[LizM]

canobs,

You couldn't be further from the truth about Senator Biden's Iraq strategy! Seriously! The Biden exit strategy is LITERALLY the only hope we have to AVOID the break-up of Iraq "into 3 separate countries along ethnic lines." It sounds like you are getting your information directly from the media and blogosphere - all parts of both - and NONE OF IT IS RELIABLE!

Please, I beg of you, do your own research on this subject. You will soon discover that we should all be praying on bended knees that there is still time left to implement the Biden strategy to promote a sustainable political settlement among the warring Iraqi factions and prevent Iraq from heading down the path toward all-out civil war and complete fragmentation...to say nothing of an unpredictable regional conflagration.

I would bet the farm - even if it's in Iowa - that, during the evening of October 2, you will begin to experience a dramatic awakening!

[FiveFortyOne]

I agree. I think the Obama campaign should give him more national exposure. He's not just a better pick on a practical level. He's far more likable and personable than Palin. His family is great too. I'm worried at how the cynical media are portraying him as just a loud mouth and a gaffe machine.

[MagisterLudi]

Eh, problem is no one wants to listen to him. GREAT choice for V President... Not. Even Biden himself stated that Clinton would've been a better choice.

[neworleanslady68]

That was just Biden being modest...you know, being humble, giving someone else some credit.

And understand that the comment was made in response to a woman in his audience who said she was glad he was chosen rather than Hillary - and she kind of said it as a Hillary put-down.

So, Biden's response was to defend Hillary when someone criticized her to him.

That's all. He was just being gracious.

[MagisterLudi]

Obama/Biden= Jesse Jackson/Mondale= "dream" ticket.... for Repubes.

[MagisterLudi]

Mondale was also steady and boring. Same results.

[DoTheMath]

Biden was a responsible choice. Palin was a calculated cr*p-shoot for a few more votes with no regard for the future of our country. We rarely get such clear and simple indications of which candidate deserves our respect and trust.

[HairyReid]

Just look at the oposition this Palin woman has encountered:
Bill Maher
N.O.W.
The Women from "the View"
Nancy Pelosi
Matt Damon
Chevy Chase...
Even HILLARY!!!!...
The list just keeps growing...McCain/Palin is DOOMED!!!!!

[BobLablah]

I'm under 50 - what does nanu nanu mean?

[DoTheMath]

Just in case you're not kidding. . .
It's something Robin Williams used to say as Mork on the television series called "Mork and Mindy." Mork was supposedly from another planet, and I believe "nanu nanu" meant something like goodbye or hello in his native language.

BTW, I'm under 50, too. OK, barely.

[MagisterLudi]

This blog reminds me of that scene in The Producers.

Goebbels: Heil, baby! I just finished the morning propaganda broadcasts.
LSD ( as Fuhrer): What did you tell the people?
Goebbels: I told them we invaded England.
LSD: Hey, baby, that's good! How'd we come out?
Goebbels; WE BEAT THEM!
LSD: Groovy, man. That's my little Joe... I love my little Joe.

[MagisterLudi]

Blog summary : Biden is better than Clinton or anyone else. Why: 1.Because boring but steady. 2. Because Obama chose him.
There's a fallacy in there somewhere. Combined with cognitive dissonance.

[nazcalito]

Biden was picked under the conventional wisdom rule that says pick someone who does no harm, and possibly because of some advantage in getting Pennsylvania votes. I doubt he was Obama's choice.

[Lautenberg]

You really sound desperate, and so would Obama is he second guessed himself.

WHAAAA!!! That's what we will be hearoing for the eight years of Obama/Biden and the surprise Biden presidency after that. Hialry will have to send more jobs overseas in 16 years.

[BMS]

Yes, Yes, Yes! Thank you so much for your post. I was thrilled when Obama chose Biden for VP; I think they complement each other perfectly. Not for one minute did I think that Clinton would have been a better choice. (one word: Bill)

Palin is nothing but a shiny flash in the pan phenomenon; the steadier Biden is the more ridiculous she comes across to thinking people. And I have now given up on the non-thinkers; at one point I had hope that they would listen to reason, but I now realize that was a pipe dream.

The only question which now remains is this: are the majority of voters wise enough to make the smart choice for the future of this country or not? If not, we will be the laughingtstock of the world.

[MagisterLudi]

"(one word: Bill)"
Its Mr. President to you: the most popular popular Democratic politician of late 20s Century; 2-term President; Amazing approval ratings.

"Not for one minute did I think that Clinton would have been a better choice."

It's because of such opinions that the party is on the brink of a disaster...yet again.

[LizM]

Unfortunately, through the actions of both Clintons and those of their incredulous supporters, the Clinton political fortunes and legacy have been severely curtailed during the course of this election cycle. Frankly, it's been hard to watch...on any number of levels.

[Lautenberg]

YOU SHOULD USE SOMETHING OTHER THAN SEXISM TO JUDGE YOUR CANDIDATES.

[silverball]

am i only the second one that looks forward to a government for WE THE PEOPLE???....run by people that ACTUALLY ponder and research things before making a coherent decision...and NOT a "gut" decision...this is NOT about picking a house color, people.....this is the ONLY reality show most of us will ever be in....let's make the right decision here....our lives...and livelihoods depend on it....

what a concept....a rational thought/decision making process with WE THE PEOPLE in mind....

[theantibush]

WE THE PEOPLE...yeah, it starts out like that, on the old, crusty document.

Its like they, hundreds of years ago, were THE PEOPLE, not us. Its not like we belong to history, not yet anyway.

It is interesting to realize that we are THE PEOPLE the old writers were talking about.

It is a cool connection to make, over these centuries, that WE are WE THE PEOPLE!

[JanetF]

Bravo!

[Natal]

He lacks judgement. On the Today show yesterday he was against the bailout of AIG. The stock market would have been in utter chaos following his advice. Yes, he is slow and steady. But that's about it.

[Henry]

He is opposed to abortion but honors pro choice positions. It is easy to be opposed to something but accept it as necessary.