Reading The Pictures: He's Got Obama's Back

(click for full size)

1a.  You immediately get the picture (from the diplomacy section of Biden's website) that Biden can do for Obama what the guy in the backpack is doing for him.  Too bad American politics -- especially under GOP rules -- is so much about manhood, but that's how it's played.

1b.  Biden is one of the few liberals that could pull off a scene like this.

2.  He's been to Iraq eight times.  In February, he was in Pakistan and Afghanistan (above).  And he just returned from Georgia where he met with Saakashvili.  Biden is so deep in foreign policy, a shot like this seems more generalized than specific.

3.  Biden also looks like the senior statesman, especially in contrast to the skinny kid with the glasses.  Offers some real contrast to McCain in that Navy hat.

For more of the visual, including our extended Denver coverage as a credentialed Democratic Convention blog, visit BAGnewsNotes.com.

  (image: unattributed.  http://biden.senate.gov. caption: Sen. Biden at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kunar Province, Afghanistan)

Comments

[JLee]

Ready and willing to kick ass. Great pic.

[darker]

Sh*t --first I thought it looked like McCain, yikes.

Biden WILL KICK ASS. Republican ass.

Republicans TRASHED AMERICA with incredible greed and selfishness, always
protecting their NANNY STATE FOR THE RICH and corporate welfare queens.

Republicans DESERVE TO LOSE BIG.

[OrangePeel]

Even after just a few hours, I like this Democratic ticket much, much more than the Kerry-Edwards ticket of 2004. Don't get me wrong... I voted for Kerry, donated to the campaign and even did a couple of weekends of volunteer work for the campaign... but I never saw the fire in Kerry or Edwards that I saw today with Obama-Biden. I think Joe Biden is a sensational pick. In fact, he seems to be just about the best choice for a Vice President in history. I am very excited this year and I think this ticket is going to be a big winner.

[bigdawg50]

Very, very wise move by Barack Obama! Not only did he get someone with years of experience in Washington but a man that remained virtually unchanged from day1. He hasnt used his power to enrich himself personally which he could have very easily done. Joe Biden is also a man that will speak truth to power and thats exactly what Barack said he wanted in a VP. Why, because smart, intelligent and confident people ALWAYS know that they dont have all the answers to any issue and can be wrong. Also, since he tries to be a christian the Bible tell you to surround yourself with wise council. I am very impressed and relieved that he picked someone not out political expendiency but someone that truly fit the bill of a VP. BRAVO!!!!

Obama/Biden 08

[jsinclair]

Obama gets an "A" for this decision.

Biden gets a B+, great on passion and hard-hitting on McCain.

But needs a bit more work on the "I've got this guy's back--Obama's a GREAT man!" message.

Keep working on it,, Joe. I know you can do it and ... be a great TEAMMATE!!!!

[MPeter]

This guy is brilliant. He absolutely knocked the ball out of the park. Even more impressive is how he reduced MSM to mere imbeciles that could not wipe their asses unless told to do so. He kept them gossiping and guessing, seemingly powerless and more foolish than we ordinary people. That is change...that is empoering the people.

[jsinclair]

Yes, Obama and his team continue to impress with their organization, innovation, and brilliance.

Can't wait to see how they restore America! I actually think they'll be able to undo the damage Bush has done (and a year ago, I thought it was pretty hopeless).

Obama / Biden '08 --What a Great Team!

[alicetilden]

Obama definitely gets an A for his first real decision as a candidate for President. If his Cabinet choices are this great, we have quite an administration coming up. I just can't get the smile off my face and I hope I never have to.

[ESerafina42]

Yes, that IS what it's all about. MANhood. Pretty sad that if rumor is to believed not a single women was ever in serious contention, given that there must be DOZENS, at least, who would be qualified. Slam goes the clubhouse door, with the sign saying "NO GIRLS ALLOWED."

[clevelandchick]

If Obama picked Hillary after that very contentious primary and the PUMA brigade threatening trouble at the convention even if she was the VP pick....do you seriously think that would have been the right decision? The rest of the election season the media and the GOP would have done nothing but focus on the primary fight they waged. The Dems would have no opportunity to push their message as the better choice than Republicans.

As I've seen on many a blog, diehard Hillary supporters freaking out over the prospect of any other woman than Hillary as a choice. Sebelius is not a national name. Claire McCaskill has less time in the Senate than Obama. While I believe many woman are more than capable...which one was actually a viable choice?

What is so sad is that the primary fight got so nasty and the race/gender politics that surfaced made it impossible for Obama to pick Hillary. Had Hillary won the Nom, it would have made it impossible for her to pick Barack.

[nowRnever]

You're spot on chick. But to add one more IF.


If Obama had picked any woman other than HRC, there's no way the Dems would win. Two minorities on the ticket? America isn't that progressive yet in it's thinking. That's also why Obama/Richardson would never have worked. Although I thought Richardson would have been a great VP too.

[Freesia2]

Hillary's supporters made it pretty clear that they would take it as a personal affront if he considered any other woman. When doing their research, I imagine his veep vetting team discussed any one of those dozens you describe and she was probably shelved because it would mean dealing with one more backlash from the Hillary or Bust crowd.

So, who really hung up that "No Girls Allowed" sign? If you check for fingerprints on it I imagine you'll fine a lot of PUMA paw prints.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Bingo.

[dutchgirl55]

You know, I was also feeling bad, but after I thought about it, I began to see future potential in this scenario.

First, Biden is not going to run for president after eight years as VP (didn't he say so?), so Hillary will be in the same position as she would have been as VP and had to wait eight years.

Also, if Obama is smart and appoints her to a high level cabinet position, she will be in BETTER position for a run for the 2016 nomination. As VP, every move of hers would be criticized by her enemies (and we know there are many irrational people who hate her for no other reason than that Rash Limberger told them to). This way she has eight years to solidify good will, and in eight years she will be a natural choice to run for the Oval Office. At least that's what I'm hoping.

If she had been nominated this time, you know her enemies wouldn't have let her have a moment's peace to, you know, like...run the country, for instance. She might have even lost to McCain, and that would have been a disaster for all of us.

[Bright Creature]

I really would like to see her in the majority leader position Hillary could house train the senate

[mhaven]

I think she's got to change some things with her character and disposition first. It would be disastrous for her to be President and blow it. You can't go around saying you'll obliterate a non-aggressive nation like you're ordering up a coffee at Starbucks. If she blew it, It would shut out any other woman for decades..

There is wisdom in being patient and choosing the "right" woman at the right time, rather than trying to force things.

[Rosanneofpgh]

Youre not seeing things the way they really are, Serafina. It would be too much to expect white male voters to vote for a ticket that included a black man and a white woman. They probably could have accepted one or the other but not both. That goes for ANY woman, not just hilary.

Voting for a black man is just about all the we can expect at this time. Perhaps in 8 years, this country wont be so mysogynistic and will accept a female presidential candidate. Mr. Obama was wise in his choice of Mr. Biden. Mr. Biden brings a formidable amount of experience in foreign affairs to balance Mr. Obama's inexperience in that field.

All in all, the Obama/Biden ticket is a winning one, IMHO.

[jsinclair]

Hillary ASKED not to be vetted (quoted in the NYT) unless she was GUARANTEED in advance she would be the pick.

That's a way of saying, "I don't want the scrutiny, thanks."

Obama has let her save face and shown respect by not choosing any OTHER woman.

Not that PUMAs understand respect when they see it.

[PADDYWHACK]

What's with the "manly" remark.McCain is pugnacious to be sure,good at starting a fight if that qualifies.Why does he hang with Graham and Lieberman,not so manly,maybe for contrast.

[gage]

Graham is the only Iraq War veteran in the Senate. He served a short tour in Iraq, as an Air Force Reserve lawyer, just as Biden's son is about to do.

[mosh]

Just goes to show serving doesn't equal patriotism.

[PioneerKing]

Why hasn't the main stream media questioned McCain about his lack of cojones in selecting a VP?
McCain was considered the republican's nominee nearly four months before Sen. Obama was considered the Democratic Party"s nominee.
Why in the world has McCain, who is supposed to be such an experienced maverick, waited until Sen. Obama picked his running mate to pick his VP selection? It does not seem like McCain is being a leader. McCain seems very juvenile by waiting on the canidate who McCain criticizes for not having enough experience.

[ex-pat]

Because they are "Manly Men"

[robynuva]

Remember the torture hearings? Biden told Ashcroft that prohibitions against torture are intended to "protect my son in the military. That's why we have these treaties. So when Americans are captured, they are not tortured. That's the reason, in case anybody forgets it"

Great, just great.
Obama/Biden '08

[illinoisan]

If Americans ever started to come to their senses about their emotional criteria for a "daddy" president, I'm sure Maureen Dowd would be right there to tell us we're being emasculated.

[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.

[anelder]

Been around a lot longer than you and never heard a truer analysis. I go farther and include domestic, fiscal and economic policy in that assessment. We have seen the powers bring in the man to do their bidding. It truly was necessary to make that choice being an otherwise harmless scion of the rich and famous a man of limited intellect and curiosity. Strong words I know but necessary considering how easily much of the population bought into it. Still does it seems.

[WillK]

Anybody that has been paying attention to what happens in DC over the last 30 years knows that Joe Biden is the real deal.

And by the way, people, that quote in the post above is a Biden's. No one else who entered the primaries this year would make a statement like that: direct, unequivocal, unmistakable, and true.

[clevelandchick]

I helped out at the Eyes Wide Open exhibit here on Memorial Day. Each of the nearly 200 boots representing the Ohio lives lost to Iraq had a photo attached belonging to one of those lost souls. I saw lots of pictures of skinny kids with glasses attached to those boots.

I guess the meaning of pictures depends on which ones you choose to read. I wish more of our citizens and politicians would read the pictures I saw on Memorial Day than ones that equate manhood with war.

[mosh]

Amen, sister.

[scooterliberal]

I also love the fact that Biden's kid is about to go and do a tour of duty in Iraq. None of the "patriotic"creeps on the repug side can say the same.

[chacatre]

John McCain's son already served a tour of duty in Iraq......................Big deal

[aznurse]

It is a big deal. for both of them and all the others who go.

[gage]

"Offers some real contrast to McCain in that Navy hat."

How so? They're both baseball style caps. Do you think it's odd that McCain wears a Navy hat? He was in the Navy for over 20 years, and his son is currently in the Navy. I don't get your point.

The guy with the backpack is a security contractor, probably Blackwater.

Biden does have excellent foreign affairs cred.

[clevelandchick]

Damn good eye gage. I didn't even pick up that the guy with the backpack wasn't in uniform till you pointed it out. I guess most folks don't read pictures closely enough.

[bbfatima]

I picked up the Blackwater guy immediately. Didn't create GOOD thoughts.

[kellygrrrl]

Great Photo!

[Freesia2]

That's our GI Joe.

It's very accurate what you say Mr. Shaw, ( and I think not just in the photo, but in his political persona) that he's so entrenched in foreign policy, that he never comes across as a staged National Security photo op. There's no Mission Accompolished Bush in a flight suit/little Dukakis peeking out of an Army tank/McCain "casually" shopping in the surge - covered by a swat team and a hundred helicopters - that makes a person wish they'd left the cap on the camera lense.

They say the selection of a VP is the first major Presidential test of a candidate. Obama gets an A.