I'm Just Sayin': The Idiotic "Biden Undercuts Change" Argument

The most idiotic punditbabble we've heard in the wake of Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden -- advanced by the AP's Ron Fournier, NBC's David Gregory and others as if they were channeling John McCain's talking points -- is the notion that Biden undercuts Obama's message that it's time for a change.

Exhibit A, in this silly argument, is Biden's 35 years in the United States Senate. The simplistic formulation argues that because Biden is an old hand in Washington, he undermines Obama as a standard-bearer for change.

First of all, consider the absurdity of the suggestion that a brilliant, young, black president wouldn't represent an historic, transforming leap forward in American politics. On its face, this is nothing more than Rovian hyperspin.

Barack Obama personifies change -- no matter who his running-mate is.

But there's a further point (and thanks to Newsweek's Howard Fineman for picking up on it): That what Biden represents is a guy - perhaps uniquely qualified - to implement the change that Obama represents.

With his knowledge of the ways of Washington, his vast experience in the Senate, his insider savvy, Biden brings to the Democratic ticket a glimmer of hope that all the things Obama wants to accomplish - from foreign affairs and health care to economic and tax policy - might actually get done in the next administration.

McCain's people desperately did not want Obama to pick Biden for precisely this reason, along with the fact that Biden actually knows McCain, he's an Irish Catholic from Scranton, he's a family man who can rub elbows in union halls and he's a terrific debater and attack surrogate.

Without someone like Biden on the ticket - with a governor perhaps or a less effective senator - Obama risked looking like a dreamer, not a doer. But with Biden at his side, the Democratic ticket suddenly can offer itself as a pragmatic, can-do engine for change.

Biden doesn't detract from the message of change: he drives it home.

Follow Phil Trounstine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ptrounstine

Comments

[David19]

I hate how change has been equated to inexperience - like it's impossible for someone with experience to spark change.

Here's the raw fact: Obama's talking about ideas, but Biden's record shows that he's a guy who can put them into action.

[ruffmama]

you are absolutely correct!

Anyone watching morning Joe this morning would think that Obama's campaign has lost its steam and that he has already lost the election. UGH! And Mika just sits there.

[dagnew]

I had to turn off the TV. They're all h ellbent on O losing! I'm sick of them all!

[JenMI]

Thank you!

[goldenshaman]

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like much real change is in the offing.

At the moment my impression is that Obama has been swallowed by the machine.

They will claim that the resolution of the war is already baked in with the "withdrawal" plan.

There is no talk of national health care, which is 50 years overdue.

Obama says he can't do anything about job exports, and there are things that can be done.

[scooperss]

obama became a failure right after winning the nomination. He folded when he and clinton had that little meeting.

[maxwellinformed]

Even you have to acknowledge that that was necessary. The false PUMA outrage is out of control now, image if he hadn't extended olive branch.

[mergina]

Really? Optimistic? Why? Have you heard something concrete actually come from Obama about HOW AND WHAT AND WHEN he is going to do anything but give his next speech? Any REAL CONCRETE PLAN, A HINT OF A PLAN, A REAL SUGGESTION?

[laurinek]

Actually yes go to his website and read his plans, otherwise be quiet.

[marylandtravelinman]

It isn't in all caps, and no one will be screaming at you, but I bet Hillary will let you read it.

[okayigive]

Yes, on his website and in his dialog with others. The problem is that too many refuse to want to hear what his plans are for whatever reason, their minds are raisng to the next critique or sit ting and waiting for a gaffe, how he stood, held his hands, facial expressions, how many times he paused and reflected, etc. instead of listening, a skill which many people fail at.

[dmac]

People like Mergina are extremely disappointed in Obama. None of the MSM has coalesced Obama's idea into a 60 second primer. There hasn't been a political ad spoon-feeding all of his plans. And not a single volunteer has shown up to read the topics on Obama's website to them.

Ergo, He Has No Plans.

And they're foolish enough to advertise their ignorance and laziness on forums such as these.

Take a little responsibility for citizenship, sunshine, and research what BOTH candidates plan for your life.

[Johnagain]

Keep in mind the role of a Vice President. In Obama's case, since he is young, it is unlikely that Biden will end up as President. The same cannot be said for McCain's choice of VP. Biden will be a voice in an Obama administration, but not a captain.

[arebrown]

totally agree, just like Cheney undershadow Bush Junior

[Jezreel]

Couldn't agree with you more Mr. Trounstine. I've been speaking and writing the same thing since yesterday. The Rethugs are threatened by and Obama/Biden ticket. That's why there's so much noise. Biden is precisely the person Sen. Obama will need to help him actualize his vision for America.

Obama/Biden 08

[KarenJW]

You are right!

[Americatortures]

What a pleasant contrast this was to the hatchet-job by Tom Edsall the other day!!! Tom,hope you read this!!

[DrPaulProteus]

"The most idiotic punditbabble we're heard in the wake of Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden -- advanced by the AP's Ron Fournier, NBC's David Gregory and others as if they were channeling John McCain's talking points -- is the notion that Biden undercuts Obama's message that it's time for a change."

oh yeah?
"Change," "Hope" ... Why They Must be Talking About Joe Biden!
By ALEXANDER COCKBURN

"Change” and “hope” are not words one associates with Senator Joe Biden, a man so ripely symbolic of everything that is unchanging and hopeless about our political system that a computer simulation of the corporate-political paradigm senator in Congress would turn out “Biden” in a nano-second.
((( article continues here: http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn08232008.html )))

[greginwva]

Thats exactly what both Gregory and Fournier are doing.Its no accident that Fournier got the Washington job and the first thing this Gregory guy said on the air Saturday was "make no mistake about it" and then attacked Obama's choice of an outstanding public servant as a weakness.G­regory starts or piles on to these negative narratives regularly.­In the meantime McCains complete lack of platform,other than no retreat and continue the rich's tax cuts, get nary a comment from these conservative types.I think you can talk the public into believing almost anything,except maybe that picking Joe Biden for VP is weak.

[cheekymama]

Great post, Phil - you're so right about Biden!

[digisong]

Biden wouldn't be a voice in an Obama Administration.

Obama will push Biden to the side and keep him out of the inner circle of advisers.

Biden is one thing only, and Obama said it, Biden is an Attack Dog.

Biden, the Democrats version of a Chaney (who will he shoot?)

[thebeerdoctor]

With Joe Biden as their choice, The Obama campaign seems to have given up on winning the state of Ohio. Strange in that, for the first time in a long time, the state has a democratic governor and secretary of state, who might have seen to it that the election would not be stolen.

[Johnagain]

So why does choosing Biden mean a loss of Ohio for Obama?

[saltysea]

yep. thanks for the post.

[strifeknot]

Like Biden, Obama is an establishmentarian with no real commitment to change, so this selection makes perfect sense.

[JiminNC]

Like Dubya, McCain't is a "cowboy" who has no regard for tomorrow's fallout from today's rash decisions.

[Americatortures]

Anything different than the last 8 years of Constitutional trampling and real right-wingers on the Supreme Court-and Cowboy foreign policy will be ...CHANGE for the BEST!!! Both Obama and Biden are for those things....­tro ll!!

[Halsey]

strife... say what? You actually believe Obama does NOT represent change from 8 years of W?

You think that Obama, fresh from Harvard Law, doing to work on the streets of Chicago is the SAME as W being bought a baseball team by daddy?

You think Obama being against the invasion of Iraq as being the SAME as W invading Iraq?

what part of different don't you understand?

[vinny]

biden doesnt really appeal to me except for...

the very reason this blogger describes.­..

Biden knows Congress.