They Don't Know Joe: The Secret of Biden's Success in Delaware

The pundits and politicians who don't know Joe Biden have him all figured out: He's brash. Outspoken. A gaffe machine. So they say.

People in Biden's home state of Delaware tell a different story: And it begins and ends with how we elect our leaders.

Delaware is so small that high-priced consultants and big media buys are not really that effective in elections. You just can't win without knocking on a lot of doors. And when you do, you'd better be real.

That is how Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972.

No one gave him a chance. He was 29. His opponent was the most popular and powerful politician in the state: three-term incumbent Republican Senator Caleb Boggs.

Biden, his wife, and a whole flock of brothers, sisters and family members hit the streets. I met Biden for the first time when he knocked on my door.

When Biden talks about people sitting at their kitchen tables, he is not being metaphorical. He's has been to tens of thousands of kitchen tables and living rooms. And that is no place for talking points and press releases and clever answers that might satisfy a sound bite. When people ask a question, you'd better answer it simply and directly or you simply will not last as an elected official in this state.

After meeting Biden, I was not really sure he had much of a chance to win, but like thousands of other folks in Delaware, I liked him enough to help out by knocking on a few doors myself.

Biden's first Senate campaign drew record numbers of volunteers and people at his rallies. He was Obama before Obama.

That is how he won: With direct, plain talk that connected to people at their basic level. He was on the straight talk express long before McCain.

So when we hear that Biden said this or that and we are somehow supposed to be taken aback, we are not. We do not play 'gotcha' media games with people who have been to our homes.

Biden is not being outspoken. He is real. I'm one of those who think we need a lot more of that.

When Barack Obama chose Biden as his running mate, we in Delaware were proud. But not surprised. Whether having coffee at your kitchen table or talking to thousands of folks off the cuff, we've seen first hand how good he is at reaching, inspiring and motivating people.

He inspired me to run for office. And four years after I met Biden I was elected to my first term in the Delaware State Senate, where I serve to this day.

We in Delaware are amazed at Biden's experience in foreign affairs. Mostly because we don't understand how he has time to return our phone calls and take care of state business when he running around the world putting out fires in Georgia and China and Bosnia. But we do understand how his colleagues could count on him for the most demanding of topics.

He still loves to knock on doors -- and has done that with me in every one of my ten elections to the State Senate. People come up to me all the time and remind me that Biden and I had been to their house. Some as long as 30 years ago.

Everyone here smiles when we hear people say vice-presidential candidates never make a difference in an election.

They just don't know Joe.

Comments

[kdramaqueen]

I once called Sen. Biden's office during the Clarence Thomas period and left a message with his aide. "Joe Biden makes me proud to be a Delawarean!" I received a hand signed letter acknowledging my call. I remember him when I was a freshman at the University of Delaware and his sister lived in my dorm. He was there almost every night to check in. That left a lasting impression. He's a good man and Barack Obama made the perfect choice. I look forward to November.

P.S. Harris McDowell his a good guy too.

[bluesy]

Ahh, Delaware. Heavenly tax-evasion oasis for corporate America. Amazing how many corporations call the small state "home." And ahhh, Biden. Best buddy of MBNA and other banks who brought us bankruptcy "reform" that's devastating so many middle class families today.

[Mariel]

I like Joe Biden a lot. I gave money to his campaign, followed his blog. He was the best of the bunch.

He has a problem with Catholics. HIs own bishop in Delaware says he should not take communion because he would have abortion continue to be legal, even though he himself wouldn't practice it.

It's tragic. One has to vote for McSame and all the garbage that comes with that, or else cast a vote for a pro-abortionist. Even though Joe's the most charming Irish Catholic guy ever, even more truly charming and one-of-us than Kennedy, he still favors abortion.

Those of you who are pro-choice can't imagine what a difficult matter this is for some people. But I think Obama/Biden will win. McSame will shoot himself in the foot. If he chose pro-life Huckabee as his VP, he would stand a chance with his base.

[Phaedrusnyc]

Being Pro-Choice is not the same as being "Pro-Abortion." I know of few people at any point along the political spectrum (except for the pro-eugenicists who would happily cast aside their "pro-life" beliefs if they know the unborn baby was going to grow up gay, or Jewish, or Liberal) who wants abortion to be something other than a rarity and a method of last resort. Once a person accepts the idea that everybody in a democratic society is not necesarily going to share one's viewpoints on morality and that imposing one's OWN, non-universal views on good people is anaethema to the health of a society, it becomes much easier to vote for Choice, even if one doesn't support abortion.

[lisakaz2]

Thank you for your insight. I hope he has the opportunity to replicate this understanding beyond your state.

[moxieme]

This is an excellent article. Just another prime example of how beholden to and intimidated by the GOP machine. It is just as awful as it is amazing that the MSM is spinning Sen. Biden in the manner they are. Their primary focus is gaffes, attack dog, and talking too much...in lockstep with the neocons. I look forward to his speech tonight. I look forward to him going on the "attack". Obama cannot say what Joe Biden can without it being made into a case of race.

[Obamamo]

Joe Biden is the embodiment and the wishful personification of what a real people's representative should act and excute their duties. I have always been impressed and deeply affected by the particular characteristics of Senator Biden. He is a no nonsense type of person and he does not hold back or forgets where he comes from. Now! That is the right person to represent us, an express train who does not deviate nor swerve from the right thing to do.

Thank you Senator Obama for choosing an honest, a genuine and authentic person as a VP.

[Berettasskeeter]

I presume you are not speaking of his cheating in law school, or his plagiarism of Kinnock's speech about his father. I further presume you are not speaking of his support for the credit laws recently enacted that make it harder for one to declare bankruptcy, or of his support for large corporations?!
Semper fi

[BARRISTER]

Berrettasskeeter, NO, he is NOT speaking about McCain!!

[Lion24]

Excellent piece, Harris. Well done.

[Marcee]

I admire Biden, and yes, he is real. In observing him he appears bright, witty, warm. This guy is the real deal and will provide Obama exactly what he needs --- good counsel, feedback, and experience. Just finished his terrific, honest biography Promises to Keep which I heartily recommend. I do hope he is the "attack dog" people claim he can be. The Democrats need someone who can hit hard and do it with an Irish grin.

[Gemma08]

Wow.

[PATina]

Thank you. It was nice to read a first hand perspective.

[plantdoc]

As a loyal Joe supporter and proud resident of Delaware, I hope that the country comes to love Joe like we do here in the First State. He is someone who really DOES listen and act on your concerns. His students at Widener Law School in North Wilmington will miss him this semester like we all will back here at home and we will all ( and have already) cried a little when we realize that Joe in no longer our Joe. So consider yourself lucky, the rest of you out there, and GO OBAMA/BIDEN! on to the White House!

[GiannaX]

Los Angeles, CA loves Joe!

[Chapmanp2]

Thanks for that little bit of insight.
I understand politics but the human element always helps.
My belief is that in Obama/ Biden we will finally have an administration that is fundamentally on the side of the People & that counts for a lot. Peace.

[KathyinBaltimore]

I too spent many hours knocking on doors at the beach for Joe Biden. And like so many of my fellow door knockers wept many tears when his wife and daughter lost their lives. But we saw a man who was as resilient and resourceful as he is compassionate and connected...and loved him all the more!

[TrueBlueMajority]

When Obama said he would pick "someone who went into politics for the right reasons" he meant it.

[caywen]

Joe Biden is the type of guy who will bring a bigger gun than you to the knife fight you were supposed to have.