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

[warpoet]

Although I don't agree with all of Biden's policy votes/positions (and is there any such politican anyway?) I always respected and liked him.

I think he is a very good match for Obama, will add "fire" to the ticket and to Barack himself, and look forward to them serving our nation as VP and President.

[Nancyok]

YAY. You hit the nail on the head. As a 10 year Delawarean who has lived in 7 other states, I love it here for these reasons and Joe has a lot to do with it. You can't hide in this state. People pay attention and they vote. They think and express themselves. Joe wins by landslides here because he is the real Straight talker...h­e tells us what we need to hear (not just what we want to hear), he is honest, and brilliant and inspiring. I fell in love with DE and fought to get transferred back here. There is arguably a lower percentage of uninformed voters in this state than just about any I've visited. Much as I love my hometown, I'm almost embarrassed to say what state I'm originally from.

I've lived here 10 of my 40+ years and I've personally met my Governor, all my Senators and Congressman, both of the current candidates for Gov., state Treasurer & lt. Gov., and atty general etc. We have 0% sales tax, property tax of about 25% of our neighbors in PA 200 yards away, and low income tax. And Joe is revered among all. Go Joe!

[bknott]

I'm a huge Biden fan, and originally wanted him to win the primary. When I heard that Obama had picked Biden for VP, I was tremendously excited and very impressed that Obama had chosen so well.

[FirstShirt]

Question: Given that Obama and Biden will win. Why is Biden still running for the US Senate?

[krabbie]

So that when they, Barack and Joe, win, the replacement will be a dem. I think that is the way is goes.

[saami]

Thank you. Joe Biden is a wonderful pick for Vice President. A real person who is in fact dedicated to serving his state and his country. There is no one of his caliber on the republican side.

[GZLives]

None of this is a surprise. Biden oozes "real guy" and since I was all for Jow for President, I'm happy he['s on the ticket. Had people gotten to know him, I'm pretty sure he would have ended up at the top of the ticket.

[MaryanneAZ]

The Obama/Biden ticket is a great blend. Obama brings the vision, leadership and charisma and Biden brings insider knowledge, skills and years of solid relationships, international and national, to make the perfect blend. Biden alone could not pull off the top spot on the ticket because the ability to inspire, motivate and lead is not something that can be gained through experience--it's an inate gift that one either has or does not have. Think JFK or Ronald Reagan. This perfect blend is the right answer for America at this time in history. Obama/Biden '08 Yes WE Can!!!

[aklym]

In the summer of 1973 I worked a part-time job as an elevator operator in the Senate Office Buildings. I was 21 years old and from a state in the Pacific NW. Most of the Senators were very aloof and some were rude. We were all but invisible to almost all of the Senators. There were a very few exceptions. The most notable exception was a young Senator from Delaware who had been in the Senate for less than a year. Though his life had been recently touched with tragedy he was warm and friendly. Over the years I have told friends, families, and colleagues that the name of that genuinely nice man was Joe Biden. I am delighted that he is the Democratic nominee for Vice President.

[musselmanm]

Just the other day, I spoke to a Sherriff of Guilford County that did security when Senator Obama was here. he said the Senator is a man that you feel an instant connection to when you meet him. He acknowledges everyone he sees and is totaly and always pleasant to all.
He said he at the moment he saw how Senator Obama carried himself and respected everyone, he became a supporter.

lets step into the 21st Century!

Obama/Biden '08

[Citizenofreality]

I have always liked and respected Joe Biden. In a tough fight I can't think of anyone better to have at your side. Obama/Biden '08.

[TXfemmom]

Thanks for the insight into Biden. I thought Biden was going to be a Great Secretary of State.

I'll take he, and his warmness and down to earth caring for people over that.

[Pupadup4oBama]

What a loving and touching tribute to what seems to be a wonderful person.
Thank you for this 'other side" I'm looking forward to seeing it more and more as now we have a TEAM in the white house and not just puppet/master.

Obama's done good....he­'s done REAL good

Jobama! Ob'iden, O'bama....­wow, it's like better than Brangelina­...:)

[SKonnery]

I'm from the eastern shore of Maryland and have spent alot of time in Delaware for my business and pleasure. You have to love a state with no sales tax. I have always heard a lot of good things about Joe Biden. I feel like I know him just from the people in his state saying good things about him.

[Ldyandrea]

I really feel Joe Biden was a perfect pick for Obama. It also makes me wonder if Joe wouldn't have a *much* better shot at being President after having served as a VP for a couple of terms. Maybe being VP is what needed to happen to get everyone to really be able to picture seeing him in the #1 spot one day. In the mean time, he makes a genuinely perfect counterpoint to Obama. Obama's Ice to Biden's Fire.....i­t's almost like a game of geo-political good cop/bad cop! *grin*

[writerjohnny]

Awesome post. Being a political junkie I thought I had a handle on who Senator Biden was and is. Being from Illinois I thought I knew Senator Obama too. I learned more about both of them with the VP pick this week than I ever knew and all I can say is wow! Your intellectual points and the obvious affection for Joe Biden tell me all I need to know. Obama/Biden in 2008! Is it too early to say Obama/Biden 2012?

[saira]

Agreed, Biden is a great pick. I read Promises to Keep (link to ebooks version) in one sitting yesterday.­.. he seems incredibly genuine and I think he'll be a real asset to the campaign.

I'm especially glad they made him get a haircut...

[saira]

Here's the link to Biden's book if you haven't read it yet: http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=140761