If I was running and people said I was weak, I would pick the Incredible Hulk. If they said I was stupid, I would pick Stephen Hawking. If they said I was boring, I would, of course, choose Snoop Dogg.
Together, we would offer a whole package, a team people could count on to bust heads, crunch numbers, or smoke bodaciously phat doobies while rapping about the ladies.
But if anyone wants to second guess Obama's choice, all they have to do is look at that thing called history. The last two democratic Vice Presidential nominees were chosen for awfully weak reasons. Edwards was chosen to help deliver the South, which he completely failed to do. Lieberman was chosen, as we now know, because at the time Al Gore was just acting incredibly stupid.
On the other hand, the successful Republican veeps have been chosen because they filled out one specific glaring weakness in the resume of the prospective candidate. Cheney was chosen for his foreign policy expertise (and probably because he scared George W. into hiring him.) Bush's father was chosen by Ronald Reagan for - that's right -- his foreign policy expertise.
Biden's a much tougher candidate than either Cheney or Bush I. After countless years spent sweating it out on campaign trails and fighting off rabid GOP attack dogs on the Hill, he's going to come out swinging hard in this race. He's going to be a formidable opponent.
Some of the press, and the AP especially, are already scolding Obama for picking a seasoned pro. They say it only underscores Obama's weakness on foreign policy. They also say by choosing a politican with a long and accomplished resume, he is betraying his principles of being an agent of change.
That's ridiculous. He picked a pro to fill a hole in the lineup, which is what any great manager would do. Coincidentally, Obama also chose someone who is tough, smart, and at times pretty entertaining. Maybe not as entertaining as Snoop Dogg, but still.
It's a solid move. One that should reassure us about Obama's ability to make tough, smart decisions. It shows he is able to learn from history. It shows he is not too proud to have someone by his side who, on some issues, is more experienced than he is. It shows that he is worthy of our support.
He needed someone like a Rendell or Biden who could connect with white blue collar workers AND who would scare the hell of out of the GOP. Biden is a FIERCE competitor. Moreover, he has an outstanding record in the Senate and he is a man of very modest means (his net worth is under $150K). He also knows what McCain will say before McCain does.
Biden's ferocity is tempered with humor. He eviscerated Mayor Rudy with "a noun a verb and 911" without ever looking mean or antagonistic. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he has gained enormous insight and he has an excellent command of the facts. Neither McCain nor Mitt are going to be able to get away with much BS without having to endure a strong response from Biden.
Sure, he is going to make a gaffe now and then but he sure won't confuse Sunni and Shiia nor will he forget how many homes he owns. He also won't lose his cool like you know who.
After months and months of thinking we're going to get an all new, complete overhaul of the crappy way Washington is run -- we get a guy who's been in Washington for 36 years. Since Nixon was president. Since "Gunsmoke" was on TV. Since Nissan was known as Datsun. Since computers were the size of barns and used cobalt to communicate. Since the Colts were in Baltimore playing the LA Rams. And since the Carpenters were the top pop group on the radio.
When Biden talks about Washington being a mess, won't he be part of the problem? When Barack mentions "Change You Can Believe In", won't Biden be the antithesis of change? When we all decide we're going to bring a fresh new face to the old way of doing things, won't Biden's 66 year old wrinkled look blow that out of the water?
No, I'm not enthused about this at all. But, I'm holding out hope that something dramatic may still happen.
If Obama is going to have any chance at all of changing things in Washington, he's going to need somebody who knows how to navigate it. And Biden fits the bill. Jimmy Carter tried what you're suggesting, and he got eaten alive.
And it's not going to be Biden's face up there, it's going to be Obama's.
You are entertaining and this is a strong smart piece of writing. Absolutely right in my view. Obama couldn't have done better. On to the convention and victory in November!
Obama/Biden 08
I think he looked for just what he said he wanted--a VP who brought his own strengths into the WH and who would be a candid, honest and intelligent adviser TO THE PRESIDENT.
I think Obama is confident that he's perfectly able to be the guy at the center, listening to a variety of input and coming to a wise decision..
He doesn't need anyone to "fill in the gaps". (Even with his decades of experience in government, Biden--like so many others--made the wrong call on Iraq).
Obama has judgment, brains, and the confidence to surround himself with "the best", not the worst, and not feel overshadowed by comparison.
Obama / Biden '08 -- what a great team!
However, that assumes winning in November. Biden doesn't help. Clinton would have. I think. Maybe I'm wrong.Thought I was once. I was only incorrect.
Joe can kick repub a$$ (which frankly will be enjoyable to watch) and Obama can take care of business on his end.
GREAT CHOICE
To quote some great Americans who died Sept 11th...
"Let's roll!"
It's a tight rope to walk at this stage - you can't be "too different" otherwise folks get too uneasy with you and vote for that they feel more comfortable with. So I think Obama is making the right decision here.
Talk about a REAL "straight talker"...Biden has always called em' like he sees em'.
Joe Biden is the perfect pick and compliment to Barack and vise versa. As a life long Democrat I couldn't be happier about Obama's wise choice.
GO Obama-Biden!
That's OK, but now he's got a new problem. If he's not about Change, what IS he about?