The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

re: The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

not.Brit — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:49:54 GMT

Obama is looking to build a 50-state and sustainable Democratic majority. He is trying to fundamentally change the map. This being the case, one major factor seems to be constantly overlooked: who will be ready to take the lead in 2016? If I was a betting man, I'd put money on Evan Bayh as Obama's VP.

Most of those who get mentioned as possible VP would be older than Reagan was in '80. Joe Biden will be 74. Hillary Clinton will be 69. Wes Clark will be 72. Bill Richardson will be 69. Ted Strickland will be 75. Sam Nunn will be 78. Even my personal favorite Kathleen Sebelius will be 68 by the time the Democrats need to pick another candidate.

Evan Bayh not only offers a deep resume which includes a stint as a popular governor, he will still be relatively young (61) for a presidential run 8 years from now.

The McCain campaign, facing a likely defeat (let's be honest), has a trickier job. Pick someone who can be groomed for a run in 2012, but who will also serve as a viable VP if they actually win. Tim Pawlenty would be the smart choice. But if the McCain camp keeps making the same kind of choices they've built their campaign on, they'll pick someone silly like Mitt Romney (because he can raise money) or Sarah Palin (because she's young and a "she").

re: The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

Trooper101st — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:56:49 GMT

I don't see it as a case of a black Pres. and a white Vice Pres., its a case of experierience and credibility. Biden has shown time and again he has his finger on the pulse of international relations, and called the Bush Ad. on the MANY mistakes it made in Iraq and A-stan. Obama got my vote anyway, and why would ANYONE vote for more of the same? How stupid can we be? If Mc Cain picks plastic man Romney, ask him why Michigan keeps losing jobs, why are they building cars in Mexico, and wat has he done for the working man? NOTHING. So, go ahead Michigan and Ohio, Florida too, and vote for these ccorporate SCUMBAGS.

re: The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

daviddepot867 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:46:31 GMT

Dear All Brothers and Sister..

What you are ready know what you are ready see. What happedned America What happenede overseas they will and focus from us .. What we need Nation respect America.

Please let me make clear.. What Gov mistake .. If you dont have MBA or 4 years collge or Univirsity

you dont have qualication.. or conviction deportion .. What we learn Vietnam War What we learn 911 . Who know you study after 911 Fed other Fed State other State Local to other Local dont even know what you are study for? President Of USA look sharp focus wheen public bring any Issue quickly take respond and working with tearm with all dept that Focus. When stand public talking look not strong look not professonal look dont have much Focus .

Let me Finaly make clear I am very respect Mr: Joe Biden why? He quickly Focus sharp Focus Public He focus what they say whay they Plant what they try to do.. He quickly share with other person He can fix recovery dont let happend He Focus Fed State Local make sure working together and with all respect 100% No joke if mistake accepted and fix not recovery ..

That we need taling about.. How much you know Iran how much you know Syria and here Focus how much China fater Olympic final what new

re: The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

Indian Ridge — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:38:21 GMT

I have been a supporter of Sen. Biden for years. To me, he is Mr. Democrat. I think he would be an outstanding selection to run as VP. He has the creds to challenge any of the tripe being peddled by the Republics, and he is willing to do so with some zest. Another I support is Senator Webb of Virginia. He is young, exceptionally bright, and possesses a backbone. I am not sure that the other milk-toast personalities being suggested.

re: The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

janfromohio — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:02:48 GMT

Exactly a year ago I put all my hopes behind Biden . . . I knew it was a long-shot, but quite frankly, the writing was on the wall even then. He was clearly the most qualified candidate of the bunch . . . The one who had the on-the-ground foreign policy track record and bi-partisan appeal.

His run was not about "cult of personality" but about substance and true qualifications -- though his humor, candidness and presidential look gave him a heavy dose of charisma as well. In my mind back then there couldn't have been a more perfect ticket than Biden/Obama -- perfect it it's inherent strength, mentor-mentee relationship, and overall winnability. But the media wanted celebrity and excitement . . . they never really "got" Biden and his real-guy persona. As a civil servant all his life, he's never been rolling in bucks (contrast him to "Johnnie the Fraud" Edwards who made millions and millions off of the pain and suffering of accident victims). And because he's a basic good family man who came from hard-knuckle blue collar beginnings, he can't be bought. And from the party's perspective, he wasn't one of their true players -- he's not a yes-man, he's his own man.

The first question I asked his campaign operatives before I committed to working for him, was what were the skeletons in the closet (it's called vetting 101, Mr. Edwards). They actually chuckled . . . because he had nothing saucy or significant. Instead, he had lots of personal stories of integrity and heroism. The "plagiarism" issue is a true hang-nail. The media "hung" him on it and then "nailed" his coffin shut; all anyone had to do to clear him on this accusation was to look at the true circumstances behind it (read his book and you'll see there was absolutely no culpability here) -- it, like a hang nail, should have been clipped at its root and forgotten. Imagine, if we continue to eliminate candidates because of minor, distorted, alleged infractions -- ie., "hang nails" -- there's not a soul alive who will pass muster.

I'll end here . . . People complain Biden's long-winded . . . but do they but he was a stutterer through highschool who overcame his disability to become one of the greatest orators of our time. Maybe it's just our own short-comings that make him appear long-winded . . . we, Americans addicted to nano-second responses to everything, just don't have the patience to listen to reasonable ideas any more -- wisdom is definitely not about sound bytes!!!

re: The Obama Veepwatch, Vol. 7: Joe Biden

elan — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:20:45 GMT

Thank goodness the choice is made. I am grateful that Obama has selected someone with a wide experience backgournd. I was afraid we'd be stuck with someone as inexperienced as Obama is the Dems won the election. Charisma is definitely NOT enough to lead a nation.

All we can do is pray, I guess.