Saturday, August 23, 2008

BIDEN!!!

It's Biden. I'm thrilled. My guess is that you care enough about the election to care if Biden got the nod, you do not need me to link to discussions about it.


Biden is serious, smart, and will take the debate to the Republicans. No one has more gravitas on foreign policy than Biden. He could step in as President if need be (God forbid) and do a fine job. Yes, he's loquacious, and yes, he'll put his foot in his mouth every so often. But if those are his worst flaws, well, I think we can live with that. This is a great ticket for the Democrats.


I only wish Obama had not buried the choice in the recesses of the news cycle -- late Friday night/Saturday morning? And on the eve of the Democratic convention? Why not do it earlier and hope to get two bumps rather than fold the two major events into one bump in the polls?


But in the end, the choice for VP is a test of judgment. Obama has passed that test. Obama/Biden. This is my favorite ticket in my lifetime, without a doubt, and is historically pretty damned sound, at least from the perspective of less than twelve hours.

10 comments:

Clare said...

Ditto, Derek!

I have always liked Biden and felt he was underrated. He brings experience and authenticity, along with humor and warmth...a good balance to Obama's energy. But perhaps, more important, he is respected across party lines.

Can't wait to hear my 'Sunday pundits' rhapsodize. We badly need some fresh enthusiasm!

dcat said...

EB Soph Mom --
I'm looking forward to Biden in attack dog mode. And I'm looking forward to a few GOP oversteps, such as bringing up the supposed plagiarism given that 1) in the last two weeks McCain was caught quoting nearly verbatim from wikipedia and 2) does McCain really want to be bringing up late 1980s ethical lapses?
I'm still praying for McCain to choose Mitt Romney. pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease do it!

dcat

Rich said...

So I guess this ticket nudged out Perot/Stockdale for your all-time fave.

dcat said...

Who am I, and what am I doing here?

Clare said...

Derek,

Don't miss the profile in today's NY Times; "Jill Biden Heads Toward Life in the Spotlight".

Wow...I had no idea. She is impressive. How exciting would that be...to have these four people at the helm? I so hope...

Anonymous said...

Biden was always the best, and most likely choice. A senator since the 1070s, so he is experienced, but he did once rip off a speach made by the labour candidate for Prime minister, who should have became prime minister. however, he apologised for it, and admitted it was a 'stupid mistak'.
nevertheless, i wonder, with biden being so experience, and obama, the opposite, wht is obama running for president, ad bide, vice, and not the other way around?...


dan

dcat said...

Dan --
The answer to your question is because Biden gained no traction and Obama did in the primary process. Experience is but one factor in a candidate's competence. Not an insignificant one, but not the end-all and be-all either.
Biden's plagiarism charges, though fatal to his chances in 1988, are pretty much irrelevant now. The GOP may raise them, but I'm not certain that late 1980s ethical lapses are an area where McCain wants to tread too heavily.

dcat

Anonymous said...

i understand.
i still believe that anyone would be better than bush. in bush, you saw the second dynasty of america, 'the house of bush', which came after the first dynasty, 'the house of roosevelt'.
i am pointing out here that the fact close relations of presidents, becoming presidents, sickened me, due to all of their anti-monarchy feelings.
i believe obama and bden will be the best leaders america hae had since the federalists of Hamilton and Adams.
dan

dcat said...

Danny --
I'm a huge supporter of Obama-Biden, but that last sentence seems a bit overdone. For one, Hamilton was never either president or VP, with Adams or anyone else. Second: Lincoln? TR? FDR? Others? I know the next stage is for you to come in and proclaim your expertise on American history, but you need to think before you just splatter things on the screen.

dcat

Anonymous said...

oh i see you deleted my comments.
fair enough, i will not return, nor ever read another blog, for you wish it so.
i thought you were learned, and admired you in some respects in which you knew more than me.
however, it is aparent you misunderstood me throughout, so just before you delete this, i hope we part on good terms.
good bye derek.