Biden is Democratic favorite for Obama's No. 2

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

By NEDRA PICKLER

CHICAGO (AP) - Sen. Joe Biden has emerged as the clear favorite among Democrats to be Barack Obama's running mate for his understanding of foreign policy in grave global times and his fighting spirit against the rival Republican ticket.

Obama is keeping his decision quiet, but his staff in Chicago and party activists who await a decision are buzzing about Biden in large part because he can address two of Obama's biggest weaknesses - his lack of experience, especially on world affairs, and his reluctance to go on the attack. The speculation among Democrats is less of an indicator of whether Biden will ultimately be Obama's pick, and more of a recognition of the challenges their candidate faces at this pivotal moment in the race.

Obama plans to appear with his newly selected running mate Saturday, with the pick announced via text message to supporters. Obama also is widely thought to be considering Govs. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana.


Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., drives up to his home past the news media Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 in Greenville, Del. Biden, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine are believed to be on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's short list. (AP Photo/Bradley C. Bower)


Biden was first elected to represent Delaware in 1972, when Obama was 11 years old and half the people living in the United States today weren't born yet. He is a curious front-runner for running mate for a candidate who won the primary by arguing he would be a fresh outsider who could bring change to Washington.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080820/D92MAKU80.html

[Mojambo]

1. It just comes down the the ass-kicking quotient.

Biden's got it. Obama needs it. None of the other candidates can do it.

[2KS2KHonda]

2. Yep, he's been around the block a few times...

I'd be perfectly happy with him as the choice.

[Pastiche423]

7. In what way does Biden "got it"?

As far as I am concerned, any and all DLCers ain't got shit.

[Mojambo]

9. Biden's an attack dog

I may not agree with him on all the issues, but with the attacks that the Republicans are bringing and Obama's unwillingness to fight back himself he NEEDS someone to throw elbows if he wants to get elected.

Neither Kaine nor Bayh can do it. Two nice candidates above the fray are NOT going to win this election. Obama needs an enforcer. It's as simple as that.

[Pastiche423]

12. What, specifically, has he attacked?

[Mojambo]

17. See Rudy Giuliani's bloody carcass. n/t

[SoxFan]

18. Ask this guy

[Muttocracy]

29. McCain, more forcefully than many Dems:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK0hW7VqGkg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tbZZPi0_Fw

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25313596/(transcript)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25315527#25315527 (video)

http://biden.senate.gov/press/multimedia/video_player.cfm?m=3898cc8f-78c2-4a74-b4ad-ce647a988f99

http://biden.senate.gov/press/multimedia/video_player.cfm?m=4feb8d90-75ae-422f-aec6-5bc040da5d5e

[gateley]

34. Regardless of who Obama's VP choice is, here are our talking points

and facts that we need to clobber McCain with.

Good stuff!!

Thanks for rounding these up!

[Muttocracy]

35. apologies for the frequency of Graham Cracker. nt

[gateley]

39. I love watching Biden and Graham.

Biden shreds him, and Graham still wags his tail and slobbers.

[Muttocracy]

28. Biden is not a DLCer - multiple threads already - voting record nearly identical to Obama. nt

[Pastiche423]

48. My mistake

He's a corproate Dem like the DLCers. He brings nothing to the table for the left. Which is probably why Obama will select him.

[Muttocracy]

49. so who's your VP preference? nt

[Pastiche423]

50. None of the above

[Trajan]

85. Too cynical for me ...

You have to believe in something positive, or life can get pretty fucking morbid ....

Neither Obama nor Biden were my first, absolute perfect choices: But I am damned HAPPY they are representing ....

I WILL support both, whole heartedly ....

[Pastiche423]

88. Good for you

[cascadiance]

74. I wonder why Feingold, Richardson, Clark don't get any consideration here...

For me, all of them are more out of the "corporate" mind set of the more "talked about" candidates mentioned here. And I just don't buy that they are "too liberal" or other excuses to keep them out.

Russ Feingold - would in my book be the best of all of them if he were given the shot. Though the one down side for me is that he'd not still be in the Senate. But to leave him out of consideration and not to "waste" him, he should be PROMISED getting Senate Majority Leader instead.

Bill Richardson - Not from the "beltway". Would help with votes in Western states which McCain might otherwise pick up with his western roots (New Mexico, Nevada, etc.). Also would help Obama get a lot more of the latino vote too. And he seems to be a man of decent integrity too and wouldn't be towing the corporate line.

Wesley Clark - Would provide the necessary international experience that some rationalize the voters might feel would be lacking to match up with McCain. Again, not a Washington insider and could be helpful for a "message of change". A good Clinton supporter too, might help get a lot of Clinton supporters.

These guys put folks like Biden, Bayh, Kain, Sebellius in the dust in my book.

[yurbud]

77. Biden to Torquemada Gonzales: ''I like you. You're the real deal.''

[musette_sf]

3. i'm not a huge Biden fan

but my mom, in her seventies and despite 50 years away from her Southern roots still a hard sell on Obama, LOVES Biden and would probably leap at the chance to support an Obama/Biden ticket.

(i'm with Will Pitt, i think all the old plagarism stories are going to get trotted out if it's Biden.)

[Jefferson23]

4. I had hoped for Jim Webb, but I am fine with Biden and I agree

with some here, that Biden will kick ass, he is good at it.

[mike_c]

5. mixed feelings....

I'll NEVER forgive any of the traitors who voted for the invasion of Iraq-- they voted to authorize a war of aggression against a sovereign nation, the supreme international war crime. Biden's explanation for his vote has never satisfied me-- in essence, he says he voted for war because he didn't think the Bush administration would really do it, but if that's the case, what was the point of giving them the authority to invade? If he didn't want them to invade Iraq, he should have voted against the IWR. I think Biden is just as guilty of selling out America in hopes of being on the right side of a political decision as John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards were.

On the other hand, he has opposed the war since at least 2004. He attempted to revoke the IWR authorization. He proposed a realistic, if politically unpalattable de facto partition. However, he has been a staunch supporter of continued funding for the war against Iraq, claiming it's to support the troops, who like the Iraqis are dying and being maimed because Congress, with Biden's help, continues to insist on paying for more war. With support like that, who needs detractors? I think it's all political grandstanding, personally. If Biden wants to protect the troops, the surest way is to do whatever it takes to end the war.

I have mixed feelings about Biden. I'll support him if he convinces me that he'll REALLY do whatever it takes to end the criminal U.S. war against Iraq.

[bean fidhleir]

79. Recall, too, the bankruptcy bill. IIRC, the senator from the credit-card industry sold us out

Didn't he sell us out on the drugs bill, too?

[Zorro]

6. Ain't gonna happen

Republicans will revv up the plagiarism expose.

[howmad1]

36. Yea, they may rev up the plagerism story........

.....and the Dems will be too chicken to respond with the Keating Five story. Let's see; thousands of Americans lost their money because of John McPutz, and, horror of horrors, Joe biden plagerized a speech. Sounds like an even swap to me.

[jberryhill]

43. You mean like...

McCain's staff using Wikipedia for his speeches.

Or McCain stealing a story attributed to Solzhenitsyn?

McCain is vulnerable on that attack.

[stillcool]

45. republicans will rev up anything..

if Obama needs to pick someone pure, I don't think that human being exists.

[clear eye]

52. I Don't Think They Can

They've got some stories like that on their own.

[WriteDown]

65. That and.....

He is a gaffe machine!! This is bad.

[ksimons]

8. getting the best of all worlds?

Would it be fair to say he also gets the benefits of Biden's extraordinary experience by announcing his VP choice (be it Bayh or Kaine) and also announcing that he has spoken with Biden and they both strongly agree his experience is best used in 100% focused attention to this country's international issues as Secretary of State in an Obama Administration.

Seems more powerful to me. I'd see Joe Biden around the world a lot more than I would see him sitting in the VP seat of the White House waiting to break a tie or sitting during speeches. He's more active and powerful than that... he needs to be in the international mix - he'll make Rice look like a hack (not hard to do anyway).

[clear eye]

53. Sounds good, but he's not diplomatic enough

to be Secretary of State. Nope, if they don't make him VP, and I don't think they will, I think they'll just gloss over it quickly, and Biden will re-iterate his support.

[murbley40]

66. As a very longtime Biden fan and supporter....

I would love him to be SOS. He would be a great one.

[jaybeat]

10. Please don't forget Anita Hill

Biden shouldn't be allowed to show his face in polite company.

And Clarence "Long Dong" Thomas shouldn't be on the Supreme Court, either.

(Hint: The two are connected.)

[Zhade]

11. Thanks for mentioning that. Sometimes I despair that DUers even KNOW history.

NT!

[TacticalPeek]

21. Amen to that.

Biden is also eminently attackable, with a blooper reel covering decades.

Go figger.

[WheelWalker]

14. Don't you forget Robert Bork. Or the Violence Against Women Act.

[ryanmuegge]

15. The good old boys network of elities always stand up for each other

even if they claim to be in opposite parties.

[SoxFan]

20. Not this again

Funny, but the people who bitch about Biden's performance during the Clarence Thomas hearings never want to give him credit for keeping the far more dangerous Robert Bork off the court.

[Carolina]

89. Exactly!

Biden is all wrong! All Sunday morning bloviating, consummate DC insider, in bed with MBNA...

YUCK!

[ryanmuegge]

13. Not to knock Biden at all, but this is not the way to win.

Virginia is the key. Or, perhaps Hillary Clinton (according to some, that would bring a lot of supporters back to the fold, but I'm not totally convinced).

[WheelWalker]

19. Reasonable minds may disagree. I personally think Biden is EXACTLY how we win.

Joe brings independents and undecideds, across the board.

[cascadiance]

25. I'm guessing that MBNA would also endorse this choice too...

I'd be lukewarm about it... I want someone that will *fix* the problems with corporate influence over our government, not facilitate it.

Given that Joe doesn't help us geographically get votes either, I just think there are better choices out there.

[WheelWalker]

27. I'm having trouble relating

to your MBNA remark. Try to be relevant.

[cascadiance]

30. His heavy support for the bankruptcy bill as a Delaware senator has me concerned...

http://www.pacificviews.org/weblog/archives/000966.html

There are many other articles to google about this issue if you want to get more views. But my number one issue this election is to get the corporations out of our government. I'd like to find nominees with the least amount of concerns in this area. Biden doesn't fit for me.

[lakercub]

31. It is extremely relevant

One of the absolute worst bills to pass during the Bush reign of terror was the Bankruptcy bill. This is a bill that MBNA desperately wanted. The point of the bill was solely to put money in the pockets of the already rich credit card companies. Since MBNA (now a part of Bank of America) was based out of Delaware, Joe voted for this disaster of a bill (I can only assume that is why he voted for it, however I shouldn't rule out plain old greed).

It was a shameless, toadying, horrible vote and he deserves to be pummeled for it. A lot of people with health care problems will now have a hell of a time getting clear of their debts because the credit card companies can keep their hooks in after bankruptcy is declared. Way to go Joe.

[WheelWalker]

40. Let me help you with this.

Credit card debt is contractual debt. It is imposed upon no one.

I don't ask for medical care I can't afford. I don't expect to receive medical care I can't pay for.

If I can't afford a medical procedure, that is not because of banks or credit card contracts or the bankruptcy code. It's because of the total mismanagement of health care delivery, Pharma and the health insurance cartel.

What is your rationale for the proposition that a bank should be saddled with health care costs that you chose, knowing you couldn't afford it without borrowing money, instead of you being saddled with it (these are after all your choices, you realize, not the banks' nor the credit card companies' nor the bankruptcy trustees' or judges')?

[Zhade]

55. You literally made my jaw drop. You don't sympathize with victims of catastrophic medical debt?

My, what a heart you have.

[WheelWalker]

57. My friend,

the measure of another's compassion is unknowable to thee. If there are "victims" of catastrophic medical debt, it is not the bankruptcy code which makes them "victims" nor is it the banks nor credit card companies that financed the care the "victims" received at the "victims'" specific instance and request. To know a cause, look first within.

[bread_and_roses]

58. And do you also support usury and the multiplicity of other unethical practices

that credit card companies engage in? And the deceptive practices used to lure people into mortgages they can't afford? After all, those are also "voluntary" contractual obligations.

You are perfectly correct that the root of our health care crisis does not rest with credit card companies, but to use that as an exculpatory rationale for their unethical practices is an asounding leap. Not to mention blaming individuals for the lengths they are forced to go to to try to cope with that crisis.

I have long since ceased being surprised by the lengths people here will go to to justify unjustifiable votes by a candidate they prefer, but defense of the rapacious banks and credit card companies has a special place in my particular vision of hell.
edit for spelling typo

[lakercub]

81. One particular practice I just love

is a credit card jacking up your rate when you are a late on a payment to a different card or lender. That is too disgusting for words, and the interest debt accrued (basically fraudulently) is all part of what they want to recoup during bankruptcy proceedings.

But Village Idiot is right. The credit card companies deserve their piece of the pie too (and my piece, and his piece, and every other damn piece they can get their hands on).

[tokenlib]

64. Nice republican talking points!!

It's their own damn fault... Biden has to vote for the banks to survive in Delaware---so damn the consequences.
Then again at least you're not simply responding with insults..at least we see the real you..

[jberryhill]

41. The largest employer in the state...

...they eclipsed DuPont quite some time ago.

[Muttocracy]

42. I suppose it would be better if a GOPer had that seat.

:sarcasm:

[clear eye]

54. Obama Voted for It Too n/t

[PassingFair]

63. Do you have a link for that vote? n/t

[closeupready]

70. No he did not. In fact, he characterized the legislation as "typical".

n/t

[closeupready]

71. Get your facts straight before besmirching our nominee.

>>>Seventy-four senators voted for BAPCPA and 24 senators voted against the measure. Barack Obama opposed the measure claiming “…. I think they were bad ideas, because they were pushed by the credit card companies, they were pushed by the mortgage companies, and they put the interests of those banks and financial institutions ahead of the interests of the American people. And this is typical.”<<<

http://www.higginsandassociates.com/national-legal-news/barack-obama-vs-john-mccain-on-bankruptcy-reform/

[ryanmuegge]

75. I knew that was incorrect, but I was interested to see how long it would be before it was corrected

Thank God he didn't vote for that shit.

[closeupready]

69. It is relevant, and it was disappointing.

No candidate is perfect, however. So I don't know. I think on balance, Biden would be good.

[bread_and_roses]

59. Great. Mr. Credit Card Company for VP , Mr. Protect Profits, Screw the Working Stiff

Biden - what a fresh, exciting, out-of-the-box, choice for Democrats!

I personally will find it hilarious if all this excitement, speculation, and eager anticipation is for any of the three considered "top" contenders - they are barely better than the deadly choice of Lieberman, to my view. So it goes.

[Carolina]

95. K&R

you said what I feel the exact same.

Biden
1) a long time Washington insider... some change
2) years of Senate votes & Sunday morning bloviating for repukes to dredge up and throw back at us
3) years of verbal gaffes for repukes and their media toadies to throw back at us
4) IWR.... DUH, the war that never should have been authorized (that one bothers me the most)
5) beholden to the banking/credit card industry
6) not a big vote getter in the primaries
7) brings Delaware... big woo

[jberryhill]

44. A solid team is the key....

I've gone back and forth about this for a while.

Bayh and Kain are "political calculations", not VP candidates.

And if the choice is just a way to win Virginia or Missouri, then it will be seen merely as such.

[Trajan]

86. Delete

[MasonJar]

16. Probably in comparison to Bayh and Kaine, but not in any other race.

[peacetalksforall]

22. Not mine.

[geiger]

26. me neither.

[trthnd4jstc]

23. Sen. Clinton would Guarantee a win. n/t

[BulletproofLandshark]

33. For who?

[DaLittle Kitty]

37. Good Point... I Still Prefer John Edwards! McCain's Record On Fidelity Is Far Worse Than JRE!

If Anybody watched CNN tonight I think ALL would agree! :)

[ksimons]

38. Clinton loyalties

If Obama picked Bayh, isn't there a sense that the Clintons would absolutely have to throw their enthusiastic support out towards the ticket he is on, if just for the fact that Bayh was so supportive of Hillary Clinton & was 100% behind her throughout HER run - months and months of his efforts. Doesn't she (and perhaps even Hillary Clinton supporters) owe HIM for his efforts on her behalf throughout her long campaign?

Then, in 8 years, Hillary will be the next V.P. en route to the Presidency

[Zhade]

56. Polls show a majority of *registered voters* do not want her on his ticket.

NT!

[HughMoran]

24. My Dad (same age as McCain) really liked Biden in the primary

Obama could use some more of the older vote - I think Biden appeals to these people as a seasoned Democrat and fighter.

[mzmolly]

32. I like Biden, but it's due to the media promoting him as the possible VP.

eom

[Bette Noir]

46. Whatever gets him elected.

[ZinZen]

47. What Bette Noir said.

[clear eye]

51. The Democratic Favorite?

That means for sure they won't use him. Not "bi-partisan" enough, and they don't think they need to court us.

[JNelson6563]

60. Not my choice

I think Biden's great, nothing against him. I think we need to pull from a different region of the country.

Julie

[robcon]

61. Biden's got some icky things in his campaign for the '88 presidency.

It's not just the plagiarism charge. This NYT article from 1987 would be used by the Repuglicans to embarrass Biden...

"Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued a formal statement today acknowledging that he had misstated several facts about his past last April in a campaign appearance in New Hampshire.

...The tape, which was made available by C-SPAN in response to a reporter's request, showed a testy exchange in response to a question about his law school record from a man identified only as ''Frank.'' Mr. Biden looked at his questioner and said: ''I think I have a much higher I.Q. than you do.''

He then went on to say that he ''went to law school on a full academic scholarship - the only one in my class to have a full academic scholarship,'' Mr. Biden said. He also said that he ''ended up in the top half'' of his class and won a prize in an international moot court competition. In college, Mr. Biden said in the appearance, he was ''the outstanding student in the political science department'' and ''graduated with three degrees from college.''

...In his statement today, Mr. Biden, who attended the Syracuse College of Law and graduated 76th in a class of 85, acknowledged: ''I did not graduate in the top half of my class at law school and my recollection of this was inaccurate.''

As for receiving three degrees, Mr. Biden said: ''I graduated from the University of Delaware with a double major in history and political science. My reference to degrees at the Claremont event was intended to refer to these majors - I said 'three' and should have said 'two.' '' Mr. Biden received a single B.A. in history and political science.

...Mr. Biden said of his claim that he went to school on full academic scholarship: ''My recollection is - and I'd have to confirm this - but I don't recall paying any money to go to law school.'' Newsweek said Mr. Biden had gone to Syracuse ''on half scholarship based on financial need.''

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE4D91F3CF931A1575AC0A961948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print

[WriteDown]

67. He is Mr. Gaffe....

That is my biggest concern. Even some of his recent quotes look like instructions on how to insert your foot into your mouth.

[bdamomma]

62. Well we will find out Saturday.

I hope its the winning ticket, and I would love to see Joe Biden go against Joe Lieberman, but this is all speculation on my part.

[closeupready]

68. I really like Biden. He would be a good choice.

:)

[knixphan]

72. Smokin' Joe!

Let's do this!

GLOVES OFF!

[RedShoes]

73. Nedra Pickler = repig, repig, repig. Take anything she says (or the m$m) with a grain of salt. n

[Zorra]

78. Yep. Her articles are like propaganda staight out of the American Enterprise Institute. n/t

[yurbud]

76. did Joe just get a face lift? It looks like someone tightened his face a little too much

especially around the eyes.

[libertad]

82. Maybe we can take that as a hint that he's been chosen

Having a little work done before the big announcement and convention.

[bean fidhleir]

80. What's he driving in that photo? Does it look like a gas-guzzler to anyone else? (nt)

[wishlist]

83. It's a pickup truck he used to haul his trash to dump yesterday per NBC nt

[Mad_Dem_X]

84. Joe tells it like it is.

As another poster stated, he's an attack dog. I'm proud to have him as my Senator!

[Trajan]

87. Biden is a great choice ....

.. In my view ....

I am VERY PISSED about the Bankruptcy bill ... and he should get spanked in public about that monstrosity ... but he will get my support ....

YAY ! ... Obama-Biden 2008 ! ! !

[Carolina]

90. what about IWR

kinda goes against Obama's message that the WAR SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED!

[Trajan]

92. NOT pleased about the IWR either ....

But I give more slack than many here for Democrats who were deceived by the PNAC-developed 'intelligence' about pre-war Iraq, even though they should have known better ...

We cannot (pragmatically speaking) toss out some 70% of Democrats in office over the IWR .... If it were possible: The GOP would have done it long ago ....

But yes: The IWR vote is problematic .... But even then: Biden is strong, and he WILL boost the ticket in many ways ...

First: Win .... Then ? ... Beat their asses (Obama, Biden, and the entire Democratic party contingent) until they understand what WE THE PEOPLE want ......

They are our representatives in this Republic .... I seem to recall something like that ....

[Carolina]

94. deceived? my ass

I'm sick of that fucking excuse. And I'm sick of having to vote for IWR aye voters.

At DU in 2002, we knew the IWR was PNAC bullshit and it meant war against an innocent, sovereign nation. Where was Biden's judgment then when it mattered? Did he even read the NIE report? NO! He voted without reading it. Unlike Bob Graham who read it and voted NO. Unlike 23 others who did not trust Bush and urged caution before rushing to war.

Anything Biden says now about the war means squat after all the death, destruction, devastation, decimation of the military and depletion of our national treasury

I can see it now:

Sen Obama... you have said the war should never have been AUTHORIZED and yet you have chosen as a running mate someone WHO VOTED TO AUTHORIZE IT! You have also chosen a long term Washington insider. How does your choice of Senator Biden square with you claim about the war and your message of CHANGE?!

[Doctor_J]

91. Sorry. I just don't think he has Clark's charisma

:shrug:

[Trajan]

93. Clark doesnt have Biden's gravitas ...

No offense, because I love Clark .... But Biden is no slouch in other, less 'charismatic' subject areas ....

I do realize the nitpicking will never end, so I will leave it at that ....