A New Dawn For America - Joe Biden - Democratic Underground

Steely_Dan

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Sat Nov-03-07 10:48 PM
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A New Dawn For America - Joe Biden

Edited on Sat Nov-03-07 11:28 PM by Steely_Dan

I have long watched the sometimes not-so-friendly scuffling between my DU comrades over their particular choice for the Democratic nomination for President. There were times I would read a particularly vicious attack on one or another of the candidates and cringe in despair. With the mounting importance of the upcoming election next year, I hardly thought that this was the time to find fault in those who have dedicated their lives to public service and were willing to face the gauntlet of a presidential run.

The truth of the matter is that all of the Democratic candidates are honorable people who sincerely feel that they would be the best choice to take on the difficult task of returning our country to the tenets of our Constitution. Yes, while each one of them have their flaws and shortcomings, who among us can say that they are perfect? Frankly, I would be suspicious of anyone who is without fault, perceived or otherwise.

While I admire and respect all of the candidates, I as well as you, have to make a choice. And like you, I have endeavored to find in each of them those qualities that would best address both the domestic and global issues we will face over the next ten years. I did this despite the media’s establishment of the “top tier” candidates. I simply could not accept without question, their selecting for us.

My choice for the nomination is Joe Biden.

The Recent Debate
In the recent debate, I could not help but notice that the top tier candidates were starting to look more and more like quibbling school-yard children while suffering from inevitable overexposure. It seemed to me that the “safe game” of not criticizing the front-runner was not working for the second and third place candidates. They knew that time was getting short and it was time to start tearing down each other with particular emphasis on the lead candidate. This is typical, but nevertheless, disturbing. It is sort of a process of “eating our own.” It’s not pretty. And it is trivial and petty...and not becoming of our party. But it is what it is and has always been.

My point here is that who among the candidates has refrained from participating in this flawed process? While he is not the only one, Joe Biden has always demonstrated respect and admiration for his fellow party members. He agrees with me, as stated earlier, beyond their shortcomings, all of these candidates are honorable people that deserve respect.

Electability
I have read many posts on this board that state something to the effect: “Oh, I like Joe.” “He is the most experienced candidate and demonstrates the most effective leadership qualities of all the candidates.” “But, I’m not going to vote for him because he has no chance of winning.”

This is disturbing on so many levels that I hardly know where to begin.

Hasn’t deciding on a candidate based on “electability” gotten us in trouble in the past? Whatever happened to being true to your convictions?

I suppose the first question I would ask my DU friends is...If you took “electability” out of the equation, would you then vote for Joe Biden? Isn’t he the most experienced candidate in the very area(s) that we as a people need most?

For me, “electability” is a false argument and a phantom that is embraced by the individual and/or the media in an effort to divide and conquer. It is a slap in the face of our principles and convictions. It undermines the tenets of our party and feeds the beast. As a thinking and rational voter, you have the responsibility to be true to yourself.

Having said all of this, I completely disagree that Joe Biden is less electable then the other candidates. Isn’t electability something decided by the voters? Who makes that decision? Is it you or the media?

Foot-in-Mouth Disease
I would be less than honest if I didn’t agree that Joe Biden can make cringe inducing statements from time to time. Statements that I wish he hadn’t said. Of course, he wouldn’t be the first, nor will he be the last.

For me, and maybe only for me, I find this sort of refreshing. Often, statements like these are based on what is foremost in our minds. As a result, they are often the most honest reflection of our true feelings.

I cannot tell you how many times I have watched a “politician” sit for what seems like painful minutes trying to think of an answer that will not “offend” anyone or place him/her in a bad light. This action is the essence of politics. Play the middle and don’t piss anybody off.

I’m tired of this approach. We don’t have time for this. Playing for the middle doesn’t give me the dynamic leader I feel we need. Too many times, candidates are so “careful” that they never really answer the question...at least not honestly. Politics demands that candidates be as evasive as possible in an effort to capture votes. Isn’t there a deeper calling in our souls? A calling that yearns for that “honest” answer, unpolished and not prefabricated?

Joe Biden rarely demonstrates this “caution” as a sacrifice to the gods of politics. He often answers quickly and yes, at times, suffers the consequences. But I must say, I would rather hear a statement that reflects what is foremost in a person’s mind then a statement so polished and so prefabricated that the speaker’s position is hard to grasp.

Joe Biden’s frankness and ability to speak directly to the issues makes him somewhat of a maverick. I believe that this “maverick” persona is needed in the White House at this critical time in our history.

Passion and Power
I am a passionate man. I embrace everything I do with the energy and dedication required to meet my personal standards. I do this in large part because I do not believe that life is a dress rehearsal. This is it. It is happening now.

I sense this same passion in Joe Biden. He truly believes in what he does and is unashamed to serve his country at the highest levels. His passion is evident in the occasional outburst...that moment where deep in your essence you feel compelled to aggressively defend what you know is right and just. Joe knows that we may not pass this way again, and that every moment counts and no injustice should go without redress.

Consider, If You Will
Joe Biden has consistently demonstrated his willingness to take on the current administration with dedicated energy and passion. He has had no problem calling out the President or any member of his Administration. We need this sort of courage that does not consider the political fallout.

Joe Biden is always the first to admit when he is wrong. He has demonstrated this over and over again with the plagiarism issue, stating many times that it was a mistake. This kind of humility has been sorely missed in the current administration.

Joe Biden has by far the most foreign affairs experience than any other candidate. When I think of what we need most right now, I cannot think of anything more important than foreign affairs. He seems to have been the only candidate that has actually given considerable thought to the mess we are currently in. More importantly, he has offered a possible solution. What other candidate has been more dedicated or creative in his thinking. He actually has an imagination and respects nuance. This is an intelligent man.

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I am a Mario Cuomo democrat. Mr. Cuomo represents my vision of what the Democratic Party should stand for.

I believe that Joe Biden shares the same passion for this country that Mario Cuomo does. He understands the importance of social contracts. He recognizes that we live in a global neighborhood and that we have become the bully in this neighborhood. However, he also knows that we can be better...that our best selves can be reborn to carry the torch anew in a troubled world.

I am not an old man...
Yet, I know that if we do not put electability aside and vote for what we know in our hearts is the last best hope for our country, many of us will not live long enough to see our country return to its past glory as the true and inspirational leader of the free world.

I call upon my DU friends that truly believe in a new dawn for our country. Please consider Mr. Biden again. He is a true man of principle and I believe that he is our last best hope.

Contrary to what my right-wing friends might say, I do not hate America. I love my country. I love it with a passion I cannot measure. It is for this reason that I stand, even if alone, to call out to reasonable men to take your country back. Please take your country back.

Finally, this is my 999th post. I want to thank those that have made this my island of reason, my island of sanity and logic. Without you, I’m not sure I could have made it this far.

-Paige