The N.Y. Times reports that Barack Obama has picked Joe Biden as his running mate. And all I can say is ho-hum. He’s playing it safe. Telling the world he’s afraid it will notice his weaknesses and hence the attempt to stick a finger in the dike of his inexperience. This is reactive and not proactive politics. One of the things I’ve admired about Obama’s campaign thus far has been his willingness to make daring moves, to do the unexpected. It allowed him to break out of the mold. It set him apart from Hillary Clinton, the candidate who seemingly tried to do everything the same old, boring, old-fashioned way.
Biden is a consensus builder. He’s not an especially bright bulb. In fact, he comes across as a bit of a buffoon due to his shoot from the lip style. I expect we’ll be seeing Jay Leno and David Letterman dredging up every stupid, silly comment Biden has made in 35 years of Senate service.
Yes, Biden is a steady hand–I was going to say in the Cheney mold though I immediately realized how ridiculous it was for anyone to believe Cheney was being added to the 2000 Republican ticket to add a note of rigor and stability. Biden will certainly add more gravitas to the ticket than Cheney did. But man is he ever old and tired. And I never trust a politician from Delaware who has a perpetual suntan. He also looks like he just had his face “enhanced” by a surgeon’s knife. Biden’s smile, while a mile-wide, somehow always reminds me of Mack the Knife or a gameshow host. And does he ever love to hear the sound of his own voice!
I have to say I wasn’t thrilled by any of Obama’s VP choices. There was the white guy from the Midwest, Evan Bayh; the Catholic guy from the near South, Tim Kaine; and Biden. I thought Kathleen Sebelius would’ve been a groundbreaking pick, though perhaps it wouldn’t bring much politically to the ticket other than a breath of fresh air. And Chuck Hagel–now that would’ve been a groundbreaking candidate who would’ve stolen some Republican thunder.
When I think of the boring prospect of adding Joe Biden to the ticket, I look back fondly on the vice presidential candidacy of Lloyd Bentsen. Now, that was a politician who really had the goods. Only someone of Bentsen’s character could’ve sliced and diced Dan Quayle as he did in that famous debate. Obama needed a Bentsen and I’m afraid he chose an Edsall.
This has been cross-posted at Huffington Post.
“hence the attempt to stick a finger in the dyke of his inexperience.”
hehemm…I’m pretty sure you meant “dike”
“One of the things I’ve admired about Obama’s campaign thus far has been his willingness to make daring moves, to do the unexpected. ”
Like what exactly?
Sorry I must have missed it.
@Cole Krawitz:
Omigod, thanks for catching that & giving me a big laugh at my own expense. What can I say–it’s 1AM!
haha. i got a good chuckle out of it myself. what do you call that since it’s not technically a freudian slip, or is it?
Re Chuck Hegel
If I had been on Obama’s team I would really have pushed for Hegel. It would have been groundbreaking as you say, crossing the party line. When Jimmy Carter was asked which US Congress member was most… shall we say, evenhanded about Palestine Israel, he named Chuck Hegel. Ever since, I have taken note of Hegel. Watching him talk about the war in Iraq- it takes some courage for a Republican to criticize the war – he was so passionate, so without artifact unlike most politicians.
I know I would disagree with him on many domestic issues- reproductive rights, gay rights for example – but hey, he may be educable.
Yippee! Joe Biden for V.P. Now there’s “change” for you. Obama just committed suicide. All my bets are looking better with each stupid move by the Dems. Another generation of Bushniks to live through. O, woe!
@ellen: Glad we see it the same way. Hegel clearly has a big heart and a good mind. He has far more gravitas than Biden I think. I’m guessing that Hegel wouldn’t cross the party line & I can’t really blame him though I wish he would’ve had the moxie to do it if Obama did indeed sound him out.
If Obama didn’t sound him out then he didn’t do due diligence & missed a huge opportunity. Wouldn’t it have been cool to have an ex-Dem possibly running as McCain’s VP & a Republican running as a Dem’s running mate??
I really hope McCain picks Romney. Apparently, according to cnn, the choice is down to Romney and one other.
Choosing Romney would aid him in getting the evangelical vote [which he will get anyway- those talking heads who theorize that the evangelicals will stay home cuz they are not crazy about McCain are full of it.]
Hopefully a Romney choice would cut down on the votes of those ignorant souls who call themselves “independents” and who view McCain as a “maverick”.
Chuck Hagel: “An Obama-Biden Ticket Is A Very Impressive And Strong Team” –
“Joe Biden is the right partner for Barack Obama. His many years of distinguished service to America, his seasoned judgment and his vast experience in foreign policy and national security will match up well with the unique challenges of the 21st Century. An Obama-Biden ticket is a very impressive and strong team. Biden’s selection is good news for Obama and America.”
Greg Sergant of Talking Points Memo says:
“The whole thing edges awfully close to an endorsement, and the claim that Biden’s national security experience “will” match the 21st Century’s challenges sounds a lot like an outright prediction of victory.”
@ellen:
That sure is interesting. Given that Hagel is retiring fr. the Senate I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hagel in a senior position in an Obama Administration. Very interesting. Given that McCain is honing in on Obama’s supposed lack of national security credentials, having Hagel specifically mention that issue as one in which Biden is strong is a big plus for Obama.
Will the next VP keep all the statutory powers that Cheney has amassed? If so, the office might be more than most insignificant the mind of man has ever concieved.
In any case, I will cast a virtual vote for Richard “The Impaler” Sharkey, of the Witches, Vampires and Pagans Party.
Zhu Bajie
Kunming
China