Pardon me while I do a little victory lap. Just over three months ago, I said that Senator Obama should pick Senator Biden for Vice-President. I am glad that the Democratic nominee followed my sage advice. 
Seriously though, this is a ticket that I can get genuinely excited about. I am probably very late to the party in being a Biden fan, but I have followed most of his appearances and interviews on the talking head shows over the last few years and his wisdom and blunt approach really impressed me. As I said in the original column, google Biden and Iraq - the man knows his stuff backwards and forwards. Most everything he said would happen in Iraq did in fact happen in Iraq.
While I certainly had no qualms about the so-called “experience gap” between Obama and McCain, I would have to be blind to not admit that the perception exists. Picking Biden shores that up, big time. I am also aware that no pick is perfect and this ticket is going to have some hurdles to overcome - namely the fact that Biden was fairly critical of Obama in the primaries and openly questioned his experience. Also, let’s start watching how often the echo chamber on the right tries to dredge up Biden’s plagarism from the 1988 race. Those red herrings are usually good to distract a few voters with.
I think it is likely that Biden serves as sort of a “co” Secretary of State with whoever gets that nod in an Obama administration. His relationships with various foreign dignitaries are too strong a tool to not use.
Of course, Mrs SMD would want me to make sure that I mention Biden’s work on the Violence Against Women Act. She worked on this issue for many years and saw his leadership first-hand.
This is a strong pick and the ticket will be formidable. Give’em hell Joe!
PS - I would also like to take a victory lap for correctly picking that Russell Wilson would be NC State’s starting Quarterback this season. With mad prognosticating skills like these, perhaps I should forgo Denver next week and go to Vegas!!
2 responses so far ↓
That Girl // August 23, 2008 at 8:30 am
Thanks for making the point about VAWA SMD.
Of course, I think full credit for Obama’s decision goes to me! Tuesday night at the Town Hall in Raleigh, when I had my brief moment with Senator Obama, I told him this:
“Senator Obama, if you pick Joe Biden, and I really hope you will, please be sure to start talking about his record on women’s rights issues. No one gives Senator Biden the credit he deserves for his work on women’s issues”.
Senator Obama smiled and said “you’re right and I will remember that”.
Hmmmmm. Shall I add Senator Obama to the long list of men who take my wonderful advice……
Obama/Biden - VICTORY in ‘08!
DJ // August 24, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Isn’t this the same dude who stated he’d be “honored” to run on the same ticket WITH McSame, called McSame a “good friend,” and urged Kerry to choose McSame in ‘04? Interesting choice…will be fun to hear him explain those things over the next few months. Will he change his tune, or admit his respect for his foe? Hopefully he’ll answer the questions without all the “uhs” and “ums” of his running mate…it seems so insincere.
I think most people don’t even recall 1988…until they’re reminded by ads soon to appear. That’s why you gotta stay squeeky clean in politics. It’ll come back to bite you in the arse. Better situation than if Edwards had gotten the nomination though.