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The choice of Joe Biden: Barack Obama's #1, but what about progressives?

Submitted by Chad on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 1:00pm.

Be-Elected

BE-ELECTED
by Chad Rubel

Which Joe Biden are we getting for the next few months?

Are we getting the sometimes long-winded Biden? Are we getting the long-time Senate resident? Or are we getting the Joe Biden since January 2008?

Barack Obama thinks he's getting the Joe Biden since January 2008. After all, Obama was there for two of Biden's shining moments during his brief presidential run.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Rudy Giuliani: noun, verb, 9/11

Biden's pithy retort "Yes"

But perhaps, Obama also thinks he's getting someone with a considerable background in the Senate and American politics. Biden is one of four Democrats currently in the Senate who has served in the upper body more than 50% of his life (Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd, and Daniel Inouye are the others).

The two obvious questions about Joe Biden are 1) whether he's too old, and 2) whether he can be disciplined.

Biden is 65, but to be fair, doesn't look it. But in a superficial era, it will look a little strange to see the chronological contrast between the two. Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen didn't present a good look; Bill Clinton and Al Gore presented a great look (and Gore had a lot of qualifications to that point).

So it wasn't shocking when people such as Bill Richardson and Russ Feingold were seen as being having a strong background in a more presentable package.

Biden's age interestingly gives Hillary Clinton hope for a further presidential run, ideally in 2016. If Obama had gone with someone younger, that person would be seen as the next generation beyond Obama. Biden would be 73 in 2016, and Clinton would be 68, giving her as good a shot as anyone at that time.

As for the discipline issue, Biden will get the benefit of the doubt from the last few months. While long-time political followers remember Biden in years past, the average voter will have a 12-month view of the man, and if Biden stays on track through November, that question will be positively answered.

That being said, Biden offers a lot of positives. Biden appeals to the blue-collar audience -- watching him in Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio and Michigan will be beautiful. Biden understands domestic policy and foreign policy. The pundits want the focus to be on foreign policy, and Biden will have to point out inequities here on American soil.

Being the second poorest Senator is an unexpected asset, but given McCain's multiple houses and cluelessness about people's economic suffering (which will be even worse if McCain picks Romney).

Biden can also be the bulldog Obama has needed for some time. His background and experience is respected, even by the MSM.

And I know Biden will make a great vice president. You want smart people in the top of leadership, and the VP slot is a great place to put someone who is smart.

So does Biden pass the progressive test? No offense to Sen. Evan Bayh and Gov. Tim Kaine, but anyone will look better compared to them. Some will look at certain votes by Biden and not approve. Delaware (along with South Dakota) is home to a lot of credit card companies since those states shifted their laws to make them more friendly to the product category.

Obama had a fork in the road: go for experience or change. There were plenty of solid candidates in either category. Richardson, Feingold, and Barbara Boxer offered both, and that made them very attractive.

There were, and still are, some progressives who wanted a different vision of the vice president, especially after the catastrophe of Dick Cheney's reign. And the Obama of June might have considered someone such as Caroline Kennedy, something no other Democratic presidential contender could have gotten away with doing.

But the Obama of August looked at the fork in the road, looked in the mirror, and went for experience.

Joe Biden might not have anyone's first choice, other than Barack Obama, of course. But in ranking the possibilities, he settles in the top 5 or 10 picks to a number of core audiences, and that should be enough.

It is a bitter pill to swallow

Submitted by kivals on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 8:37am.

It is a bitter pill to swallow for progressives, given that Biden is an obvious corporatist and Obama is showing more of his true corporatist stripes every day. But I think most progressives understand that we have very little democracy left in this country, as the corporate powers in control have learned over time how to game the system. Progressives can only have an effect at the margins, but that may be critical in this election. Though Obama and Biden are corporatists, they are somewhat fair-minded, rational, and sensible corporatists who are not averse to giving the common person a reasonable chance at a decent life. McCain is a Bush/Cheney corporatist who not only is determined to enrich the economic elites at the expense of the common people, but is set on dominating other nations, possibly even using nuclear weapons and risking World War III in the process. Progressives must be patient and cannot expect any significant change unless and until a triggering event occurs, such as another great depression. For now political change is just a dream. I was reminded of that over the weekend when I saw a story condemning the Chinese removal of Tibet protestors during the Olympics, which was followed by a story where a judge upheld Denver's planned policy of seggregating protestors so they won't bother the delegates. What is the difference? I am sure in China you can protest where no one can see you. What is the point?

Obama needed a Dick, above all else..

Submitted by hazmaq on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 9:41pm.

The one unanimous trait everyone seems to admire and rally around -above all else - is courage. To stand bold and strong for what you believe in.
Ron Paul, Russ Feingold all earned the respect of all parties just for that reason alone -standing up to those of their own party because it was the right thing to do.

Obama had that quality - but not quite. And lost some of what he had after becoming the nominee.

I consider myself a die hard activist who never would have gone the distance with Obama - after putting everything I had behind him up until now - had he nominated more lightweights like Bayh or a purely political appointment like giving it up to Clinton just to appease the DLC and hardline crowd.

I want, as my #1 issue for the future sake of this country, the world and my children - a complete re-mastery and remaking of our foreign policy.

Biden couldn't be a better choice -bulldog, guts, independent and the sidekick to Obama to kick Congress's ass back into shape.

Dump Harry and Hoyer and put in their places Wexler and Feingold.
Give Hagel the Sec Def. job, Richard Clark the CIA and we'll have an A-team at the helm of this country for the first time -in my lifetime.

Obama's strategic mastery proves he's dead right on for his job, the leader of the Free World.

Joe and Barack - I'm really proud of this ticket. So should all of you.

Nationalism is not terrorism. And an adversary is not an enemy.

Biden is angry with

Submitted by Atmost11 on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 10:05am.

Biden is angry with Republicans, I have seen him on CSPAN, and he is cordial but he has a personality, he is capable of confronting them. I understand now, It could be that just having someone from a state on the ticket doesnt necessarily deliver the state - because who needs Delaware - (I mean, I am sure its a pretty state)?? Obama may have picked Biden based on his personality, because Biden isnt a milquetoast and he will bite these Republican Authoritarians on the other cheek - in a way thats classy and cordial like Obama would do it. What did you expect, Kucinich????

no

Submitted by tinker_toy on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 5:43pm.

of course not, we didn't expect Kucinich.

We expected exactly what we got, another corporate mobster Democrat just like Biden, who voted for the war and the bankruptcy bill, among other atrocities. A Bush enabler like Obama, who sounds beautiful but when it's time to act he'll follow the Republican line.

Democrat voters are so naive.

I Told Ya So!!

Submitted by MERCMAN on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 9:05am.

I honestly wish I were retarded enough to believe that any of this matters....The real burden in life is knowing the real truth...which by the way is just as much bad as it is good...hence the label "truth". I see the "amerikan sheeple" getting whatever they feel like ramming down our throats...

Obama stiffs progressives

Submitted by ethanallen on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 6:46am.

As Bill Clinton had his Sister Souljah moment so too has Sen. Obama had his progressive moment. What are progressives to do? Vote Republican? Taken for granted and ignored. Wimpy campaign to follow.

Doesn't Matter Who's The Democratic Nominee For Vice-President

Submitted by crackerjack on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 2:09am.

"What matters?" "Whether or not our next President and Congress dismantle Empire-USA plus turning things around here at home." "If they don't?" "The abyss." "And if they do?" "Hallelujah, amen."

Progressives!

Submitted by ardie on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 11:14pm.

I hope you realize that for most Americans a progressive is almost a communist. This is how bad things are today. It was not always like this. When I was a young Republican in the 60s, by today's standards I was a progressive!

It wasn't until the social conservatives and the holy-rollers started taking over the Republican Party that Teddy Roosevelt's progressivism became an anathema. (Let's go into the time machine and note some of the progressive things TR did. He called for women's suffrage. He demanded minimum wage legislation, factory and mine inspection standards, workmen's compensation laws, social security insurance, business regulation, help for farmers, and conservation of natural resources, etc.)

Well, we don't live in that golden age anymore. The nation has gone from the rational to the irrational. It has become incredibly stupid and hostile. In light of this, our first duty is to elect a Democrat. This is the thin end of the wedge into Washington where we might be able to change the course of the ship state by only a few degrees--but at least we won't sink the ship on the rocks.

On the other hand, if we elect John McCain, this nation is going down the tubes. And maybe this is what we deserve. But I don't think so. Although I supported Dr. Ron Paul, I will support Obama/Biden (I have sent Obama plenty of bucks). But more importantly, it is really who we put in Congress that matters. A President can only do so much. So roll up your sleeves and do what your can - we have an ideological war to fight and to win. Our future depends on you.

So then....

Submitted by vtjozef on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 9:13am.

If the nation has gone from "rational to irrational" you want to continue voting for the irrational (whether Democrat or Republican)? Obama = McCain = irrational. Time to make a break and if it is not completed in our lifetime then perhaps it will be a small start. But that small start CANNOT happen if you keep voting and doing the same thing over and over and over again. If the nation is incredibly stupid and hostile you don't go along with it and reinforce it. You buck it. How the hell is voting for Obama part of the "ideological fight"? Look here. Major and difficult changes are coming. Look around. The coming collapse of the credit card industry is next in line and with that goes pensions and SSI. The ruling elite are gearing up for WW III as that which gets the factories really going manufacturing that which we export best: war. Obama and McCain are both of that corporate mindset that Eisenhower warned against. If you're pulling the lever for Obama makes you think it will stop this then by all means, vote Obama. I'm of the opinion that doing so makes makes one complicit in the bigger human disaster just around the corner. And that is why I am voting for Ralph Nader. That is why I am voting against the military industrial complex and all it stands for. I am under no illusions about Nader. He is no savior. He is flawed. He has erred. But looking at all the candidates and their platforms and their plans, I see Nader as best choice for my vote. He may not win but winning is not the point, voting for an alternative is. As for "it is really who we put in Congress that matters", ahuh, Nancy Pelosi showed us how much it matters, NOT! Run Ralph. Run!

Obama = McCain???? I

Submitted by Atmost11 on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 10:16am.

Obama = McCain???? I remember when Nader told Americans, while knowing that it was not true, that Gore = Bush, not a dimes difference - that was not true at all. I said, what about PNAC, what about Ralph Reed, what about the creepy Bush family??? You know that McCain is tied to PNAC and Obama is opposed to PNAC, Project for a New American Century, the document, where back in 1996, Bush and McCains associates - not Obamas associates - stated exactly what they intended to do should they succeed in worming their way into power - in terms of having pre-emptive wars.

Have you read Obama's policy documents?

Submitted by Mike5000 on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 2:28pm.

Obama is worse than McCain on several issues. Both have promised to continue the war crimes against the Iraqi people for at least five more years but Obama has promised also to increase war profiteering well beyond even Cheney's level. Obama promised to use the additional weapons to increase the war crimes against the Afghan people.

Obama is so opposed to single-payer health-care that he has promised to make our awful corporate health-care compulsory. He has kept every promise he made to Wall Street while breaking every promise he made to working Americans - including his promise to oppose immunity for telco criminals. Coincidentally, Obama takes much more in bribes from Verizon than any other senator.

Democrats or Republicans? They make different promises but they have both worked hard to push through hundreds of billions in war profiteering, to shred large chunks of the Constitution, and to protect themselves and their co-conspirators from indictment and prosecution. The only difference is that the Democrats say they're doing the opposite but a review of their voting records quickly reveals the truth.

The CEO class has raped America - emptying the treasury, closing factories, and destroying jobs. Why vote for one of the candidates they control? It will only enable them to continue raping America.

Bottom line: No sane honest informed American will vote for McSame or O'Same. If you're planning to vote for one of them, better study harder or see a shrink. There are excellent candidates available in Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, or maybe even Ron Paul.

Do the right thing. Your children and grandchildren are counting on you.

Nader WAS right

Submitted by tinker_toy on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 1:05pm.

you're naive to think that a Gore presidency with Lieberman as VP would've been any different. And Obama might say wonderful things opposing McCain now but with Democrats, watch what they do not what they say.

It's not a dime's difference, it's a penny's difference. Look at this Democratic congress, don't be fool again.

Sure they are.

Submitted by vtjozef on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 1:11pm.

I'm sure you know what Nader knew was true. You and Ralph have been keeping company, have you? Yes. It WAS true It still IS true. Democrats have enabled Republicans at least ever since the Bush crime family came into power. They have confirmed PNAC's inspired plans and criminals like Roberto Gonzalez and Mukasey. Obama has voted FOR funding the illegal war in Iraq. The Democrats are every bit as "creepy" as the Republicans. The Clintons as creepy as the Bush's. Obama says he wants troops in Pakistan. Does that sound like "Change you can count on"? If you think you won't have pre-emptive or "preventive" wars with Obama as president then naivete has surely taken hold. You think Obama will buck the corporate elite structure that allowed him to become another "acceptable" establishment presidential candidate? Sure he will. How do you think Obama got his Democratic Party imprimatur in the first place? By accepting the dominant paradigms of the rich ruling elite. That's how.

A heartbeat away

Submitted by NoMore on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 10:20pm.

Biden is much more of a "not as bad as the Republicans" type of Democrat. That is to say, he is still significantly to the right of the median US citizen on many issues. While Biden is not a bad choice politically, and may be a necessary compromise, we must fear the assassins, presuming the election is not rigged too badly.

perfect choice

Submitted by tinker_toy on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 10:19pm.

Biden's the perfect pick for Obama, he lies like Obama, he enables Bush like Obama.

Biden's favorite lie is that Democrats don't have 67 votes to stop Bush. He wants us to forget that Democrats could've stopped every and each one of Bush's crimes/nominations in the last 7 years by filibustering them. That would've taken only 40 senators. Democrats never meant to oppose Bush, the bitter truth.

Biden is a perfect Democrat, a plagiarist, voted for the war and for the bankruptcy bill, written for and by the credit card companies.

The best part of all this was the 3 a.m. text message, a jab at Hillary. That must've made the 18 million who voted for her very happy. Smart move, preacher.

Obama made the right choice in Biden.

Submitted by ElleninBigD on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 7:49pm.

Biden has always been a scrapper. Granted he's made some faux paus, but he knows where his kitchen table is. No one can beat him on foreign policy (supposedly Obama's weak point). He has a very poignant personal story that he doesn't exploit for political reasons. Other than the "plaigarism" scandal in 1988, what other scandals are associated with his name? I can't think of any and I've been around a loooong time. He's been married to the same woman for 30 years. He takes the train home to Delaware every night. This man is genuine. And I cannot think of a better running mate for another man who is truly genuine. LET'S KICK SOME GOPhER'S ASS!!!

experience or change

Submitted by banjobailey on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 5:36pm.

"Obama had a fork in the road: go for experience or change." I would argue he went for both: experience AND change. He recognizes that he will not be able to change much if he doesn't have experienced people around him who know every lever of power there is in Washington. Joe Biden does. Progressive purists who are offended and find themselves no longer able to support Obama because he has tacked to the center and selected a Veep, who through 35 years, has voted against some Progressive goals, would do well to remember that Progressives are a minority in the country. You are not going to get all your dreams and goals spoken to by any viable candidate. You'll be doing well if you can get several Progressive goals addressed and enacted. So, to those who are weary in sad defeat of your hopes and dreams, I say: knock it off. Get back up on that horse you helped nominate and bite the bullet of political reality and ride with all the rest of us to victory. The nation is facing great peril. This is not a joke or a t.v. program masquerading as news. This is deadly real and we cannot afford the luxury of deserting the candidate we helped nominate. But, if you should choose to go ahead and withdraw your support and leave the rest of us to do the job of saving this nation, then do us the favor of being quiet about it so we don't have to listen to you becoming irrelevant.

Unlce Joe

Submitted by vtjozef on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 1:49pm.

Well, there you have it. Obama picks Uncle Joe Biden, the guy who voted with the Republicans and did the heavy hitting to get the so-called Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 passed. It is anything but that. Arianna Huffington wrote in March 2005 Salon.com that this law is "so hostile to ordinary American families that it could only have come about in a place as corrupt, cynical and unmoored from reality as Washington, D.C....The bankruptcy bill is morally bankrupt. And so is any senator who votes for it." Touche Joe. _ Joe Biden, from Delaware where usury is legal, will bring more corporate connected experience to the Obama team. The abusive credit card companies are thrilled, however. Biden has also said that he was opposed to Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and the de-democratization of Latin America. What Biden means is that he is opposed to the ever-growing people's movement all across (South and Central) America to undo neo-liberalism and its failed policies. Obama and Biden a great team for empire expansion. No thank you. Run Ralph. Run!

A GREAT CHOICE.... i know.... BUT HE IS

Submitted by codypup on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 1:47pm.

the CHANGE voter of today WANTS HIS CHANGE AND WANTS IT NOW... but the first trick is to WIN.... and BIDEN brings in a HUGE FAMILY OF VOTERS the second issue is compromise... PLATATUDES are wonderful but CHANGE TAKES COMPROMISE...yes it does! the thrid... age wisdom experience inside-track.... ANOTHER NEED we would hope to skirt CHANGE TAKES WORK and REQUIRES COOPERATION if it not to be a complete violent revolution BIDEN is attractive to people looking for some FOREIGN AFFAIRS background AND HE ONLY OWNS ONE HOME...

Biden as "pit-bull" leaves lots to be desired

Submitted by Ken duerksen on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 1:33pm.

This morning I saw Biden talk about the Neocons in charge of the government as "not crazy" and being "smart people". Quit it! The "toughest" Democrat we've supposedly got turns out to be a sissy as well. We need party leaders who will call out the Republicans as criminals and zealots who are bent on canibalizing our country. Biden's big mouth is supposed to have been his strength as VP - well he'd better start dishing out some smack.

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