Pleased.

Obama needs an attack dog and Biden will do it.

Remember how he destroyed Rudy with "A noun, a verb and 9/11"? He'll do the same to McCain/Romney with a smile on his face!

Kerry's choice of Edwards in 2004 created much more excitement than this announcement. And look who ended up winning that race.

Im still banking on a huge turnout for Obama in November. A lot of people are upset about the state of our country and will vote on that issue rather than candidate Obama and who he picked as his VP.

Does Biden improve Obama's chances in November?

Not one bit. Change we can believe in? Give me a break.

Unless he had picked Jesus Christ, to win, or Mohammed, to place, nothing he has done will be applauded.

Now that the search for veep is over, maybe we can all help John McCain search for his houses.

Pleased.

Steve, can you bring over the McCain flip-flop list? Biden might find it useful. LOL. This going to fun!

orange

> Unless he had picked Jesus Christ, to win, or
> Mohammed, to place, nothing he has done will be
> applauded.

Well, I still think he should have rolled the dice and picked Hillary Clinton. I agree with Billyjoe that the importance of the VP candidate position is a bit overrated ... the important thing is how good the presidential candidate is. But the short term excitement of a Hillary pick would have been a good thing, and it probably would have boosted turnout in November. IMHO, everything else is irrelevant at this point.

MARCU$

A very good pick, and I'm saying that as someone who isn't even supporting Obama.

Biden is an independent voice, a straight talker, and a man who has a great deal of political courage, often willing to go against his own party, like John McCain.

Another thing I like about him, from the perspective of a McCain supporter, is that it eliminates a couple of talking points that some of Obama's supporters have used against McCain: his lack of academic achievement(Biden also was disappointing academically), and his age(Biden is only 7 years younger).

I said there'll be no excitement about pick, unless it was not someone who we expected. That said, Obama will win this election on his own and not because of Biden or anyone else. He'll also lose for the same reason. VP's are like surrogates they don't win elections necessarily.

I seem to remember reading this in April from an esteemed writer:

"But the negatives are numerous. First and foremost, Biden led the way on that ridiculous bankruptcy bill, and I’ll probably never forgive him for it. Second, he eschews message discipline, and is well known for sticking his foot in his mouth with embarrassing gaffes. Third, I can’t think of a single state or constituency that Biden would help Obama win in a general election that Obama couldn’t win just as easily with someone else."

Can't wait to see how you spin yourself out of those comments, Mr. Benen!

He wasn't high on my list, but he'll do the job. Catholic with pull in Pennsylvania, and he'll stomp all over the Republicans.

POLITICAL HURDLES

NEWSWIRE--Barack Obama has selected U.S. Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware as his intended vice-presidential ticket-mate.

Using track as a guide,
Judge the running mate's stride
As he sprints between north and deep south:

Can he dash down a phrase,
Trot it out where it pays,
Yet avoid running off at the mouth?

www.newsandverse.com
Light verse, ripped from the headlines

Change we can believe in? Give me a break.

Attention concern trolls: I know you think this kind of comment -- "A new kind of politics? Harrumph!" -- is going to make Democrats curl up in a ball and cry, but it really really doesn't work.

It only makes you look like an idiot and makes me donate more money to the Obama campaign.

Biden is a decoy. The realy VP is General Wesley Clark.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/258932

This whole process is set up to be damned if you do, damned if you don't. Obama went insider instead of outsider. At this point, that makes sense.

Is Biden perfect? No. Can someone say the words "President Biden" without being deeply concerned? Yes.

Try that with "President Romney."

I would have preferred a western governor, but Biden doesn't do any harm.

He's a wry speaker, and can bring the snark when he needs to.

It will be fun to watch him ridicule his opponent in the debates.

Now, will John "a noun, a verb, and POW" McCain choose Rudy "a noun, a verb, and 9/11" 9iu11ani?

I think this choice is more about who Obama DIDN'T pick rather than Biden. Bayh would have been awful, Clinton would have driven everyone crazy and have been seen as capitulation, Kaine's record is too short and contains a few suspect decisions.

Despite Biden's occasional bouts of "foot-in-mouth disease", his no-holds-barred attacks against Bush and McCain have been a joy to watch for us liberals that have been starved for reps with a backbone. One can only pray he puts those skills into overdrive from here on out - God knows we need it.

I think it is the best choice he could have made, now that John Edwards political career is over and Hillary Clinton is toxic by virtue of being married to Bubba (it might be a little unseemly to have your VP's husband arrested for statutory rape).

Biden certainly adds considerable heft to Obama's foreign policy shortcomings, but he is a bit old and somewhat tainted (in my opinion) by his association with and fealty to the credit card industry. Particularly when credit card defaults could be the next bomb to go off in the slowly unfolding credit meltdown.

Biden was my favourite from the beginning, so Im pleased. Will picking Biden improve Obama's chances? Who knows, although I think Obama is strong enough to secure the White House on his own. However, Biden takes quite some wind out of the sails of those who argue (how incorrect it may be) that an Obama administration would lack sufficient insight on foreign policy issues.

I couldn't care less about whether this improves Obama's image during the campaign, but I do care about the fact that Obama will have an experienced and wise man on his side during his first term as president. Better to have Biden as your VP, win the presidency in a tight race and just be able to run the country, then picking Hillary Clinton, winning by a landslide and go under because of in-fighting in the administration. Way to go, Barack, way to go.

Very pleased. Smart pick. Obama needs someone to shore up his foreign policy cred. Biden is a good attack dog, and he will also help Obama with blue-collar dems.

The release was a huge mistake. The campaign made a huge deal about the whole texting gimmick, then sent it out at 3 in the morning? That's garbage.

It's not Bayh!

I am thrilled with the selection of Joe Biden as VP. He has intelligence, integrity, and independence. These are all qualities that Barack was looking for in a running mate. I think these men can work together to make a difference in the lives of the American people.

The Doris Kearns Goodwin book "Team of Rivals" about Lincoln comes to mind. It's one of Barack's favorite books.

I am glad it was not Hillary Clinton. I know the PUMA gang will complain no matter what. But they certainly can't say that Hillary has more experienced than Joe Biden.

I am glad it was not Evan Bayh. I never understood the hype for him. I didn't see any chemistry between Barack and Evan. He did not generate any excitement for me.

I think Tim Kaine and Kathleen Sebileus were excellent candidates, but they didn't have the stature and experience that Joe Biden brings to the ticket.

When I got the text message this morning around 3:00 a.m. I was delighted to see Joe Biden as VP.

It's really funny how the media is saying that Barack broke his promise to alert to grassroots first when the media made every effort to beat him to the punch. Go figure.

He's a wry speaker, and can bring the snark when he needs to.

If you've heard him speak before, you may also note that Biden is a lengthy speaker, and because of that, can be a bit boring to listen to. So hopefully, his handlers will crisp up his speeches. We'll see at the convention.

Biden is a decoy. The real VP is General Wesley Clark.

Clark did not make the vetting on more than one problem.

I think Biden is an excellent choice.

I think the timing of the text was one of the first thing the campaign has gotten wrong. They should have sent it out yesterday afternoon when it would have meant something. What were they waiting for?

As far as the pick, he wasn't my first choice I would have preferred someone who reinforced his change message but it could have been worse.

They should have sent it out yesterday afternoon when it would have meant something. What were they waiting for?

I assume they wanted the story about John McCain not being able to remember how many damn houses he owns to stay in the spotlight for a little bit longer.

Got up opened my e-mail and found out Joe Biden was chosen - how nice no news pundit announcing it! Then went to goole news and the first announcement was CBS with Steve Benen's by-line - CONGRATULATIONS!
OBAMA-BIDEN 08

...and his age(Biden is only 7 years younger). -Adam Herman

Only a McCain support would write off nearly 10% a negligible. Maybe Biden won't run in 2016 like Cheney which is really when your argument might matter. (Age is far more than a number.)

As to the announcement. I don't think they handled it well at all. Everyone was excited to be part of the text message/email announcement. Sending it when most of them were sleeping is a slap in the face of that excitement.

Instead of making them feel like a momentous event they were experiencing with hundreds of thousands of people across the country, it made it into a singular, personal experience.

A missed chance here. Hopefully the actual announcement will overshadow the flubbed process, but I can't imagine that a lot of people aren't waking up a little disappointed and it would be a shame to see that disappointment transfer to Biden.

NICE FAKE Biden family...all showing up at the house yesterday...DUH!!! I think Biden is a mixed bag (as, I suppose, any choice would have been)...but feel by his selection Obama has shown that he didn't have the confidence and/or courage to go with Hillary and that may cost him...also the press (on both sides) was able to scare him off BILL...again not showing a strength...we'll see how it goes but I'm betting REPUGS are sighing with relief yet again!

Warmonger. Neoconservative. McCain.
Has a nice ring to it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/20/richard-clarke-quick-draw_n_120188.html

Obama has shown that he didn't have the confidence and/or courage to go with Hillary and that may cost him

Or maybe he just doesn't think picking the First Lady from the 1990s with the former president by her side is the best way to project a sense of change?

No, no -- you're right. This is all about Hillary. And Obama's scared of her. So so scared.

"Another thing I like about him, from the perspective of a McCain supporter, is that it eliminates a couple of talking points that some of Obama's supporters have used against McCain: his lack of academic achievement(Biden also was disappointing academically), and his age(Biden is only 7 years younger)."

Intellectually and vitally there is a world of difference between McCain and Biden. McCain is 71, but he looks as though he's much older with one foot in the grave. Biden, on the other hand, is active and vital. McCain has never seemed all that bright. He has a;ways had an itellectual dullness about him. Biden, whether you agree with him on everything or not, is sharp and thoughtfull.

"A noun, a verb and 9/11." He turned Rudy into a national joke easily and effortlessly without seeming sleazy or negative.

There may have been more excitement when Kerry picked Edwards, but John Edwards laid down and played dead waiting for his own chance again in 2008. He was a huge disappointment. Biden won't do that.

I assume they wanted the story about John McCain not being able to remember how many damn houses he owns to stay in the spotlight for a little bit longer. -TR

I agree that's what they wanted, but realistically, what was the news cycle dominated by yesterday? It was this story already, just without a name.

I think it might have been 'cooler' is Barack did it this afternoon in Springfield:

All of the phones in the audience start to buzz and ring and everyone pulls out their phones. Instead of the wordy press release we got, it's just:

its biden ttl

And then Biden walks on stage and says, "Barack, I just got your message!

Perhaps a little dramatic, but who doesn't love drama? Oh well, anything beats getting the message at 3:30 AM and not hearing it, and then being spoiled by the radio instead.

THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, Obama didn't pick Hillary!!! She ran a dirty, dishonest campaign based on race-baiting and fear-mongering.

Biden is smart, charismatic, and witty. He'll be a valuable asset to Obama in the White House.

Can't wait to see Obama wipe the floor with clueless John McCain in the debates. McCain will get his head handed to him.

...but feel by his selection Obama has shown that he didn't have the confidence and/or courage to go with Hillary and that may cost him... -Dancer

I respectfully disagree. Choosing Hillary would have been a sign of weakness; it would have been an admission he cannot deliver his whole party without her.

This may or may not be the case, but if so, it's not something I want to highlight about the nominee.

That would've been nice, doubtful, but no way they could've pulled it off. The press has been camped out on Biden's lawn for days, and they would've caught wind of his movements.

Also, there's no guarantee that the spontaneous reaction of that crowd to a live, on-camera Biden text message would've been a quick shout of joy. Everyone likely had their own favorite and would've paused, disappointed, for a second there. Not a good visual.

Despite Biden's occasional bouts of "foot-in-mouth disease", his no-holds-barred attacks against Bush and McCain have been a joy to watch for us liberals that have been starved for reps with a backbone. One can only pray he puts those skills into overdrive from here on out - God knows we need it.

Word.

Biden's a schmuck and a water carrier for financial institutions. His presence on the ticket drains away lots of my enthusiasm for Obama. Basically, Obama went from being a positive enthusiasm to "better than the alternative". Thanks, Barack.

Aside from how a VP nominee effects other aspects of the campaign, I wonder whether Hon. Sen. Biden's selection might make Hon. Sen. McCain think twice about giving Gov. Romney the nod. Can you seen them together in the debate? I think that Senator McCain had few good options for VP, and a Dem Choice which is least amenable to Mr. Romney as VP can only be a good thing.

At the beginning of last year's election cycle, I wasn't pleased with Biden running, but I grew to have a lot of respect for him during the debates. Plus, because he's an attack dog, he's going to be an effective surrogate, which the Obama campaign needs. (A noun, a verb and POW -- I can hear it now.) Plus, his son is headed to Iraq.

And wouldn't you love a Biden-Romney debate? Biden would have him for lunch. Hell, Biden will have ANY of them for lunch, no matter who McCain picks.

I could have lived with Hillary Clinton as VP, but I'm glad it's not her. Her sense of entitlement about this whole race and her dishonest campaign turned me off long ago. The Clinton die-hards will be angry, but it will be their fault (and the Clintons') if Obama is not elected. The Dems need to unify.

As far as the timing of the text message: The media attention had gotten too silly, and the campaign had little choice. This "camping out at houses" by the media had reached paparazzi levels.

Meanwhile, I'll be happy to donate more, make phone calls and put an Obama-Biden sign in my yard.

I am THRILLED with the pick, I've been begging it for it, AND I knew the text was coming at 3 AM! lol

And to all the Hillary supporter -

This is about America - not you. This is us(the American people) versus them (the corporations and lobbyists). (Not to mention she burned ALL the bridges, every single one.)

Senator Obama has a better battleplan, and he DESERVED the victory.

P.S. Change does not equal "young" or "new" last time I checked. In the context of this campaign, it means an improvement to something BETTER - Joe Biden is a BIG CHANGE from Dick Cheney. HUGE CHANGE.

Attention concern trolls: I know you think this kind of comment -- "A new kind of politics? Harrumph!" -- is going to make Democrats curl up in a ball and cry, but it really really doesn't work.

Agreed. Go clutch your pearls somewhere else. We're not buying.

Just to add my 2 cents here...

I agree that picking HRC would have been a sign of weakness. It was clear that they don't like each other, that she at least does not respect him whatsoever, and that there's no chemistry whatsoever. As for the PUMA's, I'm not sure they're real Democrats? What true Democrat would support the regressive and vile McCain platform over a personality split?

RE: Biden
For the most part, I don't believe VPs deliver states historically. They serve one purpose in the campaign: attack dog. Biden can do that and do it well. We all hoped that Edward's experience as a trial lawyer would serve him well in the debates and it didn't. Biden will not back down.

Once elected, the VP can be as important or as unimportant as the Prez wants him to be. I think Obama will make good use of him.

Steve - bring back the alternating shading for the comments! They make it much easier to read. Thnx.

Just to add my 2 cents here...

I agree that picking HRC would have been a sign of weakness. It was clear that they don't like each other, that she at least does not respect him whatsoever, and that there's no chemistry whatsoever. As for the PUMA's, I'm not sure they're real Democrats? What true Democrat would support the regressive and vile McCain platform over a personality split?

RE: Biden
For the most part, I don't believe VPs deliver states historically. They serve one purpose in the campaign: attack dog. Biden can do that and do it well. We all hoped that Edward's experience as a trial lawyer would serve him well in the debates and it didn't. Biden will not back down.

Once elected, the VP can be as important or as unimportant as the Prez wants him to be. I think Obama will make good use of him.

Steve - bring back the alternating shading for the comments! They make it much easier to read. Thnx.

Another good thing about Joe Biden - he knows where all of John McCain's skeletons are buried - and there are many.

He is a walking treasure trove of oppo research.

The only things that could have saved Barry's bacon at this point is Fitz or Ralph Nader.
Barry is toast - with ham on

The only things that could have saved Barry's bacon at this point is Fitz or Ralph Nader.

Christ, that's the funniest thing I've read in a long, long time.

Put down the bong, buddy.

A very good, solid, sensible choice.

Biden could be Pres.

Biden brings a lot to the table. He is the guy who came up with "noun, verb, 9/11". Very clever.

I applaud the choice, and look forward to Joe Biden in the Naval Observatory.

I've supported Obama from the beginning, but I've become so disillusioned with him and his campaign over the past several months. He just hasn't turned out to be the post-partisan, progressive champion I had hoped for--waffling on the Iraq War pullout, calling to expand the use of the death penalty, chastising the black community and undocumented Hispanics, voting for the wiretap immunity bill, etc. I had naively hoped for someone like Reagan who could sweep Democrats, Independents, and a few Republicans up in a focused, compelling, and grand vision around a coherent theme, but have instead been repeatedly disappointed by Obama's capitulations.

Now selecting Biden as VP is just the lastest uninspired, politics-as-usual failure. Were "postpartisan" leaders like Michael Bloomberg and Brian Schweitzer really unavailable? Or did Obama just take the boring path of least resistance yet again? What a typical Democrat. Ugh.

Obama-bin-Biden.

The Republicans and 12% of Americans who still think Barack is a Muslim will love it.

Its the stupid economy. Obama has been off message since he decided to go to Europe. The Obama economic message is not connecting wtih voters in places like Ohio where Dems should be beating the crap out of McCain who is in negative territory on the economy.

Obama needs to refocus his message on the economy and stop talking about foreign policy. Does Biden help? Biden is an unknown on the economy in the Midwest.

It's the stupid economy.

Anybody think the 3:00 a.m. timing was deliberate? "I can make a great decision at 3 a.m.!" Nice touch.

Maybe Biden won't run in 2016 like Cheney which is really when your argument might matter. (Age is far more than a number.)

I think we can assume that's part of the deal. Obama is not dumb enough to bring on board a Joe Biden who's in personal presidential campaigning mode. I expect this has been thrashed out pretty extensively.

Absolutely right, bakho. Even with Biden, the Democrats can't win debates on foreign affairs. Kerry proved that in 2004. Obama seems to have played right into Republican territory. Change and the Economy were the two strongest brands for Obama, and Biden helps neither of these themes.

Basically, Obama went from being a positive enthusiasm to "better than the alternative". Thanks, Barack.

I know what you mean, but maybe you could give them a chance, wait a week or so to see how they move their campaign forward, before you deflate?

not very exciting -- washington blow-hard, independents will hear 'blah blah blah'.

in the end it should have been hillary, even if that meant too many cooks in the kitchen

To TR and Ben

Have either of you two clowns ever listened to Biden? He has been an egotistical gaffe machine for over 30 years. Among my friends in DC, who are all lifelong dems, he is a complete fucking joke.

The candidate for "change we can believe in" goes for the status quo, politics-as-usual, ultimate insider, and makes even strong Obama supporters wince, and all you two have to say is: "concern troll?" Effu.

This guy's mouth will be come John McCain's best weapon against us.

Joe Biden is the biggest blow hard in Washington. He doesn't know when to shut the fuck up. He's also got four decades of votes in he Senate by which they can create policy wedges with Obama. HIs hair plugs are the worst. A truly horrible pick. While I'm at it, Delaware sucks too.

Biden is a joke.

First thing Monday morning I'm re-registering as an Independent. The Democrats have failed me for the last time. Neither political party inspires or represents me.

Good morning Mr. CB. Quite a rastulus crowd here and the suns not even up yet. Dang.

A quick grab from TP:

Biden has called the Bush administration “the worst administration in American foreign policy in modern history, maybe ever. … Every single thing they’ve touched has been a near disaster.” And in an interview last year, he suggested that “we should be acquiring and accumulating” information “for possibly bringing criminal charges against members of this administration at a later date.”
______________________________

There aren't any Dems with halos. I was, and still am, very pissed with Biden for his bankruptcy B.S. But he's got a quick wit and a good smart alecky style that I think will compliment Barack's polite delivery.

It is what it is. And it's better than whatever McBush is going to come up with. The last week has been much more fun to watch and if Obama/Biden can keep hammering away McBush will start to flounder.

Can't wait.

Blank: "...First thing Monday morning I'm re-registering as an Independent. The Democrats have failed me for the last time. Neither political party inspires or represents me."

Have a ball. The alternative candidates and parties have never been able to get any traction, even after *years* of trying in some instances. How inspirational is that? The Greens in my community show a dang movie once a year and think that's really firing up the revolution. But you pick up your marbles and go sulk in a corner.

Joe Biden is the biggest blow hard in Washington. He doesn't know when to shut the fuck up.

The biggest among elected officials, you mean.

Given the current administration's recent attempts to re-start the Cold War, a good choice.

More later, but the timing was necessary, since it had finally leaked -- but think about a campaign that could keep a secret that long. And while a lot of us are on the East Coast, it was midnight on the West Coast -- not that late.

I still would have liked Sebelius, but Biden was my second choice by the time it reached the speculating stage, and he's a good one. Hillary was unthinkable, as was Bayh -- both would have kept my vote, but lost much of my support.

(I don't like the 'run for both offices' strategy -- didn't like it when LBJ did it first -- and hope that changes.)

More later, but

'Go get 'em, Delaware tiger!'

(oh, and btw, wonder if Biden had a relative who was a POW in WWII. That would be the strawberries and kiwis in the cake icing.)

Yes, yes, yes.

Personally, I'm not thrilled with Biden, but I can live with the choice. On the other hand, I've had a few conversations with FDR/Blue Collar Democrats in the Pittsburgh area that really don't like Obama, but have expressed support for Biden. This may help Obama with the bitter folks.

I'm impressed at the way people in the media like him. I suspect that may be the best thing he has going for him.

Well, they will do - I think that Biden, once detached from the pressure of local financial interests in DE, can get with a more populist program - and he does vote "liberalish" in other ways most of the time.

Go BO-Joe!

The biggest among elected officials, you mean.
Posted by: shortstop on August 23, 2008 at 9:40 AM | PERMALINK

Coffee spew alert!

First thing Monday morning I'm re-registering as an Independent.

Fine. Obama accepts independent votes too.

Putin elected McCain weeks ago. Obama desperately dispatched Biden and then put him on the ticket in a futile effort to get the horse back in the barn. It's over.

Remind me again--in which state do you need to register your party affiliation for the general election? Oh, yeah, the state of childish pissiness.

Relieved its not Bayh.
A little sorry it's not Richardson (or Dodd, maybe).
Okay with Biden.

I like Biden.

I like Obama.

The Democratic Party has a strong, winning ticket.

McCain's choice of a running mate is now irrelevant. Jesus Christ could come back in the Second Coming and be McCain's running mate, but I'd still vote for Obama/Biden '08. McCain, if elected president, and his no doubt Republican-hack appointees, would just continue the same corrupt and criminal policies of the corrupt and criminal Bush/Cheney administration. I'm not interested. Our nation deserves better. Our nation's children deserve better. The world deserves better.

Obama/Biden '08 !!!!!

Only after they win can the clean-up of the Bush/Cheney befouled White House commence in 2009. So, call in the Democratic Party's cleaning crew...Obama/Biden '08 !!!!!

Overjoyed! I've been hoping for Biden. He may be a bit of a loose cannon, but there is nobody better at using humor in the attack dog role. That hammers the attack home without making it look vicious.

Perfect.