I remember that weird grimace from more recent Congressional hearings on things like the missing millions in cash that disappeared in Iraq and the shenanigans in the Justice Dept.

I interpreted Biden's simian tooth-baring and biting off of words as barely restrained homicidal rage.  Because I felt much the same way myself, it actually gave me a favorable impression of the man, and I only wish that more of his peers had shared our attitude.  If he's meant to appeal to the Seriously Pissed Off demographic, then it's a good choice.

...But wasn't he the guy caught on camera praising Obama with adjectives like "clean"?

While in general I agree with everyone's assessment of Biden, he does hold the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee,* and is known for his knowledge of foreign affairs. Granted, this won't hold any sway with Joe Six-Pack, but it does provide a bit of meat for the Obama ticket.

*As a Hoosier, I have to point out that Lugar is a badass. And I'm a pinko liberal commie.

choad wrote:

George Orr wrote:

I remember that weird grimace from more recent Congressional hearings on things like the missing millions in cash that disappeared in Iraq and the shenanigans in the Justice Dept.

What I recall is during Biden's first run at the presidency his willful theft of some English Labour leader's stump rhetoric, then his reluctance to confess when caught red handed.

And Delaware, for fuck's sake? Brings less than nothing to the ticket, unless corruption counts. Renew your passports, folks. Remember Spiro T's contractor shakedowns from the whitehouse? Oh sure, we've got cousin Sheldon to watch him. Fuckall, it's too early for this shit.

That thing was blown way out of proportion.  He'd been quoting the guy over and over with attribution, it's on tape.  He forgot it once or twice in his speech, and suddenly it's Biden the Plagiarist all over the media.

And obviously he wasn't brought on to get Delaware.  He was brought onto the ticket because he has oodles of Foreign Policy experience and he has a compelling biography that fits in with Chris Matthew's "regular people".

Last edited by tojo2000 (2008-08-24 17:30:49)

karenw wrote:

While in general I agree with everyone's assessment of Biden, he does hold the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee,* and is known for his knowledge of foreign affairs. Granted, this won't hold any sway with Joe Six-Pack, but it does provide a bit of meat for the Obama ticket.

*As a Hoosier, I have to point out that Lugar is a badass. And I'm a pinko liberal commie.

Amen to that analysis of Lugar.  I haven't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since Bush I chose that tool Dan Quayle for veep in '88.  Having lived in Indiana for the previous 4 years, I knew Quayle was a fuckin' moron, not even a third the man Lugar was (and continues to be), and the powers-that-be seemed to want to remove him from a senatorial position obviously beyond his capability.

One sesquiquadrillionth of a gazillion.

So what exactly does the 5th longest serving senator bring to the party of "change"?

MSG Tripps wrote:

GooberMcNutly wrote:

So what exactly does the 5th longest serving senator bring to the party of "change"?

Johnson/Kennedy?

That's one hell of an interesting point.  Might wanna remember, though, that that was a really tight election; the Nixon camp claimed for years that Kennedy stole it.

I envision commercials showing Biden praising McCain (lots of that on tape) and tearing down Obama as not qualified (lots of that on tape). These will show up en masse about a month before the election. Call it, "Swift Boat 2008".

I really don't get the pick. The Obama folks pretty much admit what Biden and Hilliary said all along (he's not ready for office). Is that worth taking away from their whole "change" agenda by picking a 35 year Washington guy?

I guess I'm frustrated that Bayh was passed over, yet again. Here's a Dem that tons of right-leaning folk (like myself) voted for every time he's been in office. All you have to do is watch the guy once and you're sold that he's one of the only honest guys in Washington.  He was a badass Governor, turning a state in huge debt around, giving us a massive surplus and cutting our license plates in half (we are taxed heavily on our plates, or were I should say). He's very much a REAL bipartisan guy, not just someone who claims to be. He's liked by folks on both sides of the aisle.... If you wanted someone on the ticket to go with the whole "change" and bipartisan plan, then Bayh was the guy on the short list most qualified.

I know, I know. I get it. He's not the pit-bull Biden is, but I think he could have helped Obama win it without reverting to everything Obama promised he wouldn't do. At least when I was making fun of Obama before, I could say to myself, "well, he might be full of crap but at least he's walking the walk".... After the Biden pick, I don't feel that way.

Ahh, well. I can tell you he's lost my vote!

Honestly, I think Obama made a huge mistake. Biden wouldn't have even been one of my top 4 choices. Even Hillary would have been a better plan than this (although I would fear multiple assassinations and the antichrist, aka Pelosi, being at the helm!!! AIIIIIEEEE!).

I can tell you this, Obama would have gotten Indiana, for sure, had he picked Bayh. Not a lot of electoral votes but take away 12 that ALWAYS go for the right and add them to the left and that can make the difference.

Oh, and I, too, must profess my undieing love for Lugar. Got to meet the guy a few times and he's just a good guy. I'm proud our state can produce 2 Senators that are as squeaky-clean as anyone in congress, from BOTH sides of the aisle. Not many states offer class acts like Lugar and Bayh, and a vast majority of folks in the Hoosier state like BOTH. That's what we call "common sense", here. Where you don't just suck at one party's nipple but consider the politician as a person, instead.

I bet many of you wouldn't have believed I had voted two times for a dem for governor and twice for a dem senator, huh? (well, the guy is a fiscal conservative, lol)

ptah13 wrote:

I guess I'm frustrated that Bayh was passed over, yet again.

Oh, come on. Are you nostalgic for the days of daddy Birch? Evan is a milquetoast. He was better than Mitch, sure, but I don't think he's worthy of canonization.

You want to talk about Hoosier stars on Capital Hill? Other than Lugar, who I feted earlier (betcha didn't think a pinko would vote for a Republican senator, didja?), shine your spotlight over on Mr. Roemer, member of the 9/11 Commission, a pit bull who doesn't leave you feeling chewed on, and a helluva good guy.