This collection of quotes from some of the major political pundits just arrived in my email inbox, I think it’s worth sharing (especially the Chuck Todd quote, he’s a favorite around here):
TIME (Joe Klein): “Biden has the stature and knowledge — and the blue-collar, no bull pugnacity — to call McCain on his imprudent militarism.
The Hill (Bob Franken): “In all seriousness, Biden is a formidable choice. Not only does he have a depth of knowledge about the law, social issues and international relations — after decades of Senate leadership in all those areas, he is a truly nice guy, with a real, common touch.
MSNBC (Joe Scarborough): “Joe Biden, again, the consensus seems to be this morning, Joe Biden, a great pick for Barack Obama.”
NBC (Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro): “The candidate many Republicans least wanted to see Obama pick was Biden”
The Hill (Brent Budowski): “In his first truly presidential decision, Barack Obama acted like a president and chose a presidential-caliber candidate for vice president. I recently wrote that this choice would speak volumes about the kind of president he would be, that if he choose one of the heavyweight contenders, such as Sam Nunn or Joe Biden, over the less-qualified candidates it would be an enormously positive sign. Obama came through, big time.”
CBS (Vaughn Ververs): “The senator brings some real strengths to this ticket. He’s one of the most respected foreign policy minds in the Senate, something that was reaffirmed by his quick trip to the nation of Georgia during the recent crisis there.”
The Atlantic (Marc Ambinder): “I gather that what impressed Obama about Biden is that Biden gets things done. He’s a man of action.”
TPM (Greg Sargent): “Biden, ultimately, shares and embodies one of the core convictions driving Obama’s campaign: That Democrats can win an argument about national security with Republicans, and shouldn’t run from a fight on the topic or concede any sort of presumed GOP superiority on it.”
I’d say that’s a pretty good start!
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Excellent choice.
LOVE IT.
Bonus, he is the poorest guy in the Senate, and can tap into that middle class angst.
It was a pretty good pick, especially given the recent kerfluffle regarding McCain’s forgetting how many houses he owns.
I think our chances just got better, to my surprise.
Everything written and said about Joe Biden will give the voters more to think about. The passions of Biden and Obama together eill give the GOP ticket a lot of headaches as they try to connect with the “poor” people. Those making less than $5 Million dollars a year.
Should McCain pick another stinking rich guy in Mitt Romney, how will they be able to say with 12 houses between them, they understand what the average American is going through with Job losses, forclosure, losing their heaklth care, etc?
The best thing about Biden is he knows how to ask an honest question, which with the state of things currently is a good start.
donn, I agree with you. But what’s been missing for nearly eight years is someone who can (and will) ask an honest question, and when they get a dishonest response (or an equivocation), thrusts home with one, two, three follow-up questions until there is an answer. Think White House pressers.
The neo-cons on other right wing blogs are saying that Obama just gave them a Christmas present in August by picking Biden.
I read that as them being concerned that McBush is going to lose and lose big.
It is a Christmas present because we Minnesta Republican bloggers say it is.
We Minnesota Republican bloggers make things true by repeating our talking points over and over again.
I’ll be the first to say I like Joe Biden. I’ve liked his work, I think his personal story is both compelling and touching, and I think he has been an admirable public servant.
See, you don’t have to hate everyone on the other side of the aisle.
At the end of the day though, it would still be a President Obama, not a President Biden. Lieberman didn’t make me want to vote for Gore, and Edwards didn’t make me want to vote for Kerry. This will be a buzz for a few days, but then all eyes need to focus back on the guy who would be calling the shots.
Yes. John “ambien” McCain is the guy I want answering the phone at 3 AM. FOR SURE.
Biden is an honest man. The executive branch needs more honesty.
McCain picking Mittens would be the real christmas present. A Biden V. Mittens debate would be one for the ages.
I wish Biden ran in 2000.
In 1988, they said that Lloyd Bentson would help Dukakis secrure the victory. Bentson was a seasoned and respected Senator, garnered compliments from friend and foe alike, and was someone who many thought would make a great President in his own right.
But, in the end, people had to vote for Bush or Dukakis, not Bentson or Quayle (thank goodness).
Biden is an admired public servant and I like him alot. But this is about Obama vs. McCain. Outside of political junkies like all of us, Biden is just another guy from DC.
Actually, this is significantly different from a normal top of the ticket election. Because of his chronological age whoever McCain chooses is going to garner much greater scrutiny than any previous vice presidential pick - even if you count Biden as irrelevant it’ll be Obama vs. McCain and quite possibly this other guy in a few years. Might not be fair, McCain may have decades left in him, but it’s something that people are thinking about.
Oh come on… you and everybody else knows that John McCain shouldn’t buy any green bananas. His Vice Presidential pick WILL be President if he wins. Look how much the office takes out of young men, let alone a guy who was born before they invented nylon.
Please let it be either Lieberman or Rommney… or Pawlenty just to watch Biden turn Timmy into the yokel he is… actually it doesn’t really matter.
It doesn’t really matter who McCain picks. Any of the CW candidates….who cares.
DtM Catholic and older voters will be reassured by Biden. No question.
If Obama can tell people that Biden will have a 50/50 say in all decisions, and will be the tiebreaker in cases where his expertise is greater than Obama’s (the vast majority of issues), then I think this helps Obama.
If not, and of course he won’t, then it is all about McCain vs. Obama.
Reagan was 73 when elected to his second term, and there didn’t seem to be undue scrutiny on the elder Bush.
amuseinc -
That makes 2 of us hoping it is Romney!
amuseinc and DTM: Three of us. Booyah! Been saying it could really be Pawlenty, but apparently his star has risen and faded. Anyone know the calorie count of crow?
I’d rather have Pawlenty as my Governor. He has more opportunity to directly improve my quality of life as Governor than as VP.
I don’t know that the elder Bush needed any extra scrutiny - he was an extremely well qualified candidate, vice president, and, eventually, a very capable president. But McCain doesn’t project the same vitality that Reagan did, and he isn’t a popular president seeking re-election. He’s a man who acknowledges that he’s “older than dirt” whose face shows the scars from his battles with cancer, so it’s a very different situation than Reagan’s.
The balance of the U.S. Senate may well be determined by gubernatorial appointments…
Please let the Mormon Church be in conflict with the Southern Baptists and the fundies over the Republican ticket… please. Or put devout Jewish pro-lifer Joe Liermann on the ticket… please.
Actually I can’t see any one who really has the upside like Biden on the GOP side… Larry Craig?
DtM I think you should spend your time driving over bridges. Perhaps that will give you some of the “quality of life” Pawlenty offers you.
DtM
that makes 3 of us hoping for Romney (Lojasmo)