Random thoughts on Joe Biden
29 comments August 23rd, 2008
Biden’s roots in Pennsylvania likely will seal the deal for the Democratic ticket in the Keystone State, where Obama already leads by seven points. His working-class roots also could be helpful in Michigan and Ohio.
Biden brings to his candidacy bonafides as a foreign-policy expert, a crime-fighter and an economics reformer. No one-trick pony here.
Biden’s Catholicism could be beneficial in a way that some political observers might not expect. If the church hierarchy conspicuously disses Biden for being pro-choice on abortion, it could backfire. Most rank-and-file Catholics also are pro-choice, and they might be resentful if their bishops dare to tell them how to vote. Right-wing Catholics who are loath to buck the hierarchy on anything weren’t going to vote Democratic anyway.
If John McCain names Mitt Romney his running mate, Biden will mop the floor with the Mittster in the vice-presidential debate.
The selection of Biden over Hillary Clinton probably angers Hillary’s die-hard supporters in the short term, but most of them will get over it when they consider the benighted types a President McCain would appoint to the Supreme Court.
Biden’s ability to translate policy issues into the street-talk of the campaign trail balances nicely with Obama’s more nuanced rhetorical style.
If Obama were to serve two terms as president, Biden likely would be considered too old to succeed him. He’d be 74 upon his inauguration in January 2017. Hillary Clinton, by comparison, would be only 68.
Incidentally, Biden’s been in the Senate longer than most Americans have been alive.
How symbolic is it that the text-message call concerning Obama’ selection of Biden came at — get ready — 3 a.m. EDT?
One last thought for now: This kind of sharp rhetorical style suggests that Biden will be a pretty capable campaigner:
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