Updated:
NY Times to the rescue – Joe Biden (D-De). Biden, a pro-choice Roman Catholic, adds serious experience to the ticket. The question is whether this’ll turn out to be the “WHOA OMGCOPTER” moment Obama wanted it to be. I hope so.
I admit my disappointment that campaign staffers leaked the name before the official text came down, and my surprise, since Biden already ruled himself out. Obama’s struggle, now – with Biden by his side – is to live up to the hype.
The good news for Obama fans, and the bad news for McCain, is that Biden is a fighter, and a well-spoken (if, ahem, angry) one:
This is the point where the dynamic in this election changes. Remarkably. For a good deal of this election, I’ve assumed that Obama’s appeal was the result of a simple formula:
Obama voters = (optimistic left-leaning centrist voters) PLUS (those few African-Americans who don’t vote for Democrats already) MINUS (voters dissuaded by character attacks)
The missing variable is the “concerned swing voter,” who’s not sold on hope, but is waiting for substance. I’m pleased to admit, at this point, that Obama has been mostly coasting on hope, with appeal to those who hate the Bush years. He’s not yet tried to roll out much of a positive, unique campaign, the type where he sells American on the merits of his ideas rather than the substance.
Luckily, the same has been lacking for McCain. Voters who support McCain are either firm conservatives or centrists afraid of an untested candidate. McCain hasn’t had to talk much policy to win these guys & gals over – he’s just had to attack the other guy, and remain himself nebulous and undefined.
Biden changes all that. ‘Til now we’ve had a spin-off between an untried center-progressive, and an undefined center-conservative. By choosing an experienced VP amid such hype and media focus, Obama can seize the chance to talk – with his new, trusted, experienced friend – about the substance behind his plans, and focus on assuaging those concerned about the experience of the #1 Man. From here, he can only gain voters. McCain, however, stands to bleed votes from his “scared centrist” demographic.
I told you it would be Biden! It looks like a nice match though.
Posted by Martin | August 23, 2008, 5:06 amhot damn!
i am so excited by this! biden is without doubt the smartest guy in congress re: foreign policy. months and months … and months ago, during one of our evening kitchen discussions, we at didionville fantasized about an obama presidency with a biden secretary of state …
this seriously deflates a lot of mccain’s whining about obama’s experience (republican whining which make me laugh more than usual … remember w’s experience? yeh, me either … it’s kinda hard to remember nothing.)
Posted by didionsmommy | August 23, 2008, 6:42 amBiden is a good choice. One of those moments when the ticket seems like it would be better flipped around.
http://thebigstick.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/biden-as-vp/
Posted by Progressive Conservative | August 23, 2008, 12:57 pmIf the presidency were about experience and policy only, PC, you’d be right; but I think Obama on top is helpful because he’s a good leader with a good message, now with good behind- the- scenes control.
Posted by Ames | August 23, 2008, 1:36 pmHow many people really believe that Obama will listen to Biden? On foreign policy Biden really doesn’t even line up with Obama. he voted for the war, for example. Biden is going to be asked to do a lot of heavy lifting. by the end we may wonder which one is running for president.
I just watched Ed Rindell (D) try to minimize whether Biden will outshine Obama.
It’s going to be interesting to watch.
Posted by Progressive Conservative | August 23, 2008, 2:19 pmAfter watching his speech on the war, I’m not worried about it.
Posted by Oneiroi | August 23, 2008, 3:23 pmAccording to the interview I just watched with the governor of Colorado (D) joe Biden was just duped by bad intelligence. Very surprising for someone with such impressive foreign policy credintials.
I’d also like all the liberals who are praising Biden now to explain to me where their votes were for him during the primaries.
Posted by Progressive Conservative | August 23, 2008, 5:29 pmBiden is a great choice! He’s smart, has great credentials, and aside from his appeal to blue collar voters, he can sway the over-65 contingent who are somewhat hesitant to support an African-American yet are more hesitant to vote Republican. Choosing Biden just may help Obama win Florida.
Posted by LMLM | August 23, 2008, 7:11 pmBy the way, got a lovely email from your Mom. :)
Posted by LMLM | August 23, 2008, 7:12 pm