Biden sees Iowa caucus as momentum-builder

[gateley]

By KRISTEN SENZ
Union Leader Correspondent

JOE BIDEN and the chairman of his presidential campaign in New Hampshire get the same glimmer in their eyes when they talk about the Iowa caucus.

"I think what you'll see is there will be an epiphany of sorts on Jan. 3 around 9 p.m.," said Jim Ryan, Biden's state campaign chairman.

The hope is that Delaware's senior senator will land among the top three or four Democratic candidates in Iowa, and people will begin to see that with his knowledge, experience and character, he's the party's best shot at winning the general election. A non-celebrity candidate who avoids negativity toward his opponents, Biden knows that if that hope doesn't materialize, he's out of the race.

"For me, it's about viability. For Hillary, it's about electability. For Barack, it's about experience," Biden said during a recent telephone interview. "We all have our issues. I know that if I don't come out of Iowa with a legitimate reason for people to say, 'OK, these guys can do this,' then it's probably over for me."

Ask the average voter what he or she thinks of Biden, and you're likely to get one of two responses: "Who's he?" or "He'd make a great secretary of state." The latter seems to irk Biden even more than the former.

more... http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=On+the+Trail%3a+Delaware+senator+sees+Iowa+caucus+as+momentum-builder&articleId=2fbbd223-854b-4f47-96b9-ebde6ea51ecc

[tekisui]

1. I appreciate his candor.

If I was an Iowan, I'd be considering him.

[gateley]

2. Ditto on the candor -- that's what initially drew me to him. nt

[MadBadger]

3. I hope so!

[Skarbrowe]

4. I'm voting for Biden in my primary. It's the best I can do.

My primary isn't going to count and I don't think Biden can get....wait..hmm...I remember being totally convinced that Kerry was toast about this time in 2004. Wouldn't it be surprising if all this media attention going to Hillary and Obama turns the Iowa caucus voters off so much that Edwards and Biden slip into the first and second spot?? I'm convinced that anything can happen with Iowa and New Hampshire. I don't think there is any even close to clear winner in either state until late the night of each state's vote. For some reason I feel that there is a big surprise coming. I know Biden might not like hearing it, but I would love to see him as VP (highly unlikely) if he can't get the big one. If he has made the statement that the thought of people saying they would like him as Secretary of State angers him, then maybe he doesn't want a cabinet position. He can keep fighting the good fight in the Senate.

I haven't voiced my choice or choices much as of yet because I wasn't really sure. Definitely in the undecided column. I will admit to always liking Biden and wishing he could be President. He's is the only one I would be truly HAPPY with. The others will all be, well, they're Democrats, so I will vote for them.

I'm still not sure that we, the voters, really have any say in any of this. We get two choices thrown at us that are usually not the two choices we would want. And I'm still not sure how they get "picked" to be the ones we vote for in the primaries, or even if the primaries really count. Joe Biden seems to know the game. It's like he knows that "they" have picked their candidate and all he can do is make the best run at the job that he can.

I have nothing against Obama. Nothing. Maybe I do have the "very inexperienced" reservation, but I think he's a good man with good intentions. But, and there is always a but, I get the feeling that he was pushed into this running for Presidency goal after his great speech at the Democratic Convention. I feel the opposite of Hillary jokingly saying he wanted to run for President since kindergarten. I think Obama might have wanted to run someday, but if he hadn't been pushed by so many people to run NOW, after giving that great speech and getting all that attention, I personally think he would have waited. Also, I didn't like the rock-star look in his eyes he had the first few months into his Senate seat. I don't see it anymore. I guess he's just a confident guy.

I can't seem to wrap my brain around Edwards and I don't know why. I am not against him in any way. I believe he can be a real fighter and he certainly has that southern charm. I get the feeling that the Republicans would be constantly fighting with him and Obama and most definitely Hillary. I still come back to Biden. It's like I feel that he can keep the ship on an more even keel that the rest of the pack. All just gut feelings.

Like I said, I will give my primary vote to Biden. Too bad I don't live in Iowa - every little bit helps.

[1corona4u]

5. I wish I still lived there too....

as I did many years ago.

[PatSeg]

8. I have to agree with much of what you say

and you say it so well.

[Steely_Dan]

12. An Excellent, Well Thought Out Post...

I appreciate your post. You have mirrored exactly the way I feel about Biden. I also agree with your assessment on the other candidates. I've been meaning to write a little blurb on my view of Biden and the other candidates. It's like you were in my head. Thanks...

-Paige

[Skarbrowe]

14. Thanks. It seems like January 3rd is so far away. Crunch time.

Good luck Mr. Biden. I know Iowa is most likely a do or die for him.

I'm reading Carl Bernstein's book on Hillary and I'm having a hard time getting through it. I really don't have much to say about her. Bill Clinton appears to be acting very strangely. Weird. Not sure what's going on there. I'm only saying this as something I feel right at this time, I might change in the future, but right now the Clintons are wigging me out a bit.

Again, I'm back to Mr. "Steady as we go, but let's get this damn thing accomplished! And I'm not talking about no mission!" Biden. :)

[David Zephyr]

6. Biden can surprise because the expectations are low.

I like Joe Biden.

[PatSeg]

7. This is so true

Many people aren't familiar with him and others only know a few high and low points. When he shows up to a debate, I'm sure some people are going, "where did he come from?"

[K Gardner]

9. Its going to be clear sailing for Biden. He's the only one not stuck in the mud. Proud to be with

him !

[youthere]

10. This Iowan will be caucusing for Biden.

[Steely_Dan]

13. I, for one...

appreciate you doing that. Out here in the rest of the world can do so little. You are there and will support us in our effort. Thanks.

-Paige

[PatSeg]

11. This impressed me as well

I had just heard it about a month ago:

In a speech he gave Sept. 10, 2001, Biden predicted that terrorists would attack America and said the threat could come "in the belly of a plane."

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=On+the+Trail%3a+Delaware+senator+sees+Iowa+caucus+as+momentum-builder&articleId=2fbbd223-854b-4f47-96b9-ebde6ea51ecc

[Eurobabe]

15. This is why I like Biden, he makes so much sense!! See quote...

"Are you prepared to vote for anyone for President at this point in time in our history who's not capable of being secretary of state? Would you consider appointing any of my opponents as secretary of state? Just think about it." -Joe Biden

In fact I think I found a new sig line tag. :)

[PatSeg]

19. That is one of his best quotes in the campaign

It says so much with so few words.

[Think82]

16. Kick!

[WheelWalker]

17. Giving a good one a kick!

[gateley]

18. kick!