Thank God Obama didn't pick Kaine over Biden

[Tom Rinaldo]

The contrast between Biden and Palin on readyness is both powerful and effortless to make. No words are really needed to make the case for Biden being the superior choice for a potential commander in chief.

Obama passed a big test with his choice of Biden for VP, and already he is reaping benefits from it.

[VeraAgnes]

1. Excellent point.

Biden is terrific! He makes me smile.

[Bleacher Creature]

2. Agreed, and it goes without saying that McCain failed the same test. n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. We agree about that!

I strongly oppose many of Palin's views but it is a mistake to cast her as a bimbo. No doubt she is intelligent and accomplished in her way, and even inspirational to those who share her views. But it is a joke to try to put her next in line for the Presidency. She hasn't had time to think much about matters beyond Alaska yet let alone be prepared to take on the Presidency.

Tim Kaine has been on the national stage a little bit longer, and Virginia is a much more populous state than Alaska, but he too is a first term Governor with little national security experience. Had Obama chosen Kaine it would have provided cover to Palin.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. I think had he chosen Kaine, McCain would've picked Romney or Pawlenty.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. Possibly, but having Obama chose Kaine would have made picking Palin a lower risk

If McCain really thought that he needed a woman with a fresh face on the ticket to generate excitement and try to peel off some of the female vote, Kaine would have made that easier for him.

[Barack_America]

4. OTOH, Kaine trumps Palin's executive experience on all points...

Mayor of a larger city and Governor for longer.

The one criticism that the GOP can level is that Obama/Biden has no executive experience.

[gateley]

5. It's crazy that the Reps are trying to present her as being able to take over

if something should happen to the POTUS.

[Inuca]

11. I think that both sides are taken aback

with the choice for now, and have not yet decided how to handle it. I heard earlier Marsha Blackburn (I think it is the right name, the repub comgresswoman from TN that often spouts :puke: - inducing stuff) who was claiming that Palin has more valuable experience than Biden because her executive experience matters more than "chairing some Senate committee" (she actually said that!) and because she has 5 children. This is so stupid that I cannot think that it is the official campaign talking point. On the other hand, a short time ago I saw Daschle that carefully avoided any comment on the experience issue and only answered in neutral terms. I think that the O campaign has decided to take a breath and decide what's the best way to handle the issue, rather than shooting from the hip, as they kind of did with the early initial comment.

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. That's the thing about having Biden on board

Obama can take a careful stance to not seem to be slamming Palin unfairly, everyone already knows what Obama decided it was important to look for in a VP.

[grantcart]

6. Yes it shows again how professional the Obama team is

[Doityourself]

7. Biden smothers Palin...

I can't wait for the debates...

[Inuca]

10. Actually, I think that it is going to be a more difficult

debate for Biden than if the pick were Romney, Pawlenty or anybody else (Liberman would have been a delight that the campaign could have used for fundraising!). He will not have to prove that he is more knowledgeable or better prepared "on day one", that should be obvious to any sane person even if they do not acknowledge it aloud. But he will have to be very careful not to be perceived as condenscending or snarky, or the media may eat him alive and alter the whole perception of how the debate went. Unless of course Palin self-implodes before then, which well she might, but it is not a given, she is probably a smart woman in her own way, little as I am into perkiness.

[knixphan]

8. absolutely right.