Let me tell you something about Joe Biden re: Ryan

[jberryhill]

Joe Biden was a senator for a long, long time. And he became a fairly influential and widely respected one. He wasn't on Judiciary and Foreign Relations because his colleagues thought it would be fun to give those seats to a Senator from the second smallest state. It's because he hired good staff and he keeps a learning mind. He knows what he knows well, and he has the gift of knowing the limits of his knowledge, and delving deeply into what he needs to know when he hits one, and identifying who to ask to explain it to him.

He doesn't just know "things," he knows people - and it is his emotional intelligence and experience in dealing with and understanding people which makes him formidable. He's been around a long time, and he's seen a dozen Paul Ryans come and go. He knows how they tick, and how to make them unwind. And, most importantly, how to explain to an audience how he differs from them and why it matters to that audience. He makes a great closing argument.

I am looking forward to the debate.

[chowder66]

1. I love this.

it is a wonderful compliment to Joe.

[Gregorian]

2. Emotional intelligence is overlooked and underrated in politics.

I'm beginning to believe it may be the most important aspect of a candidate. I'll even go as far as to say that the biggest problems we face are due to the lack of emotional intelligence, or unconsciousness of repressed emotional issues.

[adicortez]

3. Spot on.

I just chuckle when my conservative friends tell me how much they’re anticipating the VP debates. They’ve reduced Joe Biden to a series of gaffes and sound bites. They have no idea the world of hurt that Mr. Biden is going to bestow upon Ryan. I also am looking forward to the debate.

[WiffenPoof]

4. Joe Was...

...my first choice for President.

[Digital Puppy]

5. The more I hear...

I've liked Joe for a while ... in fact my top three Dems from '08 were the O-man, Hill, and Joe. I think Joe makes a GREAT VP and this is the season he will earn his pay. I absolutely LOVE Joe's passion and intelligence (just look at his wife!)

I really want to see/hear more of Joe.

[Cha]

6. Love your tribute to who VP Joe Biden

is, jberryhill!

About the debates..I'm thinking Romney and Ryan will not be respectful at all. Showing off for the Kochs and teabaggers. It could be quite ugly but, also thinking PObama and VP Biden will be ready for anything!

[bleever]

7. Biden is in some ways the inverse of Romney. Biden is years of experience,

and Romney is years of aspiration.

Great tribute to Sen. Biden.

[NBachers]

8. This is a great couple of paragraphs. I'm looking forward to the VP debates

[Warpy]

9. I've loved Biden for a long time

and have always been a little disappointed he wasn't on the top of the ticket in 2008.

Biden is working class. He didn't go to Congress for the insider trading and to get rich. He's got less money than I do. He's a workaholic and he reads. He knows what he's talking about, whether or not the right wing wrinkles its collective nose at his choice of language or shrieks in pain because he's told the truth.

I, too, am looking forward to the debate between a rich boy, priss pot, know nothing punk and his polar opposite, Biden. The contrast should be stark, to say the least, and it's one debate I'll watch with the sound on.

(It's usually off so I can concentrate on body language, more informative than canned debate speeches)

[gkhouston]

10. And Ryan will be forever crippled in this area because

using people isn't the same thing as utilizing them.

[Lucy Goosey]

11. Emotional intelligence - excellent point

On the emotional intelligence scale, Mitt Romney is a pouty toddler who thinks the world revolves around him. Paul Ryan is a self-centered 14-year-old. The President and the Vice President are adults.

[nyquil_man]

12. The Republicans have been spending a lot of time polishing turds lately.

Is it any wonder they can't recognize a diamond in the rough?