Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: Change Versus Experience [View all]Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)And some if it was exactly tied to his inexperience. Obama knew the basic ropes of the senate but Biden had cultivated relationships over the 30-plus years he was there and those relationships helped smooth over areas of Obama's presidency that literally jeopardized his policy.
This is a big reason I am supporting Biden because I absolutely think he'll get things done. He has the legislative experience and know-how to actually push an agenda that, while probably a bit too pragmatic for many on the left, has a legitimate chance of passing the House and the Senate (if the Democrats can somehow win it back).
Is he exciting in that regard? No. But Biden saw over 40 laws he sponsored enacted. Someone like Bernie Sanders, whose length in congress is approaching the level it was for Biden when he became Obama's Vice Presidential candidate in 2008, has only seven of those similar laws. That's glaring to me because the idea of change only works if you can implement it.
This brings me back to my point - Obama was about change but Biden was able to help deliver that change. If Obama had gone with a less experienced candidate, someone like, say, Sebelius or Kaine, who were governors at the time and floated as VP candidates before he selected Biden, I am not so sure he has near the legislative success.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden