Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: So...what's the draw of Biden? [View all]Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)1) I think Joe has the experience to navigate a foreign policy that has largely been decimated by a very poor president. I believe he has the respect, and experience, needed to fix the damaged relationships we've seen with our allies and boost America's standing on the international stage.
2) I think Biden is a good man who is genuine. The sincerity of a politician is generally one of the most important factors in my mind when it comes to selecting a candidate. I thought the same with Obama. I think there's an endearing quality to Biden's personality and it gives me a window into who he is as a human being, which means I can generally trust that he's ultimately working for the betterment of this country.
3) I believe Joe, more than any candidate in the race, due to his experience as a senator and Vice President, understands the pragmatic approach it'll take to be successful, especially if, as it likely will prove to be the case, the next president enters the White House with no majority in the United States Senate (or a slim majority). Pragmatism doesn't sell on places like DU but it's the foundation to good policy - every president who's succeeded in advancing their cause were pragmatic politicians. They knew how to play the game.
4) That experience is important. Jimmy Carter largely failed on the domestic front because he could not work with the United States Congress, despite having mega-majorities in both the House and Senate when he became president. He butted heads with Ted Kennedy and it all but ended any realistic chance we had at healthcare reform ... all the way back in the 70s. Carter was a novice when it came to federal politics, having been a governor of, what was perceived at the time, to be a small, but growing, southern state. Carter struggled passing a domestic agenda and it was largely due to his inability to work with congress. Fifteen years later, Bill Clinton experienced the same hurdles - failing to advance his original stimulus (and compromising on a much smaller one) and watching his healthcare reform bill go up in smoke despite holding both chambers of congress. Governors can grow into the role, as Clinton did, but the last five presidents we've elected without some DC experience, Trump, Bush, Clinton, Reagan and Carter, struggled at times and, to be honest, I think we'll be working under a very short window here with whomever wins in 2020 and they've got to know how to hit the ground running. The most productive first 100 days came from Obama - not coincidentally the first actual senator elected to the presidency since LBJ.
5) I think Joe's sincerity is what draws people to him. I think, and I don't care if you think this is nonsense, he can beat Trump - but he'll do it in areas where he plays well: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Florida. To be honest, I don't think any of the current candidates have quite the built-in advantage as Biden does and the Democrats need to win those states to win in 2020. That's a huge difference between Biden and Hillary - Hillary had the chops, and experience, and name recognition, but she never played well in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. There was always concerns about her campaign in those states. I think Biden wins all three and again puts Ohio and Florida back into play.
6) Obama-BIDEN. That's huge for me because Obama trusted that Biden was ready to go on day one. He picked Biden for a reason and I trust Obama's judgment.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden