Anyone not feeling it? Just for balance, I like Biden, but...

[mirrera]

I think he makes Obama look young. Being that I am 51, Obama didn't look young to me, just smart and thoughtful and articulate. A middle aged man. Now next to Biden he comes off as young.

I was hoping for Richardson because they would have looked equal and energetic, and they looked compatible. I hope he gets a good position like Secretary of State.

I do not think Biden is about change. He voted for the war and the bankruptcy bill. I am confused about their branding. Change and experience? So the "experienced" one votes badly and the "change" one is going to change... the "experienced one?" Also I think it is an insult to the Hillary supporters, and I am someone who did not want him to pick her because of her Rovian campaign, BUT she got millions of votes and to pick someone with such similar weaknesses in voting history, is a bit of a diss. 3:00am was only a good idea if it was her.

I think Biden is an obvious choice, but I am a little disappointed.

Coming from a Kucinich supporter's perspective, all the war talk is hard enough to take, and now I feel like we are full swing into pre-Bush foreign policy, with Bush created danger. I see war on the horizon. I am determined that the Democratic party must take control, but never the less, I see war.

Just like I had to learn more about Obama, and now truly love and admire his whole family, I have to do the same with Biden. I appreciate all the positive posts people have put out and have been reading them since 3:30 am with my coffee.

If Obama had to pick a father, it looks like he picked a good one. It gives me chills, the whole old timer/newbie thing. I in no way mean this to be a flamey type thread, I just wanted to create a little space for us non rah rah people to converse. Believe me when I say I want to be happy about it... I do, but I am not feeling it yet.

Help!

Edited to add that 51 referred to my age, I know how old obama is.

[writes3000]

1. It's the new JFK/LBJ ticket.

Biden appeals to many of the voters Obama hasn't swayed yet.

His experience reassures them.

Meanwhile, those desperate for change focus on the front of the ticket.

[mirrera]

15. That didn't work out too well for Kennedy, or us, or Johnson.

[Alexander]

16. And we all know what happened there, don't we?

[denem]

27. Yes LBJ brought in civil rights and the 'Great Society'

much to the astonishment of his liberal critics. And yes, he supercharged Vietnam. Both ended the new deal consensus. The challenge was to build a new consensus. RFK had a go, and was silenced. The third way crashed and burned as it's sponsors demanded their money's worth. Obama is aiming at a popular consensus and may have as little luck.

When consensus is impossible, you must concentrate on winning outright.

[Muttocracy]

2. Even if you don't like Biden, he will take on Bush and McCain and help get Obama elected

And Biden would then be the Vice President, not the President. If you need someone who can turn on a dime and got after GOP slime, Biden's a good choice.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6713460&mesg_id=6713460

[mirrera]

26. I do like how he counters them.

I am a bit worried that he likes McCain too much and over does the "war hero" lable. I would like that to stop. When did the GOP EVER call Max Cleland, or John Kerry a war hero.

[Muttocracy]

28. well, in one of the clips he says, we don't need a war hero, we need wisdom :)

[janx]

3. I hear ya. n/t

[Naturyl]

4. Kucinich is awesome. He is a visionary....

Which is precisely the problem. Like any visionary, he is ahead of his time. America is not yet ready for Kucinich or his ideas.

But it IS ready for Obama/Biden as a winning alternative to McSame. That's why this ticket is a winner.

Kucinich is a genius and a man of unparalleled principle. Sadly, however, he is not appropriate for the current political climate, which has been warped and regressed by decades of Republicans.

[grannie4peace]

9. you are on the money

and obama is going to make use of everyone in his gov. dennis will be an important part of his administration --i think :):)

[mirrera]

17. True that...

[Demeter]

5. So This Selection Is Supposed to Bring the DLC Back Into the Fold?

A miss is as good as a mile.

I'm sorry but I just don't see it. Richardson would have been a smart selection, bringing in the West, the South, the Latinos...and soothing the base.

What does Biden bring in? White bread? Hell, white bread ain't gonna vote for the nation anyway!

[LaurenG]

6. I am psyched! This is going to be a great run up to the election

I like both men. :bounce:

[Dammit Ann]

7. Obama is not 51. Try again. Biden is 65, quite young, if you know vitality.

Biden did vote and incidentally, may have forced (and help write), the IWR, because IT HAD to happen. READ THE LINK>

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/1/24/173956/320

[mirrera]

18. I edited... thanks. I think...

[Dammit Ann]

20. Think? I hope so...

We are on the same bus, baby. Let's change the direction.

[mirrera]

22. The "try again" seemed hostile...

That is why I said I think. As in I think you were trying to be helpful. I have to admit, I did not click on your link about the war vote because I think I know what went down being a c-span junkie, but I will do that now.

[gateley]

8. If you're like me, you'll come to appreciate what he

offers and all that he has done, as well as his passion and sincere caring. The more I got to see of him, who he truly was, the more my preconceived negatives faded.

I hope that will happen for you, too. I hope you're able to feel the same excitement that many of us are.

[mirrera]

21. He seems really nice, but the war vote is still a shock to me.

I have read so many books on the bad intelligence given to Congress, but Biden had access. We knew the inspections should have continued! The war vote was my problem with Hillary, before her campaign style lost me completely. The war vote was everything to me. It was the one thing about Edwards that I struggled with, even though I supported him (that shows why I am not in charge of anything or the best judge!).

Anyway, I do not doubt that he is a good person.

[Big Blue Marble]

10. I share your concerns about the branding.

This choice seems to weaken Obama's sparkle as the change agent. At the same
time he is having trouble with the older more change adverse voters. The choice
of Biden will connect these voters with a sense of the familiar and proven
competence.

This choice greatly weakens McCain celebrity attacks that must have been damaging
Obama with these very voters. An Obama Biden ticket feels far more anchored by
Biden's experience than Obama 08 standing alone for the risk adverse voter.


For me this is not a choice that excites me as did Clinton's choice of Gore,
but my head says yes this may just work even if my heart is not in it.

[mirrera]

14. I wish they polled cell phone users.

I feel like we are being fed a load of crap with this narrative that he needs this particular group of voters. I have met no Democrat that is not voting for him, and the amount of young and new voters is growing every day. I would have liked real change as in, bring in MILLIONS of new supporters who can hear his message without him having to dilute it.

I hope you are right and it does what they think it will. At least there will be no sex surprises.

The one house one spouse ticket.

[Big Blue Marble]

23. I think that we idealists will continue to struggle throughout the

the Obama administration with his deep pragmatism that this choice represents.

Somehow we connect with his change message, his brilliance and his energetic
intelligence. He is a compelling leader. But in our idealistic mindset
we continue to forget that his message is one of unity of bringing people together
and that often means compromises that feel like betrayal to us.

After these horrendous times I am ready to walk back a little of my idealism.
After all I am idealistic only from my own perspective. LOL But I know
it is going to be a struggle all and all.

[mirrera]

25. You are right.

I keep saying to my husband "That is why I am not good for politics". I am not good at seeing the GOP side of things at all. They look like fascist thugs to me.
Obama really is a centrist who relates to Democratic policies more than he does to Republican ones.

You have expressed exactly how I feel. I am walking back from my idealism also. I just hope I don't lose it all together.

I am also scared about assasination, and it really is a little too Johnson for me. I was hoping he would pick someone the establishment would NOT want to see as president, but we would.

I hate that no one talks about it after what we have been through with our inspirational men being killed.

[mmonk]

11. I'm a Kucinich supporter and also an impeachment advocate

who is a supporter of Wexler's efforts as well. But I think this ticket is perfectly balanced, but not just for balance's sake. You've got cool and reserved plus a little fire, smarts, and credentials. I think it will show its effectiveness as we move forward.

[mirrera]

19. I hope you are right!

[Auggie]

12. I get where you're coming from

It's our loss when political appointments and choices come down to celebrity, fashion, demographics or whether someone can pass a background check. Biden is the safe choice meant to counter the perceived holes in Sen. Obama's electability. Yeah, I'd love to see 537 Dennis Kucinichs running the show. But considering the U.S.A. is lazy-apathetic-misinformed-voter central, Obama/Biden is probably the best democratic ticket (Al Gore excepted) one could hope for.

[1Hippiechick]

13. A HUGE factor for voters re VP selection for each party: WHO would lead the country IF....

For my money, Biden is the PERFECT counterpunch against bumbling McLiar.

[MyNameGoesHere]

24. Hey with Biden we are assured of getting DE.

Oh wait that was pretty much in the bag already wasn't it?

[Number23]

29. Utterly and completely ambivalent

Biden may be a good VP choice and there is no question that he is better suited for the presidency than McCain.

But am I :bounce: or :applause: with Obama's choice of Biden as his running mate?? Not even close....