Biden in Politico: 2008 VEEPSTAKES

[Eurobabe]

Our guy!! Joe Biden!! Others mentioned: Jim Webb, Gov Kathleen Sebilius -KS, Gov Ted Strickland -OH, Sen. Ken Salazar -CO, Gov. Janet Napolitano -AZ, Gov. Brian Schweitzer -MT,then there is the bench as they call it.

JOE BIDEN

The Senate has its windbags, but few so windy as Joe Biden. Over the course of the 2008 campaign, however, Biden emerged as a serious national figure. He stopped making gaffes, stopped running past the red time's-up lights, and started making sense. He dominated the foreign-policy sections of the debates, angrily, passionately, and above all, confidently making the case against neoconservatism. He probably had the best line of the campaign when he said of Rudy Giuliani, "There's only three things he mentions in a sentence -- a noun, a verb, and 9-11."

Increasingly, Biden became not just a respected presence on the stage, but the only candidate making a concise case for the Democrats on international affairs. Where the other candidates responded to questions of national security with passively phrased expressions of sorrow about the regrettable policies of the Republicans, Biden responded with unadulterated contempt for the neocons who had steered the country so determinedly into a ditch. Of Bush, he said, simply, "This guy is brain dead." Then continued: "The next time I hear a Republican talk about 'us being tough on terror' -- give me a break!"

Biden's self-assuredness -- some would call it cockiness -- on foreign affairs is exactly what the Democrats need. No more passive voice. No more convoluted statements about the Bush administration's well-intentioned but poorly managed policies. In reply to the Republicans' inevitable attempt to distract from their failures and accuse the Democrats of weakness and lack of resolve, the Democratic tickets need a simple, clear voice saying what the voters already sense: "Give us a break!"

-- Ezra Klein

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_2008_veepstakes

[jillan]

1. sigh - I have such mixed feelings about this.

I think I would rather see him as Sec of State.

[PatSeg]

3. I just don't see Biden as anyone's VP

but I'm glad he is getting much deserved credit.

[jillan]

5. He's just too strong and outspoken.

I can't see him taking a back seat, especially if he disagreed with the Potus.

[gateley]

6. Yes yes yes yes yes -

Perfectly stated - can't see him taking a back seat to anybody.

[gateley]

7. Ditto! I don't see Biden as anybody's Number Two. nt

[Eurobabe]

9. Let's see what happens should he get "that call."

[PatSeg]

2. I really like Ezra Klein

And I recall him speaking up for Biden in the past.

[jillan]

4. Janet Napolitano is my governor.

You can't have her. She is one of the few Dems in power in this red state.

[Eurobabe]

8. Us wanna-be Virginians (I lived there for 7 yrs.)

aren't too sure that taking our Jimbo Webb is a wise move, but we Pennsylvanians (where I am registered) say anyone can have Ed Rendell. He has really disappointed me lately with his off the cuff remarks "you can shoot Howard Dean re: FL & MI delegate fiasco."

[KingOfLostSouls]

10. I'm gonna break with everyone on this

biden in the VP office is a damn good thing for this country.

delaware would elect a democrat, undoubtedly, but biden is so essential to this country at this point that if he didn't take the VP nod, it would be a blow to america.

as we've seen, biden is THE genius on foreign policy. america can only benefit from biden having some form of executive authority. in fact, it'd be a fool's choice not to want someone as great as joe helping this country and fix the world.

number 2 may not be number 1, but the amount of good he could do there outweighs the ego.

[Tashca]

11. Leaning that way

Once Joe was out of the race I was adamant in my belief he could do more for the country if he stayed in his current position. A couple of weeks ago I started wavering.....then when his trip was over and reading the things that were posted about that trip.....it became painfully clear.

Our current two candidates are so out of their leagues in foreign policy. I get tired of hearing about their experience when any simpleton can see they have little in the larger scheme of things. As mentioned above......I don't see anyone holding him down. A wise person would harness that energy and expertise for the good of this country.

Every person has strengths and weaknesses......Joe's strengths would come as close as anyone to complimenting either one of our candidates.

[Muttocracy]

12. seen this statement from Biden on it?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4802971&mesg_id=4802971

[Eurobabe]

13. Draft him n/t

[gateley]

14. Yeah -- draft him! Problem solved! nt