2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBiden May Be the Most Influential Vice President Ever
By Michael Hirsh
Barack Obama just cant get enough out of Joe Biden these days. And anybody whos been following Bidens steady ascent in stature over the last several years -- from gaffe-happy presidential contender to one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history -- couldnt be less surprised.
Perhaps the only surprise at all is that, in contrast to a year ago, it took Biden quite this long to become the presidents point man on the latest round of fiscal talks. The exact reason for the delay is not clear. Perhaps it is that, only a week and a half ago, Obama had called on his vice president to lead a commission to expedite recommendations on a truly serious national issue, gun violence (as opposed to the present trumped-up issue, fiscal reform, which requires only the smidgen of political courage necessary to depart from ideological rigidities). Maybe Obama wanted to keep his veeps powder dry for that.
Or maybe it is just that, in the awkward pattern of political dance partnerships that have emerged over the last couple of years, whenever Obama and Speaker John Boehner fail to execute as they did after the Plan B debacle -- its Biden and his old Senate colleague, Mitch McConnell, who step into the spotlight. The Biden-McConnell duo didnt cut it during last years cliffhanger over the debt limit, of course. But in a sign of just how important a figure the vice president has become in Washington, Bidens absence until now has been one reason that Republicans doubted Obamas seriousness about cutting a deal, my colleague Chris Frates reported last week.
As the inevitable brinkmanship plays out, its useful to step back and look at just how central a role Biden has played throughout Obamas presidency.
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http://nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/biden-may-be-the-most-influential-vice-president-ever-20121231
hlthe2b
(102,225 posts)elleng
(130,865 posts)bongbong
(5,436 posts)Cheney doesn't qualify for most influential vice-president, since he wasn't a vice-president. For eight long years he was acting president.
The guy that most people thought was president spent most of his days in a drunken haze, occasionally showing his face to make a Cheney-approved speech or deliver gaffes.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)pretending to vet VP candidates for GWB. Georgie had nothing to do with it. Uncle Dick told him how it was going to be.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)both gore and cheney were more influential.
cheney for evil and behind-the-scenes, with perhaps the exception of shrub's last couple of years.
gore for good and across a wide range of issues, most notably getting every department in the federal government to put extensive information on web pages, which had a huge role in bringing about the internet as we know it (lost in the lie about him using the word "invent" was the undeniable fact that he did quite a lot to advance the internet in many ways).
NRaleighLiberal
(60,014 posts)UCmeNdc
(9,600 posts)He actually ran the presidency of George W. Bush from his VP office.
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)But he's hands-down the coolest dude to ever hold the office
I loves me some Joe Biden!
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)And a great guy. Still looks handsome as a devil at his age.
bigdarryl
(13,190 posts)Vice Presidents always get the nod
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I'd bet both will decide to step out of the limelight and retire.
Biden is a great VP
cowgirlup
(11 posts)Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)He's the guy others turn to when they want something accomplished.
Love my Vice President!