I'm Coming Around to Biden

[Superman Returns]

Now my first choice is still Obama, but I've been thinking about Biden and I realized that while he certainly has many flaws including a knack for gaffes, he also has an authentic, blue collar feel to him that would do well in Middle America. While his knowledge of foreign relations and service in the Senate makes him a statesman with proper experience, his blunt talk and common man vibe would certainly resonate well with voters as opposed to Kerry in 04 or Al Gore (1.0) circa 2000. Basically, he doesn't come across as an elitist and at the end of the day, you trust him to protect the country. I think he would do quite well against Guilaini or Romney. I think people should give him a second look despite some of the gripes you have with a few of the bills he voted on. No one's perfect.

[Mz Pip]

1. I like him, too

I haven't decided on a candidate but I haven't ruled out Biden. I think he might get support from independents and moderate Republicans that Hillary wouldn't.

If a person has been in the Senate for 30 years there will be plenty of bills that can come back to haunt them during a presidential run. Probably one of the reasons Senators don't fare so well in Presidential runs.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Captain Hilts]

3. 'Security moms' who voted Republican will vote for HRC.

The idea that not a single Republican would vote for her isn't true. The security moms are switch hitters, and if only a few vote for her, that would be all it took.

Remember, Hillary has always gotten more votes than polling points. She has a shadow vote.

[Superman Returns]

4. yes

I feel you're right on that. Middle to upper-class suburbia that is moderate in it's politics would go strong on Hillary, especially if she was against any Republican not named Guilaini.

[whirlygigspin]

76. good one

i like it

[Captain Hilts]

2. Me too. Biden's really shown himself to be an adult in the room. Esp. of Foreign Policy.

He's saying all the right things in speeches, in the Senate well, on the stump....

I've always hated him for being MBNA's 'ho in the senate, but he's looking pretty good right now to me.

[ElizabethDC]

5. I really like him, too. I'm still 110% behind Hillary, but he's my second choice.

He has a combination of intellegence, experience and personality that is really appealing, and I really don't understand why he doesn't get more support.

[Superman Returns]

6. I don't know

I tend to have a feeling that there might be some surprises in Iowa just like how in 2004 Kerry and Edwards came out of no where. Might be the same this time for Biden and Dodd or even Richardson. Like I said, I still prefer Obama. Despite the fact I think Biden doesn't really like Obama, I'd like to see them both on a ticket together.

[coco77]

66. This is what I have been thinking also..

about surprises, I haven't made a choice yet but I can not understand why Biden hasn't gotten that much play.

[PatSeg]

22. It is probably Money & Media

The media does not take him seriously as a candidate, but he is often their go-to guy when it comes to foreign affairs and Iraq. But then they didn't take John Kerry seriously in 04 until Iowa!

I think there are some real surprises ahead in the next few months and I believe Joe Biden will upset many preconceptions the media has about him.

[frogcycle]

7. I saw him at a town meeting

in Iowa with a GLBT group. It was hot, it was late, it was buggy, but he was just talking with people. He was as genuine as they come. I was mesmerized. I liked him a lot. I put a post here about it and got savaged by swarms of more DU-mosquitoes than were real ones bothering him.

[Captain Hilts]

11. I saw some of his Iowa stump speeches on C-Span and they were good.

GREAT to see someone who can speak about complicated topics without notes and simple sentences.

[PatSeg]

49. That is the first thing that impressed me about Biden

a few years ago. He knows what he's talking about and can convey that knowledge clearly without being patronizing or condescending.

[Captain Hilts]

52. In Delaware, where every voter can meet their public officials, you don't get away...

with being an ass.

Still, I wonder how Roth was able to get re-elected so often with that weird hair. It must have looked worse in person.

[pinto]

8. He makes a lot of good points and is worth a look. We've a good field this election cycle, imo,

I'd like to see them all get a chance to go through the primary process.

[illinoisprogressive]

9. I like biden. My husbands second choice. I could support him as a prez. easily

[NI4NI]

10. Sam Brownbeck is too!

During an interview after the Fox debate, I just heard Brownbeck say what Biden's been saying for a year; that Iraq should be divided into three ethnic regions.

Joe has been my state Senator for 30 years and I trust him; even though I will always hate his voting for the credit card bankruptcy bill. I grudgingly understand due to the fact that little Delaware is mainly comprised by the credit-card banks.

I wouldn't want to lose Joe as my Senator, and I don't think he can be nominated because of funds, but I do believe he would be a distinquished Sec. of State.

[murbley40]

30. Hi Neighbor! (everyone is neighbors in Delaware)

I am from Delaware too, and I know what you mean about losing Joe as our Senator,but I would love to see him as our President.

[NI4NI]

58. Back atcha, murbley!

[sandnsea]

12. Kerry - Under $15,000 - 63%

$15,000-$30,000 -- 57%

Less than $50,000 - 55%

Union members - 61%

No high school - 50%

Kerry had absolutely no problem with the common man.

It was idiots who think they know something about the common man putting him down that caused all the problems.

Same as for Gore.

:argh:

[MADem]

13. Oi vey--now I'm gonna have an earworm!!

"I am coming around to Biden when he comes...oh, I'm coming around to Biden when he comes..."

(to the tune of "She'll be Coming Around the Mountain")

Yes, it makes no sense, and it could even be seen as a bit nasty or naughty (to quote Larry Craig) but that's what popped into my head when I saw the thread title--and I can't shake it loose!!!!

Agggh!!!

[jillan]

14. I hate it when that happens -

Quick go listen to the radio or something :P

[steelyboo]

24. Hehe, same here!

Not only the song, but then I got an Old WB cartoon (had a dog who had a flea that was dressed as a miner singing that song) stuck there too. So I guess an earworm AND an eyeworm :)

[Gretchen]

15. supporting the Bankruptcy bill in not in tune with "blue collar" values

seriously.

He is the Senator from MBNA, (now b of A) - do not be fooled.

[jillan]

17. And that's what gets me.

He has spent his whole life fighting for the little guy.
That vote was so out of character for him. It really puzzles me.

[saracat]

21. But think of his state.If he didn't vote for that bill the Delaware banks would abandon him

[saltpoint]

27. Agree. We can't rail against Biden's vote on that one and let Ted Stevens

walk free. We can prefer, strongly, that our U.S. Senators vote in accordance with our hopes and expectations, but we don't control the forces that control the system.

You can't ask Biden not to be a Senator. You can't dismantle capitalism by next weekend. This is a far larger problem than one piece of legislation or one issue. And it predates Biden.

A president has also the bully pulpit. There are always ideological shifts at hand. David Souter being a very convincing example.

A president gets to reset the landscape insofar as it can be reset. And that's the office Biden bids for now.

[PatSeg]

41. I like the way you see the big picture

We have a tendency to nitpick the individual issues, which is a good thing to a degree, but we have to pull back occasionally and see the whole picture as well. A senator has to represent his/her constituency or he/she won't be reelected. That is their job. Can that same senator represent the entire country? I believe Joe Biden can.

[Captain Hilts]

35. Has he come out with any statements on his Bankruptcy vote?

Everyone's all over Clinton, Edwards, Kerry,etc for the Iraq War Rez Vote, but what about this one with Biden.

I really like Biden, but what does he think about what it's done to consumers - the whole if you pay one bill late the rates/fees on ALL your other bills can be raised shit - and how it's made charge cards hugely wealthier.

Has he addressed this issue?

[Gretchen]

70. Hilary should also answer to being the only Senator that abtained

I think abstaining certainly should be explained, too.

[Adelante]

51. I tend to think he would be a whole lot richer

If he were as corrupt as "Senator from MBNA" indicates, but he worked his whole life in public service rather than amassing personal wealth in the capitalist system. I don't like his bankruptcy vote. I didn't like Edwards' bankruptcy votes of 2000 and 2001, either. But Biden's no worse than Edwards, and far better in many ways, yet Edwards is the blue collar hero for DU and in the top tier, while both Biden and Kucinich are ignored.

[Barracuda]

72. The Old Bankruptcy Act was abused no end !

By White and Blue Collar Workers alike. Also by outright hustlers. They had no choice but to change it.

[jillan]

16. You know we have just started a Biden group on DU

Please stop in and say hi.

We are 100% behind Biden.
And yes, we even have a thread about him voting for the bankruptcy bill.

Biden is over in Iraq right now - he'll be on CNN tomorrow morning live from Baghdad.
and that is exactly why I support him. He is over there to see for himself, to talk to
his contacts before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meets with Petreaus and Corker on
the 11th. You don't see the other candidates that are in the Senate going there - even tho
there is going to be a showdown in the Senate next week. That's what I call leadership.

[countmyvote4real]

18. He's the Dem's Fred Thompson.

He can talk "aw shucks" as much as he wants, but he doesn't vote that way. Like Thompson, he is more attuned to lobbyist agendas than those of his constituents.

He’s phony baloney.

If any of the current Dem senators are really that great, why would we want them to vacate their positions in favor of being POTUS? Is it really that much of a dead-end street for one and two term senators? The same could be said about Edwards, but he did put the senatorial job on the line (or off the table) when he ran as Kerry's VP. (We don’t give up anything if he is the nominee.)

On the other hand, Biden is on his 6th senate term. He might have earned the nomination for time served, but his voting record doesn’t suggest that he gives a hoot about domestic policies. Bumping him up is not the way to remove him from the senate. That’s cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[jillan]

20. You are joking - right?

Biden has a 100% rating from planned parenthood.
100% rating from the AFL-Cio
100% rating for preservation of Arts and Humanities
92% from the ACLU
100% from NAACP
100% from the NEA
100% rating from NOW
Welfare and Poverty issues - 100%

Yeah - he's just like Fred




:rofl:

[saltpoint]

26. I think that's a misread on Biden. Here's a link:

http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Joe_Biden.htm

Scroll to the very bottom.

Their index places him solidly in the "hard core liberal" quadrant.

And properly so.

[jillan]

45. Thanks - Bookmarked it!

That would have saved me alot of time last nite :P

[jpgray]

19. My advice to you then is "keep going." Especially now, I don't want a guy owned by MBNA

[saltpoint]

23. He's a good man. And downright presidential.

I could see him in the Oval Office, no problem.

[PatSeg]

36. As I was falling asleep last night I played a little game

in my mind. I pictured all the candidates in various presidential situations - delivering the State of the Union address, speaking to reporters in the Rose Garden, meeting with foreign leaders, especially Putin, visiting the aftermath of a crisis like Katrina, sitting in the Oval Office, etc.

It isn't a litmus test for me as I focus on the issues first and foremost, but it certainly is impressive. Actually Hillary looks kind good in most of the visualizations, but Biden is a perfect "fit" in all of them.

[saltpoint]

62. I like that game. The State of the Union Address is a big one for me.

I flee in horror every winter when Dubya is set to deliver that address. I go to the movies, buy the biggest bag of popcorn you ever saw, and I don't come out until long after the last spinpundit has gone to bed.

There isn't one of our candidates I wouldn't look forward to hearing each winter, and as to Biden specifically, I think he'd relish the role and do a beautiful job speaking to us.

[PatSeg]

64. Yeah, I like that little game

It clarifies a lot for me and after six and half years of mind-numbing incoherence, it is refreshing to visualize an articulate, intelligent president. Hillary is the only other candidate that has that presence, though not quite as effective.

[skyblue]

25. He debates well and someone to fight against the lead Rathug

and still be heard Biden is the best bet.

[Apollo11]

28. Biden looks Presidential

Something I have noticed from watching the candidates performances in debates and TV interviews.

Biden somehow fits the stereotype of what a President should look like.

And when you hear him talk - he also sounds Presidential.

He is obviously a very smart guy. Maybe he could end up on the ticket with Hillary, Edwards or Obama?

Let's be honest - our top 3 don't have all that much political experience. So if one of them ends up as the nominee (as looks likely right now), s/he might pick one of the more experienced guys like Biden or Dodd (or Richardson) for the VP slot.

[murbley40]

31. So why would someone pick either one of them over Biden?

How about Biden for President and either one of them for vp?

[murbley40]

32. kick

[PatSeg]

38. Or Biden/Clark?

[coco77]

68. Or Clark /Biden..

[PatSeg]

37. But we've had such a combination already

We might be better off this time with the most presidential candidate as "president" instead of vice president. I can picture Dodd or Richardson as VP, but not Biden. He is bigger than life and an inherent leader.

[Gregorian]

44. Reagan looked presidential. And sounded presidential. He fooled a lot of voters.

I'm voting on principals not image. But principals are "unelectable".

[PatSeg]

48. Sadly that is true

and now the republicans are hoping to recreate the Reagan era with Fred Thompson! Who cares about substance when you can have IMAGE???

From my perspective, Biden has both. The presidential persona is just a bonus.

[democrat2thecore]

65. And Reagan is Thomas Jefferson compared to Freddy Thompson -nt

[Olney Blue]

29. He would be an excellent president.

[CrispyQ]

33. I'm still POd about the bankruptcy bill,

but I think Biden would be a good president. And yes, he would do well against any of the republican candidates.

[PatSeg]

39. Yes, I think he is the most electable in a general election

He could reach independents and swing voters better than any of the candidates.

[saracat]

42. I have not seen any polls about that.The polls show Obama and Edwards doing well in a GE.I would be

interested in seeing the match up.Hillary wins for the most part as well but by not as much of a margin!

[PatSeg]

43. Yeah, the polls tend to focus only on the top tier candidates

Like John Kerry in 04, Joe Biden is invisible.

[themaguffin]

34. He would kick any GOP idiot's ass in the GE

I said it before and again. He has more depth than anyone on either stage (Dodd seems good too).

[PatSeg]

40. The GOP's lineup is pretty pathetic this time

Picture anyone of them in a debate with Biden! Priceless moments to cherish for years!

[jillan]

46. Biden addresses becoming Sec of State:

“I have a rhetorical question for you,” he said to the crowd in Algona. “Are you prepared to vote for anybody for president who isn’t capable of being secretary of state?” He went on: “If you’re not capable of being secretary of state, are you capable of being president in 2008?”

:toast: Go Biden!!!

[PatSeg]

47. I just read that!!!

And I commented on it at the Biden group. What a great response to all the SOS rumors afloat!

[Adelante]

50. Very nice, Joe!

I like a well-shot Zing :)

[PatSeg]

54. Me too!

I always think of the perfect retort an hour later!!!

[Auntie Bush]

53. I agree with you 100% and I really, really think he'd make a good president

and protect America better than anyone else. He also already has many world leaders who already know and respect him.

Yes, we should all take another look or a better look at Biden.

[PatSeg]

56. Yes and if only the media would wake up

and pay attention! They need to give all the candidates coverage. Not to mention, as an senator, Joe Biden is actually doing something, not just campaigning.

[ShortnFiery]

55. That makes one of us: Never forget two words: Bankruptcy Bill.

:thumbsdown:

[jzodda]

57. I think he would make a good Sec of Defense

maybe even Sec of state but he's not my choice for president. Unless he gets the nomination of course then I support my party's choice.

[jillan]

59. Read my post (#46) on what he has to say about that.

[jzodda]

60. LOL thats a pretty good answer I have to say

I appreciate the mans candor, thats for certain.

[surfermaw]

61. If Goer doesn't get in I see an Edward & Biden ticket

Would be an excellent ticket

[Barracuda]

71. No Second Fiddle !

I don't think Biden intends to play second fiddle to anyone.

[harrison]

63. I heard Joe Biden speak a few weeks. I was very, very

impressed with what he had to say about a bunch of things. The man has the rare combination of being able to grasp the big issues, but he also has a feel for the the common person. He grew up in a blue collar family and has suffered personal tragedy. As most of us understand, tragedy either embitters us or you become more compassionate or wiser. Joe Biden came into the Senate because he was concerned about civil rights for all citizens.

Joe Biden knows some stuff, particularly about foreign policy.

He would make an excellent president. And he is electable.

[Barracuda]

74. Electable !

You bet he's electable, that's something that Hillary, Obama and Edwards are not.

[coco77]

67. I will be voting for Biden in the primary ...

if the candidate has been chosen before it gets to my state...

[whirlygigspin]

69. Great interview with Charlie Rose--Joe Biden (GoogleVideo)

A conversation with Senator Joseph Biden about his book Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics. He has officially filed as a candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination in the 2008 presidential election.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1759828086349309764

[Cameron27]

73. I like him, I always have.

He's got flaws in his voting record, but no worse than some who are running ahead of him. I think I know who this guy is, faults and all, and I can't say that about all of the candidates. I wouldn't have any problem with him as the nominee.

[calteacherguy]

75. You make some valid points re: Biden.

Unfortunately, it's all show-biz. The trick seems to be to find the superstar with the most integrity. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to be a media-annnointed superstar. Politics is the art of the possible.