How Biden boosted the Democratic Ticket (from ABC)

[jillan]

One month after the running mates were named in late August, a Sept. 29 ABCNews/Washington Post poll showed that Biden's selection had made 25 percent of people more likely to vote for Obama, with 13 percent of people less likely to do so -- a net positive of 12 percentage points.

On the other hand, people said Palin's presence as a running mate made 23 percent of them more likely to vote for McCain, but 32 percent of them less likely to support the GOP ticket -- a net negative of nine percentage points.

The senator has also attracted moderates as well, with nearly four in 10 moderates in an Oct. 7 ABC News/Washington Post saying they were less likely to support McCain after the Palin pick, only two said they were more likely. Compare that to Biden attracting three times as many moderates to Obama as he drives away.

And it's not just that voters believe Biden is ready to lead, but the Irish-Catholic Biden has helped Obama among Catholics. A Sept. 9-14 Pew survey found Obama and McCain virtually deadlocked among Catholics, with the former up 45 percent to 44 percent; six weeks later, Obama's advantage had skyrocketed to a 54 percent to 34 percent lead. (((wow))))


Along with the lawmaker's sense of humor and startling honesty, another Biden staple on the stump was his emotional addresses.

I get that there's a tendency to obsess about contrived controversies," said Wade. "But I'm convinced that when this campaign is over, for the first time in a long time, the pundits will say that vice presidential sections did matter and Joe Biden will be remembered as 2008's unsung hero, chief validator and defender in chief."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=6165262&page=2


Let's give it up for the next Vice President of the United States

[nsd]

1. K & R

People like Joe Biden. The media might play up his verbal "gaffes" but he comes across as a genuine, sincere, good guy (as opposed to Palin who's a mean-spirited phony). He was a big asset.

[polichick]

2. I agree - an unsung hero we're so lucky to have on our side!

[eissa]

3. Biden was without question the right pick

He may not have packed the stadiums, but he helped deliver to Obama the voters in key areas that he needed to win.

[JimGinPA]

4. Biden Was The Perfect Pick IMHO

K&R

[tpi10d]

5. I saw this with my mom (mid 80s).

Lifelong Democrat, Hillary supporter. Reluctant Obama supporter after he was declared the nominee. When Biden was chosen, she came to the conclusion that Obama made competent choices. As the campaign continued, the contrast with Palin was apparent. Then the financial crisis, the debates and no drama Obama. By the end of the campaign she was enthusiastic Obama supporter.

I credit Biden with the start of her conversion. He helped set the tone of a presidential Obama with some older voters- a tone where Obama further helped himself as the campaign continued.

Biden turned out to be a great choice.

[CTyankee]

19. Nice story. Biden has shown himself to be a surprisingly valuable addition

to this campaign and, I suspect, to the whole Obama administration. I had thought of him as being "too Washington" and "too Mr. Inside" but I see now that he added great value to the ticket. I LOVED his campaign speeches. He could be counted on to just take it down to brass tacks with his speeches and his demeanor with voters on the campaign trail.

[CrispyQ]

6. Biden really was a great pick!

No one could go after McCain like Biden. They have so much history serving in the Senate together - even Clinton doesn't have the same history as Biden. So when Biden went after McCain, it really had teeth.

Plus he's just such a good man - a good family man, clearly in love with his wife. How wonderful to have a Prez & VP that love their spouses! After 8 years of watching boosh & Laura awkwardly interact with each other when they have to, but preferring to avoid each other, it is heart warming to see two couples that have so much love for each other.

Besides, who doesn't love a cupcake? ;)

[jillan]

15. Cupcakes - what a great idea.

Since I've never been a pie lover - maybe I'll make some yummy cupcakes to celebrate ;)

[Triana]

7. Biden was the RIGHT choice! I was VERY pleased with that decision....

...I love me some blustery ol Joe!

[LisaL]

8. No shit.

I have no idea what McCain could have been thinking when he picked Palin.

[TheDonkey]

9. Biden definitely lived up to the popular meme for good vp picks. "Do no harm"

something McCain did not bother to understand. Biden was a solid pick that while it didn't provide a splashy media frenzy gave Obama a dependable rock who compared with Palin even exacerbated her contrived place in American History.

[PresidentObama]

10. Joe Biden will be one of the best, if not the best, Vice Presidents in American history n/t

[treestar]

11. As Clinton pointed out, as his first executive decision, Obama

hit it out of the park.

[ellie]

12. Joe the Biden

is most awesome.

[Left Brain]

16. and he'll be remembered

long after Joe the Plumb - - who was that guy, anyway?

[Blue For You]

13. I like Joe the Biden! Delaware rocks!

:headbang:

[Muttocracy]

14. thanks to the defender in chief! :)

[Cha]

17. Biden was the Perfect Pick and

I was hoping for it when it still wasn't known yet.

I didn't know that much about Biden before but what I read the few days leading up to the confirmation convinced me.

Plus, I knew whomever Obama chose to work with him for the next four years would be the best choice.

[DevonRex]

18. I LOVE JOE the BIDEN!!! As an ex-southerner, I'm SO happy that

the south has lost its hold on presidential politics. Joe was the right choice for so many reasons. He has all the qualifications and experience we could ever hope for. He's a really nice guy. I am thrilled.

[Jennicut]

20. Joe the VP is the only Joe I want to talk about

I love ya Joe! SO excited he is now our VP. But I do recommend he and Jill thoroughly fumigate the Naval Observatory and/or send an exorcist to get rid of any of Cheney's demons. So nice to have a VP who does not spend all this time in a bunker and looks and acts like Darth Vader. Plus, Joe is much much hotter then Dick Cheney, who is just gross. Congrats to our next VP!

[geekgrrl]

21. Let;s give it up for JOE THE BIDEN!!! Thanks Joe!!! nt

[gateley]

22. The perfect complement to Obama. What a team. nt

[kwolf68]

23. A-men

When the VP choices were made it was my instinct that it was game over.