Biden?

[lebanonfan]

Official: Obama picks Biden for veep

Aug 23 01:50 AM US/Eastern
By LIZ SIDOTI and NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writers

It’s Biden! Delaware Senator to Join Obama on Democratic Ticket

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware
late Friday night to be his vice presidential running mate, according
to a Democratic official, balancing his ticket with an older
congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense
issues.
Biden, 65, has twice sought the White House, and is a Catholic with
blue-collar roots, a generally liberal voting record and a reputation
as a long-winded orator.

Across more than 30 years in the Senate, he has served at various
times not only as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee but also
as head of the Judiciary Committee, with its jurisdiction over anti-
crime legislation, Supreme Court nominees and Constitutional issues.

In selecting Biden, Obama passed over several other potential running
mates, none more prominent than former first lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton, his tenacious rival in dozens of primaries and caucuses.

The official who spoke did so on condition of anonymity, preferring
not to pre-empt a text-message announcement the Obama campaign
promised for Saturday morning.

Obama's campaign arranged a debut for the newly minted ticket on
Saturday outside the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.

Hundreds of miles to the west, carpenters, electricians, sound stage
gurus and others transformed the Pepsi Center in Denver into a made-
for-television convention venue.

Tucked away in one corner were thousands of lightweight rolled
cardboard tubes, ready-made handles for signs bearing the names of the
Democratic ticket—once the identity of Obama's running mate was
known.

While Obama decided against adding Clinton to his ticket, he has gone
to great lengths to gain the confidence of her primary voters,
agreeing to allow her name to be placed in nomination at the
convention and permitting a roll call vote that threatens to expose
lingering divisions within the party.

Biden slowly emerged as Obama's choice across a long day and night of
political suspense as other contenders gradually fell away.

First Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine let it be known that he had been ruled
out. Then came word that Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana had also been
passed over.

Several aides to Clinton said the Obama campaign had never requested
financial or other records from her.

Other finalists in the veep sweepstakes were Kansas Gov. Kathleen
Sebelius and Texas Rep. Chet Edwards.

Among those on the short list, Biden brought the most experience in
defense or foreign policy—areas in which Obama is rated relatively
poorly in the polls compared with Republican Sen. John McCain.

While the war in Iraq has been supplanted as the campaign's top issues
by the economy in recent months, the recent Russian invasion of
Georgia has returned foreign policy to the forefront.

In addition to foreign policy experience, Biden, a native of Scranton,
Pa., has working-class roots that could benefit Obama, who lost the
blue-collar vote to Clinton during their competition for the
presidential nomination.

Biden was elected to the Senate at the age of 29 in 1973.

He spent the day at his home in Delaware with friends and family. The
normally loquacious lawmaker maintained a low profile as associates
said they believed—but did not know—he would be tapped. They added
they had been asked to stand by in case their help was needed.

No sooner had word spread of his selection than McCain's campaign
unleashed its first attack. Spokesman Ben Porritt said in a statement
that Biden had "denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy judgment
and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly
realizing—that Barack Obama is not ready to be president."

As evidence, Republicans cited an ABC interview from August 2007, in
which Biden said he would stand by an earlier statement that Obama was
not ready to serve as president.

Biden is seeking a new Senate term in the fall. there was no immediate
word whether he intended to change plans as he reaches for national
office.

Biden dropped out of the 2008 race for the Democratic presidential
nomination after a poor finish in the Iowa caucuses, but not before he
talked dismissively of joining someone else's ticket.

"I am not running for vice president," he said in a Fox interview. "I
would not accept it if anyone offered it to me. The fact of the matter
is I'd rather stay as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee than
be vice president."

It was his second try for the White House. The first ended badly in
1988 when he was caught lifting lines from a speech by British Labor
Party leader Neil Kinnock.

In the decades since, he become a power in the Senate, presiding over
confirmation proceedings for Supreme Court nominees as well as
convening hearings to criticize President Bush's handling of the Iraq
War.

Biden voted to authorize the war, but long ago became one of the
Senate's surest critics of the conflict.

Obama worked to keep his choice secret, although he addressed the
issue broadly during the day in an interview.

"Obviously, the most important question is: Is this person ready to be
president?" Obama told "The Early Show" on CBS. Second, he said, was:
"Can this person help me govern? Are they going to be an effective
partner in creating the kind of economic opportunity here at home and
guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally?"

And, he added: "I want somebody who is going to be able to challenge
my thinking and not simply be a yes person when it comes to
policymaking.

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[lebanonfan]

That's what they're all saying right now...

[KY Hooligan]

You mean this Joe Biden?

http://tinyurl.com/5tsu3n

[cheshirecatldy]

how come he felt he needed to go with a Washington insider when he is
supposedly a "new generation candidate defying political
conventions."???? is he feeling a little lack of confidence maybe?
Hell Biden has been in longer than McCain!!
I thought Biden has said some stuff against Obama?
is Obama willing to risk what got him this far if it gets him to the
White House?

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[rwhi...@elkcreek.net]

I am kind of agreeing with you CCL...It seems that Obama's traded in
the idealism for pragmatism...which is probably a good thing. I don't
think that people have a lot of warm and fuzzies about new and outside
approaches...As for me, I would have to approve of Biden since he was
the only Democratic nominee to show up in....TAYLORSVILLE???
How did he know? ;)

[Foxtrot]

Biden is a good choice because he is highly EXPERIENCED in domestic
and foreign policy. However, Barry now has a host of problems. Biden
has always been very complimentary of John McCain's leadership skills
to include mutual respect, his willingness to compromise and even said
he would be proud to run either with or against him. Biden has
supported the war, he's had access to ALL INTELLIGENCE so now Barry
now has to be very careful criticizing our presence in Iraq. He's made
numerous statements that Obama isn't ready to become President and
certainly not Commander-in-Chief. Usually VP's are selected to become
an attack dog, but every time he does he's be forced to eat his own
words.

I commend Biden on being an excellent parent especially after his wife
died. He's a good man but what I really like is that he's a lot like
McCain by having a mean streak in him. Therefore, he throws the fear
of God into leaders of countries who threaten us. Also, Biden has
stated he would never sit down face to face with any of them which I
agree. It would be a much stronger ticket if it were the reverse, ie.
a Biden - Obama ticket.

Hillary must be elated because she and Bill will monopolize the
Democrat Convention. Oh sure, she will play the game to support Obama
but even the party leaders know she is 100% self serving. It's the
perfect scenario for her because she knows Obama can't win in November
so she will be posturing herself for 2012. This will all backfire
especially when Bill inserts foot into his mouth which he can't
resist. The bottom line, the Dem's have really made a mess by picking
two extreme liberals as their final 2 candidates which will permit the
Republican's to remain in the White House. I'm thrilled for John
McCain and especially OUR COUNTRY.

On Aug 23, 10:21 am, cheshirecatldy <crzycatldy8...@yahoo.com> wrote:

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[cheshirecatldy]

I think Obama realized he needed the experience, cant fault him for
that, I mean it really is the smart thing to do, but
does this mean, if this ticket wins, we will have another vp telling
the pres what to do, like we have now?
I REALLLY dont want another Cheney
anyway, I think it will get fired up now between Biden and McCain!!!

On Aug 23, 11:15 am, "rwhitl...@elkcreek.net" <rwhitl...@elkcreek.net>
wrote:

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[lebanonbornlebanonraised]

He is Catholic.

[cheshirecatldy]

ok and that means.......

On Aug 24, 11:05 pm, lebanonbornlebanonraised

[Taylorcofan]

I think Biden is a great choice and this will help with the Catholic
vote in some areas.
A very good idea.
tcf

On Aug 24, 11:05 pm, lebanonbornlebanonraised
<davidstear...@alltel.net> wrote:

[cheshirecatldy]

oh is that what that means

[CyclePro]

I'm sure the Caholic's will be pleased that Biden has the "Pay Grade"
to make decisions about Partial Birth Abortion. Too bad his boss
won't though.

Guess we'll see if he stands on his principles or waffles to the
positions of his boss. I say we have some Character Tests in the
Making...

[rwhi...@elkcreek.net]

CP: Being Catholic is about a lot more than concern for the
unborn...As a matter of fact I would say that in the totality of
things, compassion for the poor, sick and those that are too young or
old to care for themselves are probably much higher on the lists of
many Catholics...At least that was the way I was raised...Maybe I'm
wrong.

[cheshirecatldy]

you know, if a person has a strong enough stance on something, if they
REALLY believe in what they stand for, they can give an answer. 'above
my pay grade {sic}" is a non answer.
IMO

On Aug 25, 8:58 am, CyclePro <jlc...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[CyclePro]

I agree CCL. Obama's answer is typical of a Politician that doesn't
wish to be "Pinned" down on the "Issues". It's much easier to use a
"Triangulated" answer in order to "Not Offend". I always admire a
person who can stand and defend their positions. So far, I've yet to
see Obama take a Hard Stand accept his incessant stance that he's
against the War in Iraq and thus has to ignore any new evidence that
demands a verdict that we need to continue this war either there or
somewhere else. He has to take the position against all things
considering the War in Iraq. Otherwise this makes his "Judgement"
look bad. I prefer a leader to stand up and admit he's wrong. Same
goes for our current President. I support a great many of his
policies, however I do agree that some serious Judgement calls have
been made.

Makes you wonder what type of decision maker this ends up producing.
The Office of the President, Demands an Individual to make Decisions
and then to ACT. My favorite Democratic President is Harry Truman.
I've read were he agonized over the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb
on Japan. President Truman placed the Interests of the Nation ahead
of any politics and even above his own future benefits and career.

To me, the "Risks" of either Obama or McCain "Fumbling the Ball" are
both equally HIGH. We are going to be taking some serious hits both
Domestically but also Internationally in the next couple of years. I
guess our choice is which "Outcomes" are we willing to accept and
manage towards.

I'm placing bets that no matter who gets into office, that this is
going to be a 1-Term Show...

I just hope that most people realize that a Democracy ceases to exist
when the "People Learn to Vote themselves Benefits"...

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[cheshirecatldy]

obama doesnt have an original thought that I can tell, that is why he
picked Mr Biden, that is why the REAL obama called biden President!!!
yes bush has made some mistakes and I wish he would say so

[fisherman]

I am sure that your high minded opinion about Obama's slip will be
about as important to him as your opinion of Cheney is to him. Wut du
u think? LOL

[CyclePro]

Well Fishman, the big difference about Mr. Obama vs Mrs. Obama is the
former wishes for our votes and therefore He'd better understand our
points of view...

[fisherman]

I'd say that Obama would not expect someone like you to vote for him.
And I am not sure your point of view is the one he is worried about
understanding.

Coarse I could be wrong.

Uh, I believe that's course isn't it? LOL

[cheshirecatldy]

oh you are soooo sweet fish, calling me high minded!! I have never
been called that!!!
you are toooo cute!