Where was this Joe Biden before?
Have you ever experienced synergy with a co-worker? The person who clicks with your working style, thinks in synch and both of you do better work than you could as individuals?
I’ve seen Joe Biden run for president twice and I’ve never seen him deliver an inspired, crowd-stomping speech like this before.
I’d always assumed he was just another longtime member of the Millionaire’s Club, out of touch with middle America. He never sold himself as the Joe Biden Obama introduced to us: the guy who DIDN’T line his pockets as a Senator. The guy who commutes 2 hours and 110 miles each way and every work day, so he can spend each night at home withh his family. The guy who survived terrible family tragedies.
Maybe Barack reminded Joe that he’s really not about longwinded questions during Senate investigations, that he’s about something more than a snappy one-liner. Something’s really changed in Biden’s public persona. It’s like he dug beneath the surface cool and said “Joe, the guy I see that you keep hidden is really the person I admire and respect.
Whatever caused this synergy, I can only guess. But it’s clear that Obama found a helluva fighter and a guy far nicer than I thought was there.
I certainly can understand now why several Republican Senators confided to Harry Reid that they’d be voting for this ticket. More than the partisan divide, they respect and admire the kind of guy he is. Obama’s first major decision of the administration he hopes to lead was far better than I thought it was when he announced it.
In the thirty years I’ve watched Biden, I’ve never seen the personal side of Biden. And no matter what happens in November, I’ll still be grateful to Obama for bringing out the best of Joe Biden. In a tough situation, he’s absolutely the sort of guy I’d want to cover my back.
It might be the most inspired VP selection I’ve seen in my entire life. In fact, considering the best in the past 40 years, I’m certain of it. Biden knows how to get things done and would be a top notch leader if called upon. The Senate’s loss is America’s gain.
September 6th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Yep. I always took him for a principled and knowledgeable guy, but still a tool for all the corporations that find Delaware a friendly tax haven. Nice to know he’s the real deal.
BTW, he made the absolute best of the short time he was given in every debate, always memorable, always spot on. Kucinich, Gravel and Dodd were given about the same media exposure on those line-ups they called debates. Only Biden knew what to do with the time he had and made the most of it without whining.
September 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Kevin, thanks for this positive look at Joe Biden, who has been a favorite of mine for many years. I really hope Americans will finally take advantage of their opportunity to put Biden in higher office. He is a perfect complement to Obama and it is great to see how well they work together — a natural and genuine partnership, unlike the awkward, forced “team” of McCain and Palin. Governor Palin seems to believe that sarcasm and lies will win over the voters, while Joe Biden maintains his good humor and straight talk to the people.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:43 am
[…] When the Right pats themselves on the back because they’ve found a two-faced vindictive, racist, and sexist attack dog they forget one thing: No matter how much they might crow about how great their TV ratings are the economy is terrible, the American people are struggling. Far from being a bad move Obama’s selection of Biden as his veep is turning out to be nearly prescient. Keven Hayden of American Street: I’d always assumed he was just another longtime member of the Millionaire’s Club, out of touch with middle America. He never sold himself as the Joe Biden Obama introduced to us: the guy who DIDN’T line his pockets as a Senator. The guy who commutes 2 hours and 110 miles each way and every work day, so he can spend each night at home withh his family. The guy who survived terrible family tragedies. […]