Biden, others grind out their campaigns from the Second Tier

[PatSeg]

Sen. Joe Biden was joined by about 100 people over the Wednesday lunch hour at the Fort Dodge public library. No rope lines. No Secret Service. No video cameras, save one used by a staffer. Just two reporters (both of them, incredibly, named Helling).

Just an hour of talk: The war, education, chiropractic medicine.

This is the Second Tier — that notorious limbo for well-qualified presidential candidates who, for some mysterious reason, seem left out of the Obama-Huckabee-Clinton-Romney media axis.

Instead, they’re forced to grind out their presidential campaigns, from place to place, speech to speech, 100, 200 voters at a time.

“It has been frustrating,” Biden said. “But what’s starting to happen now, and it’s happening at the right time … is they’re now starting to pay attention.”

snip

Unlike Republicans, Democrats require “viability” on caucus night: Supporters of candidates who fall below a certain threshold must move to someone else, potentially weakening the results from candidates with support in the teens.

Biden’s supporters, at least here, appear, as caucus veterans, to understand this. And they’re ready to go.

“I think he’s really tenacious,” said Chris Dencklau. “He’s not afraid to say the things other people are afraid to say.”

http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics/story/411137.html

[1corona4u]

1. I can't wait to see how this all comes out....

not much longer....

[PatSeg]

2. That's for sure

Can't believe its only two weeks away and those two weeks will fly by with the holidays.

[susanhowardishere]

3. Obama/Biden 2008?

Joe Biden is one of the great senators of modern times. An Obama/Biden ticket would be a powerhouse. These two men would compliment each other so well... A GREAT article about an Obama White House here. WONDERFUL STUFF!

THE BARACK OBAMA MOMENT

"America is on the verge of enormous calamity – and people know it. Skyrocketing trade deficits; record levels of national debt; pathological fetishism; epic corporate greed – starring the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Not to mention the warming of the globe and endless war. The dollar is plummeting. Jobs are scarce. Families are scared of the future. America's international status is at an all time low and we sense the worst is yet to come.

"But within this moment something transformative abounds. Something palpitating, an energy. Like the newness in the air before it snows. It gnaws at your conscience, it pounds in your gut. It's convulsing like an atrophied muscle. It's the ghost of Emerson, and he's speaking to us – in the language of a languished, American instinct.

""What is popularly called Transcendentalism among us, is Idealism," spoke American genius Ralph Waldo Emerson in a lecture at the Masonic Temple in Boston in 1842. "As thinkers, mankind have ever divided into two sects, the Materialists and the Idealists; the first class beginning on experience, the second on consciousness; the first class beginning to think from the data of the senses, the second class perceive that the senses are not final, and say, the senses give us representations of things, but what are the things themselves, they cannot tell." (emphasis added)

"The senses realize the peril at our doorstep. The senses know our leadership is false. Experience, to our chagrin, provided political dynasty. And experience, we keep hearing, is the light. But the senses, says Emerson, only take us so far. Behind that which the senses "cannot tell" is this atrophied American consciousness; the embryonic manifestation of a cultural surge which "experience" can only mock. It is the magnitude of what is ours if we'll only reach out and claim it. The first authentic 21 st century presidency. This feeling – this American instinct – is the birth of a new national ideal. This, utters Emerson, is Transcendentalism. It is the promise of a Barack Obama White House..."

Continues here: http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/3037/81/

[1corona4u]

4. Good god...

To suggest that Obama would be more qualified to be president, than Joe, is just ludicrous.

And let me just add, some people seem to think that the 2nd tier candidates are somehow beneath the top 3, when in reality, it's the other way arround. Speaking to the qualifications of course. The fact that the 2nd tier candidates aren't being bought is the reason. Not because of their qualifications, experience, or their likeability factors.

I get so pissed when I see people ignoring the most qualified people, and acting as if the people in the top 3 somehow have become the only ones capable of running this country!!!!!! Which is bullshit.

[rucky]

5. in no particular order, of course.

it would be the strongest ticket.

[PatSeg]

7. I want to see a landslide victory in 08

and with these two on the ticket, it is highly probable.

[PatSeg]

6. I think the two would make a great team

but obviously I think it should be Biden/Obama. As a ticket, they would be unstoppable and as an administration they could really change the world.

[msongs]

8. what swill. jesus obama come to save the human race. don,t we already have a savior myth? nt

[youthere]

9. Biden/Obama would be better IMO...

In fact, it's my dream ticket. One of my biggest reservations about Obama is his inexperience..I just don't feel he's ready. One of our Bidenites put it beautifully, and I hope they will forgive my poor paraphrasing here but they said "If Obama were to become president now he would shine, but after 8 years in a Biden administration he would shine with brilliance". (Or something like that) and it's true. I'd love to see Joe take him under his wing and guide him for eight years. Can you imagine 16 YEARS of Biden/Obama policy? WOW!

[PatSeg]

11. The stuff that dreams are made of!

Sixteen years - what a concept!

[robcon]

10. I think Biden and Dodd will drop out after NH.

5% or less for each will discourage them and their followers, IMO.

Both could serve their country well in the new administration.

[PatSeg]

12. They have both served their country well

for many years and will continue to do so I'm sure.

I wouldn't discount them yet. Iowa is usually full of surprises come caucus night.

[murbley40]

13. Well, maybe,but this supporter ...

cannot be discouraged where Joe Biden is concerned. Whatever happens, I know that he will have done it "his way" and therefore will be able to go on unencumbered, still serving our nation in a great way.:patriot:

[PatSeg]

14. That is one of the things I admire the most about him,

he said he is doing this "on his terms" and that means a lot to me.