Reassessing Biden

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/09/14/reassessing_biden.html

Reassessing Biden

A must-read piece in The Atlantic:

"Joe Biden really, truly did not want to be the vice president. Experienced and emotional, Biden is in many ways the antithesis of the president he serves. But his stock has risen steadily in the West Wing, and almost two years in, he's found his stride. With the Democrats poised to lose much of their leverage in the midterm elections, the vice president's unique skills and attributes may prove ever more crucial to his administration's success."

Atlantic piece here:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/the-salesman/8226
The Salesman

[WI_DEM]

1. He's been a great VP

[Peacetrain]

2. I love Joe Biden!!! and so proud he is our VP

[vi5]

3. I think he's been great....

I was only moderately in favor of him as the VP and I think he's been really very good. Laid back when he needs to be, aggressive at other times when he needs to be.

I was a huge Obama supporter and only a tepid Biden supporter at best. But I've been very dissapointed in Obama and very pleasantly surprised by Biden. I realize they are different jobs, but am speaking in the context of the jobs they have. I don't know that Biden would have been a great president.

[Blue Owl]

4. Lots to love about Joe

I do wish he'd come to his senses about the failed war on drugs and quit chasing that rainbow.

Other than that, I hold Amtrak Joe in high regard!

[COLGATE4]

5. I was also somewhat lukewarm on Biden but he has shown

himself to be a real 'team player', in the best sense of the word. Doesn't upstage Obama, carries whatever shitty job the VP has to do with real grace and charm and is a very astute politician. If there were one problem to be named, I'd bet that Obama doesn't take Joe's advice on political maneuvering nearly as often as he should.

[gateley]

21. Also his advice on foreign relations -- Joe was against the latest buildup in Afghanistan. nt

[Phx_Dem]

6. He's a good man. n/t

[gateley]

18. He is. I was just thinking of a story about when he was running for Prez (this time)

and he was on his way to a fundraiser. There were some people on the side of the road w/anti-Biden signs. He had the car pull over and he got out and actually TALKED to these people and invited them to come to the function to see what he had to say. And they did! He cares and he's real.

[vaberella]

7. Check out those dentures! You can't go wrong there! n/t

[the other one]

8. Drug Warrior Bank Apologist

Also my neighbor. Made a pizza for him once. Can't stand him.

[dionysus]

10. .

:nopity:

[gateley]

20. .

:pals:

Best response ever. I'm stealing it next time this comes up (and it always does). :hi:

[SoxFan]

27. .

[DarthDem]

9. Great Man

I'll never forget the leadership he showed on September 11, giving a calm interview when Commander Bunnypants was running all over the country. It was a true harbinger of his leadership skills.

[AtomicKitten]

11. VP Joe B has been a great wingman for Pres Obama. nt

[butterfly77]

12. Kicked&Recommended!

I don't give a damn about the media talking about how he has loose lips. In my opinion the looser the better when it comes to the CONS they should use him as the attack dog to say the things that the Cons try turn into some type of racism when Obama says it..

[Clio the Leo]

13. And he's also the Anti-Cheney.....

.... see?

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. EEEEEEEWwwwwww! A little advance warning next time, Clio.

:rofl:



:puke: :puke::puke::puke:

[Jennicut]

24. Much more pleasant to look at and listen to on tv, for sure.

:)

[madmax]

15. Biden was my husbands first choice for Prez.

We both love Joe.

[Orsino]

16. The more I see of him, the more I find to like.

I'm not entirely sure I should*, but the man is fucking winning.

*His mindless Bush-praise on Colbert was particularly odious, though I think I understand why he had to do it. And, perhaps, why Colbert made him do it.

[gateley]

17. He's always been respectful of the POTUS. I read where he told Rumsfeld and

Cheney that he'd fire them if he could, but I bet he never would have said that to Bush because of his respect for the Office.

But you're right, it's part of his j.o.b. now, and might even bring the anti-teabaggers who love Bush over our way. Who knows?

[Safetykitten]

19. Joe is the coolest VP ever. Love the guy!

[gateley]

23. Welcome to DU, Safetykitten!

:hi:

[gateley]

22. I really enjoyed the article - thanks so much babylonsister! nt

[glinda]

25. I love Joe

[jenmito]

26. Can you believe PETA got mad at him for giving out hotdogs to the troops on

the Colbert Report? They put out this statement:

"You can't expect the troops to be lean, mean fighting machines if you're stuffing them with fattening, artery-clogging meat, eggs and dairy products every day," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman says. "These men and women have seen enough violence, so the nicest thing that the vice president can do is to spare animals from the violence of factory farming and turn our servicemen and servicewomen onto the lifesaving benefits of delicious vegan food."

http://www.nerve.com/scanner/2010/09/13/peta-angry-joe-biden-served-soldiers-hot-dogs-on-colbert

[Steely_Dan]

28. Joe Was My First Choice For President...

However, when he dropped out I supported Obama. You can imagine how thrilled I was that the President chose Joe for the VP position.

Joe is a special person. His ability to connect with the common man is extraordinary. And his love for the troops is unquestionable. He can be very tough when he needs to be but still knows how to "play the game." After 35 years in the Senate, he has seen it all. Most noteworthy is his ability to anticipate foreign affairs issues. He stated once (a long time ago) that the real problem in the MIddle East is Pakistan...he may very well be right. He is respected around the world as a no nonsense ambassador with regard to American interests. He has carried the Democratic banner upholding our principles for a very long time.

For me Biden is the "real deal." There is no BS in this man.

Is is clear to me that the current administration is not utilizing him to the fullest. I could see him being the "attack dog" for Obama. He could be out there putting the RW in their place. He is pretty well insulated and I think it would show that this administration cares about Democratic principles.

-P

[Inuca]

34. Agree that Biden could be a very

effective attack dog. With a smile and sense of humor. I hope he will be more "out there" in the next... whatever the number of days left until the election.

[PatSeg]

36. The administration

really has underused Joe. He is a great communicator and a huge asset, especially with the upcoming election. I'm so glad he is finally getting some well deserved credit.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

29. that's what I've been saying for months!

he's not used enough. They use him to congratulate the troops and hardly anyhting else. He should get on the fact that the GOP want to get rid o social security and Medicare. He's good at one liners.

[jillan]

30. I just read the whole thing! I love that man!!

[PatSeg]

37. The Atlantic article is incredible

It is so refreshing to see him get the credit he deserves.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

31. I cannot understand why even many Democrats hate Biden. I think he'll go down as one of the best

VP's ever!

[saltpoint]

32. Joe and Jill are class acts.

Yes indeed.

[Steely_Dan]

35. They Are Both Great! n/t

[BigBearJohn]

33. K/R

Great article

:hi:

[BabbaTam]

38. Joe

He has good energy. I'd love to have a beer with him. That would be a local sustainable beer, like my fav 'full moon pale ale'.

[nyc 4 Biden]

39. k&r

Biden's one of the best guys we have on our side.