I personally think that this choice was a big mistake for the following reasons:

1. Putting Biden (who has been in the Senate for 36 years) on the ticket completely undermines Obama's main message that he is an agent of change.

2. Biden himself has previously made statements to the effect that Obama is too inexperienced to become president.

3. By placing Biden on the ticket, Obama is implictly acknowledging that he (Obama) is sorely lacking in the areas of experience and foreign policy expertise. In other words, it looks like an act of desperation on Obama's part (similar to how Bush placing Cheney on the ticket looked like an act of desperation on his part).

4. As mentioned earlier, Biden often says foolish things and has a tendency to go off message.

5. There have been incidents where Biden's own integrity has been called into question, such as when he plagarized a speech (originally given by a British politicain) during his 1988 campaign for president.

6. Biden provides no help to Obama when it comes to gathering more votes: his home state of Delaware is already very Democratic, and Biden's showing in the 2008 presidential primaries was microscopic.

Personally, I think that both Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine were much better choices for Obama: Bayh himself was very experienced (having served ten years in the Senate and eight years as governor before that), was a Clinton supporter in the primaries (which would have helped Obama ease tensions with her supporters), and would have turned his home state of Indiana (which is normally very Republican) into a battleground state. And, while not as appealing as Bayh, Kaine would have re-enforced Obama's message of change, is somebody who has a great personal relationship with Obama, and would have likely been able to place his home state of Virginia into the Obama column in November. (Of course, the down side with Kaine is that he--like Obama--is very inexperienced, having been governor for just two years. Nevertheless, his negatives pale in comparasion to Biden's.)

Finally, I'd like to say that I agree with those of you who thought Clinton would have been the worst possible choice for Obama to choose as his running mate: Although she might have helped Obama in the election, she still was a terrible choice because (1) she and Obama hate each other, (2) her focus as the VP candidate would be to prop herself up for the 2012 election, as opposed to helping Obama win this election, and (3) she would have brought her husband--and all of his problems--along with her. However, while Obama was right not to select her, he still made a big mistake in not vetting her: according to all of the cable news channels, Obama did not meet with her (in regards to the VP selection) or even ask her for her personal records. By not going through these motions, Obama has pissed off Clinton's supporters even more.

Bill already said he wasn't going to give them his records. So what was the point. Hillary and her peeps are the ones who kept saying she was already vetted

Funny how the Repugs seem to be so worried about Hillary.

Edited August 23, 200817 yr by Southofnowhere

I think it's an excellent choice. It does no harm and that is what you seek in a vice president nominee.

I also agree with south. It shows leadership that he was willing to be someone who is seen as stronger in some areas. It would be nice if everyone he appointed to any position was smarter than he is at their area of expertise.

So far Biden's biggest ethical lapse was a speech in 1988. Biden lifted one passage from a speech that British labor Leader Neil Kinnock gave and did not credit it. It was obvious the passage was copied.

It was bad but does not compare to McCain and the Keating scandal. I think if ethical lapses are the question, Biden will win hands' down.

As far as the "change agent". Biden is anything but a status quo candidate. He is known, in spite of his years in Washington, as an agent of change. The way he leads his life certainly separates him from the mold of the traditional Washington power player.

If Biden has a short-coming in my opinion, it is his tendency to put his foot and his mouth. He also is, well, long-winded.

Max, my only concern with obama picking biden is the hillary supporters either not voting or voting for McCain. This may or may not have an effect, but no one will know that until Nov. I honestly don't think obama agreeing with hillary to let her name be called at roll call is gonna cut it. Obama really needs to help hillary settle her debt or find a place for her in his adminstration. I know its not his problem, but it will be better for him in the long run.

Edited August 23, 200817 yr by EricaKane70

Max, my only concern with obama picking biden is the hillary supporters either not voting or voting for McCain. This may or may not have an effect, but no one will know that until Nov. I honestly don't think obama agreeing with hillary to let her name be called at roll call is gonna cut it. Obama really needs to help hillary settle her debt or find a place for her in his adminstration. I know its not his problem, but it will be better for him in the long run.

You know, I agree with this. Her supporters can cause a problem by continuing to talk about walking away in November. That is enough to draw attention away from the campaign. Obama does not need that.

Also, he should help her pay off her debt because he said he would.

Obama has asked his big money suppoters over and over agian to help. He has however refused to ask his internet suppoters and i don't blame him.

My question is why aren't "all" those Clintions peeps who aren't going to vote for Obama poney up? She be dedt free in no time.

It should also be noted that very few , like hardy any Clintion peeps are giving to McCain.

Obama also gave every Clintion by the dog a part of the DNC.

Other than have Hillary lay out the facts of what will happen with Women's rights and the High Court i don't know what else he can do.

If McCain wins the high Court will be in GOP hands forever. All the Dem leaning Justices can only hang in for so long.

Sames goes for if Obama wins , the Court will then be in Dems hands for a very longtime.

So far Team Obama hasn't played that card and i think they or one of the Womens groups should.

If Obama had given Hillary the VP spot they still would not have been happy.

Great pick! Joe Biden will make an absolutely great Vice President and a great President too imho.

Sorry..but awful pick! A Obama/Biden democratic team...NOT! What a letdown. Many are already saying McCain is going to win the Presidency. I guess I will just stay home and not Vote!!

If she would have been named, the McCain campaign would be throwing a party. They would have started with where all those contributions for Bill's libray came from and went from there......and Obama should not have to answer question for the next 60 days about this couple's finances.

JB is someone the other campaign can't really find anything on......on top of the fact that they just validated him. By coming out and saying that he has said harsh words about Obama, it shows that Barack has chosen someone who will not be a yes man, and will challenge him when need be, on top of the fact telling Biden that hus experience is just what Obama needed.

He lifted a passage........so what? The current V.P. is one of the biggest crooks since Spiro T. Agnew, a man who was convicted of fraud and had to step down. A V.P. (Dick Cheney) who received deferments to Vietnam.......while Joe's son is going to Iraq in October. You pick a V.P. who can lead tne nation if something happens to you. Period.

As far as Biden saying foolish things......I grant that. But, at least he doesn't stick his foot in his mouth every day (Like the Republican candidate).

So, I think it's a great pick. For those who don't, and will stay at home and not vote.......right on to ya. If McCain gets in because you decided not to get out and support the ticket, I really don't want to hear one damn word about how bad a job he does for the next four years....

Because you helped put him there.

Sorry..but awful pick! A Obama/Biden democratic team...NOT! What a letdown. Many are already saying McCain is going to win the Presidency. I guess I will just stay home and not Vote!!

The only peeps saying that are hardcore Hillary peeps who think she is God.

If not Biden who was he going to pick Bayh is too linked to McCain , Al Gore didn't want the job and the GOP would be runnning ad using her word agianst her just like they are Biden but it would on a much bigger scale. Plus if u think worring about what Biden says is bad Bill would have been a nightmare.

Speaking of Bill will he try to redeem himself at the DNC or put the final nail in his and Hillary's career?

If Obama wins not sure where Hillary goes? Do u think her and her supporters would try and get the nom in 4 years? If Obam done 2 terms Biden would be top choice and at 73 could totallly serve at least 1 term. Not to mention who knows who will be the next top Dem in waiting , maybe Joe's son Beau who's a shoo in to get his Dads sentate seat if he becomes VP.

Wouldn't be shocked if Obama offered Hillary the High Court or give Gov.Patterson a cabinet seat and let her run for Gov of NYC?

Now that Biden is on the ticket who do u think will be SOS? , i'm thinking either Bill Richardson or Sam Nunn.

My bet is John Kerry would be AG or maybe give Harry Reed the AG job and move Hillary in as Speaker? If he could trust her?

IA with Jess regarding Joe Biden not being an issue when it comes to any sort of slogan regarding change.

I don't believe that there are enough Clinton holdouts to make an impact. There certainly aren't 18 million of them. Whoever is still holding on must have other issues because the outcome is what it is. Being unhappy about it is one thing and if they want to vote for McCain or sit it out then they ought to do just that or do whatever vexes them more but there is no need for Obama to fret over them since they don't want him anyway.

If his donors don't want to pay off her debt then he can't do anything about that any more than she can get her holdouts to fall into line for him. He practically gave the convention over to her and her family and I don't think he's obligated to do another thing for her.....not that I thought he should have done any of what he's done in the first place. I know it's politics but that's exactly why politics sucks.

The only two things that I have heard so far about the convention is that the mayor of Los Angeles wasn't given a speaking spot because of his lack of family values which they backhandedly blamed on wayward John Edwards, and that Muhammad Ali asked to attend Obama's speech (which piqued my interest because the person reporting it made it sound like the most awesome thing ever). The GOP convention interests me only in respect to the number of Republican politicians who the media says don't want to go.

My position on voting is the people who should complain the least are the ones who voted for a candidate that turned out to be dreadful (I don;t mind cutting them slack if they really didn't expect it). People who don't vote because they couldn't in good conscience vote for either candidate can complain as much as they want. If they didn't vote because of laziness or something as or even more ridiculous then they should zip it. And people who voted for the candidate that didn't win are also in a position to complain....even if their choice might have been worse since no one can prove it.

On points 2, 3 and 6: People should vote for the presidential candidate not the VP. Look at Dan Quayle.

Getting Joe Biden doesn't look like an act of desperation, imo. It looks like he gave some consideration to who would make a good president as opposed to getting someone who will make him look even smarter and more competent.

If you don't like the presidential candidate then stop right there. Why vote for someone you don't want in the White House because you like the VP choice. I can see the VP choice turning off voters more than drawing them in, i.e., the VP is not seen as a voting magnet by the average voter.....if they even care or know who the VP candidate is.

Sorry..but awful pick! A Obama/Biden democratic team...NOT! What a letdown. Many are already saying McCain is going to win the Presidency. I guess I will just stay home and not Vote!!

Don't ever give up ypour right to be heard; to have a say. (that's what votong affords us) Don't stay home. Really look at what each candidate has to offer you and make an informed decision. I have voted for over 35 years and I contine to have my say. My candidates don't always win, but I know that my vote counts.

This election is too important to stay home.

Wales made a great point. Obama picked the most qualified Democratic candidate for vice president. He gets points from me for hiring a very qualified person, someone who could step in as president without losing a beat. That is a vice president's main responsibility.

There is a clear choice between the presidential candidates. I know which one I like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBDFeDVjYW0

The Obama campaign really does keep in touch with supporters and trying to organize the grassroots.. I got this video earlier today.

http://my.barackobama.com/joebidenvideo

Sorry..but awful pick! A Obama/Biden democratic team...NOT! What a letdown. Many are already saying McCain is going to win the Presidency. I guess I will just stay home and not Vote!!

Ron, You've gotta vote. Biden is very qualified for VP and President for that matter. It's most definitely NOT an awful pick. I don't see how anyone can say Biden is an 'awful pick'. If McCain wins the presidency it shows how stupid people are really getting. McCain winning would be 4 more years of Bush/Cheney sh!t we might as well keep those crooked fools in office.

Please vote for Obama/Biden. Do not stay at home. Be proud to be American and practice your right to vote. I will never get anyone not voting, especially in a Presidential election.

I really enjoyed Michelle Obama's speech, she did a very good job. I watched abc for the convention coverage and I still see that George Stephonopolus/Charlie gibson are kissing hillary's butt. My god why were they so concerned about hillary supporters and what she's gonna say tomorrow. From my view the audience was pro-obama. They acted like tomorrow was gonna be armagedon. From what I've been hearing hillary is gonna calm her camp down, not amp them up.

Update: George has finally lost his damn mind he said obama's stage looks like a casino and gave michelle a b+ for her speech. And afterwards he said all that he propped up hillary and said she was gonna be the highlight of tomorrow. My god did they have an affair or something, I've never seen so much propping in my life other than on a soap opera.

Edited August 26, 200817 yr by EricaKane70