OBAMA Selects SEN. JOE BIDEN as V.P. Running Mate

[MegalosSkylaki]

One is hard pressed to see what Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware adds to the ticket, except his title as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Firs Delaware is not a large state and while I don't know if it is a red or Blue State (I suspect Red), it only buys Osama a geographic area he is already strong in. So a Senator from Illinois and a Sen. from Delaware rather leaves out area that the Democrats need to make inroads into --like the West or South.

The "Solid South" looked like it might be an area with its large black registration where a big Black turnout might allow the Democrats to make major inroads to recapture what was formerly the "solid Democrat (Dixiecrat) South" and turned Republican during Reagan's first run for President I recall.

Absent a Democrat V.P. candidate from the South, McCain is now able to select popular Florida Gov. Crist (sp?) --which not only helps solidify a Republican South, but also not have to spend as much time and money in the South as Obama's candidacy had earlier looked like it would force them.

Indeed, with basically an "Eastern ticket", the Democrats have basically abandoned the West and the South to the Republican Party. Even the Midwest, Illinois is not perceived as the quintessential Midwest State -- like Iowa or Nebraska.

Certainly Biden can act as the traditional role of the V.P. candidate --to say things about the opponent that the Presidential candidate would sound "unPresidential" in saying. However, any V.P. candidate --even if it doesn't come naturally to them --can be tasked as the "attack Humanoid" ( ), so the choice of Biden still seems quizzical. Perhaps any statements he makes that backfire --as sometimes is the case in these contested elections can be more easily dismissed as "well that's Joe for you". This seems a dubious advantage.

Given that the Democrats have "gone first", this leaves McCain with the advantage of picking a Swing State candidate for V.P. and FL's Gov. would meet that criterion and is also the Fifth biggest prize in Electoral College votes.

Alternatively, besides picking a V.P. candidate from West or South is to pick someone from the East, to force the Democrats to defend their "home ground". Is Pennsylvania’s Arlen Specter still around? Might make Republicans stay home!

Actually, that is a problem that McCain faces. Once he is formerly nominated as Presidential candidate, he can swing toward the Center as traditionally done by both candidates, but McCain already faces defections from his home base that might force so called "neocon" on him.

Actually, Romney is a good choice in this regard (except for his religion in the fundamentalist areas) and would help in three States: Mass,, Mich.; and Utah. Also is well-heeled. Who knows? McCain may also forego Federal Campaign Funding to take on Obama's bucks. As McCain may be a one-term President if elected, a V.P. Romney could step in the following Presidential Election. Since Romney still holds some considerable number of Primary votes, this could be presented as "unifying the Grand Old Party".

MegalosSkylaki
__________________
Have You missed Yourself in the Mirror Lately?
Come to Dr. van Helsing's Clinic

[Pexster]

I think you are right about Romney, but disagree on Biden. I have always thought he should get it, and I'm glad he did. He may solidify Pennsylvania for Obama, and also assuage the doubts on foreign policy. As a first executive decision, it is a rock-solid one.

I'd love to see a Biden-Romney debate!

[MegalosSkylaki]

Originally Posted by Pexster

I think you are right about Romney, but disagree on Biden. I have always thought he should get it, and I'm glad he did. He may solidify Pennsylvania for Obama, and also assuage the doubts on foreign policy. As a first executive decision, it is a rock-solid one.

I'd love to see a Biden-Romney debate!

I also would like to see a Biden[Wavy Hair] -Romney[Stiff-combed hair] Debate

but only if Reflected in a Mirror.

This might help van Helsing Franchise Sales as other people "come out" and I need the money.



One can wonder, though, if media-attention -- something he was hardpressed to get up to now -- will even make Biden "back out"......

[MegalosSkylaki]

Given that the Democrats have "gone first", this leaves McCain with the advantage of picking a Swing State candidate for V.P. and FL's Gov. would meet that criterion and is also the Fifth biggest prize in Electoral College votes.

Alternatively, besides picking a V.P. candidate from West or South is to pick someone from the East, to force the Democrats to defend their "home ground". Is Pennsylvania’s Arlen Specter still around? Might make Republicans stay home!

Actually, that is a problem that McCain faces. Once he is formerly nominated as Presidential candidate, he can swing toward the Center as traditionally done by both candidates, but McCain already faces defections from his home base that might force so called "neocon" on him.

Actually, Romney is a good choice in this regard (except for his religion in the fundamentalist areas) and would help in three States: Mass,, Mich.; and Utah. Also is well-heeled. Who knows? McCain may also forego Federal Campaign Funding to take on Obama's bucks. As McCain may be a one-term President if elected, a V.P. Romney could step in the following Presidential Election. Since Romney still holds some considerable number of Primary votes, this could be presented as "unifying the Grand Old Party".

--DooGaPedia

Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. (born July 24, 1956), is an American politician of the Republican Party and the current Governor of Florida. Crist was Florida's attorney general when he won election to governor, thus becoming the first Florida cabinet official in 95 years to be elected governor (since Park Trammell).

Early life and education
Crist was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania[1] to Dr. Charlie Crist Sr., a Greek-Cypriot American physician, and Nancy Lee, who is of Scots-Irish descent. The family surname had been legally changed by his father from "Christodoulou" to "Crist" in 1949, according to court records in Pinellas County, Florida.[citation needed] Crist later moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he attended Riviera Middle School[2] [3] and graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1974. After high school, he attended Wake Forest University for two years, where he played at quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. Crist received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University where he was elected Vice President of the student body. He belongs to Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He received his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in Alabama.


Early career
During law school, Crist interned in the State Attorney's Office. After graduating, Crist failed the Florida bar exam twice, before passing on his third attempt. [4] Crist served as general counsel to the minor league division of the Baseball Commissioner's Office. He worked for Senator Connie Mack and then entered the private practice of law.
]

Crist was elected to the Florida Senate in 1992, representing parts of St. Petersburg.[5] As state senator, he was known for his support of chain gangs for state prison inmates, earning him the nickname "Chain Gang Charlie."[1] He supported teacher salary increases. He cosponsored the bill that created charter schools. He sponsored a bill requiring felons to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. He sponsored a license plate to raise funds for the Everglades.[5]
Crist became well known in state politics in 1998, when he challenged the popular incumbent Senator, Democrat Bob Graham, for his U.S. Senate seat but lost by 26 percent. In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Crist to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. In 2000, Crist was elected Education Commissioner of Florida, and he served in this capacity until 2003.[6]

--Wikipedia

[MTAtech]

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

You know, Biden is 65. That's pretty old to have to suffer through the stress of being a vice president. I hope that at his advanced age he doesn't break down.

McCain is 72. If you are stressing that Biden will break down as VP, who basically chairs the Senate and waits around for the president to die, why are you not stressing at McCain who is 7 years older and would have the demanding job as Pres?

[Sarah L]

Biden is the funniest pick. He virtually has endorsed McCain for President. He has shredded Obama for his inexperience.

McCain only needs to replay the mans words to show how big a hypocrite Biden is.

[Pexster]

And the same will apply to McCain's words about Mitt Romney.

[MTAtech]

Originally Posted by Sarah L

Biden is the funniest pick. He virtually has endorsed McCain for President. He has shredded Obama for his inexperience.

McCain only needs to replay the mans words to show how big a hypocrite Biden is.

I beg to differ from Sarah's conclusion that "Biden virtually endorsed McCain." Biden's speech on July 15th certainly shows just the opposite:

Because of the policies George Bush has pursued and John McCain would continue, the entire Middle East is more dangerous. The United States and our allies, including Israel, are less secure.

So even, if you look at the world through this administration’s distorted lens, you see a failed policy.
* * *
The election in November is a vital opportunity for America to start anew. That will require more than a good soldier. It will require a wise leader.
Barack Obama is that wise leader.

McCain only needs to replay the mans words to show how big a hypocrite Biden is.

Yes, and one can replay McCain's speeches over the last five-years where he attacks positions he endorses today. Mr. Straight Talker talks from both sides of his mouth. Talk about hypocrisy. One is calling Biden a hypocrite while excusing McCain's hypocrisy.

[MegalosSkylaki]

The arguments against Obama are familiar, that he's inexperienced and superficial. But the vice presidential process appears to have stoked the anger. They're angry that Clinton was never a serious consideration, and they're upset with the final pick. Obama beat up Clinton for voting for the Iraq war resolution and because she was a Washington insider. Now he's picked Biden, who voted for the Iraq war and has been in Washington longer than Clinton. [Emphasis supplied-DOOG]

Whether the convention show works for these Obama doubters is part of the question. The more crucial question is whether there are enough of them in the battleground states to cause him real harm.[Emphasis supplied-DOOG] Given how many new, enthusiastic voters Obama is bringing into the process, his strategists may eventually decide they can let these hard-core Hillary supporters go.

--from the SLATE

Seems like Obama just can't win on this one.

[Atomic Rooster]

Originally Posted by MTAtech

I beg to differ from Sarah's conclusion that "Biden virtually endorsed McCain."

Yea, I guess you're right. . .

Biden has called McCain a personal hero and proclaimed that he would run on a McCain ticket. Perhaps more substantively, Biden has praised McCain’s stances on climate change and troop levels in Iraq and has acknowledged that McCain’s approach to foreign policy differs from President Bush’s

“To his credit, John repudiates some of the Bush administration's approach to the world,” Biden said. “He recognizes that the power of our example is as important as the example of our power ... that allies we respect, not disdain, can advance our interests. He is especially eloquent about his abhorrence for war — as John is uniquely placed to be.”

Biden, who voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq but opposed the surge, said repeatedly in 2004 that things would have gone better there had the administration listened to calls from him, McCain and others for more troops.

“John McCain and Joe Biden said, send more troops, we need more troops,” Biden said in an October 2004 appearance on CNN’s “American Morning.”

Days later, Biden said on CBS’s, “Face The Nation,” that he’d “feel a lot better” if he knew Bush “was going to start to listen to John McCain instead of the secretary of defense, because they have totally different — no, I shouldn’t say totally — many — have very different views of how to proceed.”

Biden said last June that the Senate debate over climate change legislation “would not be happening without leadership from both parties over the years. Senator McCain joined Senator Lieberman in introducing the first Senate cap-and-trade legislation.”

And on a personal level, Biden last summer called McCain “one of my heroes,” according to the Congressional Record.