First thought - nothing says "change" like picking the sixth longest currently serving Senator

[dpbrown]

The 20th longest serving Senator in history, of 1,897 elected to that house.

Over 50% of US publicly-traded corporations and 60% of the Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware, and they've been doing just fine with Biden's help.

I'm sure it will be fine, but I don't think this ticket has much populist hutzpah to offer. Hopefully Obama will make better picks to the Supreme Court. It's kind of sad that it's come down to that kind of rationale, though.

I'll vote for Obama/Biden (naturally), but as of right now, this partnership doesn't thrill me like Clinton/Gore did.

Flame away.

[MrCoffee]

1. Seconded.

This ticket fills me with indifference.

[L. Coyote]

81. Former Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. HUGE signal to the Bush criminals!

Just watch how this is going to change the Bush Junta's Department of (In)Justice!

[GalleryGod]

100. Well, thanks Mr. C.

What DOES excite you ? Me? See sig line.

[babylonsister]

2. I think it's great; people who were on the fence about Obama might

just jump over it now due to Biden. I think my dad falls into that category.

[Windy]

4. I have a lot of repub relatives who aren't thrilled with McCain but do love Biden.

It may bring more cross overs

[ChiciB1]

104. Me Too!! Wasn't Thrilled With Obama OR Clinton... But Biden Was ALWAYS

my second choice!! I will support the ticket now, and many of my friends are coming along. We had been thinking of just "sitting it out" and now will vote in November.

Having been an activist for a very long time, I recently dropped out of all of it.. couldn't stand anymore fighting and NOTHING being done. Always one for a REVOLUTION of the people (and I think one is badly needed still) I wait to see if the YOUNGER Generation will ACTUALLY come out and vote!!

Time will tell, but still only going to do the "bumper stickers" this time out. I'm so worn and tired out and sick of APATHETIC Americans!

Go get 'em kids!

[jakem]

3. disagree.

just because someone has been in politics, doesnt mean they like how things go down.

[truedelphi]

30. Very good point, Jakem n/t

[moodforaday]

87. Yeah, just like

Pelosi... Conyers... hello?

[jakem]

98. was thinking kennedy, kucinich, etc.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. Uh, nothing says experience either ....

Some of the real "bleeding heart" liberals have served a long time as well.

[WA98296]

6. You bring valid points.

[Inspired]

7. I think Biden is a breath of fresh air. HE is the straight talker, not McCain.

I'm thrilled with this ticket.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

15. I think the campaign should call him the "real straight talker".

[NotThisTime]

68. Or the Real Maverick - take your pick..Biden is the real deal and always has been like it or love it

[joefree1]

8. Biden was my first choice

I'm very happy. I like old guys who are smart and have lots of experience because I am one.
:toast:

[Cha]

41. Joe Biden is Paul McCartney's

age and some people never get old.:)

[kwenu]

9. No flames. I just disagree. This is a great pick and I am excited.

[NYC_SKP]

10. Foolishness. You know Obama needed someone with experience.

Change doesn't mean change what's good, why do you choose to be unproductively critical?

[wvbygod]

106. We do not want to admit that Obama needed someone with experience

Choosing Biden made it obvious to many tho.

[oldtime dfl_er]

11. Biden will also

Make mincemeat of Romney or whoever McSame chooses as his second. That's important.

[gblady]

71. and make mincemeat....

out of McLame.

[GoesTo11]

12. Making change happen requires getting it done

Biden will know how to get Obama's agenda through congress.

Compare to Bill and Hillary Clinton's desire to change healthcare in 1993. Oops.

[Arkana]

13. On the contrary--if you're going to change the system, what better

than to have someone who knows how to work the current system?

Just because Biden's a long-term senator doesn't mean he wouldn't be receptive to change.

[Schema Thing]

14. Six terms in the Senate, and he didn't enrich himself?

That is CHANGE like America can only hope for.

[napi21]

16. Give it some time. If Joe acts like I think he will as the VP nominee,

I think you'll be very pleased!! Sure he's served in DC for a long time, but he's certainly not like most of the others there! He's a real junkyard dog when it comes to arguing his positions and putting down the opposers. He's the closest to an "Average Man" Senator there! He & Barack are amoung the least wealthy people in the Senate! For those folks who wanted to just have a beer with the guy, THAT'S Joe!

[Renew Deal]

17. Biden is good for business which makes him good for jobs.

[moodforaday]

88. I would be tempted to finish your sentence

"...good for jobs - in India". But that would just be petty.

[Merlot]

18. I think "change" is a mind set

It doesn't matter how long someone has been in the senate. What matters is their policies and positions. If he's been in the senate and always had a progressive voting record, what's the problem? The idea of change means that these progressive ideals that have been voted down for so long will finally be getting airtime.

Look how long Kennedy has been in the Senate. What about Kucinich? Bernie Sanders? They've served a long time and have a very liberal viewpoint.

Judging anyone by anyting other than their voting record is non productive;.

Hey, some people actually thought bush was new to DC, an outsider, and that he'd bring change, And what did he do? Filled up his administration with some of the most regressive thinkers he could find.

[Davis_X_Machina]

19. Snap out of it...

...people. This ticket already has so much 'change' at the top of it that it only has a 50% chance of being elected, under optimal conditions for a Democratic victory.

The median voter in this country is old enough to have seen 'White' and 'Colored' signs as a child.

I'm proud of my party, but I'm not crazy.

[NV Whino]

20. Sixth! Wow!

Too bad he wasn't first or second. Then you might really have something to say.

[autorank]

21. Here's what's different - Biden is intelligent!

We've had a parade of clowns for the past 8 years - this is a choice of an intelligent Senator,
now that's change. Not a shy, bending over, DINO, a real intellectual pol passionate about his
positions.

Get over it.

[progressivebydesign]

65. American voters don't want intelligent. When will we accept that?

They LIKED the fact that dipshit Bush was.. well.. "just like us", and they will continue to choose people like that, over and over again, and the Dem establishment keeps throwing up the NE liberal senators.

Is it fair? Nope! Is it good for the COuntry? No way. Is it reality? Yep. American voters go with someone they can relate to... and a career Senator from the North, regardless of how intelligent he is, is not going to bring what Obama needed to the ticket. He needed someone to appeal to the working class voters, and middle AMerica. Biden's a good guy, but it will take all of 24 hours for the GOP and media to paint him as a liberal elistist from a small state in the NE. Have we learned nothing from Clinton/Gore? And Bush and Reagan?

[Stop Cornyn]

75. Just ask him; he'll tell you himself.

[funflower]

85. Exactly. He's smart, smart, smart, and waaaay too sophisticated to do something so simple as take a

STAND on the Iraq War. :eyes:

[gaspee]

22. Agree 100%

That travesty of a bankruptcy "reform" bill and Biden's yes vote were to me, a deal breaker.

That bill is ruining real people's lives every day.

800 years of common law - one of the few protections for little people - the ability to declare bankruptcy and protect some sort of future after financial catastrophe - gone.

Unbelievable that any Democrat - even ONE - voted for that thing.

Class warfare at its finest. Funny, but the class waging the war is the Oligarchs. And we the peasants are the losers... always.

[LibDemAlways]

31. I don't get all the Biden love here. He voted for the

Iraq fiasco. He screwed ordinary people with the bankruptcy bill. He's in love with the sound of his own voice and God knows, he doesn't represent "Change you can believe in." Just....meh.

[regnaD kciN]

39. He also doesn't bring any states with him...

While I didn't like Bayh, he would have pretty much guaranteed us Indiana. Likewise with Kaine and Virginia. In a close election, those could be critical. Biden, however, only brings with him Delaware, one of the smallest states in terms of EV, and one that was always safely Democratic, anyway.

:crazy:

[Virginia Dare]

48. He's very popular in Pennsylvania, which will be key...n/t

[dano81818]

102. he was born there, and that's it...

do you have any #'s to back up the assertion he is popular in PA?

imo BO has a huge PA problem.

[hellbound-liberal]

60. I'm not sure that Kaine would deliver VAs EVs to Obama but I am sure that, if he left,

we would have a REPUBLICAN governor for at least five years. Due to a "gentleman's agreement", the Lt.Gov. Bill Bolling would finish Kaine's term and then be allowed to stand for reelection. NO THANKS! We're just starting to make progress in this state. We don't need to go back to square one!

[Stop Cornyn]

84. It as dismaying as it is heartbreaking

[Virginia Dare]

50. I think you need balance in a ticket..

Obama represents youth and change

Biden represents experience and statesmanship

Plus, he's a good nemesis for McCain, knows him inside and out, both professionally and personally, and he will bring a lot of that intelligence to the campaign.

[Overseas]

52. I know, we should get with the Republican program and trash our VP nominee !!

Geez! We'd better wise up quick and trash our nominee! There's a lot of material with all the votes he's cast in the senate. We could find something new every day until election day.

[LibDemAlways]

67. I remember not so long ago Obama supporters on this board

were crucifying Hillary for her IWR vote and stating that was a "dealbreaker" for them. Now that he's picked Biden all that is apparently forgotten.

Nowhere did I say I wouldn't vote for the ticket, just that I am less than enthusiastic about Biden.

[demokatgurrl]

63. Not to mention Anita Hill.

Sorry to bring that up, I never got over it. He just rolled over and let the Repukes run wild.
He's toughened up since then, which is good. And of course I'll vote for them. But still. That was a realy screwup, IMHO.

[regnaD kciN]

37. And he didn't just vote for it...

...he was also one of the people behind it from the outset. :puke:

[Stop Cornyn]

82. this choice mystifies me -- I'm shocked and depressed, neither ideologically sound nor even tactical

[Top Cat]

23. If you can get past the Bullshit you will find that this ticket does bring change.

[Spiffarino]

24. Interesting, but it actually does make sense

Obama stands for change; Biden stands for the Old Guard of the Democratic Party.

How do you alter an entrenched system that's broken? Do you bring in a bunch of newbies and jump right in, or do you bring in somebody with a deep understanding of the system who can help you learn how it works?

In some respects it's not the best thing for Obama, but it's a pragmatic choice and one I think the American people will like. Everybody wants change, but we are also averse to change; it can't happen too quickly and unadvisedly. We want security more than change, and Biden brings a grandfatherly image that comforts the people as they prepare for a great transition.

I couldn't be happier unless it had been Hillary, and Biden was my close second.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

25. If he picked an inexperienced person, he'd be attacked, too.

[nod factor]

26. I love Biden.

But just last week I saw a speech from Obama attacking Mccain on the basis of his long-term presence in Washington.
This pick takes that away.
It takes away the issue of Mccain's advanced age.
It might well be the best of the worst picks, however.
Edwards really fucked up.
Sigh, I just want November to come and be over with.

[RayOfHope]

27. No worries. Watch the speech. These guys can hold their own. n/t

[MiniMe]

28. But there are 44 Senators who are older than him

He is Rocking the house right now.

[dpbrown]

105. He WAS the youngest Senator elected, I guess

Apparently he was even too young to be elected as a Senator while he was running, and only turned old enough before being sworn in.

[Richard Steele]

29. Nominating Obama already said "change". Choosing Biden for VP says "balance".

It's a good ticket. A winning ticket.

[Skittles]

32. my first thought was, it fucking stinks

my second thought was, I bet if I get on DU, 80% of them are acting like Biden is the second coming now

[Stop Cornyn]

96. Still, you have to hold your nose and vote.

[mzmolly]

33. So we need "change and more change?"

I'm fine with change and experience.

[regnaD kciN]

40. What about "Change...and kissing up to The Powers That Be"...

:puke:

[mzmolly]

44. Powers that be? Biden is the powers that be?

Interesting.

[Overseas]

34. Change President needs experienced mover & shaker to push stodgy old Congress. /nt

[Riddler]

35. I can think of no better pick than Biden to change the above-the-law mentality of the criminals

in charge now.

[IndianaGreen]

36. Biden doesn't live in DC. He lives in Delaware.

This means he hasn't been infected with that Beltway crap many of our politicians seem to be suffering from.

Obama/Biden equals Change/Experience, a nicely balanced ticket in a year in which the Democrats had a treasure trove of excellent candidates.

[Cha]

38. I think it's nauseous how some people just zero in

on something negative instead of actually knowing what the positive assets of Obama's VP pick is.

[rucky]

42. That's probably why Obama addressed that upfront in his intro today. n/t

[Czolgosz]

43. I'm heartbroken and hopeless. We had all the cards in our hand and yet we're still trying to lose

[judasdisney]

45. Biden: No True Friend of Working Men and Women

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackson-williams/joe-biden-true-friend-of_b_120776.html

[Virginia Dare]

49. AFL-CIO doesn't agree...

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/08/23/biden-a-friend-of-working-families

[kwenu]

46. Whaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

[Virginia Dare]

47. How do you change without knowing the system?

you have to know what needs changing before you change it. I have no problem with putting a seasoned veteran like Biden on board. We're talking about changing Bushco/rethug policies aren't we?

[chascarrillo]

51. My first thought: Jesus Christ, when will this shit finally stop?

[mkultra]

53. yeah, he should have picked edward kennedy instead

hes only 3rd longest :)

[Bobbie Jo]

54. Change means squat if you can't get it done.

...this is where Biden will excel.

[DevonRex]

55. Whatever. nt

[Czolgosz]

56. Biden was a better choice that Quayle, but even Lieberman brought more votes to the ticket than Bide

will.

I think we win anyway, but why are we making it so difficult?

[progressivebydesign]

66. Even Biden was suprised because of his poor showing in the primaries..

..yeah, the Dem leadership, choose the last place finisher in the primaries.. way to fire up the base! Addicted to losing. I thought for once we were on the right track.. but far be it from the DNC and others to choose someone that can bring voters to the polls.

[WheelWalker]

74. He didn't run in the primaries. He withdrew after the Iowa caucuses.

[Stop Cornyn]

77. Who finished ahead of Biden in Iowa?

[WheelWalker]

79. Back you go....into the box.

[Stop Cornyn]

83. I guess that means most everyone ...

[darius15]

57. You can't have it both ways

if we picked a lightweight who fit with the message of change, the MSM and Repubs would say we have no experience. Now that we have experience, the MSM and Repubs are gonna say "Well, what about change?"

I think we have a great VP pick.

[Czolgosz]

58. Who votes for a president because the VP nominee has experience???

[Stop Cornyn]

59. That's my fear (expectation?)

[RedShoes]

61. And JUST like Hillary Hate isn't gonna help us in the General, BIDEN BASHING won't either.

But I do understand your need to vent, so that WAS my flame.

[wisteria]

62. Yeah I know a joke isn't it? O'Bidena is a real risk taker. n/t

[progressivebydesign]

64. I hear ya on that. I'm just astounded by the Dukakis-ness of it all.

And I love Michael Dukakis, he's a brilliant man, and very nice person. As is Biden, no doubt. But change? It boggles the mind what they were thinking... America does not respond to NE liberals in expensive suits, sad fact of life. So many guys like Dukakis and Biden would make good presidents, but America doesn't read transcripts of hearings, nor do they read the NYT, or visit DU. They respond to guys like Walker, Texas Ranger. I'm disappointed not to see a maverick-type in the line up. Chet Edwards or Evan Bayh, or maybe a GOVERNOR would have been nice.

The thing that really baffles me is that Biden himself believed he didn't have a chance because he had "a miserable showing" this election. Why in the heck would the Dems/Obama choose someone that has repeatedly tried to get into the job of Prez but has the inability to fire up the voters? I'm glad he and Obama are close friends, but wouldn't a nice backyard get-together be a better idea than pairing up against McCain? America loves faux cowboys.. and we've got two very nicely dressed Senators from the upper part of the Country.

Are we addicted to losing?

[LibDemAlways]

69. Are we addicted to losing?

Well we're really accomplished at it. We couldn't find a way to beat a moron like the chimp - twice. (And yes, I know the SCOTUS handed him the election the first time around).

McCain is the official candidate of the corporate media which will be using adjectives like "experienced" "tested" "patriotic" non-stop until 11/4. We're offering up a first term Senator and pairing him with a lackluster Washington insider whose own Presidential campaigns went nowhere. And people on this board think that's just great and that the fall campaign is merely a formality at this point.

One thing the repukes know how to do is win Presidential elections. They can run a drooling moron and turn him into a winner. This year they're putting up a "maverick war hero." Anyone who thinks its going to be a cakewalk hasn't been paying attention.

[Stop Cornyn]

76. We have a talent for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This feels like deja vu all over

[Erin Elizabeth]

70. So change always means no Washington experience?

Even for the VP?

I didn't know that and I don't remember the Obama campaign ever declaring that.

[Stop Cornyn]

72. What's done is done. We may as well make lemonaid.

[pnwmom]

73. Here is the change: two strong men at the top, unafraid to sometimes disagree.

As opposed to a puppet and his evil puppeteer.

[Stop Cornyn]

78. Just hold your nose and vote!

[JimGinPA]

80. What's Sad To Me Is...

A dozen dead-enders here rec'd this garbage OP.

[GalleryGod]

99. No Shiite,Jim.

If I wanted to waste the effort I'd commence TS Time...but, who gives a rats ass.
OSCAR MIKE!

[funflower]

86. I just hope he's been really thoroughly vetted by Caroline Kennedy and friends.

I think the guy oozes arrogance and slime, and I'd really prefer to NOT have the press uncovering every naughty thing he's ever done.

[Stop Cornyn]

89. I fear Caroline Kennedy misjudged the Catholicism issue. Kerry IS Catholic, and lost the Catholic

vote. Bill and Hillary AREN'T and won the Catholic vote.

Biden is Kerry (without many of Kerry's assets and numerous additional drawbacks) not Bill or Hillary.

If Biden was chosen to win over blue collar Catholics (and I can't conceive of any other justification for his selection among other candidates with comparable experience), I think this was a huge error. We'll win anyway (I hope), but this will make the race closer that it needed to be.

[chascarrillo]

90. Thank you for your concern.

[Rowdyboy]

91. Congratulations Senators Obama and Biden ! You're a kickass team regardless

of the whining of a handful of "progressives".

[ScreamingMeemie]

92. Impartial 2 cents...

Biden will appeal to those Dems that are, perhaps, not thrilled with a presidential candidate who has no real experience. Think Kennedy/LBJ.

[Stop Cornyn]

93. LBJ brought Texas to the table from an electoral perspective

[Highway61]

94. I am very happy with this team

Joe is a "cards on the table" kinda guy....just what we need.

[AllentownJake]

95. Your right he should have picked John Mayer or Dave Matthews

Would have emphathized change better :silly:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

97. I disagree.

Biden is an excellent choice. If Obama had picked some obscure, inexperienced but progressively correct running mate he'd get his ass handed to him. Biden goes a long way to defuse the claim that Obama doesn't have enough experience, especially in foreign relations. Hillary's obnoxious "3 a.m. phone call" ad did a lot of damage. This fixes it. All I can say is, thank the gods it wasn't Bayh or Hillary.

[dano81818]

101. no question obama will appoint liberals to USSC to balance the conservs...

even if liberals have no other reason to vote for BO they have this.

and its not dissimilar to conservatives who are not enthralled with mccain but will vote for him figuring his nominees to the supreme court would be more conservative than baracks's.

[moondust]

103. He was never completely swallowed up by Washington.

Unlike most in high-level gov't jobs whose real homes (in some cases too numerous to remember) are too far away to commute. Living at home and riding the trains daily keeps you elbow-to-elbow with real people.