The VP is the President of the Senate.

[davsand]

Obama chose a running mate that is intimately familiar with the workings of the Senate, and he is pretty well regarded by his fellow Senators on both sides of the aisle. I can't fault the choice for that reason alone given the ambitious agenda Obama needs to make happen. We NEED the Senate to deliver the goods and I think Biden may be a key part of that given his relationships there. Without that cooperation we risk a replay of the Carter years--which we know we can't afford right now.

I will confess that I was not initially giddy about Biden for a variety of minor (and probably mostly personal) reasons, but I see him as a very smart choice for the VP. The man knows his stuff and he's exactly the "average guy" who shares voters' experiences. When you contrast Biden's "average guy" image against a ticket with a man who can't keep count of how many houses he owns, it really makes sense.

In the local vernacular, "This dawg will hunt."



Laura

[Beregond2]

1. Very good points. Thanks.

[TwilightGardener]

2. I agree--I think Biden was a politically necessary choice, at least of the

small pool of shortlisters who passed vetting. I don't personally care for him too much, and I really hope he respects that Obama is the boss, but aside from that, I think the marriage can work.

[davsand]

7. I'd been hoping for Clark, personally, but Biden was a very astute choice.

I think Obama struck exactly the right note in the Primary when he talked about a change in how we do the business of government. I also think that Obama's choice of Biden takes that change in attitude one step further.

When Obama was here in the Illinois Senate, it was at a time when the GOP controlled it. Obama got an awful lot of truly progressive stuff accomplished here because he was able to work across the aisle. Part of the reason for those accomplishments was the fact that Obama had an ability to present progressive ideas as a matter of common sense. Another reason for his success was the fact that he really does work with a spirit of cooperation and respect.

Biden seems to be another legislator who works that same way.

I love Gen. Clark and felt he'd bring a lot to strengthen Obama in areas where he's seen as weak--foreign affairs and lack of military background to cite a couple. I'm still hoping to see Clark in an active role in the Obama administration, but I honestly think that Biden is an excellent fit as VP given his history, legislative style and his personal story.


Laura

[TwilightGardener]

8. I preferred Jack Reed, for his resume and military credentials but also

because he voted against the IWR, and is a quiet, low-key workhorse--just more appealing to me personally than Biden. It's too bad we need his Senate seat, or I would think he'd be a good SecDef. Clark will probably end up with something in the Obama administration, I would think--too much knowledge there to waste, although I didn't want him for VP because I felt he lacked the necessary political skills to navigate the very tricky waters ahead. Joe, at least, is an old hand at dealing with the GOP onslaught.

[vssmith]

14. Clark for Sec of Homeland Security

[rucky]

3. He's shown he can twist some arms in the Senate

when he needs to.

[suston96]

4. "The Vice-Presidency isn't worth a bucket of warm piss." John Nance Garner - FDR VP.... nt

[LSparkle]

5. It's as powerful a position as the President makes it ...

I predict that Biden made a condition of his acceptance
of the VP slot that he be given a greater hand in foreign
policy/diplomacy. He'll probably be the de facto Secy.
of State (working closely with that person but being a
TRUE second-in-command to Obama).

[suston96]

9. Good points. But the Constitution defines power in the Executive - not the Executive.

Unfortunately, Bush and Cheney have disregarded that truism.

[calimary]

6. I actually liked Biden a lot, early on (along with Kucinich) AND Hillary and Barack.

So this is VERY pleasing to me!

I just hope that he's the one to deliver the coup de grace to john mcsame's speechifying that he did to rudy "911" giuliani:

Just imagine THIS being inserted into the vernacular (on center stage rather than just from Keith Olbermann or Dan Abrams):

"A noun, a verb, and P.O.W."

Biden is PERFECTLY suited and UNIQUELY positioned to deliver that knockout punch. I hope he does!

[MilesColtrane]

10. The President of the Senate doesn't control the Senate agenda.

That's up to the Senate majority leader.

The VP pretty much just gavels the Senate open and closed, and votes in case of a tie.

[davsand]

11. Mmm Hmmm. They have more influence than that.

They have to be there to exercise that influence, and I honestly think Biden will be.

He just doesn't seem like the kind to run and hide with his heart lunch machine like our current VP has.


Laura

[Hippo_Tron]

12. It's helpful, but even LBJ often couldn't win crucial senate votes for Kennedy

President of the Senate is at the end of the day a ceremonial figurehead. The individual who holds that post may because of personal history be able to help the President get their agenda through the Senate. But holding the position itself doesn't guarantee that.

[Muttocracy]

13. Biden also has cultivated a terrific Senate staff over the decades

If some of them can be hired by Obama's administration that could be very helpful. In any case, Biden knows so many people in Washington that he can probably offer some good advice on executive hires and judicial appointments.

[hootinholler]

15. I hadn't considered that...

Thanks for pointing that out.

-Hoot