Biden was picked more for his working man cred than his foreign affairs portfolio

[ruggerson]

Yes, it helps us enormously that Joe is respected internationally and is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

But I don't believe that's why Obama picked him. Had Barack been looking solely for military/foreign relations substance in a Veep pick, he could have gone with Clark or Reed.

Yes, the flareup in Georgia probably tilted the selection process slightly, and thrust Biden back into the top tier, but that wasn't the determinative factor.

He went with Joe because of Joe's biography. Working man from a Scranton PA family who makes good and never forgets his roots. Irish Catholic who still commutes to and from work every day and has never used his Senate seat to get rich. Committed parent, who took the role of single dad very seriously and raised his children to be good and productive citizens.

All of this means that Obama gets it. He understands that if this election is decided on the economy, we win. If it's decided on threats of terror and national security, we have a rougher time of it.

The Repugs will once again try to turn this into a national security election. The world is a dangerous, tumultuous place and we need John McCain and Colin Powell (or whomever) to keep us free and safe.

What Barack understands is that in the middle of an economic slowdown, with gas prices at ridiculous levels, with people losing their homes and small banks failing every week, the mood of the country is far more aligned with our agenda than it is with the Republican's.

Joe Biden brings both attack dog skills and working man credibility. He is truly the perfect choice for this particular election cycle.

As long as Obama/Biden keep focusing on kitchen table issues and keep talking about middle class values and middle class solutions, then this is our election to lose.

As in 92, it really is the economy, stupid.

[gateley]

1. Your opinion is reinforced by an article in the NYT --

And I agree -- Obama DOES get it. Biden is the one candidate who could address all the areas of concern.

[Ishoutandscream2]

2. Agreed. Joe communicates his message well to the "average Joe"

Not wealthy by Senate standards, rides the Amtrak to work every day, has faced incredible adversity in his personal life. Yes, I totally agree with you.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Yup...K&R...Its The Reality of it all...OB/08 gonna do it

Joe is MIDDLE AMERICA pure and undiluted...We have a Killer Combo this year...the GOP is ham strung, regulated to whine and picking Nits....small shit....

The Peeps out there are growing tired of moot minutiae...they want MEAT

[TwilightGardener]

4. I agree--I know that Obama is very secure on his foreign-policy footing, but

he knew that appearances matter, so it doesn't hurt to have his VP choice ensure that the ticket's foreign policy/national security box is finally and unquestionably checked. He chose Biden over Reed because of his mouthy/loud attack dog skills (Reed has good blue-collar/Catholic creds himself, but is not a convincing attack dog at all) and Biden's long and happy relationship with the media. I don't think Obama is all that enamored with Clark--they are just not in the same orbit, professionally. I don't think Clark was ever a serious VP contender. He may not even be a cabinet contender.

[1corona4u]

5. And let's not forget his Civil Rights

background....

[Pirate Smile]

6. If McCain picks Romney, the contrast between the two teams will be HUGE!

The sons of Admirals and Governors (at least 14 houses between them) vs. ___________ - what would be the best way to phrase it - son of a single mom, a scholarship kid and a scrappy, Irish Catholic kid from Scranton (one house a piece).

[Major Hogwash]

7. Allow me to disagree.

He's been in the Senate for 36 years, and that's not a working man's job.

[Sensitivity]

8. A good "sleeper" choice, Biden impact is hopefully going to grow over time.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

9. Shorter Ruggerson: "He's a Democrat"

Feisty, ethnic guy with no money, a big heart, a relentless work-ethic and a profound understanding of hardship of all kinds.

I couldn't agree more. He's a throw-back who hearkens back to what Democrat represented in the national mythology before "acid, amnesty and abortion."

He should be the Democratic Reagan, but I have learned over the years that he has something I don't see that rubs some the wrong way. (9,000 votes in the primaries... really? REALLY?)

[Egnever]

11. The primaries I think were stacked against him

Going in it was just bad timing for Joe I think. The air was allready largely taken out of the room by Hillary from the get go. Barack obviously is what he is and Edwards had been running for four years.

I dont think Joes showing in the primaries actually reflects a true level of support for him. I know the whole he couldnt get any coverage thing is kinda weak but.. The media clearly was focused on Edwards Clinton and Obama pretty much from the start.

Love your comment "He's a Democrat" It describes him perfectly

[ruggerson]

12. He's almost a Truman democrat

good point. He is represenative of an earlier era when Democrats were seen as the party of the people, were considered robust and strong on national security issues and were very much in tune with middle class culture.

[Egnever]

10. I think there are a ton of reasons he picked Joe

Not the least of which is his street cred.

Good post :)