Biden Selection A Mixed Bag For Obama

Analysis: CBSNews.com’s Vaughn Ververs Says Senator Brings Strength But May Dim Obama’s Allure

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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You may remember Delaware Senator Joe Biden from political blockbusters of the past such as, “The Clarence Thomas Hearings,” the “1988 Presidential Campaign,” or “The Clean And The Articulate.” Now he’s back for his greatest role as Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate.

Obama’s decision to select a politician who has served in the United States Senate for 35 years to be his vice presidential running mate shows just how dramatically the political ground has shifted in the two short months since the Illinois senator wrapped up the Democratic nomination based on a message of changing the way politics works in Washington. The “change” candidate has found the need for some “inside the Beltway experience” after all.

A staple on the “short list” of potential running mates for Obama, Biden’s selection is still something of a surprise for a candidate who has built his candidacy on the premise of not only change, but of reshaping the partisan political landscape that has dominated American politics for a generation.

Biden fits the description the candidate has laid out in recent days - ready to be president, willing to push back against the boss and show his independence and in-touch with how most Americans live. At first glance, it’s both a wise and a risky choice.

The senator brings some real strengths to this ticket. He’s one of the most respected foreign policy minds in the Senate, something that was reaffirmed by his quick trip to the nation of Georgia during the recent crisis there. Like his longtime friend John McCain, Biden has a reputation of shooting from the hip - an endearing quality that has also caused him plenty of trouble such as when he called his now-running mate “clean” and “articulate.”

And, like his sudden adversary McCain, Biden also has one of the most compelling life stories of any politician on the national stage. First elected to the Senate at the age of 29, Biden lost his wife and infant daughter in a car accident just weeks afterwards. A relative pauper in a chamber of millionaires, he commutes to his job by train nearly every day, residing in Delaware, not Washington.

In his first bid for president in 1988, Biden was embarrassed out of the race after quoting liberally from a speech by a British politician - and failing to credit. But in his second incarnation as a presidential candidate this time around, he distinguished himself as one of the best debaters on a stage that included not only Obama, but Hillary Clinton as well. Voters in Iowa and elsewhere often mentioned Biden as their favorite candidate but they just felt he didn’t have a chance in a top-heavy field.

However, it may well be the negatives Biden brings that will ultimately determine whether this was a good selection or not. The message that propelled Obama to the nomination was one of change - not incremental change or minor change but fundamental and transcendent change. The old ways of Washington were broken, the candidate insisted, and nothing less than a clean sweep could solve it.

For all his positive personal qualities, Biden is nothing if not a definition of entrenched Washington politics. Throughout his decades in the Senate chamber, Biden has been a primary combatant of some of the ugliest political fights of a generation.

As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he presided over the confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas and Robert Bork - two episodes which helped set the tone of political recrimination that lasts to this day.

His voting record is filled with hundreds of the kinds of votes which have kept senators out of the Oval Office since John Kennedy was elected in 1960. He voted in favor of authorizing the war in Iraq, something he has said was a mistake but the very thing which Obama used to hammer Hillary Clinton in the primary campaign. And there are few issues on which Republican won’t be able to find some ways to illustrate differences between Obama and his running mate.

It’s a mixed bag of a selection when looking at the pure political calculations as well. Biden fills many needs for Obama. He has the kind of foreign policy chops Obama doesn’t. He’s a Catholic, a crucial constituency in any presidential campaign. He will be a formidable debate opponent for any Republican who goes up against him, and Biden has proven that he’s effective on the attack - just look at his insistence during the primary that Obama was not ready to be president.

He doesn’t necessarily fill any real electoral needs for the ticket, however. Biden may be from blue-collar roots, but with his voting record, it won’t be hard for Republicans to paint him as one more politician in a long line of northeast liberals whom the Democratic Party has trotted out in the past. He often suffers from the kind of verbosity and Senate-speak that sounds like Mandarin Chinese to most voters.

For a candidate who has built up sky-high expectations about new directions for the country, Obama’s decision to select Biden is at the very least an admission that deep experience is a needed component in governing. At the most, it’s a nod to incremental change over the type of wholesale reinvention he has advocated in this campaign. In either case, Joe Biden adds a complicated component to an already historic campaign.

[cbs4me3]

As a Hillary Democrat, this does nothing for me. The guy at the top has no experience, no record of accomplishment, and lacks the trust of Americans. As for Biden, he does nothing for this white male who is now committed to vote for John McCain. If Biden were on top of the ticket, I would not have voted for him anyway.

[hhkeller]

Snooze...............

[bunnybred]

Nice Exxon Ad at the top of this page!

[burfnyc]

So far, I think, the Media (surprise), is missing the point.
Yeah, Biden brings experience, & foreign policy knowledge, but the most important thing Biden brings, is that he can speak to the undecided voters in Pa, Ohio, Virginia, etc.
Lots of people have been on the fence for various reasons, and Biden can address them. What I also like is that Biden is, in fact, a Straight-Talker (unlike the McCain Myth).
While the Media will highlight Biden''s Foreign Policy experience, & that he''s a *loose cannon,* the Biden choice only adds to the ticket... there really is no real negative, despite what the Media will focus on.
That he''s not a carbon-copy of Obama''s ideas, that they have differences, to me, is a good thing, especially after the *lock-step* Bush Administration, where everyone was an ideological clone. A good practical choice by Obama... bodes well for the type of people he''ll appoint.

[alietzow]

"Voters in Iowa and elsewhere often mentioned Biden as their favorite candidate but they just felt he didn%u2019t have a chance in a top-heavy field".

My sentiments, exactly. Biden was my first choice, but I had to be realistic; Obama articulates his vision better than anyone since John F. Kennedy. He''s the man with the strategic thinking, like any CEO needs. So, the Obama-Biden ticket is exactly what I wanted to see.

Way to go, Senator Obama and your VP selection committee. Of all who might have filled the slot, you have chosen excellently and will be rewarded on November 4th by the voters.

341-197, at a minimum. Could go even as high as 525-13, depending on how many more gaffes McCain makes in the next two months. Obama-Biden in ''08/''12 and beyond!!!

[alietzow]

burfnyc - Spot on. Biden was an awesome choice.

[mydiatribe]

A perfect choice! Another Loser.

[sampham1]

The VP pick reflects the quality of the Prez Candidate and his Party''s stance... Great Choice! (I''m a registered Independent). Ververs'' analysis is thoughtful but the negatives are actually positives at the end of the day.

At least, in JB we have someone who can appear "too confident" to be VP and still be OK to vote for! : )

In the White House, we will be sure of a robust debate before decisions are made--for sure!

Not like the Cheney-Bush debate we don''t hear about.

Or the possible McCain-Roveian Republican party debate that is not likely to occur!

We can think ahead now about how America''s reputation on the world stage will be changed, for the better. In O-B we have two MEN of WORLD STATESMEN caliber--who have keen intellect and credibility...and that is a BIG CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN NOW!!!

GOD Bless America!

[mydiatribe]

This could make the election a LANDSLIDE VICTORY for McCain as long as the Viet Nam Veteran John doesn''t lean too far left to appease in choosing HIS VP CANDIDATE!

Biden is cut from the same cloth as Obama, only thing is he has been doing it longer/ BOTH are PRETENDERS ~ Vote: John Mc Cain, The Real Deal!

[alicerea1]

Biden is an old man.
How is Obama going to criticize McCain''s age?
Also, Obama just lost all the women.
Isn''t that a concern?
Old Washington Politics.
Message of Change?

[alicerea1]

More importantly. Could someone please explain more about Muslim roots?
Obama''s father was supposedly a non practicing Muslim.
How do Muslims, specifically overseas, view roots with Muslims?
Rumors are flooding the internet stating that
%u201COnce your father is a Muslim, you are viewed by Muslims as a Muslim.%u201D
Is that correct?
Shouldn%u2019t the Americans be concerned about terrroist Muslims view of Obama?

[victor0803]

there is wisdom in Obama''s choice of VP.

[afsc30574]

Alicerea1,

I think Sen. McCain still has the reach out to women voters by picking a female VP, but I agree that Sen. Obama has given him that opportunity.

[formrusmcsgt]

The %u201Cchange%u201D candidate has found the need for some %u201Cinside the Beltway experience%u201D after all.
---
Carter made the big mistake of trying to bring change to the job without "playing the game" with the powers that be that can bring about change.

The Oval Office doesn''t house all the power in Washington.

Carter thought it did and learned otherwise.

[helloall34]

First off, let me say I am an Obama supported, not Hillary. However, had he picked Hillary it would have been no contest, now McCain has a shot. He should have put personal feelings aside and made the best choice for the country, that being to assure he made it into office. I was an Obama supporter. With this error in judgment, I am now undecided.

[formrusmcsgt]

Also, Obama just lost all the women.

Posted by Alicerea1 at 08:23 AM : Aug 23, 2008

It will be interesting to see the poll numbers after McCain announces his running mate.

Should McCain choose a male, is your contention that women simply will not vote?

If so, I think that''s absolutely ludicrous.

[formrusmcsgt]

However, had he picked Hillary it would have been no contest, now McCain has a shot.

Posted by helloall34 at 08:35 AM : Aug 23, 2008

The right, in general, is not all that enthused about McCain.

I think Hillary was a non-starter for VP for 3 reasons:

1. While adored by her supporters, sh would galvanize the right for McCain with her big negative rating.

2. Her "*** the party" attitude demonstrated during the primaries alienated her from many powerful dems in Washington.

3. Hillary never conceeded.

[grumpas]

This could make the election a LANDSLIDE VICTORY for McCain as long as the Viet Nam Veteran John doesn''''t lean too far left to appease in choosing HIS VP CANDIDATE!

Biden is cut from the same cloth as Obama, only thing is he has been doing it longer/ BOTH are PRETENDERS ~ Vote: John Mc Cain, The Real Deal!

Posted by mydiatribe

There is no way I am going to vote for McCain! He is a replay of the same mess that''s been in Washington since 2000! He has no new ideas! It''s the same set of failed policies Bush has used for 8 years. Why anyone in their right mind would vote for McCain leaves me to wonder about why American''s hate this country??????

[tx2democrats]

No Hill=No Vote!

Obama could not reach across his own isle, thats to bad.

Obama''s judgement is definitely in question and McGoo is going to be all over this. McGoo has a chance to win now, if he picks a female VP, it''s in the bag for McGoo.......

[bec67]

So much for "Change." The democrats are wanting party unity and he choses this old toad over Hillary who received more votes in the primary than Obama and is more qualified. The Messiah just slapped women in the face! Praying for riots in Denver.....

[l8c6]

So much for "Change." The democrats are wanting party unity and he choses this old toad over Hillary who received more votes in the primary than Obama and is more qualified. The Messiah just slapped women in the face! Praying for riots in Denver.....

Posted by Bec67


Hmm, could you be a hate filled right wing republican evangelical? Preaching no abortion out the front door while molesting small children in the closet.

[l8c6]

First off, let me say I am an Obama supported, not Hillary. However, had he picked Hillary it would have been no contest, now McCain has a shot. He should have put personal feelings aside and made the best choice for the country, that being to assure he made it into office. I was an Obama supporter. With this error in judgment, I am now undecided.

Posted by helloall34

A typical outlandish republican remark. Deceit becomes you republicans.

[cbswatcha]

I can see the bumper stickers now "Obama Bin Biden." What an idiot! He would have had it in the bag with Hilary. That selfish idiot is so arrogant that he chose Biden over Hilary just because he can''t stand sharing the spotlight. I''m generally a liberal, but wtih such poor, moronic and arrogant judgement I have to vote for McCain. Fact is we all know McCain is more liberal than he lets on anyway; he has to placate to the right because that''s why he lost the nomination in 2000. Why else would he be apologizing at Bob Jones university years back. This is politics and that''s how they are played.

[zeleni-2009]

For those Hillary supporters that still want to support a woman, consider Green candidate Cynthia McKinney, former six-term congresswoman. She''s strong on the issues and even selected another woman, Rosa Clemente, for her vice-presidential candidate. Why spend your vote on patriarch McCain when you can vote for a woman?

[max0010]

What is the meaning of words? Are they important? Do they send any messages? Here is a man running for President that selects his running mate that just by adding (la) in the middle of his name you get the worse enemy of the US. Another coincidence? A message from a higher source? Words do not mean anything.

Obama - Bi (la) den.

[american1000]

Great pick!!! Barack Obama -- is a brilliant lawyer, and a constituitional law teacher who graduated top of his class at Harvard, Barack Obama is a man who has for the the past 13 years, worked at BOTH the state level of government, and at the Federal level of Government. AND Joe Biden - an equally smart lawyer, a man who has also taught constitutional law, Joe Biden has also worked at BOTH the state level of government, as well as at the the Federal level of Government.
So for once we will have TWO men who are highly educated running our government.

[american1000]

Great pick!!! Barack Obama -- is a brilliant lawyer, and a constituitional law teacher who graduated top of his class at Harvard, Barack Obama is a man who has for the the past 13 years, worked at BOTH the state level of government, and at the Federal level of Government. AND Joe Biden - an equally smart lawyer, a man who has also taught constitutional law, Joe Biden has also worked at BOTH the state level of government, as well as at the the Federal level of Government.
So for once we will have TWO men who are highly educated running our government.

[skeezix06]

He picked a candidate who does nothing to help him in his weakest electoral faction; women. He just lost the election.

[efarris38]

Obama is another Goerge W Bush himself. I am a Hillary supporter and was going to be naive enough to support Obama if he were to choose a moderate, experienced candidate like Bayh or Kaine however is has chosen the blabber mouth Biden. Well Obama you help me make my choice easy this morning. I will say I am disappointed but now I must re-assess and vote for McCain or a Third Party candidate. I am AGAINST Obama Biden and I know he will not do well in the South now even Florida and North Carolina will go GOP I am almsot certain. This is a bad choice. I am very disappointed.

[american1000]

Great pick!!! Barack Obama -- is a brilliant lawyer, and a constituitional law teacher who graduated top of his class at Harvard, Barack Obama is a man who has for the the past 13 years, worked at BOTH the state level of government, and at the Federal level of Government. AND Joe Biden - an equally smart lawyer, a man who has also taught constitutional law, Joe Biden has also worked at BOTH the state level of government, as well as at the the Federal level of Government.
So for once we will have TWO men who are highly educated running our government.

[ladyesq1]

Joe Biden?? (yawn)...how boring! He totally missed an opportunity to unite and excite the party by picking Hillary Clinton. And the fact that she wasn''t even vetted is going to **** her 18 million supporters off even more. You think they''re made now...just wait to see what Obama has coming. He totally disrespected her.

goes to show he''s just more of the same. He doesn''t care about unity. And I thought this was about "change"....Joe Biden has been in Washington longer than Hillary Clinton.

I am so outraged. I was inclined to vote for him if he chose Clinton. NOW, no way...no how. He''s full of hubris and ignorance. And I''m gearing up for a McCain/Romney ticket. I''ve never voted Republican, but I''ll do so this year! What a poor decision...what a missed opportunity. Here, we''ve all been waiting to find out who it was...and he gives us a boring character like Biden.

[voter1961]

To begin let me say I am historically a Republic voter and I have wanted John McCain as president since he lost to Bush in 1988. I think McCain''s moderate stance is something we need in this country. Now, that said - I think that Joe Biden is not a bad choice for Obama. Biden brings the experience to the table that Obama desperately needs and the two of them are both intelligent (wit is a high form of intelligence) men. Sure, Biden brings negatives with him but who wouldn''t? Anyone running at that level will be subjected to intense scrutiny and every secret revealed. To be frank, I have been "scared to death" of Barack Obama. I will still vote for John McCain but I am less scared if Obama wins with Biden as a running mate. In essence, Biden brings some stability to the scene for Obama.

[jbright9]

I was a huge Hillary supporter but I have also always loved Joe Biden. I wish Barack had chosen Hillary. I would have been ecstatic but I am happy with Joe. I can vote for this ticket with no reservations.

[voter1961]

"He''''s full of hubris and ignorance. And I''''m gearing up for a McCain/Romney ticket."

Romney scares me even more than Obama. The only way McCain will drive me to vote a Democratic ticket is if he picks Romney!

[betsy_wetsy]

I''m definitely voting a McCain/Romney ticket. What a poor choice. Thought Obama wanted a CHANGE. Dream ticket would have been if Hillary was the choice! Another VP running the country.

[gheemaster38]

Obama plane keeps on rolling... Picks his worst critic to be VP. Can''t wait to the inhouse bickering starts, maybe a real drag down knock out fight will ensue as well.. Serious, congradulations dems on lossing the presidency even before the Nov election begins. Then again, maybe he will "change his mind" about the VP in the coming days and pick "the most popular person" like he has made it a habit of doing. Yes, A change(of his mind) is coming..

[pjagermann]

Obama just lost many of his potential moderate votes. There is no way I am going to vote for an Obama-Biden ticket. As much as I hate McCain I have no choice but to vote for him now. Joe Biden is a raving left wing extremist and a huge threat to our country%u2019s liberty.

[d33pthroat1]

I had recommended he pick Clinton but Biden is not a bad second choice. I am OK with it.

Those who are not happy with Biden as the VP choice need to remember just one thing:

MCCAIN CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE.

No matter what you may think of Obama''s decision, voting for McCain or a 3rd party candidate just means splitting the Obama vote and allowing McCain to squeeze by.

McCain is not what he used to be. He sold out his soul to the neo-cons who will cash in their checks once he becomes president. The US will not be able to bear another Republican administration.

One thing, though, that Obama should do is let it be known that Hillary will get a top job in an Obama administration. Becoming the Secretatry of State like Condi Rice is the net top job but not sure if she would want that or if Obama has someone else in mind. In any case, an offer of a top job might help Hillary and her supporters feel better.

[gheemaster38]

Obama with hilliary 40-60% of the vote
Obama with Biden lower 20% at best? LOL


This election makes me glad to be an independent..

[tawpdawg111]

now lets see if McBush picks Hillary.

and if she will turn him down flat.

[horse3farm]

Why don''t I take the job of president? I don''t know anything (like Bush) so I will pick a politics as usual vice president (like Cheney) to advise my every move. I hope my new veep will know what he is doing, because even with advice, I am not experienced enough to know if my cabinet is telling me the truth, nor am I savvy enough to figure out the consequences.

[american1000]

Democrats who want to complain, and stay at home, or vote for John McCain, you will only be punishing yourself!
If you want to put John McCain in office to CONTINUE the terrible policies that Bush has pursued over the past 8 years, the policies which have gotten us into a recession, and which has resulted in massive lose of jobs. Policies that led our country stupidly, and under false pretense into a war in Iraq where over 4000 US soldiers have died. It is the republicans who ignored the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, and who ignored our soldiers in Afghanistan for 7 years!
It is the republicans who have for 8 years depleted our military by leading us into a war they knew was based on false information, and it was John McCain who was at the forefront of this effort, to invade Iraq. (John McCain even said that knowing what he know now, that the Iraq war was based on false information, that he still would make THE SAME decision to go to war in Iraq again! So John McCain would still send 4000 soldiers into Iraq to die in a war he knew was based on a lie!

[metroduck75]

As a registered Democrat and HRC''s supporters, I will vote for McCain over Obama anytime of the day.

Seriously.

I am first and foremost an American, I am obligated to pick someone who is ready to lead the Country.... not just being a Celebrity.

[metroduck75]

On the plus side, Joe Biden has experience, especially in foreign policy, that Barack Obama lacks....

However, that can be said of just about anybody in Washington, including the House doorkeeper.

[momof2or]

What an excellent choice. I think right now the McCain camp is upset. They were hoping for someone else to be nominated. Biden is the best choice all around. I can''t wait for the debates. I''m looking forward to the speech this afternoon. WOOHOO!

[fmoolten-2009]

When this campaign began, I was disappointed because my preferred candidate, Joe Biden, was overwhelmed by political winds favoring Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I opposed Clinton as unlikeable and manipulative, and Obama as inexperienced, lacking gravitas. Clinton subsequently confirmed my initial impression, but Obama has reversed my earlier reservations, growing in stature as the months rolled by. His running mate choice of Biden now completes the transition from promising rookie to candidate who can bring wisdom and vision to the presidency on the day he (and Biden) take office.

Fred Moolten

[labourboss]

Mcsame maybe able to lead BUT it will be the WRONG WAY!

[strongbump]

Perfect choice, perfect balance,no ticket is going to satisfy everybody, or every polotical persuasion, but I think this is the best combination for the country at this time in history.

[zzmonkeyzz]

Biden is a mojo-sucker. Ho hum.

[kinghud42]

Sorry Dem''s will be voting for the first time in forty years for the Republican candidate. Lived in Delaware and met Biden and what an EGO; if there was ever a guy who thought he knew everything; its him.