Biden's Predictably Unpredictable Campaign

Obama's Running Mate Has Made Expected Gaffes, But Democrats Say He's Been An Asset Regardless

(AP)  Joe Biden's performance as Barack Obama's running mate has been pretty predictable - even when unpredictable.

The biggest knock against Biden during discussions on whether he would make a good vice presidential nominee was that his mouth tends to get him in trouble. And it has, with Biden recently raising the expectation that Obama would be tested by an international crisis soon after taking office - a comment that Obama said showed Biden's penchant for "rhetorical flourish."

Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin have used that comment to suggest that Obama is not prepared to deal with such a problem. That's not what Biden said - he argued Obama would persevere because he's "got steel in his spine." But McCain is using a recording of Biden's comments in a new ad against Obama.

"We're going to have an international crisis ... to test the mettle of this guy," Biden says in a recording replayed in the ad over grainy images of a woman crying and people rioting in the streets of a foreign land. "I guarantee you it's going to happen."

An announcer interjects: "It doesn't have to happen. Vote McCain."

But despite the occasional gaffe that's been highlighted, the Obama team says Biden has been a steady asset.

"Yes, there are those moments when you say, 'Wow, I wonder why he said that,"' said Obama adviser David Axelrod, but he added, "Even in the cold hard world of politics, you just look at his numbers. The American people have really embraced him and he's got a very favorable standing.

"So I don't care if every once in a while there's one of those cases where you sort of say, 'Geez, I'm not sure I would have said it just that way.' I don't care about that because at the end of the day, I think the upside is so great," Axelrod said in a telephone interview.

Since the party conventions, Biden's favorable ratings have steadily gone up. An Associated Press-Yahoo News poll conducted earlier this month found both Biden and Palin were viewed favorably by 48 percent of respondents, but his figure was up from 37 percent the previous month, while hers remained about the same as her earlier 47 percent. And her unfavorables were rising, from 28 percent to 39 percent, while his went from 30 percent to 33 percent.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll of voters in the swing state of Ohio this month found nearly four in 10 moderates were less apt to vote for McCain because of the Palin pick, double the proportion drawn to him as a result of her nomination. Biden attracted three times as many moderates to Obama as he pushed away.

Biden completed his 170th interview Friday night in the two months since becoming a vice presidential candidate, according to a tally by his staff. He's been a constant McCain critic and has been on television at critical moments, such as going on all the networks after every presidential debate while Palin was declining to do interviews.

Biden has been the least covered by the national media of any of the four nominees, but he's generating steady local coverage in key markets. The campaign has dispatched him to areas filled with working-class voters and his fellow Catholics, hoping he can make a connection where maybe Obama can't.

"He's going to a lot of places where Barack certainly didn't do as well in the primaries and talking to folks and bringing them over," said 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who is close to both men on the ticket. He said he encouraged Obama to pick Biden because of his experience in legislation, foreign affairs and politics.

Axelrod said Biden is deeply involved in campaign discussions, and often will share what he's seeing on the trail and how issues are playing. Unlike the Republican ticket that campaigns together frequently, Biden and Obama have mostly kept separate schedules. One aide said they send e-mail messages frequently on the BlackBerrys they carry on their hips, and talk on the phone about once a day on average.

Biden has said if the Democratic ticket is elected, he would like to use his 36 years of experience in the Senate to carry out a President Obama's agenda on Capitol Hill.

He's respected by lawmakers in both parties for a breadth of knowledge developed over decades of service that have included leadership of the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees.

It's an insider experience that Obama lacks, and a role that has not been Vice President Dick Cheney's focus. Cheney has been a forceful hand helping guide the Bush administration from the confines of the White House, while venturing to Capitol Hill occasionally to cast a tie-breaking vote or meet with lawmakers from his own party.

"The advantage you have here is you've got in Joe Biden somebody who's seen a lot of mistakes made in Washington and who himself has led major committees," Kerry said. "That is an enormous help to any president."

[kerick913]

We are all being sold a sham with Barry Obama. The Democrat''s mainstream propaganda machine (CBS, NBC, CNN, etc) are force feeding this guy down our throat. That is probably why they refuse to cover the "cover up" that Obama isn''t even a natural-born citizen and therefore not ELIGIBLE to be President. He was born in Kenya - not Hawaii.

[olivia4441]

PS. Biden is the Bozo the clown- Obama the Mickey Mouse.

[notopennshut]

Biden is NOT an asset to anyone. He speaks without thinking and what comes out is his inner thoughts. Why anyone would think that he is an asset is beyond me. He should just stay home and shut up! Seems to have no intelligence if he is really unable to think carefully what he has to say before he opens his mouth. Even kids know that there is an appropriate answer to everything, although they can be forgiven more easily due to their age; however, there can be no excuse for Biden. Is he really that stupid or what????

[andor3]

A veteran Democratic Party pollster, Stan Greenburg, said an earthquake election was in the offing after which nothing will look the same.

Yes change is coming. America will be proud again. Despite John McCain and Sarah Palin trying to stop it.

[teacher1917]

Biden''s gaffes are human. Palin''s run away mouth is dangerous. It''ll be great political theater when she goes rogue on McCain in the next few days.

[relee42]

No matter how you edit the raw footage with Palin, there is no way you cn come to the conclusion that she is ready to ever be President. Does any intelligent human being think for one moment that spending $2k/day on the woman''s wardrobe is going to improve a mindless message? Polls show that McCain is only ahead with old white men and to a lesser extent with older white women. People who look at reality and the facts see that the McCain campaign is going south, they must rely on ex-dixiecrats and bigots for their base, a base that is dying off, not growing.

[jimbo554]

I do not understand what is wrong with Biden''s remark that Obama will be tested. He will, as would any other President, be tested. That is a fact. It does not mean or even imply that he will fail the test, but merely states that he will be tested.

If that''s the worst they can come up with, they don''t have much.

[veteranx-2009]

notopennshut: "Biden is NOT an asset to anyone." Oh really? What about the 135,253 Delaware voters who put him into office in 2002? Obviously he is considered an asset by Delaware voters who put him into office in 1972, and have re-elected him every 6 years since.

[toolmangler-2009]

He speaks without thinking and what comes out is his inner thoughts.
Posted by notopennshut at 02:34 PM : Oct 25, 2008


What about the GOP gaffes, Biden is not afraid to say what he feels, not what he ''thinks'' we want him to feel. What is wrong with being open and aboveboard to start with.

I am amazed how the posters on this blog are defending Biden. He unsuccessfully ran for President two times and didn''t get too far, He voted for the war which is a no no for Obama, never mind the fact that Obama was only a state senator at the time and did not have access to any of the information shown to Congress. Obama told Biden that he would not vote against funds for the Military, but under party pressure he change his vote to no. Who knows how he would have voted if he was actually a Senator at the time of the vote. Biden also stated that he would be proud to run with McCain. Biden said that he was not interested in being V P. What a crock. You all defend him and criticize Palin what a joke you all are. I%u2019ve watched Biden and OBama%u2019s campaign speeches and all they do is ridicule McCain and Palin by making snide, condescending, arrogant remarks. When McCain campaigns, the media calls it an attack. I have seen both Obama and Biden attact McCain and Palin, but for some reason it is not called an attack.

[x-republican]

"From the very beginning I''''ve said I''''m going to support the candidate who has the best chance of changing the way Washington works and getting things done. I will be voting for Barack Obama." -- SCOTT MCCLELLAN, Former Bush Press Secretary

Agreed, Obama will change the way Washington doesn''''t work. McSame will reward the greedy bastrds who helped put him into office.

Posted by iam4honesty Joe Biden is a genuinely good guy. A good father, a good husband, a good citizen and a good senator. If the need were to arise, he would make an excellent president. -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gee my husband is all of the above. Maybe he should run for President. The only problem is he doesn''t have the one thing you forgot to mention that Biden has. Stupidity.

[momforobama]

Would anyone be questioning where he was born, if his name was Henry Smith? The fact that his name is Barack Hussein Obama in NO WAY determines his religion or country of birth. His mother simply gave her son the same name as his father ... period. Not only is this classification bigotry it is completely insane. Furthermore, being a Muslim does not make you a terrorist, just like being a catholic priest doesn%u2019t make you a child molester. Stereo types are ugly in all respects.

[samthetvcat]

This article sounds like something his mother might have written - isn''t THE chief question surrounding the issue of Biden how much or how little clout he''s going to be given in an Obama Administration?

Why doesn''t anybody ever do any research on that?

[o_the_potus]

http://www.intrade.com/

Obama: + 0.7 to 83.7
McCain: - 0.4 to 13.2

People who put their money where their mouth''s are get it right.

[anya136]

Mr Biden is going to be a great VP. He speaks his mind, but also seeks consensus rather than be combative. He has vast wisdom and knowledge on the issues and he has a good heart and sincere intentions. He''s also very good at speeches drilling down to the issues in a way that touches ordinary people.

Biden-Obama 2008.

[kaelinda]

Obama was born in Hawaii. His birth certificate was amended when his stepfather, Soetero, adopted him. People who don''t vote for him because they believe the lies and rumors are using the lies and rumors as excuses to avoid admitting they''re racist. Those who don''t vote for him because they are against his policies - and who can say what it is about his policies that they dislike without parroting McCain or some other rumormonger - vote against him because they don''t think he''s the right man for the office. These folks - the one who don''t think he''s the right man for the office because of his policies - are people I can respect and honor, even if I disagree with them. The rest of the folks - the bigots who won''t admit they''re racist, and would rather spread lies and rumors than admit the truth - don''t matter much. Fortunately, there aren''t enough of them to make a difference in this election. Maybe they''ll vote for Ron Paul, an independent, who hasn''t had the money to campaign for president, but who is still running.

[grammawhamma]

That race card blame game is worn out. Geez...I wish McCain was black just so Republicans wouldn''t have to be accused of being racists all the time.

[grammawhamma]

You all defend him and criticize Palin what a joke you all are. I%u2019ve watched Biden and OBama%u2019s campaign speeches and all they do is ridicule McCain and Palin by making snide, condescending, arrogant remarks. When McCain campaigns, the media calls it an attack. I have seen both Obama and Biden attact McCain and Palin, but for some reason it is not called an attack.

Posted by Lola939 at 06:52 PM : Oct 25, 2008

And I still remember when Obama (who is never negative according to the media) gave Hillary the finger during a debate. Obama is a joke and Biden is his side kick.

[anya136]

Latest news on ther Palin:

Alaskan pipeline: awarded in an inappropriate tender process to a company which she has association with.

Public funding: spent on kids travel to see Pop''s snowmobile race.

$150 thousand on clothing for the campaign.

Troopergate: repost said hounded the Commissioner for personal gain. Abused office. Ran an amatuerish administration.

Troopergate 2: she then blatantly denies what the report said.

Appoints unqualified friend into top agri post in Alaska.

Palin views: can see Russia so experienced in foreign policy. doesnt matter what caused climate change but we need to do something.

IS THIS WOMAN QUALIFIED TO BE VICE PRESIDENT?

You decide.

[crater7]

OBAMA CAMPAIGN PUNISHES T V STATION FOR ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS TO BIDEN:

HMMMMMMMM,

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

ANOTHER JOE THE PLUMMER,X2.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT "G D" AMERICA.

[hillarynow]

scccrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!!! clang.. clang.. clang.. clang.. clang.. oh look! the wheels are coming off the Straight Talk Express!!!

[hillarynow]

Joe is awesome, I can''t wait to see him speak. Thing about Joe that makes him so great is he is one of us. Joe Biden is a hard working, true American that America desperately needs representing us. This will be a change alright, because he is a dramatic departure from the ''good ol'' boy'' corrupt Republican backwards ideology that has had a stranglehold on America for the last 8 years. I would take Joe''s occasional ''mental typos'' any day of the week over the countless and numerous lies, misstatements, misdeeds, crimes and hack job self serving policies of George the idiot Bush anytime. Don''t forget the disaster that was Bush for 8 years and that we are finally finally going to be rid of. Joe is a serious upgrade from weirdo Cheney and President Idiot. Joe is a good man and will be just fine, you doubters will all see and eat your foul words and thoughts. God Bless America, the road to recovery is just around the bend, it won''t be long now before the curse on our great country that is Bush administration is lifted.

[irmcvet97]

That race card blame game is worn out. Geez...I wish McCain was black just so Republicans wouldn''''t have to be accused of being racists all the time.

Posted by GrammaWhamma at 05:29 AM : Oct 26, 2008


LOL Having trouble with the first Black Presidential Candidate are ya? Now you guys COULD have picked one of the FIVE Blacks at the Reich''s Convention to have been the candidate you know. I thought it was so funny how the Fascist kept moving them around but didn''t have the common sense to change the clothing so NO ONE would notice they were the SAME people in ANOTHER group!! LOL The "Party" is broken and has been taken over by Fascist... ONLY Real Republican''s can fix it!

[albertw40]

Obama knew what he was getting. Joe Biden is a caring man who has the qualifications to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Biden''s working class upbringing makes him a man who says what he thinks sometimes, even when it isn''t politically correct. I admire him a lot.

[irmcvet97]

CALL OUT THE RESCUE SQUAD! WE HAVE ANOTHER KOOL-AID DROWNING VICTIM!

Posted by DemWatcher at 05:11 AM : Oct 26, 2008


How''s that? LOL I mean someone who voted for and supported the WORST in our History has GOT to do better than this don''t you think? LOL I certainly hope YOU haven''t jumped on the NEW McCARTHY bandwagon here... For those who don''t remember McCarthy, anyone who didn''t agree with the "Party" was branded a Commie and denied rights. Sick man and SICK "Party"!!

[rdepontb]

Sen. Biden is a very well-known, trusted and much respected individual. He understands operations of the Senate, and has a world view that maximizes the discussions in which he participates. Ditto for budgetary, environmental, and any number of issues that have faced our nation.

He is not "given a pass" on his off-the-cuff comments; rather, they are weighed against this three decades of actions.

Palin''s comments, on the other hand, are weighed against her several weeks'' worth of pronouncements; those early weeks were, as we know, showed a highly restricted access. So, her words now represent the bulk of her public statements. At this point in the campaign, she is really allowed no trial balloons; what we have of her history is what she says anew every day. So, her words must be chosen extra carefully, since each one matters so much. Unfortunately, neither Palin herself, her confidantes, or the "rogue-charging" McCain staff have been able to show enough discipline, or intelligence, for her to come off as anything but trouble.

[rdepontb]

Hey, I''m new at this. Please pardon my cut-and-paste & typos in my 09:46 posting---

[hamiltongrad]

Go to Drudge--- Biden for once is put on the spot by a series of tough questions, including the issue of Obama being a closet MARXIST.
Obviously angry, and not used to real probing, Biden just about loses it, obviously tense. CBS WHERE ARE U ?

[jameslouiky]

You mean that Obama really has a running mate?!?!? I''m shocked MSM when did that happen?

[jameslouiky]

Sen. Biden is a very well-known, trusted and much respected individual. He understands operations of the Senate, and has a world view that maximizes the discussions in which he participates. Ditto for budgetary, environmental, and any number of issues that have faced our nation.

He is not "given a pass" on his off-the-cuff comments; rather, they are weighed against this three decades of actions.

Palin''''s comments, on the other hand, are weighed against her several weeks'''' worth of pronouncements; those early weeks were, as we know, showed a highly restricted access. So, her words now represent the bulk of her public statements. At this point in the campaign, she is really allowed no trial balloons; what we have of her history is what she says anew every day. So, her words must be chosen extra carefully, since each one matters so much. Unfortunately, neither Palin herself, her confidantes, or the "rogue-charging" McCain staff have been able to show enough discipline, or intelligence, for her to come off as anything but trouble.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by rdepontb

Just flip Biden for McCain and Obama for Pailin. Only thing is, Obama IS the Heatbeat.

[bill517]

McCarthy was about true paranoia, due to the rapid build-up of USSR after WWII.

This is quite different: Must we go down this well-travelled RAT-HOLE of idealistic KUM-BA-YAH even after virtually every other nation in the world has proven that it is a dead-end? It''s not about terror this time, it''s about wasted motion.

[bill517]

What''s playing out now was predicted by Ayn Rand in the 1920''s in a novel called ''Atlas Shrugged''.

He''s sure beginning to flex his shoulders...

[xlib]

So joe does an interview on WFLA in Orlando, Florida and the journalist has the AUDACITY to ask him a question about the messiah''s plans to "spread the wealth". You know, the answer he gave "joe the plummer" that got buried because his minions in the media tore ole joe the plummer a new one. Anyway, so, this woman asks joe biden about the plan being marxist and joe about fainted. Now, this plan has been called socialism, marxism by the mccain camp and this would have given the messiah''s team a real chance to answer. INSTEAD, the messiah''s camp has blacklisted this station. They came out and said they would not give anymore interviews on the station,
Now, that smells like facism to me. The end result is, do not question the messiah!!! Just don''t do it.
Yep, it''s gonna be a great America floks, just great.

[xlib]

bill514-read Rand''s "We the Living" and "Anthemn". Chilling, very chilling. Rand died in the 70''s and old, wise woman. Her theory of objectivism looks real, real good to me now.
We are in for a world of hurt.

[xlib]

rdbpontb-yep, joe sure is respected, especially in 7/11''s and DunkinDonut shops. Ya know why?? Well,joe recognizes that people who work in thos places are Indians and you have a hard time understanding them.
He also knows that FDR got on TV at the beginning of the Great Depression to clam the public. Yep, joe is wise. I just don''t know how Hoover took to FDR doing that when, hey, he was President at the time. Don''t think TV was around in 1929. But, hey, joe is wise.
Why, he is so wise he is predicting a "crisis" within the messiah''s first 6 months as dictator, ur, president. Yep, joe is wise.
He also wrote a great piece in his college days, so great that he lifted it from someone else. Whatta guy!

[nightfal23-2009]

FACT CHECK...
Regarding the post by Xlib at 11:36 AM : Oct 26, 2008..
"FDR got on TV at the beginning of the Great Depression to clam the public."
And.. Xlib: "I just don''''t know how Hoover took to FDR doing that when, hey, he was President at the time."

FACT CHECK, Xlib:
FDR''s FIRST of his many "fireside chats" to the nation (the first was about about the banking industry and a possible run on the banks) , was delivered March 12,1933, WELL AFTER he became president.
No, Xlib, they had no TV they were radio broadcasts. See for yourself.
ttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrfirstfiresidechat.html

[Stratmaster7]

Xlib, it has been a long and hard campaign season, hasn''t it? It must be frustrating to have spent all this time and energy trying to defend the indefensible, only to see McCain crash and burn day after day. At least you can look forward to Palin in four years, as she has obviously abandoned the McCain effort in an attempt to position her own political success in the future. So typically GOP. I commend you for your efforts, and I assume that as the patriotic American you and the rest of the GOP say you are, you will jump fully behind the new President, regardless of who it is, and attempt to help them be succesful for the sake of America. Right?

[nightfal23-2009]

FACT CHECK...
Regarding the post by Xlib at 11:36 AM : Oct 26, 2008..
"FDR got on TV at the beginning of the Great Depression to clam the public."
And.. Xlib: "I just don''''t know how Hoover took to FDR doing that when, hey, he was President at the time."

FACT CHECK, Xlib:
FDR''s FIRST of his many "fireside chats" to the nation (the first was about about the banking industry and a possible run on the banks) , was delivered March 12,1933, WELL AFTER he became president.
No, Xlib, they had no TV they were radio broadcasts. See for yourself.

It seems transparently foolish to criticize so freely, without knowing you American history.
Please learn more about the country you live in.
It might also be more "Amercian" to stop insulting "indians", as a group.

ttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrfirstfiresidechat.html

[nightfal23-2009]

FACT CHECK...
Regarding the post by Xlib at 11:36 AM : Oct 26, 2008..
"FDR got on TV at the beginning of the Great Depression to clam the public."
And.. Xlib: "I just don''''t know how Hoover took to FDR doing that when, hey, he was President at the time."

FACT CHECK, Xlib:
FDR''s FIRST of his many "fireside chats" to the nation (the first was about about the banking industry and a possible run on the banks) , was delivered March 12,1933, WELL AFTER he became president.
No, Xlib, they had no TV they were radio broadcasts. See for yourself.

It seems transparently foolish to criticize so freely, without knowing your American history.
Please learn more about the country you live in.
It might also be more "Amercian" to stop insulting "indians", as a group.

ttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrfirstfiresidechat.html

[nightfal23-2009]

FACT CHECK...
Regarding the post by Xlib at 11:36 AM : Oct 26, 2008..
"FDR got on TV at the beginning of the Great Depression to clam the public."
And.. Xlib: "I just don''''t know how Hoover took to FDR doing that when, hey, he was President at the time."

FACT CHECK, Xlib:
FDR''s FIRST of his many "fireside chats" to the nation (the first was about about the banking industry and a possible run on the banks) , was delivered March 12,1933, WELL AFTER he became president.
No, Xlib, they had no TV they were radio broadcasts. See for yourself.

It seems transparently foolish to criticize so freely, without knowing your American history.
Please learn more about the country you live in.
It might also be more "Amercian" to stop insulting "indians", as a group.

ttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrfirstfiresidechat.html

[model67a]

It was said in a post that Joe Biden speaks his mind. You better think about that one. Just think about how screwed up his talking is!!!!

[nightfal23-2009]

FACT CHECK...
Regarding the post by Xlib at 11:36 AM : Oct 26, 2008..
"FDR got on TV at the beginning of the Great Depression to clam the public."
And.. Xlib: "I just don''''t know how Hoover took to FDR doing that when, hey, he was President at the time."

FACT CHECK, Xlib:
FDR''s FIRST of his many "fireside chats" to the nation (the first was about about the banking industry and a possible run on the banks) , was delivered March 12,1933, WELL AFTER he became president.
No, Xlib, they had no TV they were radio broadcasts. See for yourself.

It seems transparently foolish to criticize so freely, without knowing your American history.
Please learn more about the country you live in.
It might also be more "Amercian" to stop insulting "indians", as a group.

ttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrfirstfiresidechat.html

[model67a]

nightfal23 How many times are you going to run that post????

[model67a]

nightfal 23 You run your posts over and over. Do you do that to make yourself feel good seing them in print???

[nightfal23-2009]

sorry, I clicked "post" & the website kept saying it was clogged & couldn''t post, so "please check back". I did and it said the same thing. It never said thanks for your post
I only intended to post it once.
If I can, I''ll pull the repeats.
No foul was intended...

[model67a]

sorry didn''t mean to ride you like that. thought you were doing it intentionally. You and I are on different sides of the isle, but you have a good day

[nightfal23-2009]

Thanks, and you as well.
I''m proud to be in country where there ARE isles and I really just want the raging to stop and people to discuss what''s important.
I''m a musician & have frinds all over the nation. Deep south Maine, you name it.
I have no agenda really. I Just want the best for all.

I have an opinions on issues, but some are conservative, some are centrist.
I make no claim to the ultimate truth.
Trash talking ANY candidate makes me ill.
I''m 51. My friends & I have often wondered why so many (hopefully less every year) have to say the other opinion is unamerican.
No matter what the opinion is, as long as it''s legal under the first amendment, it should be said with respect.

CBS is clear that a vigorous debate is welcome.
Just "cussing out" the other guy/gal with insults saddens me.
I happen to like both candidates. That''s not a misprint.
Personally, in my dream one would be Pres, one would be VP. i.e. McCain/Obama...Obama/McCain.
Then they''d HAVE to listen to each other, and I suspect they truly disagree a lot less than their "handlers" push them to admit.

The US constitution was debated heatedly before it was finally signed & ratified. It almost didn''t get ratified.
They were All good men, trying to do their best.
They understood back in those dire times, that sticking together was the single most important thing if they were to survive as a nation.

Today we''re fighting to survive in a different way.
WE could use more of that kind of thinking today.
jmho

[downsteamjim]

A classic textbook example of a puff piece. He has made 10 times the gaffs of Dan Quale, but as a democrat they are ignored.

[whosaid1]

What ??? No mention yet on CBS about the Biden interview and the democrats "cutting off" future interview because he didn''t like the questions?? So, liberal media...in an Obama administration as long as you continue to follow the talking points you''ll be ok...but, don''t ask any real questions....