Why Joe Biden Needs to Stay

[babylonsister]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/05/why-joe-biden-needs-to-stay/257407/


Why Joe Biden Needs to Stay
By Ted Strickland

May 19 2012, 9:35 AM ET 58

He isn't just vital to the White House -- he's been the most effective vice president in American history.

Reuters

snip//

First, no vice president in our history has been more effective. Barack Obama chose Joe Biden because he wanted a running mate who was ready to be president. Clearly, that decision has paid off: Biden's experience and judgment have made him Obama's most valuable partner in restoring America's place in the world and leading America back from the toughest economic crisis in four generations. The vice president played a critical role in the passage and implementation of the president's economic recovery plan. He negotiated the first extension of the payroll tax cut, keeping taxes down on millions of middle-class Americans. He oversaw the wind-down of the war in Iraq and was a powerful voice in refocusing our strategy in Afghanistan. On one tough assignment after another, Joe Biden got the job done.

Second, Vice President Biden is a big political plus for the ticket, and will make a real difference in the swing states this fall. There's a reason the administration keeps sending Joe Biden to tossup states like Ohio, Florida, Iowa, and New Hampshire. He's one of the best campaigners in the business. I've seen what happens when the vice president comes here. I've seen the connection he makes with hard-working Ohioans. I've seen the look in people's eyes that says, "Here's a guy who understands me." An Obama-Biden ticket will be formidable in swing states.

Third, Joe Biden has spent his entire career fighting for what the 2012 election is all about -- the future of the middle class. Heineman writes that the first role of the vice-presidential nominee is "energizing key constituencies." For the record, Biden is extremely popular with core Democratic constituencies -- from women voters inspired by the 20 years he has led the charge for the Violence Against Women Act to rank-and-file union members who know how much he has stood up workers' rights. But what Heineman doesn't seem to understand is that the key constituency this year is the middle class.

There is simply no better running mate to energize the middle class than Joe Biden. That's who he is. It's where he came from -- and more important, it's what he has spent his life fighting for. Here in Ohio, people are struggling to pay their bills, send their kids to college, care for aging parents, and save for their own retirement. Joe Biden has an unbreakable bond with middle-class values, middle-class voters, and the struggles of middle-class life. As he has already shown on the campaign trail, he's the perfect guy to point out that Mitt Romney is the one who's out of touch.

President Obama is absolutely right that the future of the middle class is the defining issue of our time. This election will make the difference in building an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same rules. In an election that's make-or-break for the middle class -- and that's what 2012 is -- Barack Obama is right to want Joe Biden on the ticket.

[FarPoint]

1. Article author ....past, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland...

I always pay close attention to the wisdom of Ted Strickland.

[JNelson6563]

2. Couldn't agree more!

Rock on Mr. Vice-President!

[book_worm]

3. True. And he is going to stay--I don't see any indication Obama is going to dump him.

[cindyperry2010]

4. damn skippy

[Frustratedlady]

5. Right now, he's the one with the fire in his belly.

Obama has to tiptoe around so many criticisms, but Joe says how he feels and he says it with passion.

He carries a lot of history with him...history on past relationships with congresscritters, what they've pulled, their ghosts in the closet and who will cooperate. Obama doesn't have that background, so that is another plus.

Joe is Joe and nobody tries to make him be what he isn't. That's a hurdle he doesn't have to clear.

Poor Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, yet comes out smiling through it all.

What a team! They may be the Odd Couple, but they are MY Odd Couple.

[msongs]

11. poor helpless obama has to "tip toe"? it's his choice to do that. Obama needs more internal Joe IMO

[goclark]

15. Great Team ~ O and Joe!

[Marcia Brady]

6. Yup. This veep scares the 'Pukes

Saw an article this morning in some right-wing blog about how Obama should replace Joe with Hilary. First thing I thought is that would play right into their hands!

We need Joe.

[CrispyQ]

7. I don't always agree with Joe, but he is an excellent statesman,

knows how government works, & has alotta history! I think the repubs would love if Obama selected someone else, but personally, I can't think of a better running mate!

[penndragon69]

8. But what about Mr. POTATOE head, Dan Quayel?

Surely Big Joe is not as effective as little danny boy from Huntington, IN.


OK...enough laughing from everyone !

We need to keep " DYNAMITE JOE " in the ring for another season
of rock em sock em repuke kicking action !

GoBama !

GoJoe !

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

9. Right On

Power to the Veep-le

[DinahMoeHum]

10. It's the job of the VPOTUS to be the street fighter. . .

and Joe Biden has the chops for it, big time.

[gateley]

12. Wow! This link (to DU!) showed up on my Google Biden alert email! First

time I've seen DU there!

I'm gonna LOVE this article -- thanks, R!

[babylonsister]

13. Ha! I was hoping you'd see it!

[PatSeg]

14. "Most effective Vice President in American history"

I've been saying that for a long time! So nice to see this extraordinary man get the recognition that he deserves.

[jillan]

16. Take that Cheney ;)

I love me some Biden - for a long time.

He's always been one of my favorite politicians ever.