Best "reassurance" VP pick in my lifetime

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Better than Carter picking Mondale, Reagan picking Bush I or Dukakis picking Bentsen.

If I can be forgiven some blunt talk, simply having a VP is a big difference for Obama. It moves from "the black candidate" to the bi-racial ticket. That's worth 3-4% right there.

Every Democrat who is uncomfortable with Obama will be VERY comfortable with Biden, and presidential politics is primarily about relieving anxiety. To middle class rust-belt white Democrats Biden is so much "one of (us)" it's like he's the guy who lives down the street that everyone looks up to.

Comfort and identification win elections.

[democrat2thecore]

1. Remembering the "wooden Gore" jokes after Clinton picked him - this is THE best ticket in decades -n

[Motown_Johnny]

2. Better than Dukakis picking Bentsen? well let's hope so

[PATRICK]

6. Bentsen ended up

outshining Dukakis, not a winning result. Obama and Biden mutually shield and balance and work for each other without either one carrying the other leaving McCain stuck in the wrong revolving door, not the Bush stooge entrance he was planning on. We'll see how they play this opportunity. In this case Biden can Quayle the GOP presidential candidate, a nightmare the GOP probably can't contemplate yet.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

9. But nobody voted against Dukakis *because* Bentsen was so good

He out-shone Dukakis because Dukakis had no shine. It's hard to argue that Dukakis would have done better with Don Knotts on the ticket.

If 1988 was within a point or two Bentsen would probably have been a plus. Since it was a blow-out it's hard to assess what difference Bantsen made.

(The alternate view would be that Bush benefited because Quayle made Bush look so good, but I find it hard to believe that Quayle was actually a plus. Granted, human psychology is weird, but even pugs were reluctant to defend Quayle.)

(Geraldine Ferraro made Mondale look taller and more manly by comparison, but only DC and Massachusetts got the message.)

[democrat2thecore]

8. Bentsen was a great pick. -nt

[nevergiveup]

3. I so agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beregond2]

4. And yet,

Americans fawned all over a Hollywood celebrity with a Kennebunkport Brahmin for a running mate. What was comfortable or familiar about them? I know, I know; they were used to seeing Reagan hawk Boraxo on TV...but still...

I don't expect an answer. There is no explanation for insanity.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. Product spokesmen are chosen precisely because people identify with them

Reagan was VERY reassuring to common people, despite being a bellicose nut. That's some world-class reassurance when you can rant about blowing up the world and people STILL find you reassuring.

And don't underestimate the reassurance factor Bush I provided... he was "one of us" to monied interests, which is always an important demographic.

[PATRICK]

5. I think it may end up being much more

than the "safe choice" the Politico dweeb on C-Span was safely pontificating about. This could a strong check to a very feeble McCain and GOP presentation. Check and mate even that puts McCain out and away even from getting near Obama on foreign policy. Plus he cannot upstage Obama or make Obama appear dependent on him or make himself appear a sop for balance. The two sides of this choice is both the integral contribution to the administration but the best direct check that can be made on the whole GOP strategy- still lamely sitting around wondering where the Hillary ploy went.

The Politico guy is merely circling about this and I hope it just happens and none of them get it before it's too late.