The Joe Biden factor

[gateley]

Imagining an Obama presidency without a Biden vice presidency is almost impossible.

But imagining a Biden vice presidency wasn’t easy.

At the Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, as he has during the past four years, Biden has a key role — but one that’s completely subsumed to Obama. He doesn’t get his own night. He doesn’t get his own headline. He doesn’t get his own agenda. The man who hadn’t had a boss since his first election to the Senate at 29, who never had to answer for anyone but himself for the (many) words he said, reports to Obama.

Biden has caused some problems — none greater than his ill-timed support for gay marriage and his injection of racial undertones into the campaign by asserting that Mitt Romney wants to put Americans in “chains.” But there’s no one the White House would rather have — on the ticket or within the administration.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/80621.html#ixzz25cQLcDCG

(I recommend this article -- a good read, and some great photos )

[CrispyQ]

1. Great article, Gateley!

Loved this:

Not since Lyndon B. Johnson has an administration featured someone with such deep congressional ties. Biden is, after all, the only person both Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms requested eulogies from in their wills, and there isn’t anyone who can match his connections to current senators either.

“I feel like if there’s something really important I needed to deliver, he’d be the guy to call,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said.

Graham? No shit???

Biden rocks.

[gateley]

4. There was stuff in the article I hadn't heard before -- like this quote.

I remember seeing Joe on Sunday shows with Graham and even though Joe was shredding what Lindsay was saying, he was never attacking him or demeaning him personally, and you could tell Graham really liked and respected Biden.

I saw that in the debates, too. Biden always was respectful of the others -- and you got the sense that he was sincere -- even though he would disagree with them.

[Curtland1015]

2. Biden was turned into a "late nite" punchline simply for telling the truth.

Biden doesn't make "gaffes". He tells the harsh and simple truth and everyone else CLAIMS it was gaffes.

[gateley]

5. He has said that in DC telling the truth is called making a gaffe.

I think the "chains" remark is a great example. I think he meant it literally, because there are too many who WOULD like to see Blacks lose what they've gained so far. But apparently it's too politically incorrect to acknowledge that racism is still a reality.

[nc4bo]

3. Love Biden's personality and his "real" talk is what so many Americans understand....

without being cute or folksy.

He's the real deal!

[PatSeg]

8. Most definitely the real deal

I hate fake "cute or folksy" in a politician and they don't come more authentic than Joe.

[jillan]

6. Thanks Gateley!!!!!!!

[MadrasT]

7. Great article.

Thanks, I really enjoyed it.

Love Joe.

[Egnever]

9. I am very much looking forward to his debate with liar liar pants on fire

The pubs think Joe is going to get walked all over but all you have to do is think back to the dem primaries when he consistently scored at the top in every single debate.

Joe is awesome and I was really quite surprised he didnt get more traction the last go around.There were just too many good choices last time I guess.

Still cant wait to watch him tear apart Ryan the pubs are in for a big wake up call.

[gateley]

10. In Game Change it reports that Biden said he'd really held back with Palin (per campaign

instructions) and it took every ounce of strength he had. I don't think he'll be constrained this time around.

[hifiguy]

11. There were a couple of times when Joe just grinned

and took a deep breath before saying anything. You could tell he wanted to shoe-top Grifterella but he stayed on the game plan.

I will always dig Joe for "A noun, a verb, and 9/11." I remain convinced that pithy little putdown sank Ghouliani.