Biden won the debate. Hands down.

[LBJDemocrat]

I'm an Edwards supporter, but I'll concede that Biden won the debate. He was forceful, and his answers never seemed canned.

His addressing public financing of elections was the crucial moment of the debate. While his opponents were repeating the same platitudes about changing how stuff's done in Washington, Biden got to the heart of the matter.

Now, everyone knows Biden comes from a corporate-controlled state (Delaware's known for it due to its lax laws); and most people here on DU will say that Biden's not a real liberal. I agree. But when he talked about public financing, it was like he said to the voters, "As an American politician, I'm not allowed to vote my conscience."

You might accuse him of cowardice. To me, it showed that he's not an empty suit and that he understands the problem. It shows that he might be an independent-thinking president.

And he's an excellent speaker and debater. He'd make mincemeat out of Thompson or Romney or whoever the Repubes throw at us.

If Edwards somehow fails, I can definitely see myself throwing my support to Biden.

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. Biden is like a guilty pleasure

I think over time he can wear on you, but in small doses he's great. If you notice on Dodd's timer, he only got 8 minutes. I think that helped him because he had to make the most out of what little time he had.


Being in the bottom tier has helped focus him. I hope he remains focused because the guy has skills. He's better than Obama at debating and while I've never seen him give a speech, I can't imagine he's much worse than Obama on the stump. It's just all that baggage and senate voting history that will haunt him the same way Kerry's votes did him.

[Erika]

2. Biden allowed Clarence Thomas to be approved

I could never vote for him after his harsh treatment of Anita Hill, Never.

[Bucky]

5. That's really reaching back for a grudge there

I remember that Clarence Thomas fiasco, too. It infuriated me that the Democrats basically gave a pass to an unqualified ideologue who lied about his views on Rowe v. Wade out of convenience. How they could have not seen through that still stuns me.

But still, after 20 years, I think we need to take a longer view of things. No candidate is gonna be perfect, but Biden has a pretty good Democratic track record and can certainly do the job. He's not my top choice, but if he's nominated it'd be poitical suicide to not support him.

[The Backlash Cometh]

21. If we get someone to come up with information that Clarence Thomas

lied under oath and Anita Hill was right, can we impeach the s.o.b.?

[stillrockin]

23. I don't THINK so . . . . !

n/t

[Bjornsdotter]

9. I will never forget

....in fact I was telling my soon to be 18 year old daughter about it.

Cheers

[kath]

25. I'm with you, Erika - will NOT forgive Biden for the Clarence Thomas debacle.

[question everything]

3. I, too, was impressed with Biden and as you can see on many

threads, many agree with you.

Like him or not, he showed the power of his conviction. He apparently had less time than Richardson, Kucinich and Dodd, but accomplished a lot in fewer minutes.

And I, too, was disappointed with Edwards. His attack on Clinton was needless.

I think that Clinton was the best.

[StudentProgressive]

4. HE YELLED SO LOUDLY!

Obviously the guys who screams must win!

[Bucky]

6. Geeze, he was talking about stopping the genocide in Darfur and got passionate

It looked like the real deal to me; not a put on. I'm a cynical bastard but his anger about that horror really made me think about it.

[StudentProgressive]

12. He also prescribed a death pill for Darfur

It's obvious the guy has done little research on the region but just wants to sound tough and macho.

[doggyboy]

19. I'm also a cynic

and I was impressed by his passion on the issue

[zanne]

24. I agree that he appeared angry throughout the debate....

I found it odd that he could keep up that level of anger in his voice. I did like what he had to say, though.

[Mojambo]

7. And boy does he have a sweet deal for you on a used car!

Biden's slick, and I'll admit, effective, but I don't trust him for a second.

[jillan]

8. That's how I feel about Edwards

[Mojambo]

10. Yeah, Edwards is slick too

But at least with him I feel like he's selling me something I can actually use.

[jillan]

11. The thing about Biden - is that he doesn't give a sh*t

He will tell you what he thinks whether you agree with him or not.

And that's why I support him.

I was so pissed at him when he voting for the funding bill.
BUT - he said he was going to 2 days before the vote.
I begged and pleaded with his campaign staff for him to change his vote.
I posted KO's comments over there.
Nope - Biden had his reasons to vote that way (The MRAPs) and then said that it was more important to him that the soldiers got the MRAPs rather than for him to win the election.

The unpopular bankruptcy bill - he voted for that because it protects unwed mothers from losing their alimony if the father claims bankruptcy.

I want a candidate #1 that has experience and #2 that will stand up for what they believe in.

No - I don't always agree with him, but Biden doesn't waffle.
He doesn't say "On one hand, but on the other hand".
He will fight. He won't back down. And he should some miracle happen where he got the nomination, he will eat up the Repuke alive.

I know where he stands. I can't say that about all of the candidates.

[Inuca]

28. Wonderful and informative post

Thanks! I have somewhat mixed feelings about Biden, but you convinced me to have a closer look. I wish there was something to be done about the attention the "2nd tier" (I hate the expression!) candidates get in the media and in the debated. The placing of the candidates on the podium yesterday, and of course the amount of time alloted was di graceful.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jillan]

14. What are you doing on this board?

[Pastiche423]

16. The same thing I've been doing for the past five+ years

You?

[DemKR]

15. Um yeah Biden will get my vote when the cows come home nt

[justinrr1]

17. Biden did great

and he clearly stands out in this field. I agree that he could tear down any republican in a head to head debate.

[jillan]

18. Hi Justin!

Biden had the least amount of time tonite - did you see that?
Great nite - really excellent reviews coming from NH on his performance.

Check it out
http://www.wmur.com/politics/13435118/detail.html

[justinrr1]

20. Thanks for posting that

I did see that Biden got the least amount of time. If he keeps getting good reviews after debates they will be forced to give him more time.

[stillrockin]

22. "You're the real deal. I like you!."

So said Joe Biden to Gonzo during confirmation hearing. Hmmm, let's see; he also supported the Medicare bill, the bankruptcy bill, extending the war, etc. He is owned by Delaware's credit card companies.

[Tellurian]

26. I picked Hillary as (1) and Biden as (2)

I can respect everyone's gripe about Biden's loose ends. In spite of it all, he may not be our choice for president, but would make a heckofa great Attorney General. Biden has the proper credentials, see here at Joe Biden and we know how important an AG is after the fiasco with Janet Reno selling us out to the Republicans with Clinton..

Biden is well qualified for the job and he's just what we need, a Lion roaring at the Republicans when they start their whining criticisms. Just my $.02 cents for consideration...

[Forkboy]

27. He sounded pissed all night.

But on the subject of Darfur that anger was appreciated.

Other than that...he was ok.

[bvar22]

29. Joe Biden...still good with the video byte!

I loved his faux outrage at the hearings on Abu-Gharib.....really looked convincing in front of the cameras. But after the cameras were off, he didn't do SHIT to end the abuse.

The only good thing I can say about Joe Biden is that his HAIR PLUGS are coming in nicely.