I attended a small Biden for prez get together early in the campaign

[ruggerson]

He spoke for about half an hour in a small living room with about fourty to fifty people in attendance.

He kept the entire room spellbound with his directness, his passion and his common sense. In small gatherings, he really connects.

He would be a great sounding board for Obama. He pulls no punches. He has a clear eyed vision of the world, sees things that others miss, and is a good, solid progressive on social issues. Yes, he's been in Washington a long time, but his years of service have not dimmed either his enthusiasm or his keen ability to zero in on the underlying components of any given issue and discuss solutions in a manner both frank and enlightening. The years have actually amplified his strengths.

He would strike a good balance on the campaign trail - just loquacious enough to be the attack dog when needed, while also warm, witty and authentic.

Obama couldn't find a better Veep than Joe Biden.

[scheming daemons]

1. Good summary.... and at 66 years old, he likely won't have higher ambitions....

Not likely to run in 2016 as a 74-year-old.

He can be a honest and trustworthy aide to Obama, and Obama won't have to watch his back.

[Lucinda]

2. I'd still rather see him as SoS

Seems like half the world leaders call him first anyway....he might as well get the gig.

[Sugarcoated]

3. Richardson would be good for that also

[Lucinda]

6. I can see Richardson a lot of places. Biden just feels like a perfect fit for SOS to me.

[scheming daemons]

4. I think Obama already has that spot reserved for one Bill Richardson...

[Lucinda]

7. Could very well be.....There is a lot Richardson could do in the admin

[MarjorieG]

11. I know, but we have to get elected, and Biden can do that. He would be good counsel.

[WheelWalker]

5. Hammer. Nail. Head. nt

[Egnever]

8. I went to a small fundraiser for him as well

He was very humble for such a powerful man. My wife was in awe of him from the second she saw him. Been a big fan for a long time. I sure hope he is the one.

The kid liked him too :)

[PatSeg]

12. A lot of people miss the "humble" part

but I think it is more obvious in person (from what I've heard). The first hand accounts I've read confirm your experience. I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet him in person.

[ruggerson]

13. great picture

[Debi]

18. I hear that!

Here he is giving Debi, Jr. a hug after receiving my son's first political contribution.

[gateley]

9. You paint an engaging picture of him, and you describe him so well. Thanks! nt

[democracy1st]

10. thanks

[Honeycombe8]

14. Great bit of insight. Good post. nt

[KAZ]

15. I'd be happy. Still think Clark brings a bit more, but what do I know.

Loved Joe in the debates.

[sniffa]

16. Are you positive about social issues?

I like the guy, and I think he would be a great VP (especially in the attack dog role), and he's ready to step in on a moment's notice, but I don't think I can out and out say he's great on social issues.

I also don't know if he could bring in new states, but then again, that hasn't happened in over a generation, so that quality is overplayed.

[ruggerson]

17. Here you go

The trend as the years go by gets more and more progressive.

Civil Rights

1978: opposed busing except for gov't-intended segregation. (Jul 2007)
1968: Wilmington riots failed at conversation between races. (Jul 2007)
Nobody asks if you're gay in a foxhole. (Jun 2007)
Civil unions ok; gay marriage is probably inevitable. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
Don't Ask Don't Tell is antiquated & unworkable. (Aug 2007)

Rated 78% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)

Families and children

Fought for Family and Medical Leave, up to 12 unpaid weeks. (Sep 2007)
1990: authored the Violence Against Women Act. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)

Rated 16% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
Fund 2,500 Boys and Girls Clubs in underserved areas. (

Abortion

No public funding for abortion; it imposes a view. (Apr 2007)
Supports partial-birth abortion ban, but not undoing Roe. (Apr 2007)
Accepts Catholic church view that life begins at conception. (Apr 2007)
Nominees should agree on constitutional right to privacy. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
Rated 36% by NARAL, indicating a mixed voting record on abortion. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)

Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)

Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)

Drugs

Took lead on drug policy & narcotics control. (Nov 2007)
National ban on smoking would reduce chronic illnesses. (Sep 2007)
Absolutely do not lower drinking age from 21. (Sep 2007)
FactCheck: 40,000 babies with alcohol syndrome, not 300,000. (Sep 2007)
Increase penalties for dealing drugs near schools. (Sep 2007)
Most violent crime is related to drugs. (Jul 2007)
Divert drug offenders out of prison system. (Jun 2007)
Created nation's Drug Czar Office & drug courts. (Dec 2006)
Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

Recent Supreme Court votes

Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)

Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

[sniffa]

19. Thanks for that

I still don't see that as being a solid progressive - 60% by the ACLU, and 78% by the HRC. I think he's a great guy in many respects, and he's on point on the majority of issues that I'd be content (even happy, most likely) with him; I just never thought to label him as a solid progressive.

[ruggerson]

20. If you look at his votes in the last four years

he's gotten more and more solid over time. Not too many national politicians willing to say that marriage equality is "probably inevitable."

We're not going to get too many people with 100% ratings from various interest groups. Feingold, perhaps. But he's hands down better than the other folks on the "short list."