Biden feels good vibes on trail as Iowa draws near

[1corona4u]

No matter how this is constructed, it's going to sound like it was written by a homer. For the non-sports fans, a homer, besides going over the fence, is a media reporter who openly roots for the home team.

But I'm not so much going to root for Joe Biden in the Iowa caucus, now only a couple weeks away, but rather admire the dickens out of the campaign he and his staff have been running out there.

And we here in Delaware aren't the only ones who have noticed it.

At last check, he had just a tad fewer state elected officials' endorsements than Hillary Clinton. In virtually every debate, The Washington Post, the Des Moines Register or some other inside publication crowns Biden the winner in a category, if not the debate itself.

Chris Matthews, the host of "Hard Ball" on MSNBC and quintessential inside-the-Beltway political junkie, has predicted Biden would come in third behind Clinton and Barack Obama. I think Matthews is right.

After Thursday's final Democratic debate before Iowa's caucuses, David Yepsen, the Register's chief political columnist, wrote that Biden was the "best of the day ... was cool, commanding and presidential." Funny thing. That "presidential" comes up a lot with Biden. I've never seen it associated with Clinton, Obama or John Edwards.
(more)

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/OPINION05/712160303/1106/OPINION

[Lasher]

1. To read this you would think he would be polling better than 5th place in Iowa at 4.3%

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/ia/iowa_democratic_caucus-208.html

And 3.2% nationally.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/democratic_presidential_nomination-191.html

Just sayin'.

:shrug:

[1corona4u]

3. Truly disgusting picture you have there...

Polls lie, and Biden will do much better than the talking heads, or the polls show.

Mark my words.

[Lasher]

7. I guess, if you say so.

I was just making an observation.

BTW, lots of people here like my picture. Think about it. You might too unless you're a Ron Paul supporter.

[1corona4u]

8. I just find Manson disgusting...

I don't care what the association is...he's horrifying.

[saltpoint]

2. If enough Iowans will listen, many will cast a vote his way.

He's got the creds up and down and is damned likable to boot.

And he may yet stun the prognosticators in the Iowa race.

[1corona4u]

4. I think he will OC...

and that's not just "wishful thinking".

[saltpoint]

5. -- --

:dem: :thumbsup: :hi:

[Tashca]

10. I agree

I had the opportunity to listen to him.
He said so many in this campaign are talking about Change.
So many others are talking about Experience.

He said it is not about either.....it is about ACTION!!!!

then he went on and talked in length about all the action he has taken over the last 35 years in the senate....it was quite impressive.

I am convinced he has the best chance to create action.....

[saltpoint]

11. Hi, Bellator, and a tardy but sincere welcome to DU.

Agree. Biden can speak to people in an extremely effective manner. It's easily the most underestimated aspect of his campaign, IMO.

And there you are in Cedar Rapids, so you get first ups at the caucus/primary selection process.

Any and all posts you can make telling the rest of us non-Iowans how things are going would be a cause for pause for me -- I'd stop what I was doing to read what you have to say.

[Tashca]

12. obviously new at this

I am obviously new at this. And thank you for the welcome.
I am very careful how I word what I post as I notice people get attacked in here quite frequently.
If I expressed exactly what I think about the current enviroment....I'm afraid I wouldn't come out alive...:o

I have gone through several caucuses and have had many experiences. I ...like most Iowa caucus goers take this very serious. We feel honored to have this privilege.

There are two videos posted from a Biden small town meeting that I attended yesterday. Have a look at those..

I am considering writing more about the experience, but not sure I want the grief.....I'll think about it.

[saltpoint]

13. Are you in the DU Biden group? You can post there without being slimed,

which is a good thing in and of itself, but the real benefit is the company of some splendid people.

Let me know if you want navigation to that site here on DU. It's a couple clicks away and you're right at home on the content of your posts on Biden.

What events did you attend yesterday?

I was in Iowa for a brief time to attend the John Edwards event in Cedar Falls, not too far away.

Iowa was cold and snowy and the wind was blowing. But there were yard signs and bumper stickers and it just felt pretty good overall.

If you aren't a member of th Biden group, I can help you get there in a click or two, and you can share your findings from the Biden events you attended this weekend.

[Tashca]

14. I found them

Thank you for the offer.....that group reflects the very principles of Biden. I feel very comfortable there.

I went down to my hometown in Washington. The roads were treacherous and the place was filled to the brim and out the door. I think most everyone finally got in. It was held at the local Library were I was President a few years ago. I got to see many old friends. These people were there for a serious reason. They are the caucus goers. They listened to every word. By the questions poised it was obvious several still have not made up there minds. Like normal there was not enough time...and many questions didn't get to be asked. He was on to the next stop.

As I left I had several old friends ask.....who will you caucus for?....I answered Senator Biden....I no long have a second choice.

[saltpoint]

15. Your appreciate of the man and for his contributions over many years

is understandable.

I think he has a terrific trust-quotient to him, and the only thing that isn't working for the Biden campaign is that he can't talk to all 19 million Iowans before January 3rd. Is it 19 million? Well, whatever the number is.

If he could, he'd be extremely formidable.

What is working very well is that his polling has come up correspondent to his appearances there, and so as Iowans get serious about voting in 18 days, Biden's candidacy has few drawbacks and many pluses.

And there are whispers that he could place in the top 3.

[Tashca]

16. Not flash

This campaign is not about flash and flare......it's about getting in front of people....more importantly the people who caucus. He understands who he needs to get in front of. The population of the state is around 3 million....then you whittle that number down to the Democrats....then take the number on down to the people who actually go to the caucus. It's not a very big number. Energizing the whole state is about general elections. Biden is using a rifle approach and being where he needs to be......the old fashion pressing the flesh. For many people here it's about picking the candidate who has the best chance of winning the general election. All this is for naught if we don't win that.
Third???.....why not second???

[saltpoint]

17. Three million. Thanks -- good catch. Good thing I didn't order the

sandwiches yet!

The REGISTER's endorse may have some impact, although it doesn't always in the past. In 04 it endorsed Edwards, who did well, but Kerry won the caucus count.

The Republican endorsement of McCain is even stranger, since McCain hasn't exactly swept a lot of Iowans off their feet of late, and hasn't been in the state all that much at any point in his life for that matter.

O well -- anything tht befuddles the Republican voter is generally ok by me.

Good points on the strategy for Biden and for Iowa and beyond. We have 18 days to find out if his rifle style is on target. Something tells me it is going to be more successful than the Des Moines REGISTER believes.

[1corona4u]

18. AHAHAHAHAHAHA hahahahahahah....

Three million. Thanks -- good catch. Good thing I didn't order the sandwiches yet!


Too funny!

[PatSeg]

19. About what percentage of adult Iowans actually cacus?

Do you have any idea?

[Jennifer C]

6. Biden is very presidential

The article talks about political networks in the final paragraph, and this is very true indeed:

"Biden's is of international proportions."

[pacalo]

20. That quality alone should be what clinches the presidency for Biden.

I've been a political junkie for a couple of decades & I've always admired him. Through the years of watching him, without fail, I LISTEN when he speaks. He's got the presence & charisma factors, which will come in handy for the I'd-have-a-drink-with-that-guy crowd, but what shines for me is his intelligence, biting wit, & experience.

And the fact that world leaders call him for his opinion is icing on the cake.

Welcome to DU, Jennifer!

[PatSeg]

21. That is an excellent summary of Senator Biden

If I was creating the perfect fictional president, that creation would be very close to Biden.

[Jennifer C]

24. Beautifully said

Thanks for the welcome :hi:

[gateley]

9. Again, I'm always impressed when a Delawarian speaks highly of Biden -- they

KNOW him and have entrusted their state to him for many years. I think we'd ALL feel that same confidence if he was in the White House. Thanks for the great article!

[PatSeg]

23. I know I would

The future is looking really scary these days.

[WheelWalker]

22. Kick