"An Argument for Biden" - by Time's Joe Klein

[Muttocracy]

whole thing below

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/07/an_argument_for_biden.html

July 31, 2008 10:34
An Argument for Biden
Posted by Joe Klein

I try to stay out of the vice presidential speculation because (a) I am historically awful at speculating and (b) it is the most over-covered aspect of any given presidential campaign, given the relative unimportance of the choice, usually, to the political process. But the vice president has become a very important player--in the last two Administrations, at least--when it comes to actually running the government. The next Administration is going to have to pass important stuff through Congress, especially regarding the economy, alternative energy and health insurance. My guess is the vice president, on either side, should be someone who can help with that--and the best choices are probably current or former members of the Congress who are known and respected by their colleagues. And so this testimony yesterday, from Mike Gerson, on Joe Biden's role in passing the AIDs legislation, is not insignificant:

When I asked one administration official to identify some heroes in this legislative fight, he responded: "Joe Biden." "Biden was unbelievably professional," he said, "patient with the hysterics of other senators and always looking for compromise."

This is not to endorse Biden. There are other members of the Senate with similar experience and patience--Evan Bayh of Indiana comes to mind. On the Republican side, former Congressman Rob Portman of Ohio certainly fill the bill. But it does call into question the efficacy of Obama naming a governor like Tim Kaine or McCain naming Mitt Romney.

Of course, given my vice presidential track record, this will probably prove completely wrong. But it's not a bad argument, is it?

[PatSeg]

1. That was really cool

Wish someone would have said that when Biden was running for president, sigh........

[Muttocracy]

2. that's bipartisanship - it doesn't have to mean caving.

I'll add another sigh...

[WheelWalker]

3. My point, exactly. Joe can do more with Congress as POTUS than

he can in the Senate, albeit he can swing some weight there, too.

[jillan]

4. I caught the signing ceremony of the Global Aids Bill last nite on C-Span.

Bushie gave Biden credit - said it wouldn't have happened without Biden's support.

Biden was on stage with bsh, along with a bunch of other people, including Kerry.
Later Bsh made a joke at Biden's expense. He said he wanted to say thank you to the bald guy at the end, and "No, I'm not talking about you, Biden". Poor Joe :P

It was great to see Biden on tv, it's been too long.

Anyway - he really does know how to work across the aisle.

[Muttocracy]

5. thanks - found it on c-span!

It's down in list of links under "recent programs"

http://c-span.org/Topics/President-George-W-Bush-Administration.aspx

[jillan]

6. Enjoy :)

[Muttocracy]

7. great to see Biden getting some credit

and having gotten to know him via radio mostly, I'm still surprised how tall he is.

But just one more reason to hate Bush - that shitty frat boy personality.

Who was that little woman talking to Biden at the end?

[jillan]

8. I'm thinking it was Lantos' wife.

The Bidens were friendly with them.

Didn't you just want to smack bsh when he said that? He is probably the most immature President we've ever had.

[Muttocracy]

9. ah, that might be it. And I'm with you on Bush. nt

[Eurobabe]

10. Damn, I kept trying to rec!

Did you put this in GDP?

[Muttocracy]

11. nope, go for it. I don' tknow anything about the author though. nt

[Eurobabe]

12. Yeah you do -- Joe Klein, he wrote Primary Colors

he's on TV all the time, I think he's a pretty decent guy, a Dem?

[Muttocracy]

13. I'm terrible with names, so it's still not ringing a bell. nt

[PatSeg]

14. Actually

he's become quite a dick these past years. Some consider him a republican in Democratic clothing. Now that the Democrats are becoming more powerful, he seems to be moving back to the left. I don't trust him.

[Eurobabe]

15. really? the times I've seen him on

Chris Matthews Show on Sunday am, he's seemed pretty fair. :shrug:

But they are all pretty much media whores and wolves in sheep's clothing these days.