Biden’s the Best
After months of speculation, Barack Obama has finally announced his choice for vice president. Joe Biden, a moderate
Democrat who is respected by both sides of the political aisle, will make an excellent counsigliere to Obama, and
most importantly, will make an excellent President should, God forbid, something happen to Obama if he is elected.
The choice of Biden, although a bit unexpected until about a week ago, is a masterstroke for many reasons. One good
reason is the fact that Biden is NOT Hillary Clinton. A VP should be someone the president trusts, not someone the
president is afraid will stab him in the back . A VP should be someone dedicated to the goals of the
administration, not someone who is interested in her or his own agenda. While choosing Hillary as his VP candidate
might have gotten Obama some votes from Hillary’s core constituency of older white women, it more likely would have
lost him a huge number of votes from the unique coalition of political newbies, Western state independents, and
liberal Republicans painstakingly built by Obama’s campaign.
More than 30 years of effective and influential functioning in the Senate gives Biden the ability to advise Obama on
how to deal with the legistative bodies of the US. Much has been made of the fact that Biden’s extensive Washington
experience makes him an insider which contrasts with Obama’s message of change. The fact is that if Obama intends to
implement any kind of ‘change’ he will need to work with the Senate and House, and needs someone with intimate
knowldedge of the working of these institutions. Biden, with his strong record of legislative accomplishments,
amongst them the Biden Crime law and VAWA, is the ideal person to guide Obama.
On foreign policy, this writer has long held the view that Obama does have a strong understanding of the world and
has what it takes to defend the US’ interests in the international arena. Biden’s extensive knowledge of foreign
affairs and stewardship of the Foreign Relations Committee complements and strengthens Obama. An advocate of strong
ties with democracies such as India, Biden tends to be a realist as well, although his position on trifurcating Iraq
may not be the best for that country. But hey, you don’t have to agree with a candidate on each and every issue.
One job of a vice-presidential candidate is to function as an attack dog, attacking the presidential candidate’s
rival(s) while the candidate himself/herself can focus on larger issues. Being a good friend of John McCain’s,
Biden is uniquely qualified to fill this role. Who knows a person’s weaknesses better than a really good friend? And
Biden’s overall personal reputation will make sure that at least the Democratic side does not take the low road on
the fight for the presidency.
