Do you think Joe Biden was a poor choice as a VP candidate?

Question

I have just started studying and learnign more and more about politics, but Biden was a potential president in about 88? He only got 1% of national vote before dropping out? McCains propaganda ads show Biden disagree with Obama as president. Why did Obama pick a person that has no faith in Obama? Also, why are republicans voting for McCain when he has been a democrat?

Answer 1

Biden gives him gravitas in the same way that Cheney gave gravitas to Bush.

The problem is, it reminds everyone that Obama needed gravitas.  So we're really right back to another Bush... different side of the coin, but the same fundamental problem... someone who really has no place being president.

At least Bush was a governor for a short while.  Obama was a community activist and hadn't even completed one term as Senator!

People will realize that Biden will run the White house in the same way that they said Cheney ran it.  And, as you point out, people really weren't thrilled with the prospect of Biden as president.

A really poor choice.  He should have went with a complete outsider.  That would have elevated HIM to seem stronger than he is.  By selecting Biden, he pretty much confirms that he's going be a puppet of the status quo.

At this point, I think McCain is going to be one of those presidents that no one really liked but he ends up winning by a landslide.

Answer 2

Never heard of him!  Wouldn't recognise him if walked past me in the street!

Answer 3

Eh- they were competing for the same post....He picked him because they are strong in each other's weak points....Biden has TONS of experience- a decade more than McCain.

Obama really needed an old white man to help out- and went and got one....a pretty good one that's tired of all the nonsense going on in this land and NOT afraid to tell it how it is. GREAT choice.

Answer 4

Because Biden has been in senate for over 35 years and knows his sht.

Answer 5

I think even the Republicans are disenchanted with the Republicans and aknowledge a change is def. in order lest we wind up with another GW.

However, Biden only makes Barak whiter and lends his views much like the Republican party would on matters such as healthcare reform, taxes, and the war.

McCain has been throwing some fairly strong accusations around and I believe that in this race, it's the only way he can get some spotlight/camera time. I mean look at him: he's another white, middle-aged, male. He's had to compete with the black Muslim and the washed up hag.

Not exactly easy and maybe Republican's feel a bit, I don't know...sorry?

Answer 6

McCain has never been a democrat, just not a loyal republican.

The choice of Biden is a Kennedy throwback.  The young Senator John F. Kennedy need the older more experienced Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.  But the LBJ choice also had to do with convincing southern democrats that the liberal northerner was trustworthy and Texas 24 electoral vote (1960).  Now Biden does not make any sense in just the first young senator old senator Kennedy/Johnson style.  Delaware's 3 electoral votes are not in doubt and the change motto is damaged by the old guard pick.

Kaine of Virginia would have made much more sense as those 13 electoral votes may have been swayed. If McCain is wise enough in his pick with someone like Governor of Minnesota Pawlency where there are close polls and 13% of Obama's voters would flip if Pawlency was on the ballot then this contest is not just over, it's just by how much.  If McCain picks a woman especially Condi Rice it will be over as the women disaffected by the non-Hillary VP have already been bolting will flood over to McCain.

Answer 7

1) Biden is a neolib. A career politician. A pro war democrat. He brags on police state measures which appears 'tough' to the big government neolibs.

2) McCain is a neocon, nobody wanted him, but the media blacked out Ron Paul who was in the race untill recently.

Answer 8

He's a great choice, tons of experience especially in foreign policy.  Actually I'd rather see Biden at the top of the ticket.

Answer 9

I think Obama's reasoning for picking Joe Biden as a running mate was because of his experience which Obama has been criticized of and also because of Biden's foreign policy knowledge but at the end of th day republicans will blow this up to use against Obama. I think Obama should've chose someone else.

Answer 10

I think it was actually a really good choice.  It makes Penn. easier to get and Barack is putting people with experience around him, and Biden isn't one to just take orders, he'll challenge Obama and help him to make the best choices.

Answer 11

No, I do not think so. I think he was the best choice of a small list. Biden might be able to help Obama if he were elected, as he will need it do to his lack of experience

Answer 12

yes he was a poor choice, politics is mostly a payoff in my opinion if he can get the most money to the cause whatever it may be hes in

Answer 13

Biden, as well as McCain, has had his sights on the White House for decades.  Please remember McCain lost his presidential bid in 2000 after the Bush campaign slung every bit of mud they could find at him.  Biden was an excellent choice for Obama's VP candidate, because of his foreign policy gravitas and his ability to speak to and understand the plight of the middle and working classes.  Oh, and he can easily remember how many houses he and his wife own.    

Answer 14

Biden was a great vp pick.

We don't need McCain a good soldier running this country but a wise leader like Barrack Obama 2008

Answer 15

Yes, he could have chosen alot better.

Answer 16

Nope, I think he is an Excellent choice!! He has all of the experience in foreign policy that the republicans love to criticize Obama about. He is younger than McCain and STILL has much more experience!!

As far as Biden losing the general election in 88, have you forgotten that MCCain lost the nomination in 2000?

Answer 17

Joe Biden is a FABULOUS choice for VP. One of the truly great Senators of the past 2-3 decades, he brings experience and expertise in sooooo many areas.

"why are republicans voting for McCain when he has been a democrat?" -  Huh? What are you talking about? If McSenile is ANYTHING (and he is not much) he is a loyal Republican, certainly ever since he left a cushy job at his father-in-law's brewery to run for Congress in 1982, and as King W's biggest supporter.