It's Your Time to Shine Joe
Well, there's one thing you can say for the Governor from Alaska. She can get people talking. Ignoring the issues of McCain's vetting process or her readiness, this in an of itself is a reason for her to be on the ticket. Much like Obama himself, whether you like her or not, she gets the tongues moving. But you know what? Despite McCain's best efforts to reframe the race, her opponent isn't going to be Obama.
Her opponent is Joe Biden.
We all know Joe Biden. In the Senate since 1973 when he was elected at the tender age of 30 -- which happens to be the minimum age of a US Senator -- knocking off a popular incumbent. His wife and daughter were killed an a tragic car accident right after his victory, and Joe was actually sworn into office at the bedside of his two sons who survived the crash. From that point on, Joe began the practice of commuting day after day from Washington D.C. to his home in Delaware by train to be with his family.
In 1987, Joe Biden became the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was able to usher through the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. One note: since then, parts of this law have been challenged and subsequently stricken by an increasingly conservatively-tilted Supreme Court.
In 1987, Joe Biden first ran for President, and was forced to withdraw after being accused of plagiarizing a speech. Although he had cited his source in the same speech numerous times before, the one time he didn't in front of cameras was enough to sink him in the media's eyes. Joe admitted his mistake, and never once hid behind any person or cause.
The following year, a brain aneurysm very nearly took his life.
Joe Biden has gone on to become one of the most respected members of the Senate by either party, adding the Foreign Relations Committee Chairmanship to his Judiciary chair. He's one of the foremost foreign policy minds in Washington. He is the quintessential Irish Catholic boy who did good. He's had incredible ups and downs, and he's kept his center and his humility throughout it all. His signature is his unscripted and off-the-cuff rhetorical style which has gotten him in trouble in the past, but is something that I think we've all seen him use to great effect. I can't look at Giuliani today and not think, "Noun, verb, 911". He called Bush's assertion to the Knesset about Obama wanting to appease Hitler, "Bullshit". He's blunt. He's got punch, and he's got pizazz. He's the Happy Warrior.
And today, his opponent is Sarah Palin.
Everyone keeps saying that Biden needs to be careful "not to bully" Palin. After tonight, I don't think that's going to be a problem. Not at all. And does anyone that someone with Joe's background and personal history will be afraid to take it to someone like Sarah Palin? And unlike John McCain, he's able to do it with a smile on his face and truly mean it. Joe's not a mean guy, or an angry guy, nor is he overly condescending But Joe Biden does not mess around.
The more I think about it, the more I appreciate Obama's selection of Joe. In so many ways, he's been training for this moment, and maybe this very opponent for his entire life. Sarah Palin is a special kind of candidate for a certain section of this country. She seems to be an intriguing personality who brings something to John McCain's ticket that he desperately needed, but her style of personality politics is pushing her right into Joe Biden's wheelhouse. This is where he lives. Plus, he has the advantage of being more in line with today's mainstream America than Palin is, and that will show in the weeks ahead.
I'm not worried about Sarah Palin. She's interesting, but I honestly think we already have the answer for her. And I think Obama saw the same thing when he chose Joe. Let the games begin.
Just don't forget about the issues.
Her opponent is Joe Biden.
We all know Joe Biden. In the Senate since 1973 when he was elected at the tender age of 30 -- which happens to be the minimum age of a US Senator -- knocking off a popular incumbent. His wife and daughter were killed an a tragic car accident right after his victory, and Joe was actually sworn into office at the bedside of his two sons who survived the crash. From that point on, Joe began the practice of commuting day after day from Washington D.C. to his home in Delaware by train to be with his family.
In 1987, Joe Biden became the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was able to usher through the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. One note: since then, parts of this law have been challenged and subsequently stricken by an increasingly conservatively-tilted Supreme Court.
In 1987, Joe Biden first ran for President, and was forced to withdraw after being accused of plagiarizing a speech. Although he had cited his source in the same speech numerous times before, the one time he didn't in front of cameras was enough to sink him in the media's eyes. Joe admitted his mistake, and never once hid behind any person or cause.
The following year, a brain aneurysm very nearly took his life.
Joe Biden has gone on to become one of the most respected members of the Senate by either party, adding the Foreign Relations Committee Chairmanship to his Judiciary chair. He's one of the foremost foreign policy minds in Washington. He is the quintessential Irish Catholic boy who did good. He's had incredible ups and downs, and he's kept his center and his humility throughout it all. His signature is his unscripted and off-the-cuff rhetorical style which has gotten him in trouble in the past, but is something that I think we've all seen him use to great effect. I can't look at Giuliani today and not think, "Noun, verb, 911". He called Bush's assertion to the Knesset about Obama wanting to appease Hitler, "Bullshit". He's blunt. He's got punch, and he's got pizazz. He's the Happy Warrior.
And today, his opponent is Sarah Palin.
Everyone keeps saying that Biden needs to be careful "not to bully" Palin. After tonight, I don't think that's going to be a problem. Not at all. And does anyone that someone with Joe's background and personal history will be afraid to take it to someone like Sarah Palin? And unlike John McCain, he's able to do it with a smile on his face and truly mean it. Joe's not a mean guy, or an angry guy, nor is he overly condescending But Joe Biden does not mess around.
The more I think about it, the more I appreciate Obama's selection of Joe. In so many ways, he's been training for this moment, and maybe this very opponent for his entire life. Sarah Palin is a special kind of candidate for a certain section of this country. She seems to be an intriguing personality who brings something to John McCain's ticket that he desperately needed, but her style of personality politics is pushing her right into Joe Biden's wheelhouse. This is where he lives. Plus, he has the advantage of being more in line with today's mainstream America than Palin is, and that will show in the weeks ahead.
I'm not worried about Sarah Palin. She's interesting, but I honestly think we already have the answer for her. And I think Obama saw the same thing when he chose Joe. Let the games begin.
Just don't forget about the issues.
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Just saw Joe's first response on CNN. John Roberts asked him if he was going to go on the attack, and Biden replied, "No, John, I'm not. Look, she did a great job last night, didn't she? I'm sort of worried about those debates now." He then went on to point out that, on substance, the Republicans offer nothing, while the Democrats are very clear about what they'll do.
These guys aren't fooling around. John McCain may have lied about running a "respectful, dignified campaign", but Obama is the real deal. He's determined to beat them on substance.
September 4, 2008 7:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good for him. We can, and will beat them on the substance, but we also have two candidates with 500 watt smiles and very compelling life stories. Joe Biden is more than a match for Sarah Palin, and by going out and doing the talkshow round and taking her on directly, she's forced to get out there herself, where she'll finally face actual questions from reporters. They can only keep her inside the bubble for so long.
The one lasting image of the night for me was during her speech, how they passed her infant around like a football. It was weird, and it truly smacked of political showmanship using a special needs child as a prop. While they won't directly go there, when contrasted that with Biden's care for his family, Palin family situation starts to appear grotesque a good number of independent voters.
Subtle contrasts are what this requires, and I think we have all the tools we need to make it work.
September 4, 2008 7:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I noticed the child passing as well -- watching PBS, it was interesting to see the baby being held by a tall blonde woman (not introduced to us, maybe a nanny?) until it was Sarah Pallin's turn to speak. Then it was all family -- Papa held the babe very briefly when it counted for the cameras (nice smile & show of affection -- wonder if it was scripted), then quickly passed babe off to one of the older daughters. The daughters took turns holding (one of the most appealing moments was when the youngest saw a hair out of place, licked her fingers and smoothed it into place). Never saw big brother with the baby (but admittedly was asleep for the attack portion of the speech, so may have missed this, or a return to papa's arms). The impression it's given me is that in their family, child caring is considered something women do -- claim that papa took leave of absence to be with family during mama's first year of governership not withstanding -- I just haven't seen him being affectionate with the children. But then again, standing so publicly in the spotlight, I doubt that they are really relaxed, so their behavior may not be representative -- that's why the little one's smoothing of baby brother's locks was so appealing -- it was unscripted.
One other reaction -- wouldn't want my new boss hugging me after one week on the job. Seemed a little creepy, and Sarah seemed to move away as quickly as she could without seeming to be rejecting. Jim Lehrer commented on it, too.
September 4, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink