You think I am going to climb into Sarah Palin? You betcha! Not! I’ll leave Palin with the letter I wrote her. I thought this was going to be all about Palin. But it wasn’t. This was all about Biden.
I haven’t seen much of him because of the love/hate affair the media has had with Palin. Biden has been left behind. But tonight I saw why Obama got him as Vice President. Because Biden is the right person to be Vice President.
He knows what he stands for. It is clear. You don’t have to agree with him. But what you saw was what you get.
He convinced me that Obama is the right guy for the job. Not because Biden said so. But because Biden is the person Obama picked to be his Vice President when (not if) he becomes President. It told me that Obama can see what he needs to help him become a great President. A true “maverick” who will whisper in his ear when he does not agree with him. A person who knows enough about bipartisan politics to create the change that Obama has as his vision.
What do I want from a Vice President?
I want a Vice President that will lead the conversation to justice and fairness. Someone who will vigorously debunk and fight every right wing conventional wisdom on the economy and wars that has trapped the US in the quicksand of stagnation. Who will not only fight like hell to make sure that America is living up to the grand ideals that made America great but also someone who knows what it takes to get there. A fighter who has fought from nothing to get where he/she is today.
I want a Vice President who not only talks about change and being a maverick, but who knows how to make the system in Washington work to create change. A Washington insider who can bring the change we believe in. But an insider who has always been on the outside. Someone who embodies the type of bipartisan and honesty and integrity that is needed in Washington.
I want a Vice President who knows that it isn’t easy to make difficult decisions. That knows it takes guts to fight against a war even when your own son is fighting in the war. Who loves the troops, but not the war. And that sometimes we have to compromise and change ourselves. Someone who knows that we can’t always be right and be willing to change ourselves. And who will do it because his/her country is more important than their own ego.
I want a Vice President who will help inspire people everywhere to be better than what we are today. No matter where they live – from Washington to Warsaw and from Boston to Bamako. Who will challenge each and every one of us to take on the difficult things we have run away from. And someone who will make us believe in hope instead of fear.
I want a Vice President who knows that he/she must represents the people of the United States of America, but must never forget the people of this world. Who will fight for every person to help make the world a better place for all of us. Someone who won’t stop at challenging corporate interests in the US, but everywhere in this world of ours as well. Who will make companies work with and for us. And help those who do and not those who don’t.
I want a Vice President who will make friends before making enemies. Someone who will stop the foreign policy madness of making friends with some dictators and fighting others. Who will make the United States of America a true beacon of hope and not a vehicle of fear. Who will bring hope to everyone no matter where they are by being just and honest. A beacon of light for those who wants to make their own country better.
That’s what I want in a Vice President. And so much more. But you get the idea.
Joe Biden showed me that he is that Vice President. And Obama showed me why he is the right President. Someone who made his first and most important decision as a Presidential nominee the right decision. That Joe Biden should be Vice President. Joe Biden would be a Vice President who would make America proud. And a Vice President who would make America be better than it has been. Joe Biden will make the world proud.
Joe, if only I could vote mate…
Some people are arguing that the Vice President isn’t that much of a deal. That it isn’t that important. I beg to differ. The second most powerful person in the US government and you don’t think it is that important? Let me put it another way… Do you want to run your company with a good Chief Executive Officer but a Chief Financial Officer who knows nothing of how finances work? Or a Chief Operating Officer who knows nothing of commerce? Maybe not. If you do… Can you say “sink” baby?
It’s a pretty easy question. Who do you think would be best able to do the job when the President isn’t there?
Or ask yourself… Who do you think would be best able to help the next President do what he promises to do?
And a last one… Who do you want to represent your country (to friends and threats) if the President isn’t available?
Only one answer… Joe Biden.
October 2, 2008 at 11:09 pm
hm… I can see where you are getting at.
good post…what did you think about the debate?
http://culturedecoded.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/analysis-the-vice-presidential-debate/
October 3, 2008 at 1:45 am
[...] I haven’t seen much of him because of the love/hate affair the media has had with Palin . Biden has been left behind. But tonight I saw why Obama got him as Vice President. Because Biden is the right person to be Vice President. …[Continue Reading] [...]
October 3, 2008 at 7:04 am
A while back, I was running a new underground electric service to my house. I was sitting on one of those tiny excavators, using it to dig the trench. I passed the time, cause that work is boring, by listening to the confirmation hearings of Samuel Alito on NPR. Joe Biden was one of the many Senators grilling Alito on his stance on various things like Stare Decisis, etc.
Of all the Senators grilling Alito, He struck me as the most level headed, non-partisan one of the group. I came away from listening to those hearings with a genuine liking for him. He was congenial and respectful.
Some of what he said last night was total hooey, but he did it such a way that it didn’t make me feel uncomfortable.
Hey here’s something I found that is really helpful. I hear rumors from all over, stuff Like McCain crashed five planes, etc.
http://www.factcheck.org
It helps me learn about issues and dispel the subjective crap I’ve been hearing on both sides.
October 3, 2008 at 7:43 am
If the bar hadn’t been dropped to the ground for Palin, this would have been a trainwreck. Hell, snakes couldn’t have crawled under the dang things. Worms would have managed to scooch under by a tad, but it would be close.
And DON’T ask me about anything with legs…
As it was, she did have poise and held herself well, so she far exceeded any “expectations”.
Back to reality, though. Enough smoke and mirrors crap!
What debate? When Palin says “I’m not going to answer the questions…”, well, then, it’s no longer a debate, is it. I mean, aren’t both VP candidates supposed to be talking about the same thing? Come ON, now…
Ok, she dived back into energy with energetic enthusiasm whenever she got in a pickle with “O’Biden”, or just didn’t know. Her strategy laid out her ignorance of all things Earthly (outside of Alaska). She just ain’t done with her OJT yet, in my opinion. She came across not “folksy” to me, but like a brassy salesman, trying to get you to buy some cheesy trinket.
Damn, am I subjective when I claim that the GOPers can get away with virtually anything? I guess so.
And Biden of course, was like one of those catch-and-release fishermen. Big, BIG smile when he caught her in a gaffe, like General “McClellan” and, uh, “shit extremists”, as well as letting her go without comment as she accused Obama of “flipflopping”. The closest he came was the Bridge to Nowhere thing.
Yes, I would say, overall, those two GOP Mavericks are definitely walking on a Bridge to Knowwhere…
October 3, 2008 at 7:57 am
I listened and watched the “Debate.” I was really looking forward to seeing what each side had to offer. I was open minded. When you are in the midst of trying to determine the lesser of two evils you need to get as much info about who is less evil.
I reminds me of one time when I went to do my civil calling and went to jury duty. I took a book because it was going to be a long day. I was really looking forward to finishing Martin Cruz Smith’s “Havana Bay” (good book by the way)
I was picked immediately for jury selection. I hadn’t even opened my book. I was “open minded” as I headed into the court room. There were a bunch of us. I saw the defendant. He looked a lot like my Army Sergeant had looked. I had really admired that guy. Still an open mind. He was innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecutor explained that this was a special trial. Mr. Defendant had already been found guilty of First Degree murder, first degree murder with the use of a firearm and attempted burglary and distribution of a controlled substance or something like that. So much for the open mind.
Last night I flinched at both VP picks, I cringed at both, I laughed at/with both and almost cried with Biden. Unless you’re super knowledgeable about all the stuff they were talking about, it was a he said she said. Check out the fact checkers this morning. Can you say “Misleading?”
So I still have my open mind….. Isn’t Nader running? Whos’ his VP?
October 3, 2008 at 8:01 am
I hate to admit it … but I am running out of steam on this election.
Obama is the first candidate to come along in my adult lifetime that has actually inspired me to get involved! And I have been involved … since last year when he first announced he was running as a Democratic candidate! I was so full of energy … enthusiasm … HOPE … no, scratch that … a true BELIEF that somehow this election cycle was going to be different.
*Sigh* But the typical political cycle eventually begin … all the fingerpointing, name-calling, joke-making etc … and it has grown weary on my soul.
I’ll admit it – I didn’t even watch the debate last night. Sad … but true.
I can’t wait for November to get here! I can’t wait for all this campaigning to be over with! I can’t wait for Obama/Biden to take office!
And furthermore, I can’t wait to stop being DUMBFOUNDED over hearing some people say that they’re still gonna vote for McCain/Palin …. ??????????
October 3, 2008 at 8:16 am
Palin must have flunked English when they were studying sentence structure. You need a flow chart to follow her thoughts!
But Biden, BIDEN, oh man. The way he so clearly and concisely stated his opinions, his sometimes wry and sometimes emotional delivery, his graciousness towards Palin even when she was being rude…
Biden has proven himself time and time again to be a TRUE statesmen in the CLASSIC sense.
He was the best choice.
October 3, 2008 at 8:31 am
I’m soo tired of this:
Don’t pick on my candidate, you are stupid to think otherwise and your opinions don’t matter…..
In local politics, some candidates go unchallenged and get reelected to office be default.
There are two main candidates that are running. That should tell you that there are a significant number of people that don’t feel the same way you do.
The choice in this election is between a sugar coated turd and sun dried one.
One may be easier for you to swallow, but in the end you are still eating a turd.
October 3, 2008 at 8:57 am
@pacer521 – I think the debate was more boring than what we hoped for. But Biden came across as someone who instinctively know the answers. Palin sounded well trained. Cutsy and even openly saying she will not answer the questions. Biden came across as someone who could run the country if anything happens. She did not.
@scienkoptic – I agree. I decided to stay away from attacking Palin or McCain and try and look at it from a slightly different angle. We live in a world where the one that is lying the least hopefully wins. No one is even close to perfect. I like factcheck.org. Good source to see both sides lie. Subtle differences therefore counts for me. If they are going to be in office and be full of sh*t in any case, let’s look at who will represent the country the best and at least sounds like they know something. I decided not to write about Palin this time. Instead to try and focus on answering the two questions I had in my mind.
1. Who knows enough to help achieve what their candidate says they want to achieve? Not saying it will be achieved, but at least have someone on your side who knows what to do just in case you do it.
2. Who would I put up to the world (and my kids) to face and be the “face” of America?
Easy questions. Nothing on policy. Because both will say a lot and will do little. It’s a turd yes. But I will take the sugar coated turd because it might just taste less bad and not leave as much of an aftertaste!
@Keven – I was surprised at how lightweight she came across. But this time I sat down to think about it before I did a rant blog! And all I could come up with is that she is lightweight because the other guy actualyl sounded like someone who knows something!
@skuttlefish – Yep, both made some glaring errors and made me cringe as well. On Nader. He only came to my attention back in 2001. And as an outsider back then with no player in the field I decided to look a bit closer at him. Problem for me with him was (and is) that he is too much of a one-trick pony. He doesn’t know enough of foreign affairs. He knows the activist view of globalization, but it is tainted and limited because he has done most of his work within the US. He has very little knowledge when it comes to some of the nuanced insights when it comes to dealing with global politics. His view on the economy is also too limited. He is green and he is for the consumer. Great. But what he is telling me is that a company like Timberland should be treated in the same way as Exxon. I don’t buy that. A company like Timberland should be supported to continue the amazing work they do and not be regulated to death. Exxon is another story. But even there it isn’t black or white. Exxon is bad, but not as bad as what we all would like them to be. And BP isn’t as green as they are trying to tell us either. It’s a grey world, and ralph wants to paint it black and white.
@Fitch – Yeah! I wish you guys could go and vote right now as well! With his lead right now Obama should take it! Come on! Let’s roll.
@Lindsey – That was my sense as well. Biden came across as someone you wouldn’t mind having talk to other leaders on your behalf. Palin? Not so sure…
October 3, 2008 at 10:42 am
I’ve been around more than long enough to be able to sort the wheat from the chaff.
I will say simply this:
The cause of the economic disaster was caused by deregulation and uncontrolled greed. Period. Not bills 23 days or 23 weeks or 23 months ago.
Our jobs have been fired overseas in large numbers, and the bulk of them coming the last 8 years.
Free Marketeers are now taking a well deserved lump, and I know whose camp they AREN’T found in.
Some of us – some of us – choose to relentlessly ignore the political history of the past 30 years, and particularly of the past eight. They will swallow a lie quicker than you can say “Swirtboat” – and overlook the faults of their compatriots in a trice – or less.
Swiftboat, the concept, of course, was NOT invented by, guess who?
There are numerous old saws, and they ALL cut against one particular candidate:
1. You are judged by the company you keep
2. The captain of the ship is responsible for the safety, conduct, and welfare of his vessel
I’ll let you guess which one…
October 3, 2008 at 10:50 am
Oh Gosh. Only in America can the V.P. candidate study for a debate just to be able to answer questions. And as for the bread-and-butter qualities that a potential VP should should possess? I guess that don’t matter.
Listen, i am usually a very nice guest when i visit our blog my friend, but can i say “F@$# Sarah Palin”. I am boiling, for i feel someone is insulting our intelligence.
This woman couldn’t touch ME in a debate, much less Joe Biden.
It was more like: “Don’t-be-condescending-to-the-’skirt’-please” thing. She hardly knew anything of her running mates’ voting record.
By the way, how nice of Biden to let her slip so easily eh? Reminded me of a parent walking his daughter to the first day of school while she firlmy held his hand for comfort.
America this is a joke. If this woman and her old running mate are elected over Obama and Biden, i guess we can finally say the true color of this country is, you know what.
I am done.
October 3, 2008 at 11:20 am
@Keven – Yep! And anyone who still wants to blame the Democrats for the failing economy just needs to go and read this article that came out today AND/OR go listen to the actual recording of the meeting. Their watch and their people caused this. No more blame. More responsibility of your own actions MR and Mrs Republican. Please. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/business/03sec.html?em
@Dr. Ethiopia – Dude! You are ALWAYS the level headed one who pokes holes in my arguments. So it is huge that you are speaking out against this joke. I know this is an American election and their call, but I do hope some of them realize that people are pointing and laughing at them when Palin speaks. They can say they don’t care, but guess who needs to buy those American products and services? And they wonder why people don’t buy it or support some of their actions. I don’t think Americans are stupid. Far from it. Most amazing people I have met in a very long time. People I am proud to live amongst. But they must remember that we aren’t stupid either! We have seen enough crap leaders to smell a new one from a far way off…
October 3, 2008 at 11:37 am
I so totally agree with all you wrote, especially after watching the vp debates last night here in Calgary, Canada. I would be reassured if Biden had to assume the prsidency, but the prospect of Palin doing the same is a sure-fire way for REJECTING the McCain-Palin ticket.
October 3, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I came across this post when I read your comment on the Think Progress website. I am so glad I followed the link, and I totally agree with what you said. Thank you for the excellent post, which also allowed me to become aware of your blog.
October 3, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Shit!
Jan, Palin is literally NOT a heartbeat away from the presidency.
She might just accidedentally, in her folksy sort of way, declare war on Canada, thinking it was Spain or some other, now what was the name of that country…
October 3, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Got fired up agan, AA. Gotta go back to work.
Making maps…
October 3, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Its sad isn’t it? Last night I wrote about how the moderator of this “Debate” (Farce) really should be our own beloved Jerry Springer. That is what this has all turned into hasn’t it?
WTF is up with no actual “debate”. To me it all seemed rather childish, though clearly Biden was the more mature by a mile.
Makes me wanna go hmmmm… then hang my head and cry. Because this is what we have come down to.
October 3, 2008 at 1:54 pm
It looked like Muhammad Ali got into the ring with a toddler.
October 3, 2008 at 2:09 pm
@Jan – You know she can see what you do all the way from Alaska right?
@Kevin – Thanks! This is a much more civilized post. I will try this approach from now on. Much better than throwing my toys out the cot. My blog is a bit random, but I hope you find more posts that you can enjoy.
@Keven – Better make those maps quickly. You know she is going to redraw the boundaries right? Spain is just off Maine somewhere right? And they speak Mexican there don’t they?
@Amber – I couldn’t believe she got away with the statement that she is NOT going to answer the questions… I thought it was meant to be a debate and Q&A. Not a lucky dip debate, but a real debate.
@Mark – And thank God that Ali tied both hands behind his back…
October 3, 2008 at 4:22 pm
AA:
Spain actually was off Maine about 215,000,000 years ago, believe it or not! Newfoundland, to the north, has a split personality, too. The western half is true North American territory, but the eastern half is a torn-off chunk of Wales.
Go figure! Tsuro is really not that far from the US, after all! Just 215,000,000 years late, is all, really.
As for Palin, well, hells bells, didn’t she read your map you posted the other day?
I KNOW for a fact that Canada isn’t over where the bombs go. Spains’ over there, too, somewhere, drifting aimlessly near where all those Black people live, but it wasn’t on the map, so who knows where Spain is. I’m guessing it must be near the Iraq/Pakistan border where General “Mclellen” is. I know cause Palin said so.
But, worse yet, I think she wouldn’t be able to find anything, because I don’t think Alasksa, er Askala, er, Alkasa, er, yeah, whatever you call that place, you know, isn’t there either!
October 3, 2008 at 5:10 pm
This is just an excellent post and an excellent take on it.
For the first time I was happy about the pick.
Biden did a superb job of walking just the right line with Caribou Barbie.
October 3, 2008 at 5:22 pm
@Keven – Haha! Oh man, there is nothing funnier than someone who actually use real facts to points out the funny part of a joke. Good one Keven. Ya betcha!
@Turnbaby – Caribou Barbie! Hehe! For a change I decided to be neutral and not go on a rant. It actually felt good. Not sure when the medicine works off though. Biden was awesome. Still being a bit new here, I didn’t know much about him before. Man, he could be President for all I know.
October 4, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Right on! You definitely took the words out of my mouth. I hadn’t known much about Biden until the debate- and after that, it just reaffirmed why I was voting for Obama. Great post!
October 4, 2008 at 10:38 pm
VOTER PRECAUTIONS
1. Go early enough to experience a minimum of one challange
2. Take your state’s minimum required ID to your polling place, one peice of paper, and a pen. Know your local election laws
3. If you are challanged, get the identification of the challenger, and document the reason you have been challenged. The more time he or she spends meeting your legal demands, the less time he or she has to challange the next voter.
4. If you feel that you have been challanged in any descriminatory fashion, by all means, file a complaint! File with your local elections comptroller AND with your local Democratic party officials.
5. If you have a complaint and have the time, sit down where you can observe the challanger and document the challengers’ activities. Note the number of challanges, and any detectable pattern of discrimination.
6. If you feel you can remedy the reasons a legitamate challenge was made, do so and return to the polling place rather than filing a provisional ballot.
7. File a provisional ballot ONLY if you have no other choice
8. DO NOT GIVE ANY BALLOT MATERIAL TO THE CHALLENGER. PRESENT YOUR BALLOT ONLY TO AN AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL
Remember. The Republicans will lie, steal, and cheat to win an election. Be smart, be wary, and verify, verify, verify.
October 5, 2008 at 11:59 am
My husband “The Brit” came up with the absolutely BEST thing Sarah Palin could have said about her foreign policy but was to damn dumb (as a box of hair) to do so.
“Unlike my running mate John McCain who has tremendous foreign policy experience, you could put mine more in line with that of Senator Obama’s”. LOL At least she would have sounded smart. The woman is dumb, I tell ya. The waffle about Russia… Give me a break!