ConservativeINC

August 19, 2008

Biden’s Slip Ups and Long Winded Questions

Filed under: Elections, Executive Suite — admin @ 10:48 am

We still don’t know who Senator Obama is going to pick to be his running mate but I can assure you I will be one of the first seven billion or so to find out. When I do I will let you know. Until then we have one person’s take on one of the finalists; Joe Biden. Enjoy! [Well, that’s unless you’re a Biden fan then you probably won’t enjoy this all that much.]

This would be a great match for Mr. Obama.

Mr. Biden’s previous racial controversies include his infamous—and almost certainly misunderstood—“clean” and “articulate” comment about Barack Obama to the Observer back in January 2007, and his off-hand remark two summers ago in his home state of Delaware that “you can not enter a 7-11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have an Indian accent.”

But what I recall best about Senator Biden comes right out of my own memory as a brand new congressional staffer while I was but a young kid.  Biden was already known in his very early years in politics for his long winded, convoluted and often times non-sensical questions at hearings.  It was almost as if he kept the question going as long as he could — just so you’d watch him …..  In the age of C-SPAN he has perfected this.  And, just as in his early days as a legislator, Biden has now unquestionably mastered the art form of the stupid and ungracefully prolonged and laborious question.  He is now the laughing stock of most congressional staffers….

John E. Carey doesn’t think too highly of Mr. Biden. Personally, I don’t know much about him. I really don’t follow the minutae of Washington politics because, well, it’s mostly boring. When I have caught Mr. Biden on the LCD he did have long, migraine-inducing questions. But, to be fair, most of those posers did.

His comments about Georgia and Pakistani President Musharraf’s resignation were very stately and made sense. Maybe he will bring some security gravitas to an Obama ticket.

I still contend, however, that his VP pick isn’t going to make much of a difference in this election. Heck, VP Dick Cheney, whom many on the left hate more than Hitler, is finishing up the second of his consecutive two terms. Do you think he made much of a difference in getting President Bush elected twice? Probably not.

The only VP pick that is going to matter is Senator McCain’s pick. If he picks someone who is pro-choice or someone who is a weak-kneed moderate, that could damage his ticket. Already, his commercials are grating on my capitalistic sensibilities.

To recap: John E. Carey doesn’t like Joe Biden. I don’t have much to say about him because I don’t know that much about him and, after all, the democrat’s VP candidate is going to be mostly a non-issue (unless Obama picks Senator Clinton). The only one who has to pick the “right” (literally and politically speaking, in my opinion) is Senator McCain.

BigT

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August 18, 2008

Who is Obama Going to Pick for his Running Mate?

Filed under: Elections, Executive Suite — admin @ 5:26 pm

According to the Interantional Herald Tribune, Senator Obama has narrowed it down to three men.

Obama had not notified his choice — or any of those not selected — of his decision as of late Monday, advisers said. Going into the final days, Obama was said to be focused mainly on three candidates: Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia and Senator Joseph Biden Jr. of Delaware.

Some Democrats said they were still hopeful that he would chose his opponent in the primaries, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, or Kathleen Sebelius, the governor of Kansas.

By all indications, Obama remains likely to chose someone relatively safe and avoid taking a chance with a game-changing selection. A similar strategic choice now faces Obama’s likely Republican opponent, Senator John McCain of Arizona, who has been under pressure from some Republicans to make a more daring choice.

What about Bayh?

Evan Bayh, a strong Clinton supporter, who is seen as having appeal to white conservative Democrats, and some national security expertise. Bayh coyly told CBS on Sunday that there was nothing to report yet.

What about Kaine?

Tim Kaine is from middle America, speaks fluent Spanish and may be able to help deliver his southern swing state, which Obama is targeting.

What about Biden?

Senator Joseph Biden, former senator Sam Nunn, or even ex United Nations ambassador Bill Richardson might be a fit, but picking an establishment figure might undercut his vow to reform Washington’s clogged political system.

Biden has recently been to and issued a statement about Georgia:

“I left the country convinced that Russia’s invasion of Georgia may be the one of the most significant event to occur in Europe since the end of communism.  The claims of Georgian atrocities that provided the pretext for Russia’s invasion are rapidly being disproved by international observers, and the continuing presence of Russian forces in the country has severe implications for the broader region.  The war that began in Georgia is no longer about that country alone.  It has become a question of whether and how the West will stand up for the rights of free people throughout the region.  The outcome there will determine whether we realize the grand ambition of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.”

“Russia must make good on President Medvedev’s commitment to immediately withdraw Russian troops to their positions before the current fighting began.    We also need a truly independent and international peacekeeping force in Georgia’s conflict regions.  And we must help the people of Georgia to rebuild their country and preserve its democratic institutions.”

“When Congress reconvenes, I intend to work with the Administration to seek Congressional approval for $1 billion in emergency assistance for Georgia, with a substantial down payment on that aid to be included in the Congress’ next supplemental spending bill.  This money will help the people of Georgia recover from the damage that has been inflicted on their economy and send a clear message that the United States will not abandon this young democracy.  I hope this $1 billion commitment will be matched by others in the international community.

“I have long sought to help Russia realize its extraordinary potential as a force for progress in the international community, and have supported legislative efforts intended to forge a more constructive relationship with the Kremlin.  But Russia’s actions in Georgia will have consequences.

And he has talked about President Pervez Musharraf’s recent resignation:

“I congratulate the people of Pakistan on the peaceful resolution of their political crisis, and I applaud the decision of President Musharraf to give up his office for the good of his nation.

“The two major parties in the governing coalition – the PPP and the PML-N – worked together to bring about a change in government through constitutional and nonviolent means.  This transition represents the first time in Pakistani history in which a president installed by the military has been removed by constitutional political action.

“I urge Pakistan’s leaders to focus now on the pressing challenges of the future and resist the temptation to settle scores of the past.  President Musharraf made the right choice in stepping down. I hope his resignation marks the end of the political turmoil that has immobilized the Pakistani government in recent months.”

We’re all waiting not so patiently for the decision.
BigT

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Obama Close to Picking His Vice President

Filed under: Elections, Executive Suite — admin @ 3:22 pm

We’re getting close, really close.

The NYT newsroom was buzzing late Monday afternoon after Obama-beat reporter Jeff Zeleny learned how the Dem hopeful has now finalized his choice for a running-mate.

Obama has set an elaborate roll-out to announce his decision that will begin with an early morning e-mail to supporters, perhaps as early as Tuesday, Zeleny and Adam Nagourney have been told.

A top source close to Caroline Kennedy tells DRUDGE — the pick is more likely to come early Wednesday morning.

Is it Nunn? Is it Kaine? Is Hillary there? What about Kerry? Bayh? Biden?

Developing… all night [week?] long

I’m betting he’s going to wait as long as he can because that means he will get more coverage in the news.

BigT

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