Hillary Clinton's take on the Joe Biden pick

DENVER -- As Barack Obama let the suspense build this last week over his vice presidential pick -- and a spate of new polls showed a virtual dead heat in the race for the White House -- the chattering classes indulged in one last bout of speculation about a Democratic "dream ticket."

With that prospect now officially dead, Hillary Clinton today issued the following statement:

"In naming my colleague and friend Joe Biden to be the vice presidential nominee, Barack Obama has continued in the best traditions for the vice presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Senator Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic vice president who will help Senator Obama both win the presidency and govern this great country.”

Regardless, as Democrats descend on Denver, taking the temperature of Clinton supporters -- now that their party's ticket does not include her, one of her supporters, or a woman -- will be one of the main media preoccupations.

As John McCain's choice of a running mate nears, we also would not be surprised if one last burst of attention focuses on women that he might choose, such as Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[coolrepublica]

You know I wish McCain would chose Palin or a woman, but he doesn't think like that. He is looking for someone he can trust and someone he feels conformable with. I would be surprise if he picked Romney. I think he really, really wants Ridge, but if he has to go with someone he trust he would pick Palewnty.

I have to say that I think Obama's pick of Bidens frees up a lot of choices for McCain. Obama basically acknowledge that change does not trump experience. Since McCain is the top of the ticket with the experience he can pretty much choose almost anybody.

Thanks Obama.

[plankbob]

Yes, the heat-seeking foolish media will be preoccupied with that. How many of the spewers of division will be Republican plants? How will the media, in their tireless search for truth and facts, unmask them for what they are?
Chuck Hagel, a moderate Republican, has no problem with Biden:
"Joe Biden is the right partner for Barack Obama. His many years of distinguished service to America, his seasoned judgment and his vast experience in foreign policy and national security will match up well with the unique challenges of the 21st Century. An Obama-Biden ticket is a very impressive and strong team. Biden's selection is good news for Obama and America."
So why would Democrats have a problem with either Obama or Biden? Ask yourself if they're really Democrats.

[BJ]

Hah! This makes it so much easier for November!

NOBAMA!

Biden seems like a nice guy, BUT his selection does not answer the question: "is OBAMA ready to be president?" Maybe they should flip flop the ticket to Biden/Obama! That would appear more palatable .... umm, NOT!!! Anything with Obama on it, is a no go.

Time for Hillary supporters to snatch this nomination from the jaws of defeat!

[Jimbo]

We now have two American success stories to tell with an Obama/Biden ticket. Biden is a great patriot whose service to country is exemplified by taking his oath in the hospital after tragically losing those he loved most. This man travelled every day by Amtrak to spend time with his family. His middle class roots go back to Pennsylvania and he has great appeal there and the midwest. His experience on foreign and military affairs will squash all inexperience attacks on Obama. He can and will attack McCain and let Obama push policy. His vast 30 years of service has had good legislation and a sensible viewpoint tilting to the left. With Obama's wanting someone to tell me when I'm wrong and why, his decision in Hawaii with his most trusted advisers, grandma and Michelle, along with Biden's trip to Georgia led me to believe he was the pick before the announcement. It was the smart choice for an operating executive over Clinton, Richardson, Bayh or Kaine.

[Disappointed in Denver]

Biden was right all along: Barack Obama is a "storybook" candidate.

Unfortunately, he tells one story, but lives another. His choice of Biden -- the consummate Washington insider -- shows that his ambition far surpasses his rhetoric. As was already apparent, "change" and "hope" are merely campaign slogans unabashedly employed to win an election.

After the preceding 8 years of deceit and subterfuge, my hope was that we'd at least get a candidate whose success with voters depends on his/her authenticity as leader and human being.

To be perfectly honest, my sense is that on that score, McCain has an edge on Obama.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Obama is a worse choice for president than McCain. To the rest of the world, Obama's face alone sends a powerful message that America can move beyond the racism that once defined it. At this particular time in our history, even the mere symbolism of having an African-American family in the White House would help repair our moral standing in the world.

But if we're truly looking for "change" -- a move away from the corrosive militarism, consumerism and classism that have increasingly defined our recent history -- then both McCain and Obama leave much to be desired.

[Pat Mabooty]

WIZARD OF OZ TICKET - O'Bama/Biden

Given that O'Bama can't speak without a teleprompter and Biden can't write his own speeches..Shouldn't this be called this the Wizard of Oz ticket?

You can't hold Biden's harsh words for O'Bama against him. They probably weren't even his words.

O'Bama says he'll bring change. Is this like change in a jar on your dresser? Give us substance!

Bring on Nader/Clinton...that's a winning ticket!

[pgbsan]

I don't think McCain will pick Palin. She's currently involved in a mini-scandal up in Alaska involving pressuring a government official to fire a government employee for familial reasons. A bit too much like the cronyism the W years have been known for...

[ideapete]

Well between Biden and Putin that has about handed the election to McCain on a plate

Change we can believe in with a multi term old time pol senator on the ticket is simply ludicrous

Heck at least Putin's humanity defying change is REAL

This sounds like a re run of Carter / Regan with the Russians and Chinese salivating over the prospect of a do nothing grinning cuddly Carter the clown

( : ( : pete

[mbob]

Republican-controlled media triumphs yet again: enthusiastically promote an unelectable Democrat and no matter how wretched the Republican slate is, fearful and beaten down voters will choose the comforting lies of right wing promises.

Mission accomplished.

[CRISTINA RAMALHO]

I WOULD BELIEVE IN CHANGE, IF OBAMA HAD CHOSEN SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON AS HIS VP, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT THE CASE.
FIRST BLACK AMERICAN AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND A WOMAN AS HIS VICE THE SLOGAN WOULD BE "WE ARE THE CHANGE", NOW :PLAIN OLD POLITICS.

[Wil]

I am really disappointied to see Biden as the VP choice. As much as I dislike Clinton, I think that even she would have been a better choice .

[Ray-Azusa ; Ca]

I was hoping for a Obama/Clinton ticket; I new the chances of that happening were slim. My hope has now ran out; now I'm confused of who to vote for since I do not know much about Biden? All I know is the Republicans came out fast with the Bashing. I'm not too sure I would vote for an Obama/Biden ticket and there is no way I will vote for John McCain. Where does that leave me now?

[Sam]

Didn't Biden already start with a lie saying, "I'm not the guy".

Otherwise, it looks vaguely familiar ... its Bush-Cheney but with socialist values.

[VJ Machiavelli]

The worst cut of all, one of “KIND WORDS”

It is OVER for OBAMA and the Democ”rat’ic Party, they have shown the “YOUNG VOTERS” who flocked to Obama their true colors. The Republicans can now say so this is the “CHANGE” you voted for, signed up to receive a TEXT message, gave Tens of Millions of dollars to Obama and the Democ”rat”ic Party, face it you "YOUNG VOTERS have be “HAD”

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Wendy Hollis]

Do not feel like Obama has made a very wise choice. Mr. Biden may seem like a perfectly natural choice, but he has nothing to bring to the table, if he were running for President his knowledge of foreign affairs would stand him well. What we need in both in the pres. and his running mate are who will stand for the middle class here in the U.S.A. I'm sick of all the focus on the foreigners/foreign countries at the expense of the legal citizens of this country. We're being sold off to foreigners piece by piece.

[Jeff]

Coolrepublica. I wouldn't be so smug until you at least improved your English skills some.

[jon]

just wanted to point out the delusion of a poster referrring to a "republican controlled media". This is quite possibly the best proof of letting your emotions overtake blatant reality. This media, and LA Times, NY Times, Chicago tribune and Wash post are so far left, when I read them the world titlts to the left.

[soma90405]

Hillary Clinton lost and rightfully so. Further, the smartest thing Obama did was NOT to choose her as his running mate. People need to face facts, Hillary Clinton is a much a democrat as is Joe Lieberman and as such has nothing to offer the US in the way of solving problems. I can't believe that she is such a poor sport as to not get behind Obama in his run for the White House. Mrs Clinton was NEVER going to be president and it has nothing to do with her gender but rather the fact that she is patently dishonest,

[Jeanie Cunningham]

After 34 years of being a voting, registered Democrat, I just sent out my new voters registration this morning as an INDEPENDANT. Can anyone say
"Wilmington Delaware"? Do the words "excessive usury" come to mind? Joseph Biden of Delaware voted FOR the bankruptcy bill, and gave all financial institutions free rein in HIS state to tack on ruthless and excessive interest charges to all credit card accounts, which is why in recent years, Bank of America, Chase and others have all moved their credit ops to Delaware. I fear that since Cheney has redefined the role of VP, Biden, the "darling of financial
institutions" will spread the usury on a national level. Mortgages? Car loans? Student Loans? NOTHING will be safe, for, "in the face of inflation, one
must raise interest rates"--regardless of the fed reserve. (As you see, low prime has not affected high usury one bit). Biden will lead us all to
indentured servitude, and the Democratic party just gave him that power on a platter...ha! And you thought gas prices were bad--what did you expect from an oil man President? You ain't seen NUTHIN' yet!! Giving Biden the VP is like letting the fox guard the creditor hen house at the expense of EVERY American. I'm sitting this election out for the first time in my life because I can't bear the responsibility of leading my beautiful country to yet another economic bloodbath at the hands of rich and ruthless politicians serving ONLY special interests, and not the people who TRUSTED them to PROTECT US.

[Frank Bowers]

I am pleased that the idiot picked Biden, I like Biden myself, but he will loose regardless of what he does and if he had picked Clinton that might have stopped her in 2012, as it is now she is the future pick in 2012.
That is the only good thing about this, the porch monkey will not get close, ido not loike McCain but my vote is for McCain in November as is so many of Hillary's supporters.
The best of good byes Frank Bowers of Austin, TX

[Lawrence Walker]

Just think of the scene if Obama had chosen Clinton. Bill would have had to come on stage, and that might have done two things: competed too strangely with Obama AND reminded everyone of the past -- and that Clinton could once again live in the White House if for any reason Hillary became president. Biden has a lengthy record, but he seems to at least offer his subservience to Obama as a way this new team can move ahead without the Clinton-era and the Clintonista infighting of the past. Hillary could not have been a happy team player. Biden is ready to work for the head of the ticket from this moment forward. I think we trust this pairing much more than we would Obama-Clinton. That would have been a soap opera by comparison, and both Obama himself and the Obama campaign are good at avoiding soap operas.

[Guy]

People would criticize Obama no matter which VP candidate he chose. Hillary would have brought her own baggage - a polarizing figure, the thought of Bill Clinton running amok in the White House, etc. Hillary may have helped bring in the votes of liberal females to the far left, but she would have cost Obama votes of moderate conservatives. Biden, although not perfect, was one of the best choices available to Obama. And Biden is probably the best choice for a spokesperson (attack dog) to voice negative criticism about McCain that Obama is not allowed to utter himself.

[trups]

WOW! People really DO whine!! It appears that no matter WHO is running or choosing, NO ONE IS EVER SATISFIED. Dont understand why?

I was thinking about the new generation of kids who are so 'world conscious' that they are giving more of themselves for REAL causes like poverty, hunger, mentoring, etc. and there behind their backs and efforts, the present generation is the most arrogant and selfish in furthering their OWN agenda that WE THE PEOPLE support knowing full well that it contradicts our belief and values (if we have any left!). The way we behave and stay forever on the offense in the slightest of manners is not something we should be instilling in our kids. Yes this may be the 21 century, but the true meaning of life and its value for ALL, regardless of heritage, etc. is practically non-existent. When we get old and helpless, we will see our reflections in our kids - cold and heartless.

People, let us bring back HUMANITY to EXISTENCE, not CALAMITY for SUBSISTENCE.

Vote sensibly, with a HEART in mind.

[RLJ]

Notice the not so subtle reference to experience at the end of Hillary's statement that Joe Biden will help O'bama govern the country. Enough of her advocates whining that she wasn't chosen. If she wasn't so nasty and underhanded a campaign, we might have had the "Dream Team!"

[Sara Robles, Denton, Texas]

To Frank Bowers of Austin, TX:
Your use of the term "porch monkey" to refer to someone who is undoubtedly your mental, physical and spiritual superior is unfortunate. Mr. Obama, as civilized people call him, has imminently reasonably policies that better serve the majority of American people than Mr. McCain's policies. That is why Mr. Obama will be elected.

Because of your disgusting racism, however, I hope Mr. Obama is elected for another reason. My own personal desire for shadenfreuden. In other words, Mr. Bower, I wish to see the feeble brains of racists like you collectively explode on January 20, 2009.