Where is Joe Biden?

[pipefitter]

Perhaps I have missed it, but I never see much mentioned about him here. I have always wondered who would be the Democratic party's next 'experienced' hopeful after the Obama hat trick, and by how busy Joe Biden has been lately, it would seem he would get more mention in this election year.

I should state that I have equal dissatisfaction with both political parties from an efficiency standpoint, refuse to let my moral inclinations decide who is more qualified for the job, and find the whacky liberal snobbery here on the WBF, and elsewhere, more damaging to the cause than the party's actions as a whole, but if I was to fairly choose a Democrat leader based on experience come 2016, seems that Biden would be at the top of the list. It also seems that he could in part be attractive to the types that would choose a Ron Paul type. Not so much from his libertarian views, but the seeming honesty factor.

I admit I may be all wrong because I haven't really researched Joe Biden beyond a glance out of curiosity this morning, but wonder what both sides here might have to say.

[Norman Bernstein]

I have tremendous respect for Joe Biden. I believe he's probably the most honest politican in Washington today, I think he's very smart, and he is doing his job very well... since Vice Presidents don't really have a job (aside from presiding over the senate), he's doing it well by keeping a low profile and not trying to overshadow the President.

Yes, he's a gaffe machine. Some politicians are more gaffe prone than others.... deal with it.

I tend to doubt that he'd run in 2016, but you never know. I wouldn't mind seeing Hillary run... her esteem has been raised substantially since the 90's, she's smart, she's done a great job as Secretary of State... and she'll be younger, in 2016, than Ron Paul is now.

[pipefitter]

I have tremendous respect for Joe Biden. I believe he's probably the most honest politican in Washington today, I think he's very smart, and he is doing his job very well... since Vice Presidents don't really have a job (aside from presiding over the senate), he's doing it well by keeping a low profile and not trying to overshadow the President.

Yes, he's a gaffe machine. Some politicians are more gaffe prone than others.... deal with it.

I tend to doubt that he'd run in 2016, but you never know. I wouldn't mind seeing Hillary run... her esteem has been raised substantially since the 90's, she's smart, she's done a great job as Secretary of State... and she'll be younger, in 2016, than Ron Paul is now.

Hillary looks burnt to me and I don't think she's honest, willingly anyway.

It does seem as if Joe Biden 'could' overshadow the president which, oddly enough , is what kind of prompted me to ask this question. I'm sure a lot has to do with perception most likely based on Biden having more visible experience than Obama does, but it also seems as if it would have been better to have Biden as president, and Obama the vp.

I swear with considering what Obama voters seem to be mutually dissatisfied with during Obama's term thusfar, points to him essentially taking 3 years to learn to be president.

Regardless of how well people tend to weigh on how well Obama speaks, I still get the feeling his advisors are who are speaking. His speech to me comes off as too politically sterile and predictable.

[Mrleft8]

He's in an undisclosed location, along with the rest of the shadow govt.

[RonW]

Joe Biden is a idiot and is being kept out of sight and out of mind and definitely away from the press where he might open his stupid mouth. Smart move on berry't part, who seem to create enough problems for himself, with out help from joe..

[MiddleAgesMan]

The reps gave us Barry and now they're trying out Berry.

[pipefitter]

Please explain "Whacky Liberal Snobbery." PReferably with Examples.

You know the type. The ones that constantly like to position themselves as if they told you so, in advance, without consideration that history shows they are at best within a couple of percentage (give or take) points of their opposition with regards to long term correctness overall. And when these considerations are taken into account in which to dare question their take on the issues based on overall track records, or confidence thereof, the best answer that they can come up with is that everyone else but them is just ignorant.

[pipefitter]

Joe Biden is a idiot and is being kept out of sight and out of mind and definitely away from the press where he might open his stupid mouth. Smart move on berry't part, who seem to create enough problems for himself, with out help from joe..

I'm pretty much convinced they are all idiots, or a reflection of our own idiocy at least.

[Tom Montgomery]

Where's Joe Biden? Who cares? Where is Dick Cheney? Who cares?

[coelacanth2]

I live in Delaware and even Joe's supporters (and they are legion) will admit he ain't always the brightest bulb on the tree. He _does_have an uncanny knack for remembering people though, and has always taken care of his local supporters. Those positive traits do emphatically not qualify him as brilliant, or even bright. A big to-do was made a while back in reference to his prescience regarding the instability of Pakistan while he was still a Senator. Let me clue you in on something - he probably picked "Pakistan" because it was easier to say and spell than "Afghanistan" or "Venezuela". Mr. Obama was wise to pick him as a running mate - a spurious appearance of stability and wisdom conveyed by long service and white hair to counterbalance his (Obama's) appearance as a Washington naif.

But it's no big effin' deal.

[pipefitter]

Where's Joe Biden? Who cares? Where is Dick Cheney? Who cares?

And this is who would have been POTUS if something had happened to Obama? We certainly heard the concerns of a numskull like Palin being unqualified to take over for an aging McCain. Now they are looking for 4 more years of Obama and the VP doesn't matter?

[pipefitter]

I live in Delaware and even Joe's supporters (and they are legion) will admit he ain't always the brightest bulb on the tree. He _does_have an uncanny knack for remembering people though, and has always taken care of his local supporters. Those positive traits do emphatically not qualify him as brilliant, or even bright. A big to-do was made a while back in reference to his prescience regarding the instability of Pakistan while he was still a Senator. Let me clue you in on something - he probably picked "Pakistan" because it was easier to say and spell than "Afghanistan" or "Venezuela". Mr. Obama was wise to pick him as a running mate - a spurious appearance of stability and wisdom conveyed by long service and white hair to counterbalance his (Obama's) appearance as a Washington naif.

But it's no big effin' deal.

Sounds like Obama chose a Palin?

[Nicholas Scheuer]

I'll go with Norman's view. When Clinton was elected, I wondered who the heck elected Hillary Co-President? My opinion of her is now higher than it ever was. I believe sh'd stand head and shoulders above any other possibility in 2016.

She'd have to revert to her 2008 hairdo, though.

[Norman Bernstein]

She'd have to revert to her 2008 hairdo, though.

Yeah, her current hairstyle is a serious sartorial mistake... she looked much better with shorter hair.

[pefjr]

Biden knew not to escalate Afghanistan. He did not see a "Good war". But that was just horse sense, and no bilge lefty warmonger(won't mention any names) will ever admit to that mistake anyway, so.......

[ccmanuals]

I believe, God forbid, that if Biden had to take over he would do a great job. Anyone who would ride the train to work every day (when he was in Congress and lived in Delaware) and drives an F150 is all right in my book.