Saturday, August 23, 2008

Obama/Biden

It seems Obama has selected Joe Biden as his running mate for the November elections. I think this was a pretty wise choice. You want your VP to aid you in areas that you're loosing the votes of moderates. Obama is losing votes b/c of a lack of experience, substance & aggression.

Experience
Biden was the most experienced of the democratic candidates, which answers Obama's extreme inexperience. On the other hand, Biden's quote ABOUT Obama's inexperience could come back to haunt the campaign. ""I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."

Substance
Obama is viewed, by many, as a speaker with style but little to no substance. Biden is viewed as very articulate and intellectual. Biden is considered an expert on the issues.

Aggression
Obama promises to fight a clean fight. He hardly ever speaks boldly, instead using generalities and non-specific nuance to answer questions. After the Saddleback forum, Obama went down in the polls b/c people liked McCain's absolute answers. Biden is much more likely to tell you what he thinks. But he's experienced enough to not say anything way too stupid which would ultimately hurt Obama.

Ways it could hurt Obama...
1) If Hillary supporters get bitter
2) If Biden appears to arrogant
3) If it confirms Obama's inexperience

As an interesting aside, Biden was a potential VP pick in 2004, but instead suggested that John Kerry pick... You did NOT guess it... John McCain!

3 comments:

Aaron Perry said...

It seems that Biden has already said things that have hurt Obama...namely, that he doesn't think Obama is ready to be President. Whether or not that was stupid remains to be seen and may never be...

Mommy Rader said...

Matt, I really enjoy your wide range of covereage of both candidates. Thanks...I always learn so much from reading and have been refering your blog to Justin so he can take a peek as well =)

Dena said...

I'm not sure what to think of Obama's pick. I was surely surprised by it, but we'll see how it turns out. I'm interested to see who McCain nabs. Will it really be Romney? We'll see...