I couldn't agree more with you that Senator Obama's choice for VP is a critical one and, I would argue, one of the most critical VP selections in the history of the US! I really think that this presidential election is different in that the challenges that face the US - and the world - in the coming decade are unique and difficult and we will need strong and competent political leadership to overcome them.

I would be very interested in your thoughts about all that Senator Obama should be looking for in a running mate to ensure both victory in November and a successful administration.

Furthermore, Hillary will be not able to secure the White House in 8 years if she is not Obama running mate. The Republicans are on the run now but how long do you think this can last once Obama is blamed for all the troble that Bush has caused.

Honest... I heard some "disparagin' words" about both Obama and Hillary, but everybody seemed to like Biden, with no snide comments or qualifications.

I don't know about "influential" but I would have to agree with "exceptional"...

-CW

OK, accepting your premise here for the moment... why would it be only 12 years? You thinking Obama for two terms, with Hillary as VP? Then Hillary as president?

But why wouldn't Hillary win a second term too? Like I said, I'm not arguing with your basic premise, just wondering why you didn't argue it as "16 versus 4"?

-CW

Thanks for the scoop! It is indeed surprising to me that Biden would get that kind of response without any mention of the media-driven national myths that have been built up over the course of many years and which have been, in no small part, taken up - hook, line, and sinker - by a vast number of the electorate.

Actually, I am very heartened to hear about this and I'm gonna go right ahead and make the sound assumption that you hang with an incredibly exceptional and influential group of people!

:-)

I take your in the shoe soles were clean camp. I was never convinced. I didn't see the real gain in Foster's death for the Clintons. If ya got links I'll revisit it.

Nope, the responses ranged from what I would call name recognition (Bayh and Kane are just not that well-known) "Oh, Biden, yeah, I know him," to what can only be described as ouright enthusiasm "Biden would definitely be the BEST pick for VP Obama could make." "Biden would shore up his foreign policy" "Biden would make me feel better about voting for Obama" "Biden's a solid guy" "Biden? Definitely."

Seriously, I was kind of surprised at what seemed to be Biden's almost-near-universal appeal. Not surprised because I think badly of Biden, but surprised that so many people (many of whom didn't pay a whole lot of attention to politics) already knew who he was, knew he was a stand-up guy, and knew he had solid foreign policy credentials. Maybe his earlier candidacy was more effective than previously thought, I dunno. But I knew you'd want to hear this story, even though it's totally "anecdotal" evidence. Hillary's name came up, for instance (also well-known to everyone) and she didn't have nearly the same enthusaism or support. Like I said, I never try to make too much chowder out of one clam (as a Kennedy might say), but I thought I'd at least pass it along to you in the comments here...

-CW

Uh... "them" wouldn't be the problem. Hillary's cronies would be the ones Obama would have to worry about. Sorry, far too many people have died around the Clintons in a far too convenient way for the Clintons.

Seriously. Even the MSM has made comments like "Obama would need a food tester".

Here is a real perverted thought...Did any of you see Molly Ivins speach "Laughing or cring"? I know she has been gone for awhile but it is alway worth a view...Anyway she says in there that if Hillary was chosen President that the hate around her was so vast and deep that she would be assasinated. My thought was basicly the Cheney factor. Hillary is the buffer that stops them from doing to Obama what happened to RFK and JFK...

Thanks always

That must have been some party - I’m jealous.

And, just out of curiosity and other less flattering motivations, I’m wondering if anyone voiced any ill-informed concerns about the national myth of Biden’s propensity toward being a gaffe-prone (often with racial overtones) blowhard Washington insider whose ego and arrogance are second in magnitude only to his love for the sound of his own voice and doesn’t deserve to be taken seriously. Did anyone wonder out loud about an imagined bout with plagiarism and the presumed fact that he is owned by the credit card industry? Was the concept of bankruptcy a part of the conversation, by any chance?

I can’t say that I’m surprised Biden’s name came up when talk turned to VP selections. But, even if the above fantasies were not given voice, I would be surprised if the group and conversation you described went much beyond paying the obligatory and token attention to Biden, much less entertained any serious thoughts about a Biden vice presidency.

First off, "obrigado!" That is the sum total of my Portugeuse... you're on your own after that...

Elizabeth -

I was at a party this weekend, with some die-hard Hillaryites, some Obamamaniacs, and some in-betweens. While various opinions were raised about Obama and other political subjects, when the talk turned to VP, Biden was the #1 pick of almost everyone. Some thought it might go to others, but it was almost universal that Biden would make a great VP pick for Obama. Now, this wasn't a scientific survey by a long shot, but I found it interesting nonetheless. Out of the top three the media has latched onto (Biden, Bayh, Kane), Biden was by far the most popular choice. Make of it what you will....

-CW

You really think Bill is smart enough to turn down that gig? Because, frankly, I think he deserves it - if you know what I mean and I'm sure that you do!

As for VP...I still believe that the only way Senator Obama messess this thing up is by not choosing Joe Biden to be at his side as Vice President with Special Portfolio on Iraq...in waiting.

First I think Bill is smart enought to stay away from the middle east, he'd quietly say hell no.

Second this is not the bone that would pasify the HRC faithful. VP or nothing, some will get it and vote Obama, some may be fooled by McCain, but I really think (maybe not the majority) but a hellva alot will stay home. Which is why I think he is making a BIG mistake by not picking Hilary. I swear if he messes up what should have been a blow out, I'm moving to Brazil (how hard is Portiguese?)

Thanks Always