Obama’s choice - Biden or Gore seems right
Posted on July 1st, 2008 at 10:04 pm by Patrick KeeganThe Wall Street Journal makes a compelling case for two men that would likely give Barack Obama his best chance at beating John McCain in the general election - Senator Joe Biden and former Vice President Al Gore.
Gore is obviously the reach candidate here. Why would someone who served eight years in the position and lost one of the closest, most controversial elections ever, want to become Vice President again? Well, mainly because he’d be given free reign by an Obama administration to work on his passion - the environment. Besides Gore’s personal benefits, Obama gets someone who was arguably a Supreme Court decision away from being President. He’s respected abroad and even if many American’s don’t agree with his politics, they’d have to begrudgingly agree that he’s qualified to step in to the big chair, if it were required.
Biden is a more realistic pick. He acquitted himself quite nicely in the early parts of the Democratic nomination process, even though it didn’t translate into votes. He’s got a ton of service time in the Senate when it comes to foreign policy, and he appears to be a “bulldog” that many VP candidates need to be in a general election.
Gore is the dream candidate. Biden is the safe pick. Both would go a long way to help Barack Obama in the general.
5 Comments
Leave a comment
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Thanks for the different perspective. I understand that the issue is balancing the ticket, esp. on issues of foreign policy and national security. BUT in terms of voters, I have a hard time thinking that either of these guys firms up anyone besides Obama’s existing base. (e.g.: Is Gore respected by people who don’t already support the Dem ticket?)
Eric, don’t forget that Obama had some difficulty with some segments of the Democratic party - namely working class, whites. It’s not all that different from McCain’s shaky standing with the conservatives in his own party.
Picking Biden will not only shore up a perceived weakness in the areas of foreign policy and national security, but it also helps him maintain his base.
Picking Gore would cement this as a rock star ticket, and add a ton of experience, which is another soft spot for Obama.
Basically, no one, short of perhaps Colin Powell, that Obama picks will reach across the party lines. The name of the game is make sure you have your own base in line and get enough of the independents and moderates to flock to your banner.
Interesting. Thanks for the insight.
Ok, I get it…Biden will shore up Obama’s weaknesses on foreign policy, national security and relevant experience. Why isn’t Biden running? He would be a better candidate.
I have a feeling I’m getting mocked here, but I’ll bite.
Biden ran and performed strongly in early debates. It never equated into votes, and he dropped out.