Just wondering.......Why did Barrack Obama choose Joe Biden when had chossen Hillary Clinton he would surely have increased his chances to be our next President??? Was it that his ego was just to big or does Hillary have hopes for 2012???

As much as I strongly supported Hillary, I feel that Obama made a good choice with Biden because of his long history with international relations. Sure sounds like a good match to me.

My only concern is what Hillary has up her sleeve; sure do hope that she supports the DNC effort with no "sour grapes" to weaken the party.

It sounds like Hillary has and will support Obama, but why.......she must want to run in 2012. If he wins he would want a second term and that would leave her out. Wouldn't it??

Yeah...my thoughts also. I just can't figure out what's in it for her??? Maybe some appointment. Or maybe help with her campaign debt..

Rab! Are you talkin' to yourself? LOLOL 1rnfl Sorry, just teasing.

I agree with Barb. Biden was a great choice both for Foreign Affairs and being the Pitbull he can be when he wants to be. :bigthumbsup:

Joe Biden has a good reputation. He is outspoken where Obama can be overly considerate. Biden is a man of faith being a strong Catholic (although most Republicans believe Catholics aren't Christian?). Biden appeals to the working man. Obama has been criticized for not having enough experience domestic and foreign, for being too young and for being black. Biden is the perfect balance. Obama has made a wise choice. Most importantly, Obama was right about Iraq. He is showing great leadership potential. Both Obama and Biden are strong supporters of the Middle Class. Bush and the Republicans have been raging a highly successful war on the Middle Class for eight years. It is time for a change!

Since when don't Republicans think Catholics are Christian??? That's a new one. If Biden is such a strong Catholic, why is he pro choice?

I don't think Dem's have a choice but to like him (Biden). They will say he has all that foreign relations experience. In reality, he is a thirty year political hack who has made a living on the taxpayers and he is a two time loser for President. They should have stuck with Hillary and the baggage car that follows her around.

Originally Posted by junglejim

Joe Biden has a good reputation. He is outspoken where Obama can be overly considerate. Biden is a man of faith being a strong Catholic (although most Republicans believe Catholics aren't Christian?).

Excuse me?? Speaking for all of us, are you JJ??

JohnnyM says that Joe Biden is a "thirty year political hack" and a "two time loser". Those who are supporting the Republican side have said that Senator Obama is too young and too inexperienced to be President. So he picks a respected Senator who may be the best qualified member of the Congress on foreign relations as his choice for vice president and his choice is pilloried. Sometimes a person simply can't win.

Too bad that our discussions here can't address the issues that will effect us all when one or the other candidate is elected rather than shallow personal attacks. Negative advertising may be what the political operatives are telling John McCain he has to do to win, but no one is forcing any of us to follow that advice.

Anyone wish to discuss the positions of the candidates on issues like fiscal policy, foreign relations, the economy, the war in Iraq, or some other issue of importance to us all? Start a new thread in the Political Forum.

Originally Posted by Sally Jo

Since when don't Republicans think Catholics are Christian??? That's a new one. If Biden is such a strong Catholic, why is he pro choice?

There are many Catholics that are very liberal! I say thank God for them!!!

VK, just because Biden can name all the heads of state does not make him the so called mentor for the inexperienced Obama. What has Joe Biden accomplished in thirty years? Worse than that he is unknown to many people on the street. You are being quite disingenuous as there is plenty of negative attacks coming out of Obama's camp. What's with the 70,000 seat football field to announce his acceptance speech? I guess the convention center where all his peons spoke just wasn't big enough to carry all that ego with him.

Can't believe I am posting in political...but, here goes.

Back to the original question, I believe that Obama picked Biden (aside from his qualifications) for chemistry reasons. Perhaps Hillary might have brought more votes but the chemistry between Obama and Hillary (with Bill looming in the shadows) might not be good. So, Obama picked someone he is comfortable with.

McCain may face the same choice....pick a running mate he knows and is comfortable with or the most politically expedient choice without the chemistry (e.g. Romney).

If discussion of how many heads of state can be named or the size of the venue for an acceptance speech helps anyone really reach any conclusions regarding the candidates, I'd be disappointed in this group. I know that kind of banter doesn't help me decide.

How about this for something more meaningful to debate...

In the past eight years the federal treasury has moved from a balanced budget to annual spending exceeding revenues so dramatically that a deficit of almost $10 trillion dollars has resulted. The U.S. has become the largest debtor nation in the world by a significant measure. John McCain says he will continue the fiscal policies of the past eight years and has made further tax cuts an important plank in his campaign platform. Barack Obama on the other hand has presented a variety of campaign proposals without clearly delineating how they would be paid for. Adoption of such proposals would also further increase the deficit. Some financial experts have opined that neither candidate can fulfill their campaign promises without further increases in the deficit and that either dramatic spending cuts or significant increases in tax revenues will be necessary to begin to reduce the deficit.

Which candidate appears the more likely to begin the process of the necessary fiscal discipline needed to return the sorely needed balance to the costs of the federal government? Which one should we entrust to resolve the U.S. fiscal crisis for the next four years?

This forum is not worth ruining friendships. Whoever gets in, God Bless him and the United States of America.