“In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations.” — John McCain, speaking Wednesday in Michigan about the crisis in Georgia
I think there’s a good chance that Sen. Joe Biden will be Barack Obama’s vice presidential pick. The choice of Biden makes sense on several levels, as Chris Cillizza notes on his blog.
Among other strengths, Biden is the most experienced Democrat in Obama’s area of perceived weakness — foreign policy. He knows it inside and out, as well as John McCain’s weaknesses on Iraq and other strategic policy matters.
Biden is a great campaigner who can also go on the attack — a crucial skill for the second on the ticket.
Biden has a folksy, blue-collar appeal and sense of humor that would help loosen up Obama’s rather academic, aloof image.
He has roots in Pennsylvania and could help lock down that must-win swing state. Moreover, he’s a Catholic and could assist Obama with that important voting demographic.
Biden’s most talked-about weakness: He’s long-winded. That’s it? The important thing is, he’s fun to listen to and isn’t boring. He was great in the Democratic debates.
Another possible drawback: As a longtime Washington hand, he could be seen as old politics, not an agent of change.
But Obama’s greatest weakness is the sense that he’s inexperienced and an unknown quantity. Biden is one of the few veep candidates who reassures on both points.
If I had to pick right now, I’d say it’s Biden.
Spain’s Olympic basketball teams ignited a furor over separate photographs showing the men’s and women’s teams posing while using their fingers to make themselves slant-eyed. They were going to China, get it? It’s amazing that the pictures, a promotion for a team sponsor, didn’t set off bad taste alarms with anyone.
Some defended the pictures as being done in a spirit of fun. Even granting that, these images were offensive and never likely to endear the Spaniards to their Chinese hosts.
