Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s profile has been so low that one wonders whether he’s already checked into Dick Cheney’s bunker at the undisclosed location. As the Web site Politico put it, Biden “generates less buzz than the nonexistent first puppy.” Long a media hound, Biden has not spoken publicly since the election (as of last week) but appeared with President-elect Barack Obama at one news conference. Has Obama sidelined his running mate? Washington Post columnist David Ignatius called him the “incredible shrinking vice president-elect” and noted that “he can’t be happy at the idea of considering (Hillary) Clinton as foreign policy tsarina - wasn’t Biden’s foreign policy savvy the reason he was picked?”
Or is it just that much of Obama’s transition is happening in Chicago, meaning Biden’s role will grow after Inauguration Day? According to Politico, the pair have had weekly one-on-one lunches since the election, and Biden is otherwise advising Obama privately.
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19 Comments
I’m on the side of the last three words of the above: “…advising Obama privately.”
It could be Biden’s so-called “gaffe” about Obama being tested early in his presidency was really an example of keeping the Vice-President-elect an ambassador without portfolio until something new pops up that require one of his knowledge and expertise.
The India/Pakistan issue might have been an issue where Biden would have taken center stage had we not had this silly tradition of “one President at a time.”
Part of the significance of “one President at a time” isn’t simply Obama doesn’t have a President’s power yet, but that Dick Cheney isn’t one of the Presidents either. Nor is his successor.
Barack Obama would have to be a fool to not tap the insider how-Washington-works experience and knowledge Joe Biden brings to the next administration.
And Obama ain’t no fool.
If Biden is sore because Hillary is SOS, then he should have vied for that position instead. What, did he expect a weaker person for SOS?
I don’t think he is sore about it at all, instead jubilant.
This the same Biden who said in the primaries that it was nice that there was a clean and articulate black man available to run for president.
If I was Obama I wouldn’t want him anywhere near me either.
You mean obama USED biden to get elected and then dumped him like a used kleenex?
I’m shocked. SHOCKED, I say!
Who the hell is Biden?
;)
I never expected a continuance of a second oval office down the hall. It was only the bush / cheney cabal, and not a plot worth continuing.
President Obama will use expertise where needed and Vice President Biden will be a part of an administration that has enough challenges for everyone.
America has only One V.P. at a time!
Uh yeah.
Biden just got done introducing Obama and the new Security team.
No points this round Rhonda.
Oh LOOK!
There with Biden and Obama is our new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton!
I think you can retire to your couch there Rhonda. Grownups are in charge again.
She was, as always, gracious, intelligent and inspiring in her comments this morning. I think it was Phantom who said it on another thread — a new day is dawning in America.
January 20, 2009 in only
1 month, 19 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes, 40 seconds
“Barack Obama would have to be a fool to not tap the insider how-Washington-works experience and knowledge Joe Biden brings to the next administration.
And Obama ain’t no fool.”
VERY TRUE! I hope Obama really learned the street-fighting lessons of the South Side and uses them effectively against any Repuke who wants to be an obstructionist.
“Or is it just that much of Obama’s transition is happening in Chicago, meaning Biden’s role will grow after Inauguration Day?”
Or perhaps Biden’s role is in Washington. As leader of the Senate and liason to the entire Congresss his role will be vary important.
VERY TRUE! I hope Obama really learned the street-fighting lessons of the South Side and uses them effectively against any Repuke who wants to be an obstructionist.
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Would that be shooting, a stabbing, or threatening their familiy?
It would be the rough style of politics that those of us who have experienced there have learned.
Kind of what has been done to Senator Liebermann?
It’s really not that difficult, folks.
Biden has settled into the job of being VP. In a word, nearly nothing. It amounts to waking up, making sure the president is still alive, thanking God that he is (assuming same), and going back to bed. Other than that, you just have to show up at the Senate occasionally if it appears there may be a tie, and go to the occasional funeral or other ceremonial occasion.
That’s pretty much it, folks. He’s a president in waiting, and not a hell of a lot else. Generally, presidents do not give VPs substantive duties, and for good reason: a President can’t fire his VP.
a new day is dawning in America.
Right. All will be sweetness and light, and the world will be thusly saved. Damn. I guess I need never worry myself about anything, ever again. It’s all fixed.
Uh-huh.
Or, far more likely, Pete Townsend had it right in the first place:
“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
Who? Biden?
Oh that old establishment guy who ran with Obama?
He is afraid to speak. Anything he says becomes fair game on SNL!!!!!!!!!!!
They need some material since Sarah is gone.
I am encouraged by the banter on this thread.
Almost decent enough for kids to read!
I also noticed that the worst thing said about the guy is: Who the hell is Biden?
Very interesting.
Nurse Ratched would be damned proud of the whole shabang, you loonies.