2008 Woodie Awards
Biden is a genuine man who balances Obama's charisma
Charlie Peppers
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Opinion
Originally published: 10/9/08 at 5:49 PM EST
Last update: 10/10/08 at 7:22 AM EST
It should've been Hillary. This thought played in my head like a broken record after watching last week's cutting vice-presidential debate. I'd originally thought that Sen. Barrack Obama made one crucial error: He overlooked Sen. Hilary Clinton as a potential running mate.
Clinton is a tough debater who'd swiftly lay, as our friend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson so frankly put it, the "smack down" on Gov. Sarah Palin. The woman has some serious claws. Mrs. Palin wouldn't have stood a chance.
However, upon re-watching last week's debate, I discovered that Clinton isn't the only political figure who's got formidable debating skills. Sen. Joe Biden stood his ground fairly well. Whereas Palin deflected questions, Biden didn't hesitate to pluck out actual statistics and back up each of his points.
Biden has provided the balance that was ultimately needed for Obama's campaign to continue to prosper. There are numerous political critics who are unsettled by Obama's "inexperience." Biden, who's served for six-terms and ran for the presidency twice, provides a strong backbone and reassurance to Obama's proposed policies. He's the voice of experience that compliments Obama's charisma.
On the other hand, Mrs. Palin was chosen, among other things, for being the first female elected into the chair of Alaskan governor. She, like Mr. Obama, carries the promise of bringing change to the White House. Fortunately, Biden doesn't pale in comparison. He truly glows as a debater.
This doesn't mean Biden's not victim to verbal diarrhea every once in awhile. More often than not, he's demonstrated terrible mouth-brain filters. The man has said some plain dumb stuff.
Does anyone recall the time when he openly admitted that Clinton would've been a better choice for running mate? Or the time when he said that no one could work Dunkin' Donuts without a slight Indian accent? What shifted my perspective of Biden was his unexpectedly eloquent performance in last week's televised vice-presidential debate.
Clinton is a tough debater who'd swiftly lay, as our friend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson so frankly put it, the "smack down" on Gov. Sarah Palin. The woman has some serious claws. Mrs. Palin wouldn't have stood a chance.
However, upon re-watching last week's debate, I discovered that Clinton isn't the only political figure who's got formidable debating skills. Sen. Joe Biden stood his ground fairly well. Whereas Palin deflected questions, Biden didn't hesitate to pluck out actual statistics and back up each of his points.
Biden has provided the balance that was ultimately needed for Obama's campaign to continue to prosper. There are numerous political critics who are unsettled by Obama's "inexperience." Biden, who's served for six-terms and ran for the presidency twice, provides a strong backbone and reassurance to Obama's proposed policies. He's the voice of experience that compliments Obama's charisma.
On the other hand, Mrs. Palin was chosen, among other things, for being the first female elected into the chair of Alaskan governor. She, like Mr. Obama, carries the promise of bringing change to the White House. Fortunately, Biden doesn't pale in comparison. He truly glows as a debater.
This doesn't mean Biden's not victim to verbal diarrhea every once in awhile. More often than not, he's demonstrated terrible mouth-brain filters. The man has said some plain dumb stuff.
Does anyone recall the time when he openly admitted that Clinton would've been a better choice for running mate? Or the time when he said that no one could work Dunkin' Donuts without a slight Indian accent? What shifted my perspective of Biden was his unexpectedly eloquent performance in last week's televised vice-presidential debate.
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