Thomas Baldrick after an ABC News interview with U.S. Senator Biden
I don’t know Sarah Palin. But I do know Joe Biden, having worked with the U.S. Senator from Delaware over the years on many interviews for ABC News. I’ve also had many private conversations with Barack Obama’s choice for a running mate. Sure, he’s got opinions. Sure, he likes to voice those opinions. On well-noted occasions, he’s spoken with a foot in his mouth. More times he’s accurately been labeled as a fella who can speak at great length.
Biden did not prove to be a formidable foe to Barack Obama, but he could be an expert adviser, much in the way Dick Cheney has been to President Bush. (Again, regardless of where you stand politically). But Joe Biden clearly has a proven track record and experience through representing tiny ol’ Delaware that’s longer than many first staters have been alive. So, whether or not you agree with Joe Biden’s views or like him as a politician, the man deserves credit for having an understanding of some very important issues. Sure, you can say he’s part of the problem if you want, but at least he doesn’t need to cram for the campaign like it were some final exam that could flunk us all.
For example, following the 9-11 tragedies which I covered extensively in both New York City and Shanksville, PA, Senator Biden was one of the first (to voice) and recognize that the lack of security in our national rail system made it a disaster waiting to happen. I’m grateful but surprised we still haven’t been victims of an Amtrak “All Aboard Al Queda” attack. Biden knew this first hand from often taking the train himself on many trips to and from Washington, D.C. and we discussed this issue that is of great concern to both of us.
While Governors touting various “Washington Outsider” personas have dominated the past three decades of U.S. Presidential elections, this time it seems to me that a “Washington Insider” might not be such a bad thing after all. If you take into consideration that the Vice-President is literally a heartbeat away from the Oval Office. If you take into consideration that there are possibly more racists than active voters in America, and Barack Obama is a man of color. Having a veep with more than three decades of domestic and foreign affairs experience who wouldn’t act like a “moose in the headlights” appears to be a safer bet to this experienced political observer.
