Who is Senator Joe Biden?

On August 23, 2008 Larry King broke the news that Senator Obama had chosen his running mate. That man is Senator Joe Biden. Some may remember Senator Biden from earlier in the presidential campaign. Senator Biden had a poor showing in Iowa (1%) and subsequently dropped from the 2008 presidential race. This was not his first attempt at the white house. In 1988 he had a short lived run for the white house, before being accused of plagiarism and exiting the race. So, for those that may not know Joe Biden very well, let’s take a look and see what he brings to the ticket, his history, and how can potentially help or harm the Democratic ticket.

History

Joe Biden received a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law. He is a Roman Catholic. His first wife and an infant daughter died from a car accident in 1972. His two sons were badly injured, but eventually made a full recovery. Latter he remarried Jill Tracy Jacobs, and had a daughter. His political career began in 1970 when he was elected to the New Castle County City Council. Then in 1973 he became the fifth youngest Senator in U.S history. Since then he has won every reelection to his Delaware Senate seat, making him the longest serving Senator in Delaware history. During his time in the Senate he has served on the Committee on Foreign Relations, Committee on the Judiciary, and the Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Over the years he has chaired and co-chaired many of the divisions within these committees and has been instrumental or the author of many laws and acts. Some of Senator Biden’s accomplishments include: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act , Violence Against Women Act , RAVE Act, KIDS 2000 legislation, etc….

What Senator Biden Adds

So, what does he bring to the Obama ticket. First, he brings the foreign policy experiencethat Obama lacks. He can tout that he has been the ranking member and chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations. These titles have given him first hand exposure to foreign relations. In the 1990’s Senator Biden made many trips to the Balkans and meet with Siberian leaders. He argued to lift the arms embargo, investigate the war crimes, and advocated for NATO involvement. Biden’s argument was an instrumental element that convinced President Clinton to act on the human rights issues of the area. No doubt that Senator Biden has the references to go head to head with Senator McCain where Senator Obama does not. Second, he provides the age and white male factor. This year Senator Biden will be sixty-six years old. Therefore, he provides the “wisdom comes from age” contrast to Senator Obama’s “fresh politics.” Third, Senator Biden has a son that is about to deploy to Iraq as a JAG officer (military lawyer.)

What Senator Biden Detracts

Now, what will he detract from Senator Obama’s campaign. First, Senator Biden is going to have to do some major foot in the mouth backpedaling. Senator Biden at a Democratic debate: “This is not about experience. It’s not about change. It’s about action. Who among us is going to be able to, on Day 1, step in and end the war?” This quote along with many others directed at Obama’s lack of experience and readiness are going to be hard to explain. Second, there is a stark contrast in that Senator Biden initially supported going to Iraq and Senator Obama’s did not and has made that fact a key element of his campaign. Third, Senator Obama is running on a platform of change but, Senator Biden is a thirty year veteran of Washington.

Dirt

So what is the dirt on Senator Biden? In 1988 Joe Biden plagiarized a law review article while he was attending law school. Biden also had made claims to have graduated in the top half of his law school class, with three degrees, and on a full scholarship . Where as in actuality he graduated 76 th of 85, received two degrees, and had a partial scholarship. Then, in 1988 when Senator Biden was in the midst of his presidential bid, lightning struck twice. Parts of a speech were plagiarized from a previous speech by British politician, Neil Kinnock. Senator Biden when announcing his bid for the 2008 presidential race: “the first mainstream African American [candidate] who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” Many African American were offended by this comment. Senator Biden: “I’ve had a great relationship with East Indians in America. In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans moving from India. You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking.” This offended many Indian Americans.

My Theory

To sum it up………Senator Biden is one of the most experienced politicians out there, but also has a really bad case of foot in the mouth disease. . It would be hard to find a more vetted and well rounded running mate. However, the stark contrast between some of Obama’s key platforms and Senator Biden’s political decision history does not mesh well. The real question will be this: Can Senator Obama pull continue a “change” message while allowing Senator Biden to be the experience blow horn?