http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-reardon/that-biden-magic_b_73092.html

Kathleen Reardon

That Biden Magic

Posted November 16, 2007 | 06:51 PM (EST)


Who would have guessed he'd shine in yet a second debate? Isn't this the Joe Biden who jokes about how frequently he inserts his foot in his mouth? Yet this is also the Joe Biden who has been impressive not only in debate formats of late but in other venues as well.

If anyone came across as having the necessary experience to be President last night, it was Joseph Biden. He turned the debate around, away from pettiness, to focus on what matters to the American people when he said they care about making mortgage payments, their sons and daughters fighting in Iraq, crime, and keeping their jobs.

Who is this unmasked man? Suddenly he's the candidate with the big picture, the one capable of articulating it as well. I don't know about you, but I keep expecting him to say something completely off base, but he's been focused. And his preparation showed - all thirty-five plus years of it.

Kucinich firmly called for bringing the troops home now and not giving George Bush another dime. Richardson aptly framed Edward's strategy as an attempt to elicit a class war, Obama a generational war and accused Clinton of simply not being sufficiently anti-war. Dodd's comments about education were excellent and he, with Biden, altered the course and tone of the debate by calling attention to the growing "shrillness".

Clinton likely regained her lead. She was alert, prepared on every question this time, humorous, and comfortable. Edwards had good moments despite the unnecessary, sarcastic "Cute" quip in response to Kucinich. Obama was persuasive on the topic of renewable energy, lectured less and, with the exception of likely losing ground due to his support of illegal immigrant driver licenses, he landed on his feet.

Any of them would make a far better President than the one we have now. But Biden stood out, demonstrated depth, and connected with the concerns of real people. It's inspiring to hear the views of this relaxed Joe Biden and to observe his class, searing intellect, dedication to country, and engaging humor.

I remain undecided. But Biden is growing on more than just me. Something very magical has happened to Joe. Maybe it won't last. But it's good for the country and a joy to behold.


Dr. Reardon is author of The Secret Handshake and It's All Politics.

Compresses my reaction to the debate last night... Contrasted to this:

Bush Blames Saddam For Iraq Violence

( CBS/AP) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/29/politics/main1453138.shtml

So CBS should have asked the obvious question. Do yuh want we should dig em up and hang em agin???

...advantageously ~ such as when he said something like, "I don't know what these people are talking about."

n/t

K&R:kick:

The more I hear him, the more I like him. I love Kucinich & I've sent money to both Biden & Kucinich. I would happily vote for either of them, but in the general, Biden has my vote for the primary. He's my main man.

And apparently, others see something in him as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbOa989IRYw

;)

I think we have an excellent group of candidates, but it becomes increasingly obvious that Sen. Biden is the cream that's rising to the top. He distinguishes himself from the others, not due to some political strategy or some carefully calculated debate plan, but by being himself. He knows more than the other candidates, he's more personable, yet he's the most professional. He's got a great sense of humor. He is the candidate who would truly be Karl Rove's worst nightmare.

Biden would deprive them of the weapons that they use so skillfully against Democrats. They would try to paint him as a North Eastern liberal, but Biden has worked with so many Republicans on so many bills that it wouldn't stick. They would try to scare people into thinking he wouldn't keep America safe, but he has more foreign policy experience than anyone else running and his solutions make sense even to non-experts. They couldn't try to claim that he doesn't support the military, because his record for backing the military is strong. The man's personal life is squeaky clean, having lived a life that has been personally challenging and a life that he must be very proud of. The Republican will have met their match in Joe Biden and they would lose this ever important election, and they would know they were going to lose before election day. Wake up, Democrats.

in check, I completely agree.

All your points are excellent, and correct. One by one, they dismantle the conceivable Republican strategy. As you said:

1) North Eastern Liberal? Check the record of bipartisanship. Better yet, ask his Republican colleagues themselves, those who have worked with him. Surely they wouldn't want to undo or undermine their own work just in order to push a tired meme that won't work anyway?

2) Weak on defense? Just compare Biden's record to that of the Bush administration as concerns foreign policy and add that to his ability to make people understand complex points (e.g. the inverse of the Republicans, who are unable to make people understand simple points and then get lost in all their own obfuscation)

3) Undermining the military? There have been ample instances in the last 7 years of undermining the military. Again, the record will be a nice comparison.

4) Personal narrative? No skeletons in this closet. No dirt to dig up, full stop. Oh, sorry, I forgot about "plagiarism". That'll be the day, when Republicans start pushing a Dukakis line.

We just need to keep hammering all the points you made so well - they're simple, effective and true. In the age of the soundbyte, it's refreshing to have such points at our disposal. One final point: were Biden the nominee, I would predict a Republican party torn between mass desertion and stay-at-home resignation. And that's not to mention the likely Independent support, at least in terms of considering who the Republicans are likely to nominate.

When was the last time the Democrats overwhelmingly and decisively won an election? Exactly. And I think some Democrats are waking up - hopefully there will be enough who smell the coffee.

It is, indeed, a kind of magic.

Chuck Hagel, one of the few Republicans I have respect for and is retiring, recently stated that he wouldn't endorse any of the Republican candidates in the primary and left open the possibility that he'd support the Democratic nominee--he's obviously a little upset with his soon to be former Party. I know Hagel and Biden have been friends for a long time. They both work on the foreign relations committee, they're both moderates, they're both foreign policy wonks, and I hear they clown around together a lot. I have a hunch, and it's only a hunch, that Hagel is leaving the door open to support Joe Biden if he were to win the Democratic nomination. For Joe's part, he stated in the last debate that he'd consider having Republicans in his administration, which probably means 1 Republican, as Bill Clinton did. I think Biden would consider Hagel for a spot in his administration, maybe Sec. of Defense. Not only would I be comfortable with that, but Hagel's support during the general election would be and yet another--dare I say it?--weapon of mass destruction to guarantee a big victory in the general election. Just a thought.

It makes a lot of sense, from every angle; they probably have some sort of agreement. It wouldn't surprise me if Hagel were biden' his time, waiting to see what happens with Joe. If nothing else then by default; Hagel may be turning away from his party but I can't really see him endorsing any of the other dems apart from Biden. He'll either support Biden if Biden gets the nomination and then almost certainly get a position in Biden's administration (assuming he wins the general, which I think he would - the hardest, or most unlikely, part is winning the nomination now - after that, I think he'd be unstoppable), or he'll become a fully fledged independent commentator. I'm not sure how a decision to support Biden would go down with the Republicans; I think some of them would treat him like a pariah (they already do) but I think he could certainly take some of them with him. In fact, Hagel or no Hagel, I think quite a few of their more "intelligent" members, at least among the public, would have no problem backing Biden, particularly if they're sick of their own party and want to teach their representatives a lesson. Which is how I would feel about our party if we nominate the absolutely wrong person...

But yes, I also like Hagel. Not so much his more conservative politics but he is one of the foreign policy gang that does not get confused in the public's imagination with L. Graham. The kinds of allies he has in the democratic party speaks volumes about the kudos he deserves for being so independent minded.

Wilma! :P

I went as her for Halloween one year & got rave reviews.

He seems to have found his groove and is really connecting with people, especially people who are getting tired of the front-runners.

For a guy who has been around for 35 years, suddenly he is the "new and fresh face".

I always wondered why he didn't catch on. It make me feel good to hear all the Biden accolades. He deserves every single one and it's about time. Not so long ago...anytime I said something positive about Biden on Meet the Press...I received rather negative and sarcastic posts right here on DU. Biden wasn't doing well in the polls so I headed for the Clinton camp after Clark bowed out and recommended Hillary. Now I'm torn between Hillary and Biden. :shrug: Whoa is me!

I'm really happy for him and hope he does well in Iowa and knocks some socks off. I'm sure he will!

but consider what I did. Hillary will never have a moment of peace, to do her job. There will be constant accusations from the right, distracting her from her purpose in DC, just like they tried to do with Bill. I know I don't want to turn on the TV everyday and hear, Hillary this...Hillary that...we've had 7 years of Bush junk also.

I just would like a president that I don't have to reach for the remote each time they come on TV, LOL. Biden can get support from the right as well, because most in congress respect him. Hillary, will not, because they already have it out for her. I don't dislike Hillary, and I would love to see a woman become president, because I think it high time that happened, but she's not my first choice anymore. There are 2 dem candidates I would never support though, should they become the nominee. I will not vote in that event.

All I have heard all day is Hillary, Hillary, Hillary.

And whenever a pundit mentioned Biden - he was dissed. Tweety even rolled his eyes when Biden's name was mentioned.

Reading this is like a hug at the end of the day.

Thanks! This Bidenite needed that:pals:

context,clarity, and content... the debate overall, Biden slam dunk at least from where I sit.

of growing on people. I initially was going to vote for Hillary, but think she will spend most of her time in office defending herself. I have liked Biden for about 15 years now, and it finally hit me a few weeks ago, that it is him that should be catapulted to the top tier. I donated to him, big time, and will continue as long as I can afford to. I hear people say all the time, "I'd vote for him in a heartbeat if I thought he had a chance". I then tell them,. WE have to give him that chance!!

GO JOE!

I came in from the Kucinich camp with the same realization as you. This guy has good ideas AND can get things accomplished because he has the respect of the leadership from both the left and from the right. He's proven it with his Iraq plan getting passed in the Senate by 75 votes.

Some people want to be president too much. She's too calculating, too scripted. I can't see who she really is, and when questioned, her answers don't reveal what she truly thinks. (Of course this describes most politicians). She's like a robot run by a computer, and I don't know who the computer programmers are. Sometines I can almost see the strings the puppeteers use to control her.

Also if she gets elected, which she probably will, we will face another four to eight years of the division and hated we have lived through for the last sixteen. Hopefully we can break out of this Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton cycle we seem to be stuck in.

Biden impresses me with his knowledge and his humor. He doesn't seem to be run by an enormous, behind the scene, machine. Yes, he sometimes sticks his foot in his mouth. This makes him human. He might just be able to unite this country and lead it in a new direction.

WE NEED TO MOVE IN A NEW DIRECTION!!!

hey, at least he won't be saying stupid stuff like; "misunderestimated", "childrens do need to learn" "fool me once.....LOL...that kind of foot-in mouth, I will be happy to never hear again.

Biden rocks!

It was like an "Hey, I could have had a V-8" kind of moment.
The more I think about it, the more sense it makes.

It's great to see so many people starting to give Biden a glance. His momentum is growing!

The guy has an encyclopedic knowledge on a wide variety of topics, especially world affairs, and he doesn't equivocate. He says exactly what he means at all times. It's refreshing, especially when there are so many candidates who are trying so hard to not say anything offensive, rather than trying to say something actually useful.

I wish he was more progressive on social issues. Those are the topics that matter to me most and he just isn't "left" enough to suit me. Other than that he is an ideal candidate.