Thoughts from a Joe Biden supporter

I have said several times that Biden is Obama grown up. I do believe Obama has the ideals he espouses. I am very wary that he can be effective. All claims to the contrary of his being such a good organizer and coalition builder, he strikes me (and this is not fair, just the impression he hits me with) as someone who knows how to push the buttons in a speech - and that's it. Basically, a salesman. Well, that's mostly what MLK was, and he sure made a difference! And I could be totally off base in my skepticism.

When JFK beat Nixon the world was stunned. The establishment was expecting to put the incumbent in and ramp up its takeover. The then-youthful militaryindustrial complex Ike warned of thought Nixon was their boy. But this idealistic Catholic with a funny accent got elected! Their progress has been on again/off again (mostly on), with brief setbacks from Kennedy election, Watergate, Carter election, and a slowdown during Clinton. They are just about there, as the media-manipulation of the Iowa caucus process demonstrates. The militaryindustrial complex has extended to include all big business - healthcare, banks, etc. and most importantly, communication media. I call it MIC+.

The big question in my mind is whether Obama can hold up under their onslaught. He talks so much of compromise, I fear he is one who will "get along to get along." That is largely what Clinton did. That is largely what most of the dems in congress do. One has to understand the opposition to be successful in a negotiation.

The REAL reason that years worth of experience in the trenches is so important is that it gives you the instinctive reaction to know what battles to pick. You know when you are being "had." You know when to call bullshit. I fear Obama may be a babe in the woods. With his heart in the right place, to be sure, but outmatched.

Neither Clinton nor Edwards would fit that description.

But while not a babe in the woods, I still fear Clinton's comprehension of issues vs. political acumen. I would fear a tendency to compromise, accommodate. The rationale that we need the people making obscene profits "at the table" to hammer out a healthcare plan is ludicrous to me. Also not necessarily fair - just the impression one person gets when listening to her. Pure gut feel, indefensible and unassailable. So I am scared of her too.

Edwards talks a good line about a scorched-earth, take no prisoners approach to dealing with the enemy (MIC+). He knows when to settle out of court and when to litigate. He seems to have instincts for those situations, and he talks a good line (actually a great line) about the battles that need to be fought. How, though, does that translate to international affairs, to dealing with Islamic terrorism while maintaining (re-establishing) decent relations with the Muslim world - 1/4 of the world population? I was an Edwards fan until I realized both the enormity of the danger we face (not "another 9/11" - that's small potatoes) and that Biden understood it intimately. Would Edwards be able to navigate in the international arena?

The Bay of Pigs was a clusterfuck that JFK got away with. The Cuban missile crisis was a tough confrontation that he won. We must be eternally grateful they came in that order. And we must hope that when the next president is faced with something of that nature he/she says "Joe, what should I do?"

And that is why we need to support whomever the Dems nominate.

The Republican would be asking Bill Kristol, or Wolfowitz, or some other such maniac.

that is still unleashed in the country and we need a Democrat to do it.

I like him (and Dodd) a lot and it was sad to see them pull out. I just don't know what this primary season would have been without Joe Biden's humor and wit.

So, I'm sorry about that.

I have no doubt whatsoever.

I was disappointed to see Biden call it quits so soon. Iowa isn't even an election. This is one screwed up way to pick a leader.

I think Biden is the best potential leader of the bunch, with a real understanding of the world and the issues facing us. He is well grounded.

I like Edwards' message but he in no way compares to Biden. I don't know what to think of Hillary. Obama is a good campaigner. But the biggest problem the Dems have had is their go along to get along attitude.

I am still uncommitted, but was leaning Biden.

As a life-long Feminist and supporter of Civil Rights, I've looked forward to having the opportunity to vote for a woman or African-American. However, the U.S. is currently in such a perilous state, that we need someone who has experience, knows the players and is at a point in life where it no longer feels necessary to please big business just to insure a lengthy political career.

Now, all I can hope is that whomever leads the new Democratic administration, will include people like Biden and Dodd and take their experienced advice to heart.

I'm back on the fence, will look at the three front-runners again, but will support whomever ends up representing the Democrats.

that I would love to see MLK's dream fulfilled (in part) by a person of color (black, brown, whatever) or a woman being elected to the Presidency. But I went on to say i have a nightmare. A nightmare of another republican administration - four more years for the MIC+ to finish its takeover.

I am as idealistic as the next progressive. I still think "The Age of Aquarius (Let the Sun Shine in)" is a great song.

My idealism was dealt a blow in Dallas on Nov 22, 1963. It was dealt another when the MIC+ hounded and ridiculed Carter out of office. It was dealt two more in 2000 and 2004. I don't know if I can take another. My nightmare is that I will grow old and die while watching my country turn completely fascist, with a mind-control machine better even than Orwell imagined.

Well, as Joe says: Get Up!

We have to figure out how to win and then how to govern effectively, with the snarling monster of an MIC+ fighting us every step of the way.

:kick: