2008 Woodie Awards
Obama's Running Mate: More Harm Than Good
Mark Scirocco '10
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Commentary
Barack Obama's announcement of Joe Biden as his vice-presidential nominee in mid-August was praised as the turning point for the Obama campaign. The Delaware senator's experience, rhetorical skills, and "fighting" persona were said to be just what Obama needed to take down McCain in November. Biden's tenure of 36 years in the Senate, during which he has accumulated experience in foreign policy, were to fill several key holes for the Democratic ticket.
Thus far, however, Biden has been anything but a help to Obama.
Biden's history in the Senate has been a long and tumultuous one. In 1988, Biden was forced to drop out of the presidential race after blatantly plagiarizing a speech from British Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnock. While Sarah Palin's past and private life has been covered ad nauseam by the press, this outrageous portion of Biden's career has gone virtually unnoticed. In addition, Biden was a major player in the vicious attacks made upon both Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito during their judicial nomination hearings. Many are questioning how a 36-year Washington insider qualifies as the running mate to Obama, the candidate of "change."
Of interest most recently, however, have been Biden's numerous political blunders on the campaign trail. Several of his gaffes have been so blatant that even the mainstream media has been unable to ignore them.
Take for instance Biden's recent comments on the Obama campaign's stance on using coal as an energy resource. While speaking to a group of United Mine Workers of America at a rally in Virginia on Sept. 20, Biden claimed that he and Obama would substantially invest in clean coal technology. Biden said, "You know we have enough coal in the United States of America to meet our needs domestically for the better part of the next hundred to 200 years." He continued: "Imagine. . .what Barack and I can do. . .investing $4 billion in coal gasification. . .finding out how we can burn the coal that you dig that can free us from being dependent on foreign oil countries and at the same time not ruin the environment. . ."
Thus far, however, Biden has been anything but a help to Obama.
Biden's history in the Senate has been a long and tumultuous one. In 1988, Biden was forced to drop out of the presidential race after blatantly plagiarizing a speech from British Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnock. While Sarah Palin's past and private life has been covered ad nauseam by the press, this outrageous portion of Biden's career has gone virtually unnoticed. In addition, Biden was a major player in the vicious attacks made upon both Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito during their judicial nomination hearings. Many are questioning how a 36-year Washington insider qualifies as the running mate to Obama, the candidate of "change."
Of interest most recently, however, have been Biden's numerous political blunders on the campaign trail. Several of his gaffes have been so blatant that even the mainstream media has been unable to ignore them.
Take for instance Biden's recent comments on the Obama campaign's stance on using coal as an energy resource. While speaking to a group of United Mine Workers of America at a rally in Virginia on Sept. 20, Biden claimed that he and Obama would substantially invest in clean coal technology. Biden said, "You know we have enough coal in the United States of America to meet our needs domestically for the better part of the next hundred to 200 years." He continued: "Imagine. . .what Barack and I can do. . .investing $4 billion in coal gasification. . .finding out how we can burn the coal that you dig that can free us from being dependent on foreign oil countries and at the same time not ruin the environment. . ."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Winnie
posted 10/03/08 @ 8:48 AM EST
Are you serious?
Aaron
posted 10/03/08 @ 12:22 PM EST
I would think Palin does much more harm than Biden could ever muster to their respective tickets. She is a vapid unintelligent puppet for both Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. (Continued…)
aaronh123
Aaron
posted 10/03/08 @ 12:24 PM EST
I would think Palin does much more harm than Biden could ever muster to their respective tickets. She is a vapid unintelligent puppet for both Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. (Continued…)
Luz Esther
posted 10/04/08 @ 2:46 AM EST
Joe Biden is terrific,MCCane choise of Sarah Polen that is really poor jugment,This man he is in his seventy something plus a history of Melanoma. Sarah she is elegant and seen to be pleasent but I do not thik She is
smart enough to be a vice president. (Continued…)
Jon (PC 99')
posted 10/24/08 @ 9:35 AM EST
Name calling is not appropriate but referring to Obama as an America Hater is okay?
There are many good reasons to not vote for Obama next month, that isn't one of them. (Continued…)
Post a Comment