I think Obama made a good choice in Biden. I know that some HRC supporters will be upset that she wasn't even vetted but I never thought it wa going to be her. Obama could have gone through the motions though just to pacify the 18 million people who voted for her.

Biden is an excellent choice - and I think it shows confidence that Obama picked someone who is unquestionably strong in key areas.

Biden is a loose cannon. I don't know that this was the best choice...

Plus, Biden is on record from earlier this year as saying that he did not think Obama had enough experience to be President.

I had my heart set on Wesley Clark. I think Biden will be okay but I am disappointed.

That was fast! Or they've been up since 3:25 am working on it

McCain's people have to be peeing themselves over this - they kept saying Obama wouldn't risk taking on someone with Biden's strength. Obviously, Biden thinks Obama is worth pairing his long political career with, maybe change he can believe in and has worked for his whole professional life? McCain's going to have to work much harder to best this team.

I just saw this ad on CNN. The footage of Biden speaking of John McCain is supposedly years old and out of context. I wonder is factcheck.org already is covering this ad?

This cinches my vote for Obama. Biden was my top choice for Prez in the early months of the race. I am completely surprised - I never thought Obama would select him - but I am very happy about it. I think Obama brings the youth and enthusiasm and vigor and "something-to-believe-in"-ness that this country needs, while Biden brings strength and depth and experience to the table. A really good choice - I'm not sure this is going to be much of a contest come November unless something big happens in the next 2 months.

I'm bummed I really wanted him to pick Hilary.

Can McCain stop with the negative ads for like three seconds? If you go to his website, the page with all their tv and internet ads, it's ridiculous how many negative ads are there.

>some HRC supporters will be upset that she wasn't even vetted

But...she was almost the nominee! She's so well know, did she really even need any more vetting?

Last night, someone pointed out that Bill Clinton presented some unique problems for a vp choice because of groups that he has spoken to, fundraising for his library - sadly, the distraction potential would have been incredibly high with him.

I never really thought he'd pick HRC. I do like his pick though.

You're right Citizen... that was a fast response! I wonder if they had ads ready and set for the "top 5" picks or something.

How unfortunate. I wanted Biden as president, and fully felt he was honest in his statement of not taking a VP role. I find this very disappointing. Its becoming more apparent that the Dems need to feel happy its liberal congress/house, because I don't think they'll win the White one too.

I'm okay with Biden. I attended a foreign policy talk he gave at NYU while I was still a student there, and he struck me as very knowledgeable and reasoned. He talks too much and sometimes gets his foot in his mouth, but he's honest and to the point.

As an Obama supporter, I was hoping for more of a game changing pick like Sebelius, Webb, Kaine, or Clark. But I understand why Obama went with Biden. I'm so glad he didn't go with Clinton or Bayh.

I saw the McCain attack ad and I've got to say, that's the best you got? It was "quick" response, but not when you consider the buzz has been around Biden all week. I mean, the press had been camped out outside of the Biden's house since he got back from Georgia. And all week, the McCain goons could only dig up (1) one clip from a primary debate, and (2) a Daily Show interview from 2005! As Chuck Todd pointed out this morning, McCain's going down a dangerous road here especially if he plans on picking Romney because there's a whooooole lot more footage out there of Romney hitting McCain. And second, never mind that McCain abandoned all his maverick credibility and has been in the tank with Bush more and more over the last few years.

Seriously, I'm really hoping Biden plays the attack dog role well so we can cut through all this Republican hypocrisy.

Yes! I had forgotten about the VP's role as bulldog in the campaign. I can't wait for Biden to star slagging off McCain. He needs to be taken down a peg, and this will do it without Obama having to get his hands so dirty.

hmmm... I don't know much about Biden, but now I will have to check him out. I am glad he did not choose Hilary, she would have lost it for him.

idk, Lauren, I think the chances of Dem White House are getting very slim at this point. I think quite the opposite, he needs Hilary supporters and many of them wouldn't vote for him unless she was the VP. Granted, I'm one of the few that'll take on for them team, but only to see a dem sit there, not because I care for Obama.

I'm watching the Obama/ Biden event in Springfield right now. BO gave a good speach introducing Biden. I don't like the Obama/ Biden signs, though. Biden's name is so light blue you can barely see it.

Oh Lord he Obama just did what I was crossing my fingers he would not do and that is to trip up and introduce Biden ad "the next President...the next Vice President Joe Biden" The media is going to jump all over that like white on rice especially FOX.

As much as I love Hillary I would have to say that Biden is a great choice. I really liked what I read up on him and I feel that his "bad" trait that everyone seems to point out is actually what I think is a rare and great trait for a VP (being bluntly honest). I can understand people having a problem with that but for me- I really think that so few politicians are willing to tell it like it is. Obama seems to attact a lot of blind worshippers and I feel Biden is a nice balance to those that are skeptical about Obama's ability to lead this nation.

hypno -I am switching to FOX to see what they say haha.

It looks like everyone's having fun in Springfield!

Seriously- did you hear a guy shout out "yeah" like he was at a frat party HAHA.

Good choice, Obama. Biden has a great foreign policy and has the experience that Obama is lacking.

I'm sorry but any HRC supporters that don't want to get behind BO just because HRC isn't on the ticket, were probably only voting for her in the first place because she's a woman or some other superficial reason. McCain's policies and views are so different from HRC's and BO's are much more similiar. If you really believed in what HRC was saying why would you want to vote for someone who's views are so opposite from hers? Or not vote at all and just standby while some one who's views you oppose gets voted into office? I don't understand that kind of blind loyalty. If the primaries had gone the other way, I would be voting for HRC. Maybe I wouldn't be overjoyed about it but I would still fill in the bubble next to her name.

I'm liking Biden's speech. Whoops... Here comes the yes we can chants. Wonder what took them so long.

kastarte - you took the words right out of my mouth.

i thought the whole platform was "change/new/not your father's politician"? this guy has been in the senate for 30 years. and yeah, biden likes to chit-chat off the cuff, so this will be an interesting campaign for him (and us).

kastarte I totally agree with your post 25.

Hypno... I tuned to Fox after the speech was over and guess what they were talking about ....

" If you really believed in what HRC was saying why would you want to vote for someone who's views are so opposite from hers?"

Great point! I just think Supreme Court, Health Care (if your employer pays for your health care, under McCain's plan that would count as taxable income! Most employers pay around $9-$12,000
on employee health care...that you would now be taxed on.) There are just so many fundamental ways in which Hillary's and Obama's beliefs are similar.

I really liked when he said that Obama was a pragmatist. That is what I like about him, and for some reason it just never struck me to phrase it that way.

I am glad DE is finally on the map with Biden That's my home state. I like the idea of Obama-Hilary but I am okay with Obama-Biden too..I just wish he was less of a loose cannon.

I have always been a fan of Sen. Biden having watched him in committee hearings and shooting off his big mouth on the Senate floor for the past twenty six years. I feel that he brings balance to the ticket in the way of wisdom. I believe that the two have the chemistry which will allow Biden to come to the Oval office clear the room and say look you're F'n up and this is why. Sen. Obama has made it clear that this is what he wants in a Vice President, lol, I hope he's ready because Joe's gonna give him hell.

As for Sen. Clinton if she genuinely wants to do what ever it takes to put the Democratic Party back on track. As I've said before with her influence in the Senate, a presumable Speaker Pelosi in the House and an Obama administration this three point team up would put the Democratic Party in a position to do just that. She will also be in a position to build her credential for another run. Presuming that an Obama administration lasts eight years I seriously doubt that Sen. Biden will be up to running at 73 years of age and I'm going to take a chance and say right now that he will step aside and not challenge Sen. Clinton for the office. I also think that it would be in Clinton’s best interest to run for Gov. of New York she has many options to bring certitude to her next run for the Presidency.

I know I can see the political cartoons now with Obama's big head on the body of a child holding a balloon with one of those child leads around his wrist and guess who'll be holding the other end of the lead smiling down on Obama. Mmm Hm!

I just think he lost his claim to the "same old Washington" stuff being stopped. Biden is the same old Washington politics. I lost a lot of respect for Obama over this choice. I understand why he did it, but I don't agree.

Thank god it wasn't HRC... the McCain campaign could only find one quote from Biden suggesting that Obama wasn't ready.

Can you imagine the commercial they could make of all the Clinton quotes? It wouldn't be limited to 30 seconds, that much is true!

In any case, Obama was in a lose/lose situation here... If he picked someone "outside" the beltway, he was going to be mocked for choosing someone inexperienced. He chooses someone who is somewhat of a stalwart and he gets bashed for that.

Pop, that is only because of all the change he has been talking about. And as other posters have said, the "same old washington" stuff.

Yeah - I think it's unfortunate that he put himself in that position. Lack of foresight a little on his part there - he wants to win, and he wants to win on a platform of change, but he can't win unless he has some experience on his side, which makes him look like he embraces things the way they are. He created a gigantic catch 22 for himself. It's sad, really.

Im one happy Republican. I would be more nervous if Clinton was Vice.Now the democrats are not united and the Clinton supporters will give their votes to McCain.

i think that strategically - it's a smart move on his part since he knows where he's lacking in votes, and policy support - but i don't know if it's necessarily the person that i would have chosen for the VP running mate. i can understand why clinton wasn't chosen - although i think that it would have been the best way for him to have a successful campaign - but i guess we'll see what the result is during the election right?

I like Senator Biden very much and have for a long time. I was a HRC supporter and voter in the primary who would have stayed home on Election Day since I consider neither McCain nor Obama qualified to hold the highest office in the land. Joe Biden as the potential vice president gives me reason to hope for better days ahead.

Excellent choice. And he'll make a great campaign bulldog.

Did anyone else notice how relieved Obama looked to be sitting down and not talking, during Biden's speech?

I believe Hilary would've been a worthy running mate... I was convinced for a while that Hilary's supporters would support McCain if she didn't run... Lets hope for the best...

I wouldn't have trusted Billy Bob Clinton to not screw things up, so his wife could run in 2012. I still don't trust him, and how that she isn't in any sort of position to lose, I expect him to do everything he can to undercut Obama. After Obama loses, I predict he wil begin the mantra "Shoulda picked Hillary in Denver."

Choosing Biden doesn't negate Obama's calls for change in Washington. Anyone who has ever been a part of an institution that successfully modernized knows it doesn't happen by purging institutional memory or history. To succeed, you need the best elements of the past to drive the institution into the future. Bring in a president and vice president hostile to Capitol Hill and you'd solidify both parties in their resistance to being told what to do.
After a series of scandals on the Hill in the 90s, a new freshman group rode in on promises of change. New members were invited to orientations by powerful old timers, and told very clearly that if they went after anything the powerful old timers considered sacred, they might as well not bother to unpack - it would affect office assignments, committee assignments, everything that would give the newbies any shot at recognition.
There have to be some equally powerful old timers making the changes-they know who and what needs to be changed and have important information on how to bring about those changes.