Sen. Joe Biden at National Press Club, Aug. 1, 2007. Photo by Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images.
by Naftali Bendavid
His hair has gone snowy white since he first flashed onto the political scene 35 years ago as a boy wonder. He has endured personal tragedy, political scandal and a major health crisis. And he is trailing in the presidential polls by a daunting margin.
But Joe Biden made his case forcefully at the National Press Club Wednesday, expressing only the occasional flash of frustration at his political plight, as when he lashed out at the enormous sums raised by some rivals. “This is obscene, ladies and gentlemen-it’s flat-out obscene,” Biden said. “Let me say it again: It’s obscene.”
The Delaware senator also insisted that no more than 10 percent of Democrats have chosen a candidate yet. “The truth is, no one has made up their mind yet in the Democratic Party,” Biden said. “The truth is, I may not be the nominee-but I may.”
The truth also is that this is what you might expect someone trailing so badly to say. But Biden’s credentials, after six terms in the Senate, cannot be dismissed, and his personal history is compelling. Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972 at age 29, making him one of the youngest senators in U.S. history. He made a splash, becoming known as the boy orator of the Democratic Party, and in 1988 he jumped into the presidential race. But his campaign was torpedoed by a plagiarism scandal when he failed to attribute rhetoric in a speech to a British Labor politician.
Biden also has also been shadowed by family tragedy. His first wife and a daughter were killed in a car accident; he later remarried. In 1988, Biden was hospitalized with brain aneurysms, and though he was warned he might not survive, he recovered fully.
Along the way, Biden has earned a reputation in some quarters as a man in love with the sound of his own voice. Yet his intelligence in his areas of expertise, foreign affairs and legal policy, is hard to dispute. Biden’s partition plan for Iraq, formulated with scholar Leslie Gelb, has attracted significant notice. And now, later in his life and career, Biden is slogging through another presidential race as a distant long-shot, eclipsed by the star power of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, adopting an outspoken, colorful campaign persona that seems to reflect his having little to lose.
Some of that tone was on display Tuesday. Biden, who has visited Iraq seven times, cultivates an image as a foreign policy maven who knows better than to adopt the simplistic solutions of neo-conservative hard-liners or anti-war Democrats. “We continue to careen off the road, hampered by a false choice: more of the same...or withdraw and hope for the best,” Biden said.
The ostensible reason for Biden’s appearance was the publication of his memoir, “Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics.” Most presidential candidates these days feel the need to write books. Biden’s title even echoes that of candidate George W. Bush’s “A Charge to Keep.”
Asked whether Congress could force Bush to change course in Iraq, Biden said the odds were 50-50, depending on when enough Republicans conclude that sticking with the president is too politically risky. “If that comes by November, which is possible, then we have a chance of ending this war in a somewhat responsible way,” Biden said. “If not, it’s beyond the pale.”
He also warned Democrats that they would lose in 2008 if they did not nominate someone with unassailable foreign policy expertise-like, say, himself. “If any Democratic thinks we’ll be able to win the presidency in 2008 without ante-ing up our credentials on national security and terrorism,” Biden said, “they are making a tragic, tragic mistake.”
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Comments
While still no big fan of Biden's, he's one of two running for the presidency on that side of things that actually has a clue (Richardson being the other).
Posted by: John D | August 2, 2007 8:35 AM
I met Biden a few times working on a couple of different races in the 1980s and the guy came across as a pompous ass.
I'll give him that he is very knowledgeable about foreign affairs.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 2, 2007 8:37 AM
While Biden tends to be verbose at times, like most senators including others running, he would be an appealing candidate to a wide swath of voters in the general election. He is a moderate and
as such, can attract the "Blue Dog Democrats," moderate Democrats and
Independents, as opposed to Clinton and Obama who are both polarizing figures.
Posted by: Shaka | August 2, 2007 9:52 AM
Doug, you are correct in that he is a pompous ass. But he does have a clue -- or as much as a liberal Democrat can have a clue!
Posted by: John D | August 2, 2007 9:52 AM
Wake up America! This man is who we need to lead our country back to greatness!
Posted by: Virignia | August 2, 2007 10:22 AM
"Pompous ass" who is an expert in foreign affairs with decades of experience, or rich-boy northeastern elitist pretend-Texas cowboy with no experience and no knowledge of foreign affairs. Yeah, Republicans know what traits are important in presidents.
Posted by: Paul | August 2, 2007 11:37 AM
What does Biden think of invading Pakistan?
Posted by: JB | August 2, 2007 11:43 AM
Good Grief! Give the guy a break. Is there anyone with an ego to run for president that won't have some characteristics that might be less than appealing???? What is critical at this point in our history is (1)intellect, (2) honesty, and(3) foreign policy knowledge AND experience. Of the candidates currently in the mix, Biden has all three in spades. Give the guy a break on personality. After Bush, Gore, Kerry, or Dean, et.al he's a breath of fresh air.
Posted by: Ron Hartzler | August 2, 2007 12:40 PM
I happen to like what I’ve been hearing from Biden, and I believe if he can win in the Democratic primary, he’ll have ability to win in the general election. Biden has the most expertise on foreign affairs of any candidate in either party, which gives him a wide appeal among voters that are just plain tired of the political extremists from either the left or right.
Posted by: Rory M | August 2, 2007 1:13 PM
Yeah, I'd love to see him go head to head with Giuliani on "terrorism" and homeland security. Joe needs EXPOSURE big time.
Posted by: Ron Hartzler | August 2, 2007 3:20 PM
I'm happy that we have several Democratic candidates who would make good presidents, but if I had to vote right now, it would definitely be for Senator Biden. This time around we need strong foreign policy experience and the willingness to lead on many domestic issues. He seems very different from the rest of the field. He has the ability to give insight and answers, not soundbites and blame.
I have been listening to his plan for over a year now, and it seems well thought out. It doesn't seem like a perfect plan, but at least he realizes that we can't just leave.
Posted by: Scott H | August 2, 2007 6:16 PM
It is essential that we have "responsible leadership" in the most important executive position on the planet. By responsible I mean that decisions are made without regard for ones' re-election, and takes into account the consequences of an action with a view of the long term. Joe is such a person. He also brings an honesty to the conversation that allows for a conscientious citizenry to properly assess what is truly at stake,
Posted by: Arthur Serota | August 3, 2007 3:30 AM
Joe's my candidate. I'm going to caucus for him because he gives detailed answers, he understands the issues, he has the legistlative experience. I've been to hear other candidates but after listening to Joe, they all to seem to be answering in hype and sound bites not detail. I hope America proves the media wrong and votes for solutions not hype.
Posted by: Lori M | August 4, 2007 4:58 PM
I can't figure out why more people aren't taking him more seriously in this campaign so far. I think he'd be the best person to go against whatever the Republicans come up with. Strong, persuasive speaking skills, great intelligence, great experience. I hope he stays in the race long enough for the tide to turn his way.
Posted by: Rob | August 6, 2007 5:18 AM