53 thoughts on “Nah-nah-nah, hey-hey-hey, Good Bayh?”

  2. There was no way Obama was ever going to pick Hillary. Can you imagine having to deal with her AND Bill in the White House?

  3. I’m still hoping for Senator Jim Webb. That’s my dream ticket. Any man who confronts President Bush like this deserves to be Vice President:

    The president approached Webb later and asked him, “How’s your boy?”, referring to Webb’s son, a Marine serving in Iraq. Webb replied “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President.” Bush responded, “That’s not what I asked you. How’s your boy?” Webb responded, “That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.”

    Brilliant.

  5. Geoff, I think the riff between Obama and the Clintons will be a real issue as the race progresses. Hillary’s support of Obama has been tepid and forced. She is supporting him out of a sense of duty to the party and nothing more.

    I have a feeling that she would be heart-broken to see him lose. /end sarcasm

  6. Brian,

    Hilary just doesn’t get it. The reason Barack Obama beat her is because she voted for the war in Iraq and didn’t regret it. She just doesn’t get it. She will not win in 2012 either, for the very same reason.

    I’m dedicated to ending the war in Iraq. I’m dedicated to putting people in power who will not abuse America like Bush has. At that point, I will retire from blogging about politics and go back to writing stories and composing music. I hate politics. But I hate even more what Republicans have done to my country these past eight years. I can’t be silent on it.

  7. Dan, you seem to overlook the many Democrats who supported and voted for Bush’s proposals.

    Also, Hillary lost in part for her support of the Iraq war, but also for running a poor campaign filled with missteps and missed opportunities.

  8. Brian,

    Trust me I am not happy with the state of the Democratic party today. There is a great room for improvement.

    As to the point I was making, let me put it this way. If Hillary had apologized to Democrats for getting it wrong in 2002, Barack Obama would not have had an opening. That’s what I am meaning. You are right that she ran a very poor campaign. But she left a wide opening for a candidate who was against the war from the very beginning. And the same thing will happen in 2012. She needs to apologize to her party for her vote.

  9. Dan, Hillary had to say something about her support for the war. And no matter what she said, she was going to make someone mad. I think she learned a lesson about following her convictions instead of following the polls.

  11. Brian,

    I think she followed the polls in 2002 instead of her convictions. Then again, she had drunk the kool-aid like her husband in the 1990s (he was wrong too).

    America’s policy toward Iraq, well, since the 1960s has been terrible.

  14. I don’t get why conservatives hold Drudge in such high regard. The man is a gossip monger. There is little actual value to what he does.

    Ironically, I saw that Reuters report before I saw this blog highlighting Drudge’s supposed “scoop.”

  16. Brian writes:

    Hillary’s support of Obama has been tepid and forced. She is supporting him out of a sense of duty to the party and nothing more.

    I think it’s fair to say that most Republicans feel the same way about John McCain. [snark]

  19. Of course, Dan, the same can be said for the junior senator from Illinois, as it relates to lack of experience to be president. Obama needs someone like Biden on the ticket to make-up for his [Obama’s] lack of experience.

  20. Brian,

    who is liberal in that group of pundits? Of course these guys are not going to think Obama has “experience.” They are part of the creation of the “narrative” that Republicans want to run. Brooks is the worst. Of course Republicans in Congress are going to report that they can’t work with Obama! That’s because it is they who refuse to act, and then they blame the Democrats for not acting.

  21. You’re funny, Dan. Chris Matthews, former Democratic staffer for Tip O’Neil, not liberal? Surely you must think anyone not named Saul Alinsky is not a liberal.

    From Matthew’s Wikipedia bio:

    He has spoken in support of Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. He said, “The feeling most people get when they hear an Obama speech… I felt a thrill going up my leg.”[10] He also said, “Obama comes around, and this is the new testament.” [11]

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Matthews

  22. Given that Bayh is not the VP pick, it looks increasingly like it is going to be Joe Biden as Obama’s VP. Not confirmed, but with a jet dispatched from Chicago to Delaware, it seems more likely than not that Biden is the VP pick.

  23. Bayh is almost as liberal as Obama, but not quite.

    He tries to paint himself as “reasonable” and “middle of the road”, but his voting record is far left.

    His real name is: Birch Evan Bayh, Jr.

    His father was also a liberal congressman, way liberal.

    It used to be thought in Indiana that Birch E. Bayh Jr was being groomed for a presidential run. If he ends up on the Dem ticket, that would lend credence to that thought.

  25. Biden? Not my dream ticket. Biden’s wit is fun for me—even when it skewers me—but I know that many people don’t appreciate it.

  26. Biden will be a good attack dog for Obama and bolster his foreign policy credentials, but I’m not sure how Biden helps him win key battleground states. Delaware isn’t exactly a must-win state for Obama.

    The RNC and McCain campaign are already sending out the emails pointing out critical statements Biden made about Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience.

    By picking Biden, Obama runs the risk of being upstaged by Biden. Voters may look at Obama/Biden and wonder why Biden isn’t the presidential candidate and Obama the vice-presidential candidate. I am left to wonder the same thing.

  27. “Voters may look at Obama/Biden and wonder why Biden isn’t the presidential candidate and Obama the vice-presidential candidate. I am left to wonder the same thing.”

    Maybe because across many primaries and caucuses Obama won over 2000 delegates and Biden won zero.

    Of course, many people asked the same question about Bush and Cheney. At least Biden wasn’t the head of a search committee that recommended himself (although his ego would have doubtless permitted it).

  28. Brian,

    You’re funny, Dan. Chris Matthews, former Democratic staffer for Tip O’Neil, not liberal? Surely you must think anyone not named Saul Alinsky is not a liberal.

    Chris Matthews’ politics is inconsistent. He’s been an ultimate enabler of the Bush war machine. For example, here are some of his comments about Bush landing on the aircraft carrier back in May 2003:

    MATTHEWS: What’s the importance of the president’s amazing display of leadership tonight?

    […]

    MATTHEWS: What do you make of the actual visual that people will see on TV and probably, as you know, as well as I, will remember a lot longer than words spoken tonight? And that’s the president looking very much like a jet, you know, a high-flying jet star. A guy who is a jet pilot. Has been in the past when he was younger, obviously. What does that image mean to the American people, a guy who can actually get into a supersonic plane and actually fly in an unpressurized cabin like an actual jet pilot?

    […]

    MATTHEWS: Do you think this role, and I want to talk politically […], the president deserves everything he’s doing tonight in terms of his leadership. He won the war. He was an effective commander. Everybody recognizes that, I believe, except a few critics. Do you think he is defining the office of the presidency, at least for this time, as basically that of commander in chief? That […] if you’re going to run against him, you’d better be ready to take [that] away from him.

    […]

    MATTHEWS: Let me ask you, Bob Dornan, you were a congressman all those years. Here’s a president who’s really nonverbal. He’s like Eisenhower. He looks great in a military uniform. He looks great in that cowboy costume he wears when he goes West. I remember him standing at that fence with Colin Powell. Was [that] the best picture in the 2000 campaign?

    […]

    MATTHEWS: Ann Coulter, you’re the first to speak tonight on the buzz. The president’s performance tonight, redolent of the best of Reagan — what do you think?

    COULTER: It’s stunning. It’s amazing. I think it’s huge. I mean, he’s landing on a boat at 150 miles per hour. It’s tremendous. It’s hard to imagine any Democrat being able to do that. And it doesn’t matter if Democrats try to ridicule it. It’s stunning, and it speaks for itself.

    MATTHEWS: Pat Caddell, the president’s performance tonight on television, his arrival on ship?

    CADDELL: Well, first of all, Chris, the — I think that — you know, I was — when I first heard about it, I was kind of annoyed. It sounded like the kind of PR stunt that Bill Clinton would pull. But and then I saw it. And you know, there’s a real — there’s a real affection between him and the troops.

    […]

    MATTHEWS: The president there — look at this guy! We’re watching him. He looks like he flew the plane. He only flew it as a passenger, but he’s flown —

    CADDELL: He looks like a fighter pilot.

    MATTHEWS: He looks for real. What is it about the commander in chief role, the hat that he does wear, that makes him — I mean, he seems like — he didn’t fight in a war, but he looks like he does.

    CADDELL: Yes. It’s a — I don’t know. You know, it’s an internal thing. I don’t know if you can put it into words. […] You can see it with him and the troops, the ease with which he talks to them. I was amazed by that, frankly, because as I said, I was originally appalled, particularly when I heard he was going in an F-18. But — on there — but the — but you know, that was —

    MATTHEWS: Look at this guy!

    CADDELL: — was hard not to be moved by their reaction to him and his reaction to them and —

    MATTHEWS: You know, Ann —

    CADDELL: — you know, they — it’s a quality. It’s an innate quality. It’s a real quality.

    MATTHEWS: I know. I think you’re right.

    Sorry, Brian, but the man is no Democrat.

    In an electronic age, did Obama really think he could keep his VP pick a secret? Obama supporters must be feeling cheated that the media found out before they did.

    You know what, this particular even was brilliant. That he wasn’t able to keep it a secret for the last two hours is okay by me. He had everybody in the media on tippy-toes. They waited with baited breath. It was brilliant.

    Kos highlighted the best part about how old media is getting out of date by quoting this:

    Wolf Blitzer on the Situation Room begging viewers to stay tuned so CNN can bring them coverage of a text message.

    Haha!

    Voters may look at Obama/Biden and wonder why Biden isn’t the presidential candidate and Obama the vice-presidential candidate. I am left to wonder the same thing.

    Then don’t vote for him, Brian. Go back to McCain. Go with the old gasbag and forget the new. Just remember that in regards to foreign policy, McCain is an uncontrollable hothead whereas Obama is far more reasonable, circumspect and wise. Remember that in regards to Iraq, both Maliki and Bush have now shifted their views to that of Obama. You want an improvement in this country these next four years? Vote for Obama. You want more of the same crap? Vote for McCain.

  29. One last comment, in terms of the title of this post, I like how old Drudge is getting too. Talk about getting pwned!

  30. Dan, Here’s some food for thought:

    While Biden and Obama stood on the same debate stage, Stephanpoulos asked: “You said, ‘I think he can be ready, but right now, I don’t of that think he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on the job training.'”

    Biden responded at the time, “I think I stand by that statement.”

    And the ad closes with a remark Biden once made about the now Republican nominee and his longtime Senate colleague: “I would be honored to run with or against John McCain because I think the country would be better for it.”

    http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/mccains-first-a.html

    Drudge didn’t get “pwned”, he merely shared bad information.

    Here is a good link chalk-full of information on Biden: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/08/the_case_against_joe_biden.html

  31. Brian,

    Oh I know that McCain will bring up all the great comments Biden has made about McCain over the past 30 years the two of them worked together in Congress. That all doesn’t matter.

    As for Biden’s comments on Obama, just you wait until McCain chooses Romney. Lots of great juicy comments available from the primaries from Romney on McCain… I look forward to that. 🙂

  34. Any Republican who raises concerns about Obama being inexperienced and the possible bad judgments that might come from that is simply blind to what inexperience, hubris, and bad judgment have done to this country over the last 7-1/2 years.

    (In other words, “Hello, kettle? This is the pot….”)

    I’m not an Obama supporter, but his pick of Biden seems smart: Biden brings the experience, gravitas, and policy background Obama lacks. And it shows that Obama is interested in working with people who disagree with him, or are even critical of him. A far cry from Bush, who has created a Presidential echo chamber full of sycophants and yes-men.

  35. oh that’s right, McCain will chose the Joe Turncoat Lieberman.

    Ooohh, I hope so. Two picks would help sink McCain, chosoing Romney or Leiberman.

  36. Any Republican who raises concerns about Obama being inexperienced and the possible bad judgments that might come from that is simply blind to what inexperience, hubris, and bad judgment have done to this country over the last 7-1/2 years.

    What a wonderful reason NOT to vote for Obama. We don’t need another 4 years of inexperience, hubris, and bad judgement…this time from an Obama presidency.

  37. “Biden brings the experience, gravitas, and policy background Obama lacks.”

    Obama was supposed to be the one to change Washington politics and he chooses an insider. When one sees Biden, he represents what Obama was campaigning against. He also comes across as the Dems junk yard dog with his crassness.

    I am no McCain supporter bu agnostic to both sides. Biden just rubs me wrong and Obama proved that it will be politics as normal.

  38. Brian,

    You say you will be voting for Obama, but frankly, on this post, I haven’t seen much except for continuing doubts and comparisons to Bush.

    Dude, do you really think McCain is “experienced?” Did you not see his press conference in Jordan where he stated that Iran was training Al-Qaeda only to be corrected by his right hand stooge, Lieberman? This wasn’t some gaffe. He’s said this before and after this event. The man is NOT experienced! He’s running a show. He is a pretender, Brian. You ought to be scared of a McCain presidency. Note how brash he responds when prodded. Look at how wildly he shot out at “house-gate.” Look at the silly response to Russia’s humiliation of Georgia. This is NOT a man who should be leading this country.

  39. Dan,

    I never said I was voting for Obama. Not sure what gave you that idea.

    If you want to employ name calling, please confine it to your blog. I’d like to keep a respectful discussion of the candidates and issues. It is fine to disagree with someone and quite another thing to resort to name calling.

  41. Sorry Brian, I had you confused with BrianJ who commented on the other post saying he was an Obama supporter.

  42. Go with the old gasbag…

    …only to be corrected by his right hand stooge, Lieberman?

    Joe Turncoat Lieberman

    Just the examples from your comments in this post, Dan.

  45. Yes, Dan, you need to stop. You do yourself and your cause a disservice by the rhetoric you constantly employ. You need to tone it down. A lot.

    I think Biden’s a good pick. He seems to be a stand-up guy with a clean history. I don’t think Biden’s critical remarks about Obama will hurt him as I think people will see them for what they were. But I do think his praise of McCain could cause him problems.

    I also agree that this isn’t a pick meant to garner Obama votes. Supposedly it will help him in Pennsylvania, but I think Obama would have had that state regardless.

  46. One thing that will hurt Biden is the speech he lifted from the British politician in the ’88 campaign. You can count on McCain making an issue out of it.

    Oh, and don’t think he won’t remind Obama of his “just words” speech he copied from another politician.

  47. Tim,

    Yes, Dan, you need to stop. You do yourself and your cause a disservice by the rhetoric you constantly employ. You need to tone it down. A lot

    Does that mean that McCain has done himself a disservice to his cause with all his “celebrity” attacks on Obama? or is it a matter of IOIYAR?

    Politics is a contact sport. Republicans get away with impunity demeaning and belittling Democrats. And then you guys turn around and say we should be respectful. Please.

  49. “Does that mean that McCain has done himself a disservice to his cause with all his “celebrity” attacks on Obama? or is it a matter of IOIYAR?”

    Yes, yes he does.

  50. “Politics is a contact sport. Republicans get away with impunity demeaning and belittling Democrats. And then you guys turn around and say we should be respectful. Please.”

    Saying Republicans are somehow more to blame than Democrats for this is idiocy.

    And I’m surprised that you find a simple request to remain civil to be unreasonable. As I alluded to before, you’re not making a good name for yourself in the Bloggernacle with your type of tone and rhetoric.

  51. Brian Duffin,

    I’m sorry that you were confused for me. But can I just say how charming and grand your first name is!

    Dan,

    This is Brian “the Obama supporter” J. I too am sometimes concerned by the rhetoric you employ even though you and I support the same candidate(s), issues, etc. I hope that you believe in the concept of fair and honest politics enough to practice it, but you often come across as an attack dog that hates ALL things Republican.

    Remember when Hillary jumped down Barack’s throat because he said “Reagan had some good ideas”? It was hardly praise for Reagan—just saying he wasn’t entirely bad. Hillary couldn’t stand for it. In her eyes, Reagan and all his friends had to be completely evil. There are several negative consequences to Hillary’s approach, including that it relegates her to being merely reactionary.

    I’d rather lose than become the evil I oppose—and no, neither McCain nor the Republicans are the evil.

  52. Now to see if McCain picks a democrat for a running mate or not. He keeps trying to float Lieberman.

    You do yourself and your cause a disservice by the rhetoric you constantly employ. You need to tone it down. A lot.

    I think Biden’s a good pick. He seems to be a stand-up guy with a clean history. I don’t think Biden’s critical remarks about Obama will hurt him as I think people will see them for what they were.

    McCain’s real problem is that he left the service after the military decided he didn’t have command potential. That is when he shopped himself a new wife and made the changes that led to his success in political maneuvers.

    I was talking it over with a couple people with military backgrounds, and with two flag officers in his direct family chain (father and grandfather) that he wasn’t going to make the promotion tells a lot about how the military saw him.

    Do we trust them or not? Should his first wife?

    And don’t get me started on Obama.

    Frankly, I’m going to choose who I vote for based on who they have for Vice President. Biden is actually a very strong reason to vote for Obama.

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