Obama, Biden and the Politics of Change

POLITICAL COMMENT OF THE DAY:

I was glad Obama picked Biden as his running mate. Some might criticize it as politics as usual and an uninspired choice for a candidate who had been running on the platform of change. But my feeling is, this reality bound, tactically smart choice represents a welcomed change from all the talk about change. If it reflects Obama's lack of confidence in the political viability of the change message, it also represents a great step forward in maturity and self-knowledge. Obama realized that a Presidential campaign (particularly against a Republican candidate) is going to be brutal. And that is a reality that is not going to change. He had the clarity and self-candor to recognize his perceived (and hence, real) weaknesses as a candidate (a lack of international experience, little appeal for working class Democrats, a perception of meandering cerebrality and detached coolness) and had the good sense to address these weaknesses directly and intelligently in his choice of running mates. In a funny (and, perhaps sophistic) way, this choice actually delivers on his message of change more truly and deeply than anything he has done before--as it reflects a pragmatic willingness to learn from experience and change when necessary; even if what one is changing from is the platform of change.

Sure, the McCain folks will have a brief field day with Biden's previous praise of McCain and his claims that Obama is unready for the Presidency. Sure, it's a bit funny that Biden had been widely criticized for calling Obama "articulate and clean" at the start of the primary season--a claim that was widely alleged to have embedded racist assumptions. Sure, Biden talks too much and says some stupid things from time to time. But he's a smart, seasoned, likable well-credentialed fighter who will certainly be an asset to Obama in what is no doubt going to be the fight of his life.

A Democratic ticket that is willing to do whatever is necessary to actually win? That is a change I can get behind.

I am Teddy Vegas and I approve this pick.

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Posted on 8/23/2008 ( Permanent Link )
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