Senator Joseph Biden's strangely worded and offensive (vaguely to some, likely sharply to others) backhanded compliment of Senator Barack Obama's candidacy will likely stifle any small chance that he had of obtaining the Democratic nomination to run for president in 2008.
I've been a big admirer of Biden for a long, long time. His critique of the administration's war policy and approach on what to do next has long been proactive, centrist, sober, and intelligent. He's a serious guy for a serious time, and I've always found it refreshing to hear his views.
He's also been relatively outspoken and off-the-cuff, normally fantastic qualities for a candidate. Which makes it all the more disappointing that he would make this bad a slip so early in his presidential campaign.
The Democratic field has been clearing out relatively quickly and early this cycle. Very big deal and potentially formidable candidates such as Mark Warner and John Kerry are already on the sidelines. Those who are left will need to try to find a way to line up as an alternative to Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. Bill Richardson may fit the bill as he is bright and personable, has a long resume, and is a successful governor of a western state. And Al Gore still waits in the wings.
For several years now, I thought Biden would make an ideal Secretary of State. He still might. I hope this one comment doesn't doom his future prospects to serve our country.
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Article comments
1 - Baronius
I hadn't heard about this. I would have bet on Biden getting the nomination before. Even now, I think he's got a chance.
2 - Eric Berlin
He was polling in the 1% range before this gaffe, Baronius! I thought he was looking upper tier for vice presidential consideration actually, what with his foreign policy expertise and the ever elusive gravitas.
3 - Nik
The sad thing is his 1988 bid got derailed before it started too, over, I vaguely recall, some kind of plagiarism accusation in his speeches? That was the year Gary Hart went down too.
4 - El Bicho
I thought speaking clearly and thoughtfully was no longer a perquisite for President anymore.
Biden always made the most sense of any politician on how to handle Iraq over the years, but as usual, it's the perception of the statements and not the actions of the man that are going to be considered.
"potentially formidable candidate...John Kerry"
Not for '08. That's why he dropped out. I didn't see anyone shed a tear other than him at his announcement.
5 - dee
Why are Americans such broads? Everything that is said is blown way out of proportion. I didn't see anything wrong with what my man Biden said, in fact to me it seemed like a compliment. I was talking Obama up for the past few years and am a big fan, but now since he felt the need to release a statement about this i'm a little soured on him. Come on. I want a president to have some tougher skin and not get their panties in a ruffle over spoken words. Can anyone tell me what the hell was so bad about what Joe said? Biden didn't have a shot anyways so it really doesn't matter. He is one of the smartest and best candidates though and would make the best decisions as leader and president. But us Americans don't care about smarts or experience, look at our current president.
6 - zingzing
dee, his statement wasn't so bad, it was just the way it came out. no doubt he was saying that obama is the first african-american CANDIDATE with widespread mainstream appeal, who also happens to be "articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." he just forgot the word "candidate"... and then his whole statement got fucked up. it looked like he was saying that there aren't too many african americans who are articulate, bright, clean and nice-looking. or at least none had run for the presidency before.
obama is probably the first african-american candidate with this kind of support throughout the voting public. it's true. no other black candidate has looked this strong going in. the fact is that it was their blackness that worked against them. that's america!
biden was trying to point out that obama's mainstream appeal, in addition to all of his other good qualities, makes him a strong, realistic candidate for the presidency. that's really not happened before with an african american in the united states. unfortunately, his wording made it seem like he was giving a backhanded compliment, insulting to all african americans.
7 - Baronius
Eric, I didn't say he was the obvious choice...
He's chair of the Foriegn Affairs Committee, positioned to be the chief party spokesman against Bush. He's also on the Judiciary Committee, which has a way of being very important every once in a while. He's got name recognition and a positive image. He makes for a good alternative to Clinton, who has baggage and who some see as unelectable.
And yeah, that good image might be gone by today, depending on how much coverage his remarks get. (Nice article, btw.)
8 - Janice
Very interesting! Let's see what happens...!
9 - Arch Conservative
I used to think Chuck Schumer was bad.
Now I think Joe Biden makes Chuck Schumer look like Joe Lieberman.
10 - DJRadiohead
Biden bit it for me when I heard him trying to speak "hip" speak when dressing down AG Gonzalez or Sec. Rumsfeld in a Senate hearing. It was about as embarrassing as you might expect when an aging, lily white man tries to sound "with it." Even Jon Stewart (who annoys the balls off of me) couldn't resist kicking a little dirt on him.
This was just stupid. Being at 1% in the polls is sort of like being Lane Kiffin. The Raiders were 2-14 last year- not much further to fall. Howard Dean's scream... now that was something.
11 - Eric Berlin
Baronius -- I'm actually with you all the way, man! I just wouldn't have placed my bet on him getting the nom. And certainly not now.
Nik -- Yeah, you're right about the '88 flame out. I saw Gary Hart speak about a year and a half ago, by the way, and he's a very very interesting and intelligent guy.
El B -- Yeah, it is absolutely sad that perception often counts more than reality in presidential politics. It's an era made for a Karl Rove, and we all bare the responsibility for what we receive in our leaders. As for Kerry, I don't think he would have made much headway either but let's remember that he received more Dem votes than anyone in the history of the party, so he could have wound up as a serious player. And his gaffe didn't help him either last fall, come to think of it!
12 - Eric Berlin
dee -- Referring to a black politician as "clean and articulate" is a very very dangerous thing to say in U.S. politics. It might not make a lot of sense, but it just is.
DJR -- You're not a Jon Stewart fan? You might be the only person I know who doesn't worship at le alter Daily Show! (Then again, I'm one of them coastal elitist types!)
13 - Bliffle
Well Archie, I think you've reached a new high in convoluted indirect suggested slander:
"Now I think Joe Biden makes Chuck Schumer look like Joe Lieberman."
14 - Michael J. West
Baronius, how did you not hear about this until you read the blog entry? It's been EVERYWHERE. Which should also answer your question about how much coverage Biden's remarks would get.
P.S. I still think he'd make a great Secretary of State. Which I think he should have angled for in the first place, since he never stood a chance in Hell of becoming President.
15 - Eric Berlin
I must say that my position has softened somewhat after seeing Biden on both Hardball and The Daily Show, allowing him the chance to put the quote in context. Yes, it came out clumsily but I actually didn't realize that by "clean" he meant "fresh" until he explained himself (while also explaining that it was not a historical comparison).
So sure Michael, I don't think his presidential have improved much, and yes, I would love to see him as Sec State.
16 - Zedd
Secretary of State means that you are THE premier diplomat in the nation. Uhmm when you have made such a statement, you cant go and represent the US internationally and expect to be met with respect.
We've done GW Bush. Lets hold the bar up a bit. Its crucial.
Free us from all of the dirty blacks!!!
17 - Zedd
ZingZang
Would you feel complimented if someone said that you were articulate and clean?
Its an insult bud.
18 - moonraven
The depressing thing about ALL the avowed candidates and fence sitters is that they have no substance. They are Fluffy and Puffy.
Al Gore sure looks great by comparison. And he has the advantage of having actually been elected president of the US, too.
19 - Eric Berlin
I agree that Gore looks better and better as he's been right about and ahead of the curve on crucial issues. Who cares if he's a little stiff and smarmy (and he's certainly toned down both qualities measurably since 2000). And who cares that he's a nerd? I *want* a nerd in the White House, someone up all night reading wonky reports (and understanding them) so that I don't have to.
20 - moonraven
At least he is not Fluffy and Puffy.
Nor Heckle and Jekyll.
It would be nice to know that someone with at least a normal IQ has his finger on the red button.
21 - WriteWingNut
Rosie O'Donnell was talking about Biden's comment on The View. She said something like, "Do you really think Biden meant to insult blacks? I don't think so. You can take anyone's words and twist them to fit your agenda."
Hmmm....kind of like what Rosie did to Kelly Ripa?
And I highly doubt she'd be so forgiving and understanding if Biden were a Republican.
22 - Daveo
In the interest of generating a little grass roots fervor behind the most qualified and capable candidate running this year, Joe Biden, I started a website.
You can post your opinion about why you like Joe Biden for President.