# Obama/Biden 08' **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 23, 2008, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017 "2008-08-23T12:12:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/21 "2008-08-23T14:13:09Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Ouch. No doubt they’ve been sitting on that for months. [/QUOTE] Years even. As Biden had already pointed out in another Obama ad, he made that statement about an honest, maverick McCain who no longer exists. The McCain of today, he says, is not the McCain he once admired. McCain is an idiot to run that ad anyway if he ends up with Mitt Romney. Footage of Romney trashing McCain utterly abounds. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/22 "2008-08-23T14:26:33Z")
[QUOTE=Švejk] A Muslim _and_ a Catholic in the White House! What’s America coming to? 😃 I got a question: on CNN it said that Biden ran for the candidacy in 1988 as well but pulled out of the race amidst accusations of plagiarism. What’s up with that, and might it still have an effect now, 20 years later? [/QUOTE] Pretty much [much ado about nothing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden): > [@](#): > > Then in September 1987, the campaign ran into serious trouble when he was accused of plagiarizing a speech by Neil Kinnock, then-leader of the British Labour Party.[25] Though Biden had correctly credited the original author in all speeches but one, the one where he failed to make mention of the originator was caught on video.[26] Within days, it was also discovered that, while a first year law student at Syracuse Law School, Biden had plagiarized a law review article in a class paper he wrote. Though the then-dean of the law school, as well as Biden’s former professor, played down the incident of plagiarism, they did find that Biden drew “chunks of heavy legal prose directly from” the article in question. Biden said the act was inadvertent due to his not knowing the proper rules of citation, and Biden was permitted to retake the course after receiving a grade of F, which was subsequently dropped from his record.[27] > [27] a b Dionne Jr., E. J. (September 18, 1987). “Biden Admits Plagiarism in School But Says It Was Not ‘Malevolent’”, The New York Times. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/23 "2008-08-23T14:30:59Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] Pretty much [much ado about nothing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden): [/QUOTE] The funny thing is, it’s not even something the Republicans can run with. They’ll not want to waste the time trying to explain to their numbskull constituency exactly what plagiarism is and why it’s a bad thing. Best for them just to move onto something they can make into a bumper sticker. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/24 "2008-08-23T14:34:12Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] The funny thing is, it’s not even something the Republicans can run with. They’ll not want to waste the time trying to explain to their numbskull constituency exactly what plagiarism is and why it’s a bad thing. Best for them just to move onto something they can make into a bumper sticker. [/QUOTE] Snort! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/25 "2008-08-23T14:38:37Z")
This kind of seems like a good cop/bad cop ticket. On the surface, Obama seems really cheery, and tra la la, let’s change the world! But you know that in office, he’s probably intense/intimidating when he wants to get something done and you’re in his way. Now with Biden, it’s going to be fairly intimidating for a lot of opposition in congress. I also see them working really well together in terms of joking, being jovial, whatever. See: How Obama bitch slapped Lieberman. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/26 "2008-08-23T14:48:48Z")
[QUOTE=ASAKMOTSD] Meh. Seems to me like he is admitting he is lacking in foreign policy experience & running to the “establishment” for support in that area with this choice. [/QUOTE] -Or, you can spin the choice as evidence of a man who is open to compensating for his own perceived shortfalls. -Or you can take the view that the Republican tenure of the past eight years has been such a foreign policy clusterfuck, that it’ll take two skilled Democrats working full time at least eight years to undo all the damage. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/27 "2008-08-23T14:57:13Z")
Biden and Fiengold worked for many years and did not get rich. How dare they not understand the system better than that. To be successful you must be bought off by our corporations. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/28 "2008-08-23T15:04:53Z")
A disappointing pick. Biden is from a tiny state, is a blowhard who runs off at the mouth, has weird hair and is a twice-failed presidential candidate. He always seems phony to me. He’ll hurt Obama more than help him, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Yesterdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@Yesterdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yesterdog)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/29 "2008-08-23T15:07:01Z")
I am satisfied with this choice, but I wonder what it does for attacks on McCains age. Won’t Biden be 73 when it’s his turn? ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/30 "2008-08-23T15:11:31Z")
[QUOTE=Yesterdog] I am satisfied with this choice, but I wonder what it does for attacks on McCains age. Won’t Biden be 73 when it’s his turn? [/QUOTE] When has Obama attacked McCain on age? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/31 "2008-08-23T15:11:31Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] A disappointing pick. Biden is from a tiny state, is a blowhard who runs off at the mouth, has weird hair and is a twice-failed presidential candidate. He always seems phony to me. He’ll hurt Obama more than help him, IMHO. [/QUOTE] Right - I mean at \*least \* go see a stylist and get some layers, maybe a shot of color… What the bloody hell is he thinking stepping out in public with that hair! GOD! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/32 "2008-08-23T15:17:59Z")
Many voters make decisions based on less weighty factors. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/33 "2008-08-23T15:18:15Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] Right - I mean at \*least \* go see a stylist and get some layers, maybe a shot of color… What the bloody hell is he thinking stepping out in public with that hair! GOD! [/QUOTE] On hair, you have to go with Romney. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/34 "2008-08-23T15:18:23Z")
[QUOTE=Yesterdog] I am satisfied with this choice, but I wonder what it does for attacks on McCains age. Won’t Biden be 73 when it’s his turn? [/QUOTE] I doubt Biden has any intention of running for President at this point. He’ll have plenty of input into this one if Obama/Biden is elected. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/35 "2008-08-23T15:24:09Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] I doubt Biden has any intention of running for President at this point. He’ll have plenty of input into this one if Obama/Biden is elected. [/QUOTE] I’m predicting that if Obama is elected, that Biden will retire after the first term (“I’m 69 years old and feel I’ve accomplished all the goals I went into politics to fulfill”) and Obama, now known to the public and experienced at the job and therefore not needing an older, experienced VP to back up his credentials, will choose a younger VP who will be offered as the heir apparent in 2016 assuming Obama is elected to a second term. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/36 "2008-08-23T15:34:13Z")
That’s exactly the scenario I came up with when the Biden rumours started to become louder, **jayjay**. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/37 "2008-08-23T15:40:12Z")
[QUOTE=Raygun99] That’s exactly the scenario I came up with when the Biden rumours started to become louder, **jayjay**. [/QUOTE] It makes the most sense because I seriously doubt that Obama would end his two terms by sandbagging the party without an incumbent VP with some chance, at least, of being elected. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/38 "2008-08-23T15:40:18Z")
Really, you think Biden would throw the towel in after one term? Is he even that kind of guy? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/39 "2008-08-23T15:44:09Z")
So, how are these guys gonna win the South? Playing up that Biden comes from a working class background won’t be enough, I think. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017/40 "2008-08-23T15:43:16Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] Really, you think Biden would throw the towel in after one term? Is he even that kind of guy? [/QUOTE] He’s not going to run for president at 73. I have no idea why McCain thought _he_ could. That’s older than Reagan was in his interterm campaign. Biden doesn’t strike me as someone who nurses completely irrational fantasies. He knows he not going to be president. This was his last possible chance for that, and he didn’t even come close. I can definitely see him stepping down after the first term, maybe in exchange for a Secretary of State position in the second Obama term. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017.md?page=3)