MyDD :: Biden To Come Out Swinging?

Biden To Come Out Swinging?

by Josh Orton, Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:34:54 PM EST

There's been a bit of hand-wringing among progressives the last two days - wondering if this convention is hitting McCain and his party hard enough. Listened to a bit of Ed Schultz on the way to the airport yesterday, and it was the one common question he raised with every guest at the convention: 'when are we going on offense for real?'

My prediction: it comes tonight.

It'll come from Bill Clinton, certainly. And I'd bet Harry Reid turns on the faucet as well - just last week he reminded Lieberman that he "can't stand John McCain."

But I'm optimistic some fire will come from Biden. He'll certainly spend time laying out his working-class background and weave his story together with Obama's. But in an email to reporters this morning, Obama's campaign used language to preview Biden's address that caught my eye:

Joe Biden will show the type of campaigner he's going to be as he lays out the case for Obama.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but to my eyes it's a heads-up about process - we're going to see tonight what Biden can do on the trail.

Jerome and I will both be in the hall tonight - should be fun.

Tags: Joe Biden, DNCC, election 08 (all tags)

Permalink :: 22 Comments :: Post a Comment

He needs (none / 0)

to lay down the law.

And I'm sure he will.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:39:07 PM EST

I say he will come out swinging (none / 0)

Obama hasn't shown me any heart yet. Biden has strong stuff in him. I hope that he can unleash some fire to complement the cool, lofty and detatched rhetoric of Obama. The combination would be powerful.

by activatedbybush on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:40:37 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

if the movie "casino" is an analogy, Biden is Joe Pesci, Obama is Robt DeNiro

by bobestes on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:43:21 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

That's not a good analogy.

Remember how Pesci and DeNiro character ended.

Choose another movie.

by geha714 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:57:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

Oh man, I love red meat!!! Red meat is good!

by Steve24 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:43:57 PM EST

Biden's gonna have to beat real hard on (none / 0)

this tough, dry, old bird.

by activatedbybush on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:54:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

I agree!

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:57:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

Meh. Maybe he can explain whey we all ought to be so beholden to the credit card companies. Why he's voting for credit card companies' rights, but refusing to vote for any limit on the interest rates and fees they can charge. No relief for Americans who have dealt with job losses, uncovered health expenses, or threatened home foreclosures by turning to the easy credit crack that Biden's corporate constituency peddled for so long. And now, the credit card companies are raising interest rates, lowering credit lines, and exacerbating the economic crisis by ruining middle class people's credit ratings. And no escape in bankruptcy - we have indentured servitude to Citibank.

I'm sorry, but I am not enthusiastic about Biden, and I think his votes for his corporate masters will be a big distraction during this campaign, making him an ineffective attack dog. Explain to me how his support of the credit industry is consistent with Obama's message, or the Democratic party's ideals?

by milton333 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:05:26 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (2.00 / 1)

Why? Because he's from a state where the banking industry is king. I think we ought not begrudge Congressmen and Governors support for issues that would benefit their state. That's the sign of an effective representative, not a snake in the grass.

Of course, this only applies to general policy. I'm much less inclined to grant Mitt Romney leeway for making up some bullshit story about his sister to come up with reasons why he no longer supported abortion.

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:09:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (2.00 / 2)

My money is on Biden running out on stage dressed in two criss-crossed ammo belts and a red head band, and instead of giving a formal speech, simply lighting an effigy of John McCain on fire.

by blueflorida on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:05:45 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

Nice!!!

Liberal in So Cal

by lqbruin on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:16:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

My money is on Biden running out on stage dressed in two criss-crossed ammo belts and a red head band, and instead of giving a formal speech, simply lighting an effigy of John McCain on fire.

What you've described would properly be called "going Nugent", I believe!

by Collideascope on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 06:27:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

This is definitely the speech designed to define the Biden part of this campaign. That's the whole point of having it in the first place.

After two great nights celebrating strong women, it'll be interesting to see if the boys can keep up. It won't be easy.

by Lucas O'Connor on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:15:17 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

I'm a gloomy gus. I am sure I will get to see Biden's roundhouse right style. My worry is what Bill is going to do, and my fear is that what he does will in some way dilute the unitary effect of what HRC did last night.

by Christy1947 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:19:09 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

I thought his 'debut' speech last week was great. Looking forward to what he can do with 4 days of preparation with all those speech writers. And watch him feed of tonight's applause. The guy wears his heart om his sleeve. It will be a great speech.

Stop H8

by mikeinsf on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:51:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bill Clinton (2.00 / 1)

Bill Clinton will probably spend most of his speech tonight framing the issues that are important in this election. No one, Democrat or Republican, is as effective as Bill Clinton when it comes to framing issues. Obama has admirable qualities but he has a tough time framing the issues and attacking McCain. That's where Joe Biden and Bill Clinton come into play. They can help Obama in that area.

by Steve24 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:22:19 PM EST

Re: Bill Clinton (none / 0)

politicalwire has an article saying billdog is going to be the one making the case for obama. while hillary making the case would have been great, i think a former prez making the case for obama, after hillary's great speech last night will be an astounding one-two punch.

Being Normal is for the Mediocre.

by Doug Tuttle on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:32:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You're Joe Biden (2.00 / 1)

You're writing a speech that may shift the balance of power in the country. You have to trash, destroy, and utterly demonize a man who's been your friend for 35 years. Or...watch your party's chances go down the drain.

It's moments like these when I "get" what New Politics is supposed to be. I get why, whether Obama can bring it or not, we still need it. Old Politics is more than just "not beanbag", at it's worst it's filth. It celebrates deceit, division and hate. It is antithetical to all the things we hold dear in ourselves.

I'll be cheering with the crowd tonight, but in this one instant, I feel for both men.

by Neef on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:27:11 PM EST

Re: You're Joe Biden (2.00 / 2)

If John McCain had not shifted radically on all of his key economic policies, there would be nothing for Joe Biden to talk about. Even last year, he was ready to praise McCain. But his friend McCain is not the man running right now.

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:33:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (2.00 / 2)

It is not just progessives complaining. Unfortunately, it is becomming the narative of the convention and that is not good.

I want Joe Biden to recreate that scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I want him to reach in and pull out McCains still beating heart. I want him to rip out a big bite and then spit it to the floor.

I want to get John McCain spitting mad because he looks completely unstable when he is mad. I want to keep McCain angry and bitter all season long.

by gavoter on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:28:21 PM EST

Wrong Track tack (2.00 / 1)

I know this is obvious, but the one thing that has been solid all along is the "wrong track" number -- something like 75%. We talk around this all the time but I would love to see us go right on the nose with it, maybe starting with Joe tonight. It's a pretty simple argument:

1. In foreign affairs, the current track is unilateral belligerence.

2. In domestic affairs, the current track is tax laws favoring the rich and health care and environmental laws favoring big companies.

3. One guy agrees with these tracks, and the other guy wants a new track.

McCain has tried to innoculate himself against this with his "original maverick" ad, but I can't believe anyone is buying that. Are we afraid of sounding too negative?

All aboard the wrong track express...

by snowback on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 03:43:04 PM EST

Re: Biden To Come Out Swinging? (none / 0)

LOL

I didn't know biden was a swinger...

This could be bad....

Maybe we should pick Hillary =p

by dtaylor2 on Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 05:06:04 PM EST

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