The Chosen One Makes His Choice

And the jury is IN! Obama has officially announced his running mate and, frankly, I couldn't have asked for a more entertaining figure. There's so much I find funny about this I don't even know where to start.

Joe Biden, while running for the presidency himself this time around, made some of the most hilarious comments. To name a few...

In commenting on the growth of the Indian-American population in Delaware, "You cannot go into a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. Oh, I'm not joking."

When asked how a "northeast liberal" could compete against more conservative southern candidates, "Better than everybody else. You don't know my state. My state was a slave state. My state is a border state. My state is the eighth largest black population in the country. My state is anything from a northeast liberal state."

When visiting South Carolina, Biden referred to Delaware as a "slave state that fought beside the North. That's only because we couldn't figure out how to get to the South. There were a couple of states in the way."

When describing Barack Obama, "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's storybook, man."

When trying to get out of the above comment, "Barack Obama is probably the most exciting candidate that the Democratic or Republican Party has produced at least since I've been around. And he's fresh. He's new. He's smart. He's insightful. And I really regret that some have taken totally out of context my use of the world 'clean.'"

What a hoot. I had never seen lips quite so puckered up! And the fact that the only thing he could find offensive about his prior comment was his reference to "clean" is just hilarious.

The New York Times, in their article on the subject, cited among Biden's strengths his "familiarity with foreign policy and national security issues" and that "he is also something of a fixture in Washington, and would bring to the campaign - and the White House - a familiarity with the way the city and Congress works that Mr. Obama cannot match after his relatively short stint in Washington." Apparently, the candidate who seeks "change" cannot make this change without a Washington insider at his side? 

Not to mention the fact that when Biden was jockeying for the presidential position himself, his loudest argument was that Barack Obama was "not yet ready" to be president. Apparently, these last few months have made him ready. Ah, ambition is an interesting animal!

Joe Biden ran for the presidency in 1988 as well. He was forced to quit this presidential bid after being accused for plagiarizing one of his speeches in part. In truth, this same speech was given multiple times with credit voiced to the original author of the disputed words in all speeches but one. It seems to me quite possible that this was an oversight, and I really wouldn't hold it against him.

BUT... He also received an F in one of his classes in college for plagiarism and had to re-take the course. And he was questioned by a New Hampshire resident about his grades in law school (which seems a silly question to ask of a candidate, but whatever) and his response was a direct lie. I couldn't care less about his grades, but I do care about his integrity. He claimed to have graduated in the top half of his class (which is a claim to intellectual mediocrity - if you're going to lie you might as well try for something better than that). The truth was that he graduated 76th in a class of 85. He stated that he attended on a full scholarship and received three degrees. He actually graduated with two majors on a single B.A. - and went on a half scholarship based on financial need. 

To top it all off, Biden seems perhaps not too sure of Barack Obama's chances to win. His senate seat is up for re-election this year as well and it is said that he will be simultaneously running for both positions. There's some confidence for ya! 

I feel encouraged -- No matter how the election cycle turns out in the end, it's bound to be an entertaining ride on the way there.