Vice Presidential Predictions - One Down

On June 5, 2008 I predicted who the presidential candidates would choose for their running mates. I cleverly chose the title Vice President Predictions.

I wrote:

I think there is a good chance that Bill Richardson will be the Democrat candidate.

On Saturday, August 23, 2008, Senator Obama chose Senator Joe Biden to be his running mate.

So I was wrong - way wrong.

I think Senator Biden looks presidential though. He can really talk. He is very smart. He does have a lot of experience being a Senator as well as in most important practical areas. He is older. He has had personal tragedy and is tested in that way. Certainly he brings something to the table that helps the Obama candidacy. He should be a good attack dog and Senator Obama lacks in that category.

Still there is no executive experience - all senate game so far. And I think Senator Biden says more words to less effect than just about anyone I've ever observed. He is a bit of a loose cannon sometimes. His attacks sometime seem petty and arrogant. And his own words about Senator Obama will be used against them both.

I think there are a lot of people, including me, who view this decision negatively as it pertains to Mr. Obama's election. Why? I think mainly because it emphasizes Senator Obama's judgment and decision making process and strength of character. I believe the winner will be the candidate who can win the middle including those independents of both parties and the unaffiliated independents as well.

What those of us in this middle group want is someone who will govern from the middle and who will keep things civil and respectful and actually address the important issues of our time. We are not against all government but we also distrust elaborate programs. We want more constraint on using our military but we don't want to surrender our country either.

Biden is nearly as liberal as Obama and is definitely a partisan. We suspect his selection was a political decision. We are also suspicious that Senator Obama failed to hold onto his fundamental convictions.

But I may be as wrong about this as I was about the choice itself.

One down, one to go.