It's Biden

I think it's a great pick. Biden is the Cheney pick of 2000. It reassures people that Obama's not a gimmick. If Obama had picked anybody else, except the unexciting Chris Dodd, it would have been spun mainly as a gimmick (i.e., Obama wants to win Virginia with Kaine, wants unity with Hillary, wants Hispanics with Richardson, wants Ohio with Strickland). But with Biden there's no gimmick. The main thing against Biden is that he's too good to be president; he's too outspoken, and needs to be more of a careful politician (like Obama, the epitome of cautiousness married to ambition) to get elected. The running-mate slot is perfect for him. He can train his tongue on the Republicans, and when they attack him it will only contrast with Obama.

Republicans are attacking already with this YouTube ad. It's very good, because it ties Biden back to who Obama is. And having it up and running for today!

But Biden will bring both security (his experience) and funness to the ticket. Obama lacks funness. He's a movement, an event, an epoch, a messiah. But messiahs aren't fun. Biden is. So I think the Republican attacks, using Biden's statements against him, can only go so far.

Biden will campaign in Appalachia, and I think he will be able to connect with people here, even more than Hillary would. Hillary as the candidate of Reagan democrats was surprising to begin with, and mainly had to do with Obama's lack of connection than anything about Hillary.

Hillary would be too much change. A younger veep than Biden would too. Obama is balancing the change message, which is just what he needs to do. With all of Biden's experience running for president, and experience in foreign policy, this is a better pick even than Jim Webb.

Here's the email Obama sent out last night. (I got it at 4:53am.):

I have some important news that I want to make official.

I've chosen Joe Biden to be my running mate.

Joe and I will appear for the first time as running mates this afternoon in Springfield, Illinois -- the same place this campaign began more than 19 months ago.

I'm excited about hitting the campaign trail with Joe, but the two of us can't do this alone. We need your help to keep building this movement for change.

Please let Joe know that you're glad he's part of our team. Share your personal welcome note and we'll make sure he gets it:

http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe

Thanks for your support,

Barack


P.S. -- Make sure to turn on your TV at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to join us or watch online at http://www.BarackObama.com.