Biden’s Choice
When Biden was announced as President-elect Barack Obama’s running mate, I remember thinking that it was a good choice in many respects, but America was losing its best candidate for Secretary of State on the Democratic bench. I also remember thinking that I hoped Biden wouldn’t become relegated to the old-style vice presidency, state funerals and show-the-flag campaigns. They guy is too smart, too centered and works too hard at understanding the world and America’s unique place in it to not have a seat at the big table of American foreign policy. In other words, would be better served by keeping Biden right where we was, as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee?
When Dr. Jill Biden let the cat out of the bag today that her husband had a choice, two more things struck me. First, her explanation that part of the decision centered around their family. I think this says as much about the genuinely good guy Biden is as anything. Second, if he had a choice, he had some say. Biden also understands what he has to offer and its more than ceremony. If he had the choice and took veep, I’m betting he also go himself a seat at the big table. We’re not going to see four years of a co-presidency, as with DICK Cheney, but I’m hopeful that Biden will be there, at the big table, for the biggest decisions regarding an Obama foreign policy.
