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Area Dems: Biden a strong choice for VP

By Meghan Carey
mcarey@eagletribune.com
Published: August 24, 2008

Local Democrats yesterday praised Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as his running mate, saying the Delaware senator's experience will help balance the ticket.

Obama kept his choice a secret until early yesterday morning, only saying that he wanted someone who was ready to be president and challenge his thinking.

He texted and e-mailed the news to his supporters shortly after posting it on his Web site around 3 a.m. Laurel Redden of Salem, N.H., received her e-mail later in the morning.

Redden said she was impressed by Biden when she met him last fall during the primary campaign, and she knew other members of the Salem Democratic Town Committee were as well.

"Sen. Biden came and spoke at our annual dinner last fall," she said. "He probably picked up more votes there than elsewhere. He's a very strong candidate with deep foreign policy experience."

Biden's foreign policy and defense experience makes up for what Obama doesn't have, according to William White of Lawrence. The choice gives more buoyancy to Obama's change campaign, he said.

"Now no one can say Obama will get in over his head," White said. "Biden will be his life preserver."

Biden, 65, brings more than 30 years experience in the Senate to the Democratic ticket. He's served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and head of the Judiciary Committee.

Twice Biden has run for the White House, first in 1988 and again this past year. He dropped out of the running after a poor showing in the Iowa caucus and was seeking re-election to the Senate in the fall.

Experience is one reason Steve Tahan, a Hampstead, N.H., business-owner, said Biden was an "excellent, excellent" choice. Biden has the experience needed to win the presidency, Tahan said.

"This is why I applaud Obama," Tahan said. "He's smart enough to know that he doesn't have the smarts to run that office correctly and efficiently. This will pick up his weaknesses that he acknowledges, and that shows character."

Biden's strengths have come with age, which is why Stan Lepore of Haverhill agreed it will help the younger Obama.

"Shows brains," Lepore said. "It's almost like picking a grandfather. But, don't be fooled, the young don't always listen to their elders. Biden should ground Obama just enough."

The vice presidential choice should help Obama secure older voters, as well as Catholics, blue-collar workers and moderate Democrats, according to Dante Scala, a University of New Hampshire political scientist.

But, despite those advantages, Scala called Biden a "comfort" choice. Obama realized this summer that running as an agent of change wasn't enough, he said. He needed someone who Democrats know, Scala said.

Sharyn Osgood of Methuen is still disappointed that Obama didn't pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate.

"I knew it wouldn't happen, but it definitely would have made for a powerful ticket," she said. "They had the same policies, but different experiences, and would have been guaranteed to the minority and female votes. That's a lot to give up for a loose cannon."

Biden is known for opening his mouth, and some of those previous statements are ringing in Republican ears now.

"In the past, Biden has said that McCain would make a great president," Charles McMahon of Windham, N.H., said. "He's given him high praise."

Biden hasn't always spoken as highly of Obama. One year ago this week, on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Biden said Obama wasn't ready to be president. McCain's campaign quickly jumped on both those remarks, quickly creating an ad that began airing early yesterday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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