Tipsheet

A "Clean" Slate?

As Jonathan notes below, Joe Biden seems to be the flavor of the day when it comes to the Dem veepstakes.  Given that he's seen within the Democrat ranks as a foreign policy solon, it may well make sense, given Russia's invasion of Georgia and other ominous international developments.

But it seems to me that a Biden pick does nothing so much as highlight the weakness of the Democrat bench when it comes to foreign policy.  After all, Biden is remarkably gaffe-prone -- remember his description of Barack as "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy"?  How about his memorable comments about Indians and 7-11?

If there's any advantage to a Biden pick as veep, at least it means that he won't be Secretary of State.  Anybody this gaffe-prone has no business in a job where the merest use of one word over another can be construed as having a distinct diplomatic meaning . . . unless, of course, he's just mouthing the words of someone else -- something of a pattern with Biden, it seems, judging from this and this.

I'm actually rooting for a Biden choice.  It would make the campaign a whole lot more more entertaining.