Barack Obama knew when he picked Joe Biden what he was getting. Biden is a seasoned Washington politician with enormous foreign policy experience, blue-collar roots…and a gaffe machine running at full force.
Biden rarely goes a day without a slip of the tongue. Sometimes he just does not explain himself well as when he recently stated that Hillary Clinton would have made a better running mate for Obama than himself.
He almost derailed his Presidential campaign last year on the day he announced when he said of Obama, “I mean, you got the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” Obama defended Biden on that one when he made it clear Biden meant no harm.
Biden also made the comment one needs an Indian accent to go into a Dunkin’ Donuts or 7-Eleven store. These are not the kind of comments that endear a candidate to voters.
He also made a completely ridiculous slip a week ago when he called Sarah Palin the “Lt. Governor of Alaska.” If Biden catches himself on those mistakes, his quick wit usually turns it into a positive spin. When he catches a gaffe, he comes out sounding human.
During his DNC speech, he referred to McCain as “George.” “Freudian slip, folks, Freudian slip,” he said to laughs from the crowd.
At his first campaign stop with Barack Obama after the DNC, Biden referred to Obama as “Barack America.” Those mistakes make him sound odd.
Last week, while on a campaign stop in Florida, Biden spoke about the “Biden administration,” then quickly caught himself and said, “Obama-Biden administration.” Again, his quick wit defused the situation, “Believe me, that wasn’t a Freudian slip.”
Part of the problem is that Biden keeps talking and talking. During his Presidential campaign, he was asked to explain in 25 words or less why he should be nominated. Biden went on for 45 words.
Another time, he introduced a man in a wheelchair and asked him to standup.
Yes, the Obama campaign knew what they were getting. With Biden, they are able to turn down charges of elitism. However, there will be plenty of Obama supporters sitting on the edge of their chairs during the Vice-Presidential debate. The debate may hinge on an inexperienced Palin making a blunder or a Biden gaffe. Biden’s edge is if he can catch his gaffe, he is able to turn it around and relate to his audience. When it comes out like the one where he referred to Palin as a “Lt. Governor,” then you are left shaking your head and wondering does this guy know what he is talking about.
Most of the Biden gaffes will quickly drift into the political wilderness. The media expects a Biden gaffe, so when he makes it, it is not news. Reagan and Bush were accused of many gaffes too, but overtime, those gaffes became less newsworthy. That is what the Obama campaign is hoping for as well.
Biden has said that Hillary would probably have been the better choice for VP, (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2801657/Joe-Biden-Hillary-Clinton-might-have-been-a-better-vice-president-than-me.html).
Of course, he’s correct and that wasn’t a gaffe. It makes one wonder if Obama outsmarted himself by picking a long-time Washington insider (somewhat negating the “change” message) to have a running mate with whom Obama wouldn’t have to compete for political or intellectual saavy.