Yesterday I wrote to Senator Joe Biden to congratulate him on his selection as our candidate for Vice President. Today, I received the following text and video in response. I wanted to share his response with you and also to tell you why I'm proud of Senator Obama's decision to choose Joe Biden for his Vice Presidential running mate.
You can read Joe's email after the bump. But first, I want to briefly share my opinion of Barack Obama's decision to choose Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate.
Senator Obama's Choice:
Predictably, John McCain and the Republican spin machine wants to portray Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate as signaling a weakness in Obama's capacity to lead.
Of course, their rhetoric couldn't be further from the truth. Any leadership expert will tell you that the greatest measure of a leader is his or her ability to surround himself or herself with other leaders who are equally or more qualified in their respective fields of expertise.
A real leader is not someone who uses threats, fear and coercion to dominate other people. A leader is a person who leads by influence and gains the respect of his or her subordinates.
Influence is the ability to change other's behaviors without the use of force or fear. It is the ability to affect end results without undo force and compelling authority. Real leadership requires self-confidence and humility as well as personal integrity and an awareness of personal limitations. Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate signals his humility and his willingness to put his country before his ego. That's what America needs in its next President.
If elected POTUS, Senator Obama will need to surround himself with our nation's brightest and most experienced experts in foreign and domestic affairs to have a successful presidency. In choosing Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate, Senator Obama has demonstrated to me that he has met the highest metric of leadership.
John McCain's criticism of Sen. Obama's choice of a Vice Presidential running mate implies that John McCain does not understand the true meaning of leadership. It means that Gen. Wesley Clark's previous observation that McCain's POW experience did not equip him to be Commander-In-Chief is now confirmed by McCain's own words.
To provide effective leadership, our next President must have enough self- confidence to surround himself with disciplined and well qualified individuals who are willing to put our country before their personal ambitions. That is what we have in Joe Biden.
One only needs to review the last 7 years of the Bush Administration for evidence of this assertion. When President Bush was elected, Joe Biden went to him and offered Bush the use of his vast experience and intellect for the benefit of our country. Bush declined and opted instead to surround himself with political cronies and operatives who would do his personal bidding.
John McCain's response to the Obama/Biden ticket reveals that his administration would not be different from that of George W. Bush. McCain will surround himself with people who are less intelligent and less qualified than he is. They will be people who lack the discipline and the skills to lead this nation.
Senator Biden's Selection:
Joe Biden shares Barack Obama's vision for the future of America and he brings a fresh perspective for executing that vision. Sen. Biden brings a wealth of expertise that will augment an Obama Administration. His addition to the executive team will enhance Sen. Obama's ability to advance his vision for America. Sen. Biden's relationships with world leaders and his current opposition to the Iraq war will assist Sen. Obama's efforts to improve America's moral standing in the world. Joe Biden's tenure and influence in Washington will help a President Barack Obama to successfully bridge the gap between the administration of a Washington outsider and long-time Washington insiders.
Joe's Email:
Jezreel --
I'd like to thank you for the warm welcome I've received as the newest member of this campaign.
What you and Barack have accomplished over the past 19 months is incredible, and it's an honor to be part of it. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting involved.
I recorded a short video message about how I hope to help in the weeks ahead.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing a lot of the things you've done to grow this movement -- reaching out day after day in neighborhoods all across the country, connecting with people who are hungry for the change we need.
This is no ordinary time, and this is no ordinary election. I plan to do everything I can to help Barack take back the White House.
I don't need to tell you that John McCain will just bring us another four years of the same. You can't change America when you supported George Bush's policies 95% of the time.
Barack has the vision and the courage to bring real change to Washington. But even he can't do this alone.
Join me by getting involved in your community -- and reach out to your friends and family to get them involved as well.
Please watch this video and pass it on:
Thank you,
Joe