I was amazed today when Biden refused to take George's bait on "This Week", refraining from attacking or even distancing himself from Dean. George even went so far as to remind Biden that he has been critical of Dean in the past, and still Joe would not go there.
George opened by citing differences between leaders of the party regarding Iraq, and Joe reframed this brillantly, stating that there is a difference of opinion by leading democrats as to what inning we are in. That some have so little faith in the Bush's ability to make needed changes that they feel game is already over. He stated that he wasn't one of those, but certainly left the impression that this is a realistic stance to take. What's more, by framing it this way he highlighted that those who feel the game is over do so because of Bush, ie... not because "America" is somehow a loser.
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When this didn't work George zeroed in on Dean, expecting Biden to go for the bait. Biden said instead that Dean "is doing a good job". Somewhat stunned, Steph followed up by pointing out that Biden had dumped on Dean's statements on earlier occations. Joe answered that Bush had once said that "We cannot win the war on terrorism", pointing out that all politicians put things poorly at times. George attempted to sidestep the fact that Bush had ever said such a thing, but Joe would not let him.
After I picked my chin up off the floor and applied ice to the swelling, I concluded that there is only one explanation. Establishment democrats are like sunflowers, they always turn towards the greatest power sourse. If Biden is backing Dean up now, Dean and the grassroots have become too powerful to attack and must be placated instead.
All and all, it was an amazing performance. I might even go to Joe's website later and that him for refusing to attack Dean publically.
What did others make of Biden's change of behavior?