Time Magazine has a story on the chemistry of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. At first glance, it would seem that Barack and Joe are an odd couple. Barack is often pensive and prefers to listen to the concerns of others, while Joe Biden is gregarious and can be a little long-winded. However, the article points out that the two complement each other and seem to genuinely have a good relationship and affection for each other.
http://www.time.com/...
So far, in the ten days since Obama chose Biden as his veep nominee, the two seem to have a good relationship. In their first joint television interview, with 60 Minutes, they didn't interrupt and talk over one another the way John Kerry and his running mate, John Edwards, did four years ago - an early omen of the bad blood that would flow between them.
Now I saw the 60 minutes interview and one of the things I immediately thought was, wow, these two really do seem to mesh well together. When Obama was speaking, Biden attentively listened and or would jump in to further validate what Obama was saying and when the topic turned to Joe Biden's past follies, Obama quickly rose to his defense. One just really had the sense that these two genuinely liked and respected each other and would easily come to the other's defense.
Obama and Biden genuinely seem to look out for one another, a relationship strengthened by the immediate and strong bond between their wives.When practicing their remarks before Obama officially named Biden his vice-presidential candidate in Springfield, Illinois, for example, Biden had a moment where he couldn't read the teleprompter because he had just put in eye drops. Before he could say anything Obama asked to make the letters bigger, saying he himself was having trouble reading them.
First, I think it is great that Michelle and Jill like each other and I also thought the teleprompter story was very endearing on Obama's behalf and shows that these two genuinely respect each other. It also shows that Obama has no hang-ups about making allowances for Joe and that Obama knows it is not all about him as some people would like many to believe.
During the vetting process both Al Gore and John Kerry warned Obama to be very careful in his selection on that last point, telling Obama that at times each had felt alone in running against both George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
These two nuggets of wisdom from Kerry and Gore both tugged at my heartstrings and it is sad to think that each had to feel like they were fighting Bush and Cheney alone,but I think we all know Joe Biden will not leave Obama out there hanging and will go after John McCain.
Though Biden has been in the Senate 32 years longer than Obama, the last week has been his first introduction to the unique phenomenon of Obamamania, speaking in front of roaring crowds of 20,000 or more. Far from being jealous the way Johnson reportedly was of Kennedy, Biden—for whom this could potentially represent the beginning of an eight-year political swan song—is savoring every moment of it.
At Biden's first rollout in Springfield, when the crowd broke into Yes we can, Joe just rolled with it and clapped and smiled too and seemed to really enjoy it. It was refreshing to see that he was fully onboard and even joined in with the crowd. Although he's obviously so much more than a cheerleader, it shows that he can handle the weight of Obama's popularity and not feel threatened.
Following this past weekend's funeral of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who died of a brain aneurism, Biden was asked by reporters about his own aneurisms that nearly killed him 20 years ago. Four hundred and sixteen words later Biden abruptly stopped talking, right in the middle of a train of thought that any other time could've easily gone on for another three thousand words. Looking like a smoker trying to resist a pack of cigarettes, for a moment he seemed to be reminding himself of all the important reasons to quit cold turkey. Then Biden visibly reined himself in, made his excuses and then a bee line for the buses, leaving Obama to shake hands alone for 15 minutes.
Finally, I believe the above paragraph shows that Joe Biden is trying very much to not make this about himself and to give Obama the support he needs without becoming a distraction. I strongly believe Obama and Biden will make a great team in the White House and get our country back to prosperity and leading the world by example.