The picture of then-Senator, Joe Biden with coffee pot in hand has been consistently posted along with a quote for many mornings within Kula's Morning Reaction series. It is what prompted the origin of this series to focus upon the transitions and daily activities of the other Executive Office holder: Vice President-Elect, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.
Today's Menu Specials:
- Cold Start Blintzes.
- Railway Turnovers with new scenery, greens and a fresh perspective (comes with change and a Secret Service motorcade).
- Staff Assignments a la mode.
As always (just over the bump), I start you off with a quote from The Gentleman to mull over with your morning Joe.
3 NOVEMBER 2008 --
Speaking to a morning crowd of supporters in Zanesville, Ohio:
"From up here I can see pretty clearly. Change is on the way,"
-- Vice President-Elect, Joe Biden
::::: APPETIZER :::::
I was looking for a critical response to last week's Joe Biden "Cold-Open" on Saturday Night Live. This was, after all, the first SNL show to air after the elections and this historically means the show has a lower viewership than those leading up to Election Night.
Upon reading a few reviews, I settled on Blog Critics (BC) which has a relatively good group of proficient writers. They're wroth a read for reviews of movies and television.
Writer, Sherry Lipp, gave a modest rating for Jason Sudeikis's impression and the skit's writing. She also offered points of improvement for what will likely become a staple impression for the next four years.
This sketch was average as far as political sketches go. The jokes about Biden’s gaffes were predictable and [Jason] Sudeikis needs to work on making his impression a little more dynamic. There could be more to Biden than just having him yell out every sentence in a loud monotone.
::::: MAIN COURSE :::::
From today's New York Times, a reflection of the changes that are coming to the Bidens -- a family that has had employment-based connections to Washington, D.C. but nearly none to its social scene.
Sally Quinn, the journalist and author, said that like the Obamas, who have spent little time in Washington, the Bidens will be social newcomers.
"I’ve never seen Joe Biden at a party in Washington," Ms. Quinn said. "Both of those couples are going to be fresh faces, even though they’ve both been in the Senate and Biden’s been here for a hundred years. It’ll be very interesting to have them around."
This is a man who's ridden the train to and from work for three hours every work day, so he doesn't know the names of three-quarters of the buildings off the train route. It will be something to see how the new job will change both the city and the family as the years progress.
My take is that this "unfamiliarity" is exactly what the executive branch needs. See, the Bushes have had plenty of time to get to know who goes where and does what from K Street to the after-hour parties and meets-for-drinks. It may seem at first as though the White House has become more isolated than it has acted for the past eight years; but should that become the case, it will not be done through the designs of exclusiveness -- but through the intensive focus on the tasks at hand.
This will not be a White House comparable to a remote, private Bush-Cheney island that can be located only by the few who are invited. This will be an Obama-Biden ait that can be seen from the lakeside and visited by those who want a chance to learn and be put to work.
Mr. Biden and family possess a humility that will sustain as the reminder of whom their employment represents, in ways that insiders and game-players like the Clintons, Emanuel, and other Washington standards may be associated as.
Mr. Biden alone, may serve the President-elect and all Americans best by simply being the guy that always knows how much a half-gallon of milk costs at any given time.
::::: DESSERT :::::
More key positions for the Second Lady and Veep-elect were announced on Thursday at Change.Gov.
Moe Vela, another member of former V.P. Gore's cadre, will serve as Mr. Biden's Director of Administration.
Cynthia Hogan will become the Counsel to the Vice President (and she'll likely be telling everyone that the name "Scooter" is off-limits for her position).
Finally, Dr. Jill Biden will retain the services of Cathy Russell as her Chief of Staff after the transition concludes.
Mr. Biden offered the following as his statement to these appointments:
"These individuals all possess incredible integrity and an unmatched commitment to public service. Cathy Russell has a unique blend of policy and management experience, combined with an ardent commitment to ending injustices around the world. Cynthia Hogan is a brilliant lawyer who was instrumental in guiding the Senate Judiciary Committee though some of its most important challenges in both crime control and judicial selection, and has shown incredible legal acumen and integrity over her career. I’m grateful to have Moe Vela, a man with experience in White House management and broad outreach skills on my team. Their combined experience, diverse leadership and esteemed counsel will be essential in helping the Obama-Biden Administration bring the change we need to America."
::::: THE CHECK ::::::
Thank you for patronage here at Joe's Inn!
Do you see Mr. Biden's role as V.P. being more or less prominent than what is "expected"? Do you travel to work via mass transit and if so, how would you react if a new routine was suddenly forced upon you?
See you next time.