Look, I know the Vice President is busy. I'm not trying to suggest he's not. He's attending briefings, advising the President, and working hard behind the scenes. But I'm starting to feel like we're losing the media/public perception battle, and I think Joe is the guy who needs to step up.
I can't find a news station that isn't full of Republican talking heads lately. Every story about the economy, the environment, foreign relations or war features right-wing pundits from AEI or one of the other conservative think tanks. The progressive voice just isn't audible.
And odds are that by the time the 2010 elections roll around, the unemployment situation isn't going to be any better. Unemployment always lags the general economy and the stock market. We could well see double digit unemployment numbers come fall of 2010. Someone needs to be pounding, now, the message that this mess was inherited from the Republicans, and it is going to take a long time to turn around. We think it's obvious, but in a few months, the general public will have forgotten about the previous administration. Someone needs to keep reminding them.
And who is countering the Becks and Hannitys and Limbaughs as they continue to spout their divisive bullshit? There are lots of diaries on this site screaming about the inevitable results of their violent rhetoric, but I don't hear anyone in the traditional media making the point. Joe Biden could do it. I think he could do it really well.
If you listen to CNN - as many do - you'd think the administration was struggling, the honeymoon was over, and the American people were starting to question Obama's judgment. Someone has to remind them that his approval ratings are still great, and most people are behind him.
President Obama has to be focused on solving the huge, myriad problems this country has to deal with. But the Vice President could step in and create the memes that we need to keep front and center.
C'mon, Joe.