Last night, Ezra Klein, on The Last Word did a great panegyric to Vice President Joe Biden -a man that the Republicans have often dismissed as having his foot in his mouth, even called a clown by many after his debate last October with Paul Ryan.
Ezra Klein made a great argument for considering Joe Biden the most effective Vice President ever. Perhaps, he admits, you could say that Dick Cheney was effective in his way, but who wants to take credit for starting an expensive and unnecessary war?
Because of his extensive experience with the Senate, Joe Biden has been critical in getting so much done despite the recalcitrance of Congress. Jump with me over the fleur-de-kos for some of Biden's accomplishments since becoming our great VP - not to say that others don't deserve credit, too:
(1) Averting the fiscal cliff. Not a perfect deal, but we are happier than the Rs, and Biden did a great job with McConnell
(2) Instrumental in the Affordable Care Act
(3) Instrumental in the first Recovery Act - moreover, Biden oversaw the implementation. Consider how much money was spent and how little we have heard with respect to corruption - that's amazing
(4) Instrumental in laying down the groundwork for the repeal of DADT
(5) Worked with the Senate in approving the nuclear treaties
(6) Came out in support of gay marriage, forcing Obama's hand
and, although not mentioned by Klein
(7) Biden wiped the grin off the Republicans at the second debate (and made many wonder if Ryan is a camel), reversing what appeared like a bad trend before the direction. I was thrilled when he said Malarkey - what a wonderful put down that was, and fit for prime time too
(8) Warned Obama about extending our stay in Afghanistan, asking, apparently, what exactly we were trying to do there
I just think we need to recognize our great politicians. (Oh, dear, I just had painful thoughts - imagine Paul Ryan or Sarah Palin as VP - my stomach turns.) Please include your favorite Biden achievements below.
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Tired of politics? Need to escape? Try my Greek mythology based novels, either the story of Oedipus from the point of view of Jocasta, or a trilogy about Niobe, whose children were murdered by the gods - or were they?