Biden—that’s the ticket

Joe Biden will make a fine vice president. That’s because he’ll first make a great vice presidential candidate, which may seem hard to believe considering the times he’s fallen short—way short—as a presidential candidate.

Barack Obama is a cool customer, a good quality in a commander-in-chief. Biden adds some warmth to the ticket, along with a back burner ready to go on high when the McCain campaign launches an attack demanding a counterattack. Obama doesn’t want to go there; now he doesn’t have to.

The big knock on Obama has been experience. Biden’s been around the block a time or two, not to mention the globe. As the longtime chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he’s as knowledgeable as anyone in Washington on foreign affairs. Do we agree with everything he stands for? No, but enough … including marital fidelity. (Fingers crossed.)

We understand the sentiment of Hillary Clinton supporters. She got the second-most primary votes ever; doesn’t that make her the best draw for a winning ticket? Only if you think in hard-math terms, rather than what makes a good partnership.

Fact is, marriages of convenience rarely go well, and it’s clear how significant the job of vice president has become. Love ’em or hate ’em, Al Gore and Dick Cheney both elevated the position from seatwarmer (hi, Dan Quayle!) to policymaker.

Obama likes Biden. That’s good enough for us—and great for the country.