Who is the Best Democratic Candidate for President?

Senator Joe Biden of Delaware


At this writing, everybody is buzzing about whether Barack Obama is going to take the Democratic nomination away from Hillary Clinton. Some still hold out hope that both Clinton and Obama will flame out, leaving the prize to John "Po Folks" Edwards. These are presently the top three candidates, according to the polls. But are they the best qualified in terms of experience? Not in my view. The one who probably should get the nomination in a perfect world basically doesn't have a chance, at least as long as his numbers remain in single digits. In my view, the best of the Democratic candidates is Joe Biden.

Actually, I don't much care for the Senator from Delaware. I think he is arrogant, pompous and abrasive. He treats witnesses who appear before his committees like errant schoolboys. With an ego as big as Texas, he never seems to stop talking-and talking down to people. As is not surprising for someone with such a big mouth, he often gets in trouble with his words, once referring to Indians who fill all the 7-11jobs in Delaware, another time, calling Obama clean and articulate (Ouch)! A few years back, he was embarrassed by charges of plagiarism. In a general election, I would not vote for him.

Yet, if you are a Democrat, would you not consider that Biden is clearly the most experienced politically of all the candidates? Biden is a 6-term senator, who has served on the Judicary Committee, and is now the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations. He is generally considered a moderate, and enjoys considerable respect from his peers on both sides of the aisle for his knowledge and experience. Obviously, Biden has much more experience than any of the three top contenders. The only other candidate who compares to Biden in this regard is Chris Dodd.

So why is it that Biden doesn't get more support from Democratic voters? Is it his personality? If that were all, where would Hillary be? Is it because he is such an old familiar face-too establishment? I think it has to do with the general nature of the Democratic voter (mostly liberals). Liberals tend to think more emotionally than do conservatives; thus, they are attracted to figures like Clinton, who would be the first female president-or Obama, who would be the first black president. Also, Obama has presence and charisma. Edwards also is an accomplished speaker, polished by years in a courtroom hoodwinking jurors and appealing to their emotions. Yet, compared to Biden in experience, all the top three have to offer is one undistinguished term in the US Senate each.

So look for Biden to stay in single digits. He is not what Democratic voters are seeking. Don't, however, count him out as a VP running mate.