Obama's VP Pick Hardly Inspiring

By The Denver Post -- 08/25/2008

Barack Obama must think he brings enough excitement to his presidential ticket all by himself.
His selection of Joe Biden as his running mate was hardly bold or inspiring for a campaign that, at its heart, is about change. And adding a longtime Washington insider to the ticket isn't likely to invigorate a campaign that's dropped a few points in the polls, nor will it help Obama in the Western states he so badly needs to win.

He had better options — Sen. Hillary Clinton and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, to quickly name two — but instead of going bold, Obama chose someone who wouldn't suck all of the air out of the room when he's in it.

And he chose someone who, quite honestly, could become a liability as the campaign wears on. Biden has a way of sticking his foot in his mouth when he's speaking off the cuff. Just ask Obama, about whom Biden said: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

Much like when George W. Bush selected Dick Cheney to shore up his lack of foreign-policy credentials, Obama tabbed Biden to add some world-affairs depth to the ticket. He does bring that, but is it enough?

He also brings some serious liabilities, including the allegations of plagiarism that drove him from the presidential race two decades ago. It was embarrassing and dishonest.

Such weaknesses could make the focus of this presidential campaign more about Biden and less about the important issues facing this country, such as the economy, the war in Iraq and energy policy.

We hope that isn't the case. But almost instantaneously, the Republicans let fly with attack ads in which Biden questioned Obama's readiness to be president. Surely, more such ads and questions will follow.

To be sure, if Obama is elected, Biden could be a great asset in getting legislation through Congress. It's one thing to have ideas, but it's another to convert those into policy that can change people's lives. Health care, energy and immigration policy all are areas in which Congress is sure to be involved if comprehensive solutions are to be achieved.

However, experience is a double-edged sword. Biden's spending six terms in the Senate doesn't fit with Obama's promises of change.

In fact, it's a surprising status- quo decision.

One of the first tests of a presidential candidate's judgment is their selection for running mate.

In that crucial first test, Obama seems to have failed.