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Biden for VP and Obama’s judgment

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By Pat Branham

I’m still not packed for Denver. My suitcases are on the bed surrounded by a few pieces of clothing and toiletries. I’m reading the Denver weather reports to see just how light I can pack.

I have to make a run to the drug store for small sizes of toothpaste and moisturizer. I spent my day e-mailing and speaking with fellow delegates about events in Denver and doing my part to keep spirits high so we don’t lose sight of the prize in November.

Of course I watched the speeches by Obama and Biden in Illinois in favor of completing my packing, but I did check in early so I can hopefully “breeze“ through the airport with the exception of my titanium knee replacement beeping and having to spread-eagle and be scanned before boarding the plane.

After watching Obama and Biden stand together and speak, I could only think that judgment is perhaps the single most important characteristic a candidate for president should demonstrate. Barack Obama has once again shown good judgment in his selection of Biden as his VP choice. Although some Hillary supporters are disappointed, and a flurry of e-mails followed, Obama made an outstanding choice in Biden and one that should not be offensive to most Hillary fans. Biden shares many of the same positions as Hillary and can bring the working-class voters to the polls.

Biden was raised by a working class Irish-Catholic family and was born in Pennsylvania, an important swing state that Hillary won handily. I think Biden’s place on the ticket can capture Pennsylvania. He has exceptional foreign policy experience and worked across the aisle on many issues. He did not trash Hillary or go over to Obama during the super delegate flood. He has the maturity and good sense to stand up to Obama if needed and share his opinion; and Obama said he wanted to see that quality. Biden was a single parent for five years following the tragic death of his wife and baby daughter. He has been respectful to Hillary, and this is important to her supporters. He is a regular guy who doesn’t have much money and commutes to Washington so he can be with his family in Delaware. He raised some fine children, one of whom will be redeployed to Iraq about the same time voters are deciding on our next president. Biden is a reasonable choice for VP; and as an ardent Hillary supporter, I am pleased with Obama‘s good judgment in this VP choice.

I and other Hillary supporters feel we will be a part of history by cheering Hillary on Tuesday night and casting our vote for her on the first ballot for president. Then, we will follow her lead to support the Obama-Biden ticket. She will be visiting many events, and I hope to get a few pictures with her and other Democrats who will be working to undo the damage of the Bush years. We want to go forward beginning in January 2009 and know that we need not only the Congress but the presidency. Personally, I want to see my son and the sons and daughters of others return safely from a distant land where we never should have interfered.

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