Trying to be a post-partisan sort, I feel compelled to strike a few lashes against the other main party vice-presidential candidate, Senator (Fightin') Joe Biden.
Before the advent of the modern vice-presidency this office was reserved for someone good at attending state funerals and fundraisers. A favorite line about the position was from a former tenant, John Nance Gardner, who described the Office of the VP as "not worth a bucket of warm piss." Another comes from President Lyndon Johnson, who once asked VP Hubert Humphrey why he always wanted to know how he was feeling each day.
Today is different, of course, because of the work in office performed by Al Gore and, mostly, Dick Cheney. As the scope of the VP's responsibilities has widened so significantly, the interest given to the VP candidates also has deepened.
Governor WhatsherName has been in the news a lot recently. Interestingly, Jo Jo Biden has too, though with a lower profile. Because no one knows much about WhatsherName, anything that issues forth from her is seized upon with zeal by The Fourth Estate. Because everyone in the Beltway knows Biden as the Human Gaffe Machine, there is little outcry when he lets loose with some whoppers. Everything he says will simply pale in comparison. (Sorry)
Is this fair? Not at all. Is this reasonable? Well, maybe. Check out the following fun and interesting take:
So if someone is perceived to be a long-time straight-shooter, like Biden (and McCain), an occasional goof is forgivable, and even understandable. Ultimately, though, a Human Gaffe Machine will generate enough confusion, furrowed brows, and fodder for opposition political operatives that even a mountain of good will won't be enough. The Gaffer will go down. The question becomes when does a gaffe become elevated to a Gotcha.
Here is another fun link to more Biden hijinks, from that "liberal rag", Newsweek:
Again, there are different sorts of gaffes. And Joe Biden is familiar with them all. Here are a few more for your reading pleasure:
Gaffes have their place in a campaign. In a way, they measure the humanity of a candidate, if not their good sense. When someone lets loose with something ill-informed, ill-considered, or just plain stupid, often there is a sense, after the laughter subsides, that this could have been said by anyone, given the circumstances. Now, about that Biden statement on taking away his shotguns...
In other news, here is a terrific story from Down Under about a hunger driven Giant Pig:
That should be made into a Lifetime movie.
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