This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

>>if your kitchen table is like mine, you sit there at night after you've put the kids to bed and you talk about what you need, you talk about how much you're worried about being able to pay the bills.<<

Um, Joe, I love ya, but you aren't working class anymore and we haven't forgotten about that bankruptcy "reform" bill you championed.  What, are you running for VP because you need a higher salary?

I remember how Dick Cheney did this dance about "my good friend/opponent" at the 2000 veep debate:  "I like Joe Leiberman, I liked the old Joe Leiberman better, when he..."

You know what, I take that back -- he's been a senator since the 70's, D.C. is an expensive place, and for all I know he's not *that* comfortable.  (Still hate how he championed bankruptcy reform, but that's a rare exception -- had he not dropped out by my primary I might have voted for him)

Not that it really matters Lymon, but I just read that Joe is the poorest person in the Senate.  He's as close to broke as you can get and still be there.

I hate that Bankrupcy Bill too, a more disgraceful performance by spineless Democrats the last several years does not exist. But Joe was the only Democrat who had any rationale at all for voting for it - he *is* from Delaware, bank central and the banks do own him, but even so its still unforgivable.  

I know that anyone around since 1972 probably has a few thousand bascially unforgivable skeletons rattling around in the closet.  I forgive him.  If I've ask Hillary people to get over it then I need to get over my baggage too.

On balance, Joe is just a perfect pick.  Besides all the brilliant FP and attack dog stuff everyone else has mentioned, he's naturally very charming.  But it's in that rumpled, quipster "fix your tie, Joe" way that most people just plain like.  Joe just makes you smile, despite yourself (unless you're Guiliani, of course).  

His gaffes are pretty hair-raising, I'll admit - but mostly to arugula eaters who Obama has sewn up anyway.  The blue collar folks we need probably don't consider them gaffes in the first place and they'd have a point.  None were mean spirited, just roll your eyes dufus-like.  You still like him anyway.

He's a lovable, unscripted, blowhard - the anti-Obama (although they are both brilliant).  

Wandry -- excellent point about Biden's gaffes. It's the politically correct who'd find them offensive, and they're already on-board with Obama. And Obama's already forgiven him the one at his own expense.

And I agree that he's the anti-Obama except in the most important respects: Like Obama, he's a genuinely nice guy with a sense of integrity (despite the plagiarism), and although he's passionate, he's not going to bring drama to an Obama administration. And I bet he will be loyal as hell and his dissent on particulars will not be disrespectful.

He's exactly what Obama needs.

I don't see any problem telling a genuine friend, "I don't recognize you anymore (and I'm concerned, let's talk.  But right now, you're somewhere else.)", as lymon1 points out.

Lymon- as I recall, Cheney pretty much kicked Holy Joe's butt in that debate. If that's how Biden is going to perform in confronting his opponents, that's all to the good.

miceelf -- from your keypad to Joe's ear!

(Joe B's that is)

The post above about Biden's house is hair-raising. The guy's a loose cannon who would be a potential catastrophe as president. Here's hoping Obama lives through two full terms, and Joe learns to live with his friend, Mr. Period. It may become difficult for Barack to get a word in during the GE campaign.