Freddy Gray Freddy Gray

Meet the real Joe Biden: Vice-President Plonker

The scrutiny of Sarah Palin diverted attention from Obama's running mate. Biden is not that popular, a 'gaffe machine', and he eats Snickers bars in one mouthful

Joe Biden (photo: Getty) 
issue 08 November 2008

It has become fashionable to blame Sarah Palin for John McCain’s election defeat. Sure, say Washington insiders, Palin invigorated the conservative base — add contemptuous sneer — but she alienated the independents and undecideds. The God-fearing mother-governor of Alaska was not fit for high office. Her television performances were an international embarrassment. In choosing Palin as his vice-presidential candidate, McCain proved that he was over-impulsive, cynical, foolhardy.

All true to an extent. It should be recognised, however, that Senator Joseph Biden, the man who will now be sworn in as vice-president in January, is just as disastrous a public figure as Sarah Palin. In fact, he might be worse.

At times during the campaign, the two vice-presidential candidates seemed to be vying to outdo each other in a stupidity contest. The six-term Senator used his experience to come out on top. She didn’t know what the Bush Doctrine was; he confessed that Hillary Clinton would make a better vice-president than him.

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