Barack Obama is a liberal centrist — always has been. In fact, the Democratic primary featured just two candidates who could not be characterized in that way — the progressive Ohio Congressman, Dennis Kucinich, and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who cannot be categorized.
So the short list of vice-presidential candidates — and the eventual choice of Joe Biden — fits within the world view of Barack Obama.
Biden offers several pluses on the electoral front, as all the pundits point out: He is willing to go on the attack and he has long experience in foreign affairs, Obama’s weakest area (experience-wise).
And there are negatives — speaking his mind sometimes means speaking to much.
(TPM Election Central has the most interesting take on the Biden pick.)
What I find interesting, however, is the impact that Biden could have on governing. He offers Obama someone who is respected in the Senate, who has a history of working across party lines (with arch-conservative Jesse Helms, for instance), but who is not afraid to tangle with the GOP, to battle for what he believes in.
In the end, however, Obama’s choice will matter little. The election will not hinge on the choice of Biden — orMcCain’s eventual choice — but on the candidates at the top of the ticket.
Hank Kalet 