MyDD :: Democratic unity and the Biden pick

Democratic unity and the Biden pick

by politicsmatters, Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 06:56:38 PM EST

So, what was the impact on Democratic unity from the Biden pick?

John McCain is certainly betting on it and he's trying to nurse disunity along with an ad saying that Clinton was dissed. But what do the first polls show?

Gallup found that, among Democrats

21% say they are more likely to vote for Obama as a result of Biden's presence on the ticket, and only 2% say less likely.

You heard that - that's a 19 point pick up (21 minus 2) for Obama among Democrats with the Biden pick. Only 2% are less likely to vote for him.

Props to Democratic unity!

Tags: Joseph Biden (all tags)

Permalink :: 13 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (none / 0)

As I said before Joe was not my first choice but he is not a bad one, glad to see some initial positives so soon.

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:00:13 PM EST

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (2.00 / 1)

Agreed.

I really missed it, I thought they were backfilling the National Security issue, but now I see they were looking for someone that older middle class folks would feel comfortable with.

Joe's speech screamed "middle class warrior" even the "dropped dead gorgeous" comment about his wife.

Now, I think McCain is in a trap. The party wants MITT, but now you have TWO really rich guys, claiming Obama is elite...

Biden will make them look like idiots for trying that meme.....

On Nov 4th, we elected "the smart guy" and the world celebrated!

by WashStateBlue on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:05:56 PM EST

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (2.00 / 1)

Caroline Kennedy turns out to be a smart cookie and it's clear how eager the press was to start covering Joe Biden.

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:11:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

PM, you didn't cite what else gallup (none / 0)

indicated: Biden (+19) received a worse net +/- than Lieberman (+23) and certainly Edwards (+34) among dems. Here is the article for those inclined to read the whole piece unbiased:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/109783/Biden- Does-Harm-May-Help-Much.aspx

"Perhaps most importantly, 21% say they are more likely to vote for Obama as a result of Biden's presence on the ticket, and only 2% say less likely. Is that enough to elevate Obama's numbers within the party? It's unclear, but it compares with a net 34% of Democrats more likely to vote for Kerry on the basis of Edwards' being selected in 2004, and a net 23% of Democrats more likely to vote for Gore because of Lieberman."

by Blazers Edge on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:12:07 PM EST

Re: PM, you didn't cite what else gallup (2.00 / 1)

Those numbers have to be compared to the % Democrats the nominee was already receiving.

Obama's numbers for the Democratic vote is just a touch below where Kerry ended up among Democrats. In other words, Kerry had a lower base of Democratic support when his vp nominee was chosen.

Besides which, from some blog posts and news coverage, you'd think that there would be a massive revolt if anyone but Clinton was chosen. That most definitely didn't happen.

Clinton's strong statement on behalf of Biden might have helped - so thank you, Hillary Clinton!

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:18:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think I get what you are saying (none / 0)

Kerry had fewer dems to work on and that's why his numbers appeared better with the Edwards pick. Obama has more dems to work on and that's why Biden's numbers do not appear as good.

The funniest statement that was made yesterday was by Dick Lugar; he said that he was saddened that Evan Bayh wasn't selected but neglected to mention in his statement that he allegedly told Obama to pick Biden accoridng to Mitchell's reporting!

by Blazers Edge on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:30:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Brilliant Choice (none / 0)

For the Democrats and Independents that Obama needs to gain more traction with, he couldn't have made a better choice. A 19% increase does not surprise me. People will start looking at McCain's ads and his actions more carefully and realize he's lying through his teeth. As Peggy Noonan said, McCain should be promoting himself as only a four year choice. It's time to fully demonstrate that McCain has never had the interest of the middle class or their kids at heart. Obama/Biden and the Democratic Party does. It's about jobs and the economy. Obama/Biden will take us there.

by Jeter on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:18:46 PM EST

Re: Brilliant Choice (none / 0)

Yep - Here's the net favorabilities of different candidates for the group of potential vp nominees -- among Independents.

Candidate Fav-Unfav
Biden 42-29 (+13)
Bayh 31-21 (+10)
Kaine 24-23 (+1)
Sebelius 18-21 (-3)
Clinton 39-57 (-18)

Biden had the highest net favoribility ratings.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/08/c an-biden-out-hillary-hillary.html

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:37:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (2.00 / 1)

Obama needed to get the older democrats, and it looks like he is going to do that with Biden on the ticket.

by Spanky on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:25:35 PM EST

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (none / 0)

Well, it's a damn good start.

As Barack said, Joe feels comfortable in a bar, in a VFW hall, in a FireStation?

Maybe we should have the MITT/JOE tour, see who gets the biggest hand among Blue Collar folks....

On Nov 4th, we elected "the smart guy" and the world celebrated!

by WashStateBlue on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:40:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (2.00 / 1)

I'm thrilled with the choice of Joe Biden. Watch him when he gets talking about any subject near to his heart- he's got an impressive grasp of facts and can relate them to voters in terms they understand, especially when it comes to foreign policy.

"Who are you for? That is the wrong question. It should be who is for you?" HRC

by skohayes on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 08:12:08 PM EST

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (none / 0)

Early in the primaries, I saw Joe spend an hour with Charlie Rose. If that format, he was able to stretch out and just discuss extemporaneously the things that were important to him. He did it with such intelligence and clarity that, while he didn't capture my primary vote, he did become my top VP choice ever since.

I'm very excited to see him on Obama's ticket, and for more reasons that that. Terrific call, IMO.

"This victory alone is not the change we seek -- it is only the chance for us to make that change." -- Nov. 4, 2008

by BobzCat on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 10:28:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democratic unity and the Biden pick (none / 0)

Nate at fivethirtyeight.com has a complete analysis... he said that Hillary or Kaine (!!!) would have brought in more democrats, but lost a lot of independents. Overall, the Biden pick gains more than any of the others and says that it should end up improving his numbers by 2 points overall...

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 10:02:18 PM EST

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