![]() ![]() However, the 52-year-old defies easy characterisation. His support for the Iraq war, tax cuts and government surveillance has frustrated some liberals, who worry that his centrism would undermine the party's agenda. No less an arbiter of attack politics than Karl Rove maligned the Virginian as "undistinguished" last week, mocking his term as "mayor of the 105th largest city in America" (Kaine was mayor of the Virginia state capital, Richmond, from 1998 to 2000).īut those who believe running mates can help deliver US states to a presidential candidate have often promoted Kaine, citing Obama's potential to win Virginia for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 1964.Įvan Bayh is a senator for Indiana, the state his father represented in Washington for 18 years and that elected him governor at the age of 33. Kaine's lack of national security or foreign policy credentials has, however, already drawn fire from Republicans who anticipate his selection as the vice-presidential nominee. ![]() The two and their wives are all graduates of Harvard law school, and Kaine's past service as a missionary in Honduras aligns him with Obama's experience of life outside the US. His bond with Obama began before he was even elected, when he invited the young senator from Illinois to campaign with him. He personally opposes capital punishment, but appealed to the state's conservative culture by promising to permit executions there. Kaine, 50, was elected governor of Virginia in 2005 on a solidly centrist platform that emphasised balanced budgets. Both have climbed the political ladder at an early age, spent formative years of their lives in foreign countries – and, perhaps most importantly, proven they can win over historical Republican voters. His presidential candidacy in 1988 derailed after he admitted to plagiarising a speech by the then British Labour party leader, Neil Kinnock.Īnd his long history in Washington risks undermining Obama's message of "change". His drawbacks, however, go beyond his verbosity. ![]() Only this veteran senator, first elected at the age of 30, could get a laugh just by saying: "Yes." During a Democratic presidential debate in February, the famously talkative Pennsylvania native was asked whether he had the self-discipline to lead the free world, most expected one of his long-winded answers.īut he shocked the crowd into laughter by answering: "Yes." That demonstrated the self-discipline that, according to his critics, his loquaciousness undercuts. Washington has produced few sparkling wits, but Biden is one of them. His leadership of the foreign relations committee would benefit Democrats during a presidential race that could be decided as much by Iran, Iraq, and Russia as by the US.īiden is a demonstrably skilled debater, his son is scheduled for a deployment to Iraq this year, and he has a palpable affection for Obama. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |