When I 1st saw the big announcement, I figured it was a political calculation, and something that they arrived at after tons of internal polling and other factors that led them to believe this would give him a leg up in the election. Because that's basically what Presidents do.
After seeing the aftermath, I have come to the conclusion that they either miscalculated in a huge way, or that it wasn't calculated at all. James Carville practically lost it; it was addressed negatively in churches all across America this past Sunday; polls are pretty mixed, and he has alienated some voters who are in the Dem base as a result.
I think Obama deserves some props on this one. His comments indicated that it's something that he has been considering for awhile, but that Biden's comments basically gave him the impetus to move forward. Politically, it seems like an insanely stupid move, but principle-wise, it's unusual for a Prez to take this kind of risk in an election year.
After seeing the aftermath, I have come to the conclusion that they either miscalculated in a huge way, or that it wasn't calculated at all. James Carville practically lost it; it was addressed negatively in churches all across America this past Sunday; polls are pretty mixed, and he has alienated some voters who are in the Dem base as a result.
I think Obama deserves some props on this one. His comments indicated that it's something that he has been considering for awhile, but that Biden's comments basically gave him the impetus to move forward. Politically, it seems like an insanely stupid move, but principle-wise, it's unusual for a Prez to take this kind of risk in an election year.