Joe Biden Earns Democratic Field's First 2008 Newspaper Endorsement

In a surprise turn of campaign events, Sen. Joe Biden stunned his Democratic competitors over the weekend when he received the first newspaper endorsement, national or regional, in the 2008 race for the presidential nomination.

Editorialized the Storm Lake Times, the newspaper of Buena Vista county, Iowa:

"Democrats are fortunate to have such a strong and varied field of candidates. Every one of them we like — including Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, who speak truth to power. Any one of them would make a tremendous president:

• Clinton by shattering the glass ceiling for women in politics,
• Obama for presenting a younger and different face to the world,
• Edwards for championing the cause of the little guy,
• Dodd for his long championing of those who suffer around the world,
• Richardson for his refreshing candor and good humor and wealth of experience as a diplomat.

"Biden is our choice for the nomination for the powerful personal story he shares, for his deep knowledge of international affairs, and for his long record of exemplary service in the United States Senate. "

Despite ranking 6th in fundraising among the Democratic candidates, I can understand the logic of selecting Sen. Biden as the party's nominee: Joe Biden, a six-term U.S. senator, has decades more experience leading U.S. foreign policy than either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. Biden currently serves as the powerful Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

And Biden possesses a gregarous, warm personality (in obvious contrast to the frontrunners), and is widely known for working collegially with members of both political parties.

At California's Democratic Convention earlier this year, among those I interviewed were two fellow delegates... interestingly, both African-American women... who separately confided their firm belief that neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama were electable to the White House in 2008.

Both women cited their unrivaled top choice for the party nomination to be Sen. Joe Biden.

Hmmm... I wonder if they were onto to something. Something that the Storm Lake Times is also onto, when its editorial page exuded :

"Biden is astounding with his sheer command of world politics and conflict. He has distinguished himself by offering the only workable plan to get us out of harm’s way in Iraq.... Nobody, including the president, has a firmer grasp of international affairs. That’s what we need right now... "

(Photo of Sen. Joe Biden and musician/activist Bono taken on Oct 3, 2007 in the U.S. Capitol: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Recommended Reading
Profile of U.S. Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware
The Storm Lake Times, Oct 20, 2007: Biden for President
ABC This Week, Oct 21, 2007: George Stephanopoulos interviews Joe Biden