Obama should pick Caroline Kennedy. Before he gave us that suggestion, he did make a lot of sense about the group of VP choices and why they were poor ones. I never agree with this man, but my goodness a grade schooler can realize that picking Biden was akin to picking a running mate from the "old boy's club". The one huge advantage that Obama had over McCain was that change would not come from those that have served in Washington since really they are a part of the problem. It is appropriate to ask why more has not been done by those that have years of service such as Kennedy, Kerry, Biden, Reid, and of course McCain. Obama could take the position that he is relatively new to the senate - actually quite new, and they nobody can hold him responsible for all the mistakes coming from Washington. At the same time, that position does underscore the fact that Barack is a junior senator which is probably why he leaves that issue alone. Still...he has a point. The biggest problem with Biden is what Obama said the day before about what reasons he used to pick this candidate. He basically said he wanted somebody to learn from. So the fact is Obama is looking for a mentor. He had one with Wright, and had to throw him under the bus, then I think Ted Kennedy, another member of the "old boy's club" but sadly his health failed and I am sure his presence is missed, and so as a replacement Caroline apparently suggested Biden. Picking Biden does underscore the criticism that Barack has a very thin resume and needs to pick a VP to bolster the ticket. It seems wrong to pick a VP that has more credentials than the presidential candidate and I am guessing many voters will be thinking the same thing. The pick for Biden makes Barack look scared. I would argue also that in Barack should be elected and something happened that would result in Biden becoming president, he would be an "old" guy in office too. So all those that insist McCain is too old need to rethink that criticism in the light of the fact that Biden has been around the block as well.

Change.....not so much.

Trolls to the left of me, jokers to the right....but I'm "stuck in the middle with you".

This is so unfair. John Edwards hair was a feature of great concern during the Primary but nobody will tell a palbably inquisitive world what shampoo Joe Biden uses. It could contribute considerably to the American export market. This is the hair we've ALL been waiting for!

If Joe Biden were the presidential nominee, I'd demand to know that he's changed his support for the Drug War Siege before considering to vote for him.

But he's a vice-presidential nominee, not running for president. So I'm not going to spurn the ticket based on his record on that issue.

And if the Obama-Biden ticket wins, I think that Biden will face strong pressure from drug law reform supporters, based on his record. I think that discussion is almost certain to happen in the event of an Obama/Biden victory, in fact. Perhaps science, rationality, and empirical assessment will even get a voice, rather than having the topic monopolized by demagoguery and superstition.

The thing is, I think that an Obama/Biden victory would allow a national debate on the Zero Tolerance Drug War to take place. A McCain victory would almost certainly continue the China-style official blackout on dissent and the phony projection of a fake popular consensus approval of the Drug War Siege that's been a hallmark of previous administrations.

As for VP picks- would you rather deal with the Drug War views of, say, Mitt Romney, Tom Ridge, Mike Huckabee, or Rudy Giuliani? Because I think that's the Republican short list.

For me, one encouraging sign is simply the fact that Biden accepted Obama's offer to be on the ticket- an indication that Biden realizes that a record of experience with illegal mind-altering substances doesn't equate to permanent mental and physical ruination.

Both Biden and Obama had better be ready with a forthright answer if someone offers a criticism or question along that line, though- because as far as I can tell, the "Obama drug use" thing is the closest thing the Republicans have to an October Surprise, this time around. The choice of Biden works to take a lot of their other tale-spinning material away from them.

But whatever the case with Biden's- or Obama's- stated views on the Drug War in this campaign, I'm voting for them. For that matter, they'd have to go waay off the charts on almost any issue I can think of. That's how fed up I am with nut-kicking Republican political tactics.

To work at all, a two-party system needs to function as a principled, sincere dialectic between opposing viewpoints. The Republicans show no interest in that. Not only do they not want to open a dialogue, they don't even want to allow one.

each can has been personally inspected by the renowned orator, Jesse Jackson. The mellow vanilla of the ice-cream is an absolute dream but the flavour has been enhanced beyond compare by the latest addition of the extremely rare robinette nut which, to our astonishment, had been cultivated in the harsher clime of Appalachia. The sumptuous flavor must be tasted by the incredulous before they too decide that the only tutti-frutti worth having is our own delectable "Yes We Can...." brand.

Trade inquiries are welcome at all times by Howie Bean, Diddy Roddy and the estimable Mr. Dolly, whose affectionate nickname is Shortlegs and who, with Mr.Roddy, is running the Chicago end of our operations. Try the "Yes We Can Tutti Frutti" and you'll be transported to Nirvana while your palate thrills to the unusual, exotic flavours.

Your pale rendition of the Little Richard classic sounds pretty sad and tired, you think it's maybe time the 'ol odonnell retired?