Joe Biden, a Picket Line and 2016

by: JRB

Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 11:47:10 AM EDT

Promoted from the diaries and cross-posted at Huffington Post - Rosi

Just how strongly is Joe Biden considering a third presidential bid in 2016? He's made more headlines for gaffes and botched jokes than he has for helping the President in moving legislation through the Senate or navigating G-20 leaders.... But if anyone understands that a successful political career is a marathon, not a sprint, it's Biden... and eight years is a long time.

Last night in New Jersey, the Vice President gave a speech to the Democratic faithful rallying behind Governor Jon Corzine, who faces a tough reelection campaign this fall. Biden's appearance had been hyped for weeks by nervous Jersey pols - a sign that the Obama administration would not hang the unpopular Governor out to dry... and yet it almost didn't happen. But not because Corzine has negative approval ratings... because Biden would not cross a picket line.

JRB :: Joe Biden, a Picket Line and 2016

The main reason Jon Corzine is unpopular has to do with his penchant for telling it like it is. Unlike the last fifteen years of New Jersey governors, he's confronting the state's fiscal problems head-on... and New Jersey's shooting the messenger. He's asked everyone to make sacrifices, including furloughs and cutbacks for state workers. Their union has been battling with Corzine for months now, and members have raised their voices in what seems like every anteroom of the state capitol. But Corzine knew they'd be back. (The Republican nominee, Chris Christie, has promised to fire - not furlough - thousands of state workers).

But the state workers pulled one over on the Governor: they would picket his grand Biden-backed campaign kickoff event... and whaddya know, the guest of honor won't cross their lines.... Josh Margolin and Claire Heininger report in this morning's Star Ledger that a "last-minute, tentative settlement" between Corzine and the union was necessary for the VP to come in and give his speech.

Now, a Democratic source not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations said the decision not to cross union picket lines was as much the White House's as it was Biden's - and that may be. But in his speech, Biden made a powerful, simple statement: "Some of the folks on the right characterize Biden as the administration's union guy... and guess what - I AM, and I'm proud of it."

His meaning was not lost on the union leaders he helped out. Nor will it be forgotten by the state workers waking up to headlines of the compromise he forced....

So I ask again: just how strongly is Joe Biden considering a third presidential bid in 2016?

(Cross-posted from the Huffington Post.)

Tags: CWA, Chris Christie, Jon Corzine, Joe Biden, (All Tags)

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Joe Biden, a Picket Line and 2016 | 3 comments

I Don't Know About 2016.... (0.00 / 0)

....but I do know about 2009. And, for what Joe Biden did last night, I say God bless Joe Biden!!!

We need to mend the union movement in NJ and the USA not to end it (or cripple it) as Christie and his fellow radical right wing Lonegan Republicans would have us do.

By the way, is there any video of last night's Corzine/Biden rally for those of us who could't be there???

by: Nick Lento @ Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 16:07:04 PM UTC

Am I way off in my reading of this event? (0.00 / 0)

Imagine what President Obama's presence last night would have done for the Governor's campaign, just in terms of media impact? Not to sniff lightly at the Vice-President's generous support, but was this the least that the Administration could do in the name of party solidarity? And the mention of Lisa Jackson and her supposed environmental accomplishments in NJ sounded to me like a very pleading attempt at identifying with the very successful and exciting Obama brand. It would go unsaid if there was any sign of real enthusiasm in the environmental movement for the accomplishments of the Campbell-Jackson dynasty in the NJDEP. Did I read that the FBI is now investigating Encap? What's next?

I very proudly campaigned in the NJ primary for Barack Obama. Few people in the state Democratic establishment---with the notable exceptions of Congressman Rothman and Senator Weinberg---were anywhere to be seen or heard back then.

I think there is trouble above and trouble below: no heartfelt support from on high and considerable disappointment below in the very rank-and-file that should be buzzing with hope and commitment at this stage of the game. Unfortunately, ideological identification with party labels is largely rendered meaningless in the twilight hours of this Gilded Age where too many corrupt bargains have bankrupted the state spiritually as well as financially. I don't think it's too late, but it will take a dramatic break from business-as-usual to turn this around. And why, cynical folks will ask, didn't you do this before?

I supported Barack Obama because of his message of change. I suspect the desire for change is now only stronger in many people's hearts and minds.

by: Teedyuscung @ Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 16:51:58 PM UTC

Speech (0.00 / 0)

report in this morning's Star Ledger that a "last-minute, tentative settlement" between Corzine and the union was necessary for the VP to come in and give his speech.

I wouldn't be too thrilled about this -- Christie will probably spin it as "Corzine compromises on his principles to get Joe Biden to give a reelect-Corzine speech"

by: DSDan @ Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 17:21:41 PM UTC