Taking Joe Biden (A Little) More Seriously
Published in O Estado de São Paulo
(Brazil) on 15 October 2009
by Patricia Campos Mello (link to
original)
Until a few months ago, the main role of Vice President Joe Biden was keeping American humorists employed. President Barack Obama is not a great character for jokes, but Biden and his compulsive gaffes definitely are.
Now, though, he isn't just a funny figure, but is becoming an important voice in the White House. Based on his wide experience with international politics and innumerable visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, Biden has been consulted by President Obama more often.
His voice did not have much resonance in March, when he expressed for the first time his discontent about sending more troops to Afghanistan. The vice president proposed that the United States focus on anti-terrorism operations against Al Qaeda, in both Afghanistan and Pakistan - and not reduce the number of troops nor send more soldiers, as Commander Stanley McChrystal wants. After all, he's not the only one to question the counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan, and Obama has been listening to him attentively.
An article published in The Washington Post compares Biden to former President Dick Cheney [sic] for his growing influence. Biden is far away from the "parallel power" status Cheney used to have, but he is definitely being taken more seriously.
He's not just taking action in the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The need to say what he thinks is becoming an asset. While Obama is quiet and likes to listen, Biden is used to asking a lot and expressing his thoughts. It's like "good cop - bad cop"; Obama is the good guy, and Biden is rough.
Besides that, Obama values Biden's ability to disagree with him - the president always said he didn't want to be surrounded by sycophants.
His loyalty is not in doubt, although they are not close friends. They have quite different personalities: Biden talks a lot and is warm; Obama is cool, listens more than he talks and has his emotions under control.
Now, though, he isn't just a funny figure, but is becoming an important voice in the White House. Based on his wide experience with international politics and innumerable visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, Biden has been consulted by President Obama more often.
His voice did not have much resonance in March, when he expressed for the first time his discontent about sending more troops to Afghanistan. The vice president proposed that the United States focus on anti-terrorism operations against Al Qaeda, in both Afghanistan and Pakistan - and not reduce the number of troops nor send more soldiers, as Commander Stanley McChrystal wants. After all, he's not the only one to question the counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan, and Obama has been listening to him attentively.
An article published in The Washington Post compares Biden to former President Dick Cheney [sic] for his growing influence. Biden is far away from the "parallel power" status Cheney used to have, but he is definitely being taken more seriously.
He's not just taking action in the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The need to say what he thinks is becoming an asset. While Obama is quiet and likes to listen, Biden is used to asking a lot and expressing his thoughts. It's like "good cop - bad cop"; Obama is the good guy, and Biden is rough.
Besides that, Obama values Biden's ability to disagree with him - the president always said he didn't want to be surrounded by sycophants.
His loyalty is not in doubt, although they are not close friends. They have quite different personalities: Biden talks a lot and is warm; Obama is cool, listens more than he talks and has his emotions under control.