Politics

The Senator from (Tax Free) Delaware

By Matt Cooper

Matt Cooper reports from Denver: Joe Biden's speech was very good, I thought, but not historic. He flubbed some lines--one to especially good effect was the "Freudian slip" of referring to John McCain as "George" (which may mark the first time Freud has been invoked in a convention acceptance speech). But he was emotional and tough on McCain.

Most importantly, he went Rovian--taking McCain on his supposed strength, national security. And the visuals were great. Biden's aging mother was salty and classic; his wife looked great and his son gave a great introduction. Just having Barack Obama surrounded by all the good-looking Biden grandchildren and kids was very all-American.

Will the Republicans have the smarts to go after Biden as a banking industry guy, the senator from tax-free Delaware? It's not easy to take a shot at a Democrat from the left but Republicans sometimes do it. George H.W. Bush famously attacked Michael Dukakis for the pollution in Boston Harbor. Is the RNC smart enough to sort through everything Biden has ever done for the banking industry for DuPont?

I'm not sure how much is there, but the Senator from Delaware is bound to help his constituents just as Chuck Schumer has been a friend to the securities industry. It's not an easy tack, but it's one that might add to McCain's diminished maverick brand.

Aside from the Biden speech, Bill Clinton was very, very strong. The former president is a great orator. His was about as full-throated an endorsement as you could give and he offered a pretty strong attack on where America finds itself. But the night was more Biden's.

Now on to the rally at Mile High and Obama's big night.

Matt Cooper

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Full post as published by Portfolio.com: Capital on August 28, 2008 (boomark / email).