joe biden!!

You know, he's really flown below the radar, but I think that's OK. I'm also really starting to like him. I like his "aw, shucks" type demeanor, and how he plays like your really smart uncle who's still cool enough to let you have a beer or stay out past curfew or something. Here are some more things to like:

1. He's a true champion of women's rights. This article details his very personal struggle to classify gender-based violence as hate crimes. It shows how passionate he is despite being a bit of a blowhard.
2. He delivers reliable, affecting, and substantive speeches on the campaign trail (such as this one in Michigan). The Obama campaign seems to focus on directed messages at target populations. This is why they don't seem to be bothered that Palin is receiving lots of national coverage, while Biden is quietly campaigning in swing states. It doesn't hurt that he and Obama can split up and campaign independently, whereas Palin and McCain need to compensate for each other's lack of knowledge and charisma, respectively.
3. People don't know that much about him, yet, but those that do, generally like him. This is reflected in yesterday's New York Times polls, which clearly show: 1) more people are undecided on Biden than Palin (less national exposure), but 2) a higher percentage of decideds are favorable on Biden (he engenders less negative backlash than Palin), and 3) far fewer people view his choice as politically motivated (he represents a more substantive choice than Palin). I think as the VP debates air and we get closer to the election, most of those undecideds are going to shift towards positives, and this previously "safe" pick is going to show itself to be more and more of a smart one.