It's worth watching, if you didn't miss it. They actually seem like they like each other. Also, Obama said something that really rang true to me, when asked why he didn't stress the historical nature of his candidacy more--"This is not a symbolic exercise for me. I intend to win." For me, that is the essence. For many, many reasons, the acceptance speech should not be a self-congratulatory moment for black folks. Perhaps, chief among them, is the fact that dude is still trying to win. When you've got 38 million people watching you, what's more important--Assuaging the concerns of the black left or trying to put a dagger in the McCain campaign?
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
Copyright © 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
I think you mean, "if you missed it..."
I've seen a number of accounts of their relationship. Sounds like it is just as it should be.
This makes way too much sense. It's entirely too logical. It's beautiful. Thank you.
why is this race so close.
and, btw, sarah palin IS a barracuda, who has thrown both her daughter AND John McCain under the bus.
I don't care about the McCain campaign, but as a mother, her treatment of her daughter turns my stomach.
She deserves whatever she gets.
Sound vindictive? Sound judgmental?
Women all over the country are thinking the same things.
Along these lines, the Post has kind of a sweet story today about the Biden/Obama "chemistry".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/31/AR2008083101954.html
Relevant to the "I intend to win" sentence is this informal talk to his headquarters staff after winning the primaries. What I liked was his statement near the end re having to work even harder now because people had put their faith in him and, if he were to lose, the important changes needed wouldn't happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnhmByYxEIo
Sorry about all those posts!
I love that casually tossed off "Boss, here we go. We may have our first difference here." from Biden.
I suspect the end of his thought didn't quite match the beginning (he didn't actually say anything Obama would disagree with), but to see the older white guy call the younger black guy "Boss" in a totally uncontrived way, bespeaks a genuinely comfortable rapport and made me smile.
I love the Obama/Biden chemistry. Did anybody else see his reaction during Michelle's speech last week when she mentioned his name? It was this hilarious mock-surprised look that basically made me fall in love with the ticket. I wish I could find a video clip of it. (It was CNN, I think.)
It was a great interview.
Biden GETS IT. He is genuinely excited to be a part of the campaign, and Obama's genuinely happy to have him on board. These two together are greater than the sum of their parts.
You can't fake that kind of chemistry. By comparison, I suspect McCain and Palin will seek to avoid appearing on TV next to one another whenever possible. They look awkward on the cover of People, for Chrissakes. And what's McCain going to do, put his hand on her knee?
Biden and Obama are genuine people. You can see it when they interact. You can see it on the faces of their families. They are not perfect--but to see them together is quite enjoyable!
TNC,
Great point, this is all about the "W". Although I am not gonna buy the whole he is my favorite guy ---we like each other so much crap. They have system that works thats all I will say. Biden is the man I would want by my side irrespective of personal differences.
I think he was wise to do what he did. He has to be President to all Americans if he wins. In fact, if he had campaigned any other way, he would not be the nominee.
Awesome video -- thanks. And nice stand on the Palin fiasco (even if I can't quite follow you there). So I'll just ask (per the Lott post below), what about Chuck Cecil? When I was linebacker I had a clips of Cecil on the inside of my locker. He was smaller. And you might argue he hit *harder.*
They seem fine. A little awkward there in that first exchange behind the set in Denver! But after that, better.
I know very little about him, and maybe he's faking it, but ...
Biden just seems like a loyal, dependable kind of person.
I've always loved that he took up the cause of stopping violence against women via US Senate legislation 12 years ago. That says something about his character.
Watching that, it sorta of reminded me of the distinction between the "just happy to be here" teams playing in championships, and the teams that are more like "yeah, guess its nice we're here, but we want to win."
Another point that he didn't say but sort of implied is that the moment speaks for itself.
I think Biden could have done a much better job of refuting the plagiarism charge. He did say, albeit in a passing manner, that he failed to quote Neil Kinnock. But he didn't punch that allegation in the mouth like Obama has done with allegations against him.
I wonder if Biden has read "The Audacity of Hope." Biden seems like the kind of guy that would be open to what Obama says in there.
I think the "I intend to win" line is crucial. I suspect that it's hard to not just sit back and say to yourself, "God damn this is impressive. For Christ's sake, my middle name is Hussein and my dad left my mom when I was two." Obama can make you smile while he cuts your throat. He's aggressive but rarely overplays his hand. I like that.