It’s funny how one’s perspective of a person can change radically, depending on circumstances, context, etc. Back in 1986, I thought Joe was a bleeding heart, loudmouthed liberal. However…he grew on me over the decades. When he ran for president before, I felt he was a bit of a lightweight…a good senator, but not presidential stuff. After working with Barack Obama for the past 6 years, not doing mop up work, or funeral attending, but real, meat and potatoes, heavy lifting, Joe’s stature has greatly increased. He is a wise, insightful diplomat. He’s been put through the ringer by life, most recently with the death of his son, but he rises above it.

My take is that Obama has done a terrific job, but that the nation needs time to digest and assimilate all his hard work. Despite the usual calls for something new, young, fresh, different, I believe the country is actually hungry for a chance to let the dust settle for a bit. Joe is the guy to oversee that. He was part of the Obama team, so he is on board with what has been accomplished, but he is not a ‘crazy’, nor is he inclined to charge off in some new direction. (I’d settle for him helping to establish Kurdistan…) And importantly, Joe has maintained longstanding contacts and friendships, on both sides of the aisle in congress. He is considered an honest man of character, with tremendous experience, right up to the Oval Office. I had planned to vote for Hillary, but when I heard that Joe was seriously considering another run…it felt good. The last thing we need is for the GOP to put someone in there who will rip out all the new plants before the garden gets established, so that means Hillary…but hey…if it could be Joe, I’m for it. (And you know…if my assessment is correct, Joe could get away with saying he’s only running for one term, eliminating all the insanity that eats up the president’s time and attention starting halfway through the first term.)