Balanced News Blog

Biden’s announcement Sunday that he plans to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for president in 2008 caught many Delaware Democrats by surprise. It also gave them something to cheer about.

Republicans, however, doubt that Biden has the national exposure to win the nomination.

“I think he’s a little overzealous. I believe that he’s known pretty well in Delaware, but I don’t imagine his name recognition stretches to Montana, Idaho and the state of Washington,” said Delaware GOP vice chairwoman Phyllis Byrne.

“When I think of presidential people, Joe Biden doesn’t come to my mind. He wouldn’t be on my short list,” she said. “I just don’t see Joe Biden as a strong contender for the office.”

Biden, fresh off the national exposure he had received from the Bork hearings, sought the 1988 Democratic nomination for president but withdrew when he was accused of using portions of British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock’s speeches without attribution.

“He will say that it’s old news, that he admitted it happened once it was brought out by the press, and that it occurred a long time ago and that he’s very sorry, and there’s some truth in that,” said Delaware GOP chairman Terry A. Strine.

“I think … issues such as his voting patterns over the years, his personal characteristics, and the junkets he’s taken will be more relevant than that old charge, although I’m sure that other Democrats will bring it up,” Strine said.

Biden’s biggest challenge may well be a candidate who has not yet declared her intentions. National polls show that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would be considered the favorite, if she decided to run.

“I think that the vast majority of Americans believe that the Democratic nomination in 2008 is Hillary Clinton’s to lose, and I think Sen. Biden and others recognize that lightning must strike her for them to have a realistic chance to be the candidate,” Strine said.