TimesLeader.com

September 12
TL voter panel gives Biden mixed reviews

BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

One man wonders if Sen. Joe Biden will bring enough to the Democratic ticket to “satisfy those of us who criticize Obama for his naivet� and cluelessness.”

McDonald

Karpavich

Cheskiewicz

Hannigan

Times Leader Photo Store

A woman asks, “How is bringing a Washington insider going to bring about this change?”

An Obama supporter, thrilled with the pick, said, “I admire Obama for not having Hillary run with him.”

Members of The Times Leader Voter Panel are split on Barack Obama’s selection of Biden as his running mate. Some say Biden fills the gaps in the Democratic ticket, others think he’s a Washington, D.C., insider who has been part of what Obama has said needs changing. A few others think Clinton would have been a better choice to bring together a divided party.

Undecided voter Keith Noll, 34, of Plains Township, said Biden’s negative comments regarding Obama during the primary election season suggest the Obama/Biden relationship may be tenuous.

“As for positives, the selection of Biden should help Obama carry Pennsylvania,” Noll said. Jack McIntyre, who supports Republican John McCain, has called Obama an “inexperienced liberal novice.” McIntyre said the Delaware senator will fill some gaps.

“Biden will bring the ticket both foreign and domestic policy experience which Obama so badly lacks,” said McIntyre, 67, of Plains Township. “Whether this will satisfy those of us who criticize Obama for his naivet� and cluelessness remains to be seen.”

Business owner Bob McDonald, 51, of Kingston, called Biden a strong addition to the ticket.

“His selection shows Sen. Obama to be thoughtful in his decision-making process as well as someone who will not just bow to the pressure of what would be best to get him elected,” McDonald said.

Biden’s local roots (he is a Scranton native) will bring more votes to the Democrats, McDonald said, and will boost the chances of 12-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul. E. Kanjorski in his bid for re-election against Republican Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta in the 11th Congressional District.

Glenys Karpavich, 56, of Jenkins Township, said she would have preferred Hillary Clinton to be the vice presidential candidate.

“Biden would also be a good choice for president,” Karpavich said. “It just seems so lopsided having so much experience and coming in second. Just can’t make sense of this.”

Eighteen-year-old Tony Thomas of Wilkes-Barre and retiree Pete Klein of Dallas said Biden was the best choice.

“From now on, whenever McCain or one of his surrogates talk about foreign policy, Obama has Biden to be the attack dog,” Thomas said.

Twenty-eight-year-old Paul Stebbins of West Pittston was trying to figure out the move.

“Perhaps if Joe Biden was enough to make this ticket experienced, then maybe Joe Biden should have been the presidential nominee,” Stebbins offered.

Stebbins said McCain must choose a running mate with youth to balance his ticket.

“This was a wise selection for Barack Obama, but in an area where social issues tend to be to the right, even Joe Biden might not help Barack Obama,” he said.

Tom Hannigan, 37, of Dallas, was surprised.

“Biden has spoken so favorably of McCain over the years and as recently as when he decided to run, stating he would be honored to run with or against McCain for president,” Hannigan said. Hannigan called Biden a “loose cannon” who will cause problems for Obama during the campaign.

“I think it’s an admission of inexperience by the Obama campaign to choose a 35-plus-year veteran of the ‘pre-change’ Washington,” Hannigan said. “I guess Obama needed someone to show him around.”

Chuck Peterman, 50, an Independent supporting McCain, said Biden comes with baggage.

Stephen Cheskiewicz, a 44-year-old college professor, was informed of Obama’s running mate choice through text message at 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

“I had hoped Obama was pulling off a surprise that would truly be newsworthy – the selection of Hillary Clinton,” Cheskiewicz said. “While Biden does not exactly reinforce the ‘change’ message, he does counter McCain’s experience.”

The Rev. Jeffrey Aberle of Edwardsville supports Obama and said Biden will help the campaign in the East, but key states such as Michigan are still up for grabs.

Susan Allen, 43, of Dallas, remembers when Biden was heaping praise on McCain a year ago.

“How is bringing a Washington insider going to bring about this change?”

Laurel Run Mayor Dan Gildea, 59, a McCain supporter, said Biden could well be at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Jill Rosenstock, 43, a Penn Lake councilwoman, is thrilled because she has always liked and respected Biden and his policies.

“I admire Obama for not having Hillary run with him,” Rosenstock said. “I think that would have been giving into pressure.”

But Dorene Schutz, 47, a diehard Clinton supporter, sees it differently.

“I think Hillary would have been a better choice to unite the party. There are many women that are not going to be happy with this.”