Valley leaders offer views on Biden as pickSFlb
Many pointed out that Biden’s experience, especially in foreign policy, is a plus for the ticket.
STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — Party leaders and others in the Mahoning Valley and the state chimed in with their thoughts on Barak Obama’s choice of Sen. Joe Biden for his running mate.
The Democrats mostly said they thought Biden was a good choice, with the age and experience that balances Obama’s youth, new ideas and push for change, but relatively young political career.
The Republicans believe they’ve dodged a bullet — the formidable ticket that would have been Obama and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.
“In some respects, the choice was stunning,” said Mark Munroe, Mahoning County Republican Party vice chairman. He pointed to Biden’s criticism of Obama early on when they were primary candidates.
Biden said Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, didn’t have enough experience, and he was critical of Obama’s stance on the Iraq war, Munroe noted.
“Biden agreed with McCain that we needed more troops,” Munroe said. “And he was critical of Obama for voting against funding for the troops.”
He also pointed out that even though primary candidates can certainly be expected to take swipes at one another, Biden never leveled the charge of inexperience at the others.
Munroe said that of all the Democrats running in the primary, he thought Biden was the most experienced, and that the contrast between Obama’s lack of experience and Biden’s 30-plus years of it is remarkable. “He was forced to find someone that highlights his lack of experience.”
“I was surprised that he didn’t choose Hillary,” Munroe said. “The Democrats put together the weakest possible team.”
Craig Bonar, Trumbull County Republican Party chairman, said he was not surprised that Clinton wasn’t chosen.
“It was a pretty heated primary, and Hillary as vice president would have been too overpowering — he’d be competing with her,” Bonar said.
Biden is going to be good for GOP frontrunner John McCain in the Mahoning Valley, he said.
“I would say we’re quite pleased,” he said. “Another pick would have been tougher to beat. It does well for McCain to have Biden. Hillary would have been tough.” McCain, he added, does well in the Mahoning Valley. “I still feel pretty comfortable we’ll carry the Mahoning Valley.”
Dave Johnson, Columbiana County’s Republican Party chairman, called the choice “a slap in the face” to Clinton.
“I was more concerned about him picking Hillary Clinton,” Johnson said. “That would have united their party.”
He said, though, that Biden is a good choice for Obama, because he can bring the experience Obama lacks to their ticket.
He also said he believes the vice presidential picks are overplayed.
“It’s going to be about Obama and McCain, and where they want to take the country.”
Christ Michelakis, Trumbull County Democratic Party chairman, said he believes Obama chose Biden to deflect those critics who say he doesn’t have much experience.
“He’s an upfront person. He’s got a lot of experience. He’s got good foreign policy experience.”
Nonetheless, Michelakis had some disappointment to express. “I wish it would have been Hillary.”
Lisa Antonini, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairwoman, said she believes that Obama’s youth represents energy and a lot of new ideas.
“And you must bring about change,” she said. “But you need individuals who have experience, and I think that’s what Biden brings to the table.”
“I think that Sen. Obama took his time in choosing a running mate with experience in certain fields,” she said, such as foreign affairs and foreign policy.
Others weighed in on the choice, such as state Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, who called it “incredible.”
“A man with the expertise, know-how and experience that he ads to the ticket, it’s a real winner,” said Hagan, who was co-chairman of Obama’s primary campaign in the Valley. He said he expects Biden to make an appearance in the Valley in the next three weeks.
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, who was the other co-chairman, said he thinks the choice strengthens the ticket.
He touted Biden’s foreign policy experience and the fact that he wrote legislation responsible for allotting billions of dollars to put more police officers on the streets across the country.
“He has historically done well in relating to blue-collar voters,” Williams also said.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, said he’s met with Biden in the past. “I believe Sen. Obama has made an excellent choice.” he said. “Sen. Biden has a unique ability to tell it like it is and to connect with all types of people. I look forward to introducing him to the working families of Ohio’s 6th District.”
Gov. Ted Strickland called Biden “an outstanding choice.”
“His foreign policy knowledge is unparalleled, and his humble Pennsylvania roots give him a deep understanding of the challenges facing Ohio families,” Strickland said.