Dear Editor,

Senator Joe Biden’s selection as Barack Obama’s running mate is a surprise pick for many Guyanese New Yorkers who have been following the presidential race. Because Biden is a left-leaning ultra-liberal and from a state that is expected to vote Democratic, it is not believed that he would add anything major to a presidential ticket.

They were expecting someone from the deep south or mid-west of the country to ‘balance’ the ticket to make it more electable.  Nevertheless, Biden does add to Obama experience, intellect, reputation, and respect from the international diplomatic community, all of which Obama needed.

Biden at one time served as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That could be reassuring to voters who worry about Obama’s inexperience in national (especially in selecting judges) and world affairs.

Biden is a blunt speaker and very sharp in his remarks on any issue. He has been an active legislator.  I am not convinced, however, he well enable Obama to win the presidency.

Obama was struggling in Biden’s state of Delaware where Hillary Clinton crushed him in the primary (over two to one) even though Obama was endorsed by Biden who campaigned for him. With Biden’s selection as VP, the team will now win Delaware.

I think Obama would have won Delaware easily because it is a state that traditionally votes Democratic.

Obama needs someone who can enhance his standing in about ten battleground states like Iowa, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc. It was the general consensus among political analysts and Guyanese I spoke with that Biden was not going to be selected because of his poor showing in two failed presidential runs.

But surprisngly Biden was the choice among a near majority of voters who told pollsters they wanted someone with experience to be Obama’s running mate, so Obama’s strategists must have felt it wise to go with the voters’ preference.

It is unclear whether Biden can bring voters over to win the critical swing states in order to garner 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. Biden has good standing among white blue-collar workers – a major weakness of Obama. If Biden can deliver blue-collar workers as well as older white voters, then the Democratic ticket will win the presidency.

The ticket’s biggest weak point is Clinton supporters.  A fifth of them are still holding out and told pollsters they will vote for Republican John McCain because of the way the party and Obama disrespected Clinton.

Biden will have to use his charm to make up with those voters in order to steal the thunder from McCain, who wisely has been praising Clinton everywhere he goes.  In the end, Biden may help Obama in Pennsylvania and Ohio and Clintonites may come over.

But Biden has to be careful with his words. Biden had run into problems with his political gaffes offending voters with ethnic remarks.

Indo-Guyanese I spoke with are not angry with him for making a prejudicial remark about 7-11 stores and Indians ,suggesting that they come to America and take over those stores. A large number of 7-11s are owned by Indians. Biden clarified that he did not mean to stereotype Indians as belonging in any trade but was simply extolling the virtues of Indians for having a knack for hard work wherever they settle in America.  He also praised Indians for their contributions to America in engineering, medicine and computer technology.

Most Guyanese I spoke with like Biden because of his pro-immigrant position, but many are not convinced he will be elected Vice-President.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram