Tuesday political links

So, having done an entry on Sarah Palin, I think I also ought to do one on Joe Biden. This will be significantly more difficult, since Joe just doesn't give quite as many astonishing sound-bites, although not for lack of trying. Also, he's done a heck of a lot more work, and has more (wait for it!) experience.

Joe Biden has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1972. His wife and daughter were killed in an accident shortly after he was elected in 1972; his two sons survived, and he became a single father. He remarried in 1977, and had a daughter with his second wife. He commutes an hour and a half each day on the train from his home in Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC. He is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is also a long-standing member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is running for Senate re-election this year as well as running for VP.

Some of the sketchy Biden moments/sketchy Biden positions are:

- Racist remarks (he has a reputation for gaffes in general. As is the other VP. Their debate at 9 pm this Thursday should prove very interesting!)
- He played a large role in the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings: he was head of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time. He has taken a lot of heat for not giving Thomas a particularly hard time about Hill's accusations, and not treating her accusations with the gravity they deserved. He did not immediately make Anita Hill's accusations of sexual harassment public, and he did not allow other women to testify with her against Thomas. I can't find a link about this issue I'm totally happy with - I suggest doing some Google-surfing - but here is one starting point.
- He opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions. In silver linings news, he opposes constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

So what has he done that's right?

One major success was the Violence Against Women Act, which was originally passed in 1994, and which he drafted. This was, and continues to be, a pretty huge accomplishment. He has a reputation for picking good staff. The ACLU gives him a good rating.

Also, he's a pretty good speaker, IMHO.

Other information about his record: @ Feministing; @ the New York Times; @ CBS; @ OnTheIssues.org.

Got more information about Biden, or opinions about him? Leave them in the comments.