Nunn -- Biden best VP choice, Georgia is in play
There are three words, former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn said, that describe Joe Biden, his former colleague and the man Barack Obama tapped as his vice presidential running mate.
Experience, integrity and sound judgment. More like four words, but you get the idea.
In a conference call with reporters today, Nunn framed the Delaware senator as a family man who rarely — if ever — spent a night in Washington, opting to take the hour-and-a-half train ride to Delaware every day to be with his wife and sons. He called Biden a leader in public safety issues – “I dont know whos been a better friend to policeman and firefighters than Joe,” Nunn said – as well as a champion for womens rights, veterans, and a crusader in the fight against global warming.
“I think Sen. Obama made an excellent decision,” Nunn said. “The most important thing in selecting a vice presidential candidate is “would he make a good president of the United States? The answer is yes.”
When asked if he thought Bidens reputation as a liberal statesman didnt balance the ticket, Nunn disagreed with the notion and said that it ultimately doesnt make any sense.
I dont know how you make a record on liberal and conservative these days,” Nunn said. “Weve had a conservative Republican Congress, so to speak, and a conservative president, and weve run up one of the most astounding deficits in the history of our nation. What does conservative mean in terms of fiscal? What does conservative mean in terms of energy? Is it conservative now to believe that the market is going to solve all the energy problems, or are we going to have government step up to the plate?”
The repeated claims that a McCain administration would be a repeat of the Bush administration is fair game, Nunn said, adding that the past decisions of Obamas opponent give a glimpse of what could happen in the future.
“Clearly Sen. McCain has agreed with Pres. Bush on most foreign policy items, including the Iraq War,” he said. “Clearly hes agreed with Pres. Bush on most economic matters.”
Nunn veered into an analysis of the nations financial woes as well, tying the costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the United States precarious economic state.
“Basically, were borrowing money from China to pay for our conflicts in the Middle East,” he said. “The Chinese investments in American dollar keeps our dollar from falling off the table. If they were to make a massive shift now in purchasing American debt, we would have a very abrupt fall of the American dollar and a very serious inflation in the county and devastation of the American financial situation. I dont think its negative campaigning to highlight those decisions. I think thats fair play… I consider it dealing with the facts and dealing with the future.”
Nunn says he hasnt spoken with the Obama camp about playing a role in the potential administration. He said a return to public service would hinge on what his family wants, who his colleagues would be, and what role he would be expected to play. In the meantime, hes busy – but hes supportive.
“Ive got my hands full. Im on corporate boards, Im basically running a foundation,” Nunn said. “The role I will play will be primarily on the sidelines… if Im asked to give advice on security or foreign policy or other matters, I will do so. But Im not going to be a surrogate. Im not going to be out on the campaign trail unless Sen. Obama is in Georgia or its something I can do with my schedule.”
On what the Democrats have to do this fall to be competitive, Nunn said, “Young people have to be much more involved. They have to vote. A lot of times young people get registered but then forget about the fact they have to vote.”
He said that he expects young people and minorities to support Obama, but that alone will not turn the tide in Georgia.
“The young people vote and the minority vote will not carry the state,” Nunn said. He stressed that Obama will have to appeal to blue-collar workers and the middle class if he plans to win the notoriously Republican stronghold.
“Georgias an uphill fight,” he said. “But its in play.”