The XX Factor: What women really think.

Obama-Biden, Put Up Your Dukes

I've sat through too many Senate hearings to be excited about Joe Biden, of the long pontificating question (example), for vice president. Obama-Biden: a ticket of orators. I know that HIllary—or rather, Bill—would have been the snake in the presidential sleeping bag, as Slate's David Plotz said months ago. An impossible choice, the rationalist in me keeps reminding myself. But if Obama had taken the gamble anyway, I would have trusted his judgment in making that bet. And I'd be feeling one part elated and one part hugely nervous this morning. Instead of vaguely let down. And I wasn't even a Hillary supporter.

Yes, there is a sound argument for choosing an experienced white man, a party establishmentarian, a foreign policy expert. And it's nice that he's Catholic and has blue-collar origins. But mostly I hope this team knows how to fight, and fight hard. Watching the McCain ad that's already putting Biden's words to work against him, and then the dueling ads about McCain's can't-count-them houses and Obama's Rezko house deal, it seems to me that the Republicans are out-duking the Democrats. Denver will undoubtedly produce plenty of smartly staged smiles. I hope Obama-Biden also proves quickly that they're smart about showing their angry side.