Biden Comes Out Swinging.

Joe Biden wanted to make some noise as he threw his hat into the ring. Well, he sure did, and - as I think many are saying right now - he probably made more noise than he intended to.

It's unfortunate that so many took Biden's comments regarding Sen. Obama the wrong way. I think that Biden intended to compliment Sen. Obama on his obviously good, "polished" qualities. I also take it that Sen. Biden meant to express that while Obama may be slick and media-savvy, he lacks the governing experience to run this country and become our president.

These are tricky times.

A candidate may come across as articulate, sharp, and handsome. An empty suit, as they say. And again, this is more the point Biden was trying to make. Obama looks good on the surface, but scratch the surface and you may not find critical presidential qualities there.

Again, these are tricky times.

Our relations with the Middle East are deteriorating by the minute. We're in Iraq with no solution, and Iran is playing games with us. This is very serious, but I didn't have to tell you that.

Things with N. Korea aren't pretty either. Basically, we have disasters waiting to happen in a few places.

That Senator Biden made this minor error is trivial to some, but very serious to others. I think they're opinion is that if Biden can so quickly slip up that maybe he can't handle being president. And maybe he can't.

Some talk about Hillary and make her out to be cold, cautious and too controlled, then on the other end we have Biden, speaking freely and openly, and he's taking a beating for it. I honestly feel sorry for our politicians, they can do no right almost. It really is unfair, and I think we need to have some uniform standard instead of different rules that change for different people.

Is that Hillary is a woman that we demand she be warm?

Is that Biden is a man that we expect him to be cold and calculating?

Is it that Edwards is attractive we need him to prove he's smarter?

Is it that Obama is an African-American we expect him to prove he's perfect?

Personally, I find Biden's personality rather refreshing. I also happen to think that Hillary is fine as she is and doesn't have to change. I don't think Edwards or Obama have to prove anything more.

And not yet. We have time. We have the debates, and this is where it REALLY matters - when tough questions are put out there and they have to answer and take a position; they have to answer on the spot, off the cuff, and be themselves. No speeches, no notes, no consultants - just a candidate and a mic. But in our tricky times, trivial things become big news, and the big news becomes trivial. Go figure.