Well, there's one thing you can say for the Governor from Alaska. She can get people talking. Ignoring the issues of McCain's vetting process or her readiness, this in an of itself is a reason for her to be on the ticket. Much like Obama himself, whether you like her or not, she gets the tongues moving. But you know what? Despite McCain's best efforts to reframe the race, her opponent isn't going to be Obama.

Her opponent is Joe Biden.

We all know Joe Biden. In the Senate since 1973 when he was elected at the tender age of 30 -- which happens to be the minimum age of a US Senator -- knocking off a popular incumbent. His wife and daughter were killed an a tragic car accident right after his victory, and Joe was actually sworn into office at the bedside of his two sons who survived the crash. From that point on, Joe began the practice of commuting day after day from Washington D.C. to his home in Delaware by train to be with his family.

In 1987, Joe Biden became the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was able to usher through the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. One note: since then, parts of this law have been challenged and subsequently stricken by an increasingly conservatively-tilted Supreme Court.

In 1987, Joe Biden first ran for President, and was forced to withdraw after being accused of plagiarizing a speech. Although he had cited his source in the same speech numerous times before, the one time he didn't in front of cameras was enough to sink him in the media's eyes. Joe admitted his mistake, and never once hid behind any person or cause.

The following year, a brain aneurysm very nearly took his life.

Joe Biden has gone on to become one of the most respected members of the Senate by either party, adding the Foreign Relations Committee Chairmanship to his Judiciary chair. He's one of the foremost foreign policy minds in Washington. He is the quintessential Irish Catholic boy who did good. He's had incredible ups and downs, and he's kept his center and his humility throughout it all. His signature is his unscripted and off-the-cuff rhetorical style which has gotten him in trouble in the past, but is something that I think we've all seen him use to great effect. I can't look at Giuliani today and not think, "Noun, verb, 911". He called Bush's assertion to the Knesset about Obama wanting to appease Hitler, "Bullshit". He's blunt. He's got punch, and he's got pizazz. He's the Happy Warrior.

And today, his opponent is Sarah Palin.

Everyone keeps saying that Biden needs to be careful "not to bully" Palin. After tonight, I don't think that's going to be a problem. Not at all. And does anyone that someone with Joe's background and personal history will be afraid to take it to someone like Sarah Palin? And unlike John McCain, he's able to do it with a smile on his face and truly mean it. Joe's not a mean guy, or an angry guy, nor is he overly condescending But Joe Biden does not mess around.

The more I think about it, the more I appreciate Obama's selection of Joe. In so many ways, he's been training for this moment, and maybe this very opponent for his entire life. Sarah Palin is a special kind of candidate for a certain section of this country. She seems to be an intriguing personality who brings something to John McCain's ticket that he desperately needed, but her style of personality politics is pushing her right into Joe Biden's wheelhouse. This is where he lives. Plus, he has the advantage of being more in line with today's mainstream America than Palin is, and that will show in the weeks ahead.

I'm not worried about Sarah Palin. She's interesting, but I honestly think we already have the answer for her.  And I think Obama saw the same thing when he chose Joe. Let the games begin.

Just don't forget about the issues.

So, it’s mid-February, it’s nine months to the general election, and already Barack Obama is showing that he has very real coattails. Yesterday, Donna Edwards, a Maryland lawyer and social activist, won the Democratic primary election for the 4th District over the 8 term sitting incumbent Congressman, Albert Wynn.

This was no small victory for Ms. Edwards. Al Wynn was a popular and long serving representative from a suburban Maryland district not far from the District of Columbia. Donna Edwards had previously challenged Rep. Wynn in 2006, and lost. The difference this time around was the enthusiastic and broad support that Barack Obama’s candidacy brought about, driving younger and more informed voters to the polls simply by appearing on the ballot. This new support was the key to Donna Edwards’ victory against what had become an entrenched establishment candidate.

Again, nine months before the general election is held, and there is already clear evidence of the effect that having Obama on the ballot will have on down-ticket elections come November.