You've gotta understand, regardless of what the VP does or doesn't support, Obama's the one with the veto power on bills that congress will or won't pass, not Biden. If you pay attention, the main reason for this pick was the "experience" part that Obama "lacks" in foreign policy and of the system in general. Those of you changing your vote due to _Biden's_ tech views should rethink Biden's actual powers in the system as a VP.

VeloriumSatire

Damn, this guy looks like an even bigger dbag than Jack Thompson.

gamecrazychris

I'm not sure what the surprise is here. Obama specifically said he wanted a VP who might disagree with on issues, tell him when he thought he was wrong. Obama didn't want or need to pick a VP who was in exact lockstep with him on every issue, or who would be a yes-man who tells him "Yes, absolutely you're right Mr. President."

Biden certainly might play a role in debates on this topic, but it doesn't mean that he is somehow going to trump Obama's own policies on the issue.

Zadillo

I'm going to have to run for president myself if this nonsense continues. I don't care about black or white...the White House needs to be 1337.

TheNewAugustus

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few months. I am severely disappointed in this man.

mciarlo

Well, that deffinantly just made me think about my vote.

But remember people, its this guy or McCain. And McCain isn't looking any better:[gizmodo.com]

Basicly, would you rather have a VP or a President with the same views on this stuff? I'll stick with the VP.

Obama > McCain.

Blinklink11

Man, bama is a wonderful public speaker with an honest look and lofty goals, but it just seems like they're doing everything they can to insure I don't vote this go around.

This is almost as disappointing as when I found out Obama's early childhood (preschool) education plan will be paid for by deferring the shuttle replacement and delaying the NASA Constellation Program for five years.

The geek in me is crying.

Hilo

The only thing that really matters here is the last bit about net neutrality, and his confidence in it not being an issue is better than what every republican thinks -- laissez-faire capitalism doesn't care for net neutrality.

OmegaVader

Wow, screw this guy. I'm seriously tempted to just not vote now. Fuck Obama for picking this asshat.

Luziphir

as a proud Ukrainian I now do NOT support obama.

yuriythebest

Yep, they're about change all right. Bend over and grab your ankles kind of change.

Slappy McSlapp

Too bad that most folks who understnd why this is so bad don't vote.

DaveTyranham

It's as though millions of voices cried out, "Obama!" and were suddenly silenced....

Mascott

As an Obama supporter. Eeeekkk! Noo!!!

some_stupid_nut

He just lost my vote!

Adam420

wow, this guy sucks!

is mccain any better?

tenio

Oh crap, Obama just lost the online vote.

-=R=-

LordRoY

Everyone needs to calm down a bit.

This is why I don't like to get into politics with people; it starts out as a civil discussion of the issues and stated stances of the candidates and immediately tries to devolve into wild, offensive speculation, out-of-context quotes, and name calling.

Congratulations.

Hilo

Oh, come on. You guys aren't seriously going to be single-issue voters, are you? (I'm speaking to those who have said they were going to vote for Obama but won't now because of Biden's crappy history on tech issues.)
You realize that this makes you no better than those who voted for Bush in 2004 because of the whole gay marriage ting, right? Look at Biden's total history in the Senate before you go throwing out bath-water. He can be educated about the importance of net neutrality later.

Cupajo

@strider_mt2k: that video explains the situation here perfectly

Charging_Mooses

I think everyone is forgetting one good thing about McCain.....he won't ban anything on the internet when he doesn't know it exists :)

semmem1

@TheFooFighter: i hope you get stoned! (no not that way)

Charging_Mooses

Lets start talking about what McCain wants to ban.... Someone said smthg about technology and the whole Geek Squad is against them.... Im pretty sure 100% of Government wants internet to be their way. Not just Biden.

vgart

+ Watch video

strider_mt2k

@mlmorg: I am certainly no friend to John McCain, but I invite you to watch the who video of the exchange that you are citing and see what you think Sen. McCain was responding to.

+ Watch video

XanderCrews

As a McCain supporter, I'm loving this.

TheFooFighter

@XanderCrews: that dosent mean there cant be another one, by the way McCain talks, he sounds crazy enough about the war to start a draft.

Charging_Mooses

@mlmorg:

It's strange that you would think that, since only one bill has been introduced to bring back the draft and that bill was authored by one Rep. Charles Rangel (DEMOCRAT (spelled it out for ya so you don't get too confused) from NY)

But, hey, going around lying to college kids in 2004 about how Bush was going to bring back the draft was successful, so why not do it again, eh?

drewls

Obama doesn't have a prayer and has even less of one with this guy.

robpruitt

It's ok, guys, calm down. Obama is still in the Prez spot and he still has great tech policies. Larry Lessig, Stanford law scholar and creator of Creative Commons, not to mention huge advocate of net neutrality, is in line to be appointed to Obama's new Technology Officer or whatever position in the cabinet. Obama still loves open source. He still wants to have streaming web video of cabinet meetings.

Joe Biden is a cranky old man about computers. That's a requirement for the White House ticket. The important thing is Obama is the main dude and he still supports net neutrality.

mhlaxp

@XanderCrews:

No there hasn't...and mccain would be the most likely person to reinstate it.

"I don't disagree with anything you just said ma'am"

Does that ring a bell?

mlmorg

@lazerpenguin: DMCA was signed into law by that dirty Republican Bill Clinton. Also, the bill was passed unanimously in the Senate, which means that both Dems and Repubs screwed us.
@mlmorg: There hasn't been a draft for decades.

XanderCrews

So... should I vote 3rd party then?

Does anyone know what Barack's views are on these subjects?

MikeRapin

This makes McCain look votable.

BiZarRroBALlmeR

@VeloriumSatire:

Totally agree...who in their right mind is NOT going to vote obama just because his VP is against net neutrality and suckers up with the mpaa?

Obama would be the president, not biden and if I remember correctly, Gizmodo said Obama "cares about topics as nerdy as broadband speed, and wants to protect the freedom that exists on the internet."

If you're going to vote mccain or not vote at all just because of the vp's stance on technology makes me think you've got to re-assess your life.

I'd rather be fighting against some suits trying to maake as much money as they can then be fighting against iraqi's because i was drafted by mr. old senile warmonger!

mlmorg

@lazerpenguin: BINGO! couldn't have said it better myself!

Charging_Mooses

@gamecrazychris: I take that back, but he's definately a close second.

gamecrazychris

yeah it sucks that he has bad views on the net. I dont think that its gonna make me vote for anyone else tho. I would venture a guess that he didn't want to appear soft on child porn, or internet crime, esp since he was a former presidential candidate. It would been way better if someone who knew more about tech and the tubes was VP, but remember
/braces for flames
the net isnt everything, there are more important stuff going on in the world and no candidate is gonna have views that exactly align with your own. Vote for who you think can run the government well. And hell it was the repubs that endadgered our internet privacy to begin with.

lazerpenguin

awww, come on people, its better than having a psychopath like McCain in office, with who knows what kind of surprises up his sleeve. seriosly, would you rather have 100 years in iraq, or that hot porno from pirate bay?

Charging_Mooses

I don't like Biden (for exactly these reasons), but he isn't a dealbreaker. We'll see.

fpn1010

didn't Biden get busted for plagerism in his speeches when he ran for president in '88? Also, on mccains website in the technology section he spells out he will never tax Internet and will fight for net neutrolity. Obamas sitesays nothing about not taxing net sales and services.

aeroworks

The american government is all about checks and balances, meaning that people in the government are mostly supposed to *disagree* on issues. A decision can't be made without a through debate on the pros as wells as the cons. Obama has specifically said that his running mate wouldn't be an "yes man" and would challenge his decision rest of the way. In that vain, this VP selection is perfect.

ojisan

Good thing we're looking at the TRULY important issues here...you know, not those meaningless ones like the economy, healthcare, civil liberties, Iraq, the energy crisis, etc..

Sjenkins7000

Obama's pretty net savvy tho, isn't he. I mean, he did that fist bump thing with Michelle. Anyone who fist bumps is for net neutrality, aren't they?

frigg

Im not american, i don´t live in the U.S, but I had hopes in Obama and i still have, but this has DISAPPOINTED me...How the hell did you do that, Obama? Are you crazy? What did you smoke?

However, i hope Obama wins over McCain...I dont wanna se another conservative running the world´s most powerful country.

stopitnow54

Many of you are too young to remember
SPIRO AGNEW. Biden is the Agnew of this era !
As Ralph Kramden says, "He's got a big mouth !"

Jumpovermoon

Is it me, or does Biden look a lot like:
[www.foxnews.com]

bms

BTW I'm not a McCain supporter... I just wish we had someone who really represented the change we want to vote for. Want an economic stimulus package? Don't tax us fir a year. How about that? That's change I can believe in.

dna

Joe Biden has done a lot of asshat-y kinda things in his career as a senator. But as was pointed out a bit earlier in these comments, he will not be the President. Barack Obama has said time and time again that he wants to have people involved in his Administration that will not agree with him on every individual issue.

Hint:
[www.barackobama.com]
Read up on Obama's positions on tech issues, including a firm stance in favor of Net Neutrality, for example.

Lawrence Lessig, founder of Stanford Law's Center for Internet and Society, founding board member of Creative Commons, and board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, has endorsed Obama. He even has a 20 minute presentation about why he supports Barack Obama.
[www.lessig.org]

And Randall Munroe, creator, writer, and artist for xkcd [xkcd.com] has also endorsed Barack Obama, having written his only overtly political blag entry about why he supports Obama.
[blag.xkcd.com]

I don't like Biden as a person. He's done a lot of things I don't agree with. But I think he's a good choice as VP to win against the self-admittedly computer illiterate John McCain. I don't know what you think, but I know I want a president in this day and age who knows how to check his own email.

fotoplasma

@strider_mt2k:
You love this clip! I do, too :)

scarbrtj

Obama Biden Laden.

Glad the Obama supporters are finally waking up (I was one too.) I like Obama on a personal level but is this really the "change" we need right now?

dna

the president essentially picks people and delegates power. so far i'm not liking obama's judgment.

elegantelliot

Just great. Now I can count Gizmodo in with the growing group of places that got political, where politics really didn't belong. If you are going to post political stories, at least give airtime to both sides. Did the republicans not sponsor a bill that allows government agencies to spy on citizens for up to 45 days without a warrant or oversight? Both sides are dirty. Come on Rothman, don't stain this blog with one sided reporting. Very disappointing.

danlikey2

@lazerpenguin: Exactly there are much more important issues, which is the exact reason why I won't vote for Obama. Obama is the MOST liberal senator in the senate. For a person who's claiming to be a bridge to the average american, how come he votes like he's the extreme 1%? Obama's naivety about so many issue from foreign policy to energy are more than enough reasons not to vote for him. There is a reason why his handlers don't let him out of speech or controlled situations. His party is the party of land grabs and taxing everyone to death. As for those who complain about Bush, thank god he's been in office rather than those spineless wooses Gore or Kerry. But hey if Obama gets elected, he'll make sure we surrender our way to victory.

coolkiwilivin

This guy may have bad net policies, but Obama has good ones so it shouldn't change your vote. Biden over all is a really nice guy. The main reasons he was picked were Expirience and he seems like a working man because he is one of the poorest if not the poorest man in the senate and he rides the train to work everday so he can be with his kids in another state. Its either him and Obama or McCain who abandoned his wife when she was disfigured to marry someone younger with more money. His wife is also the one who controls the house finances as well.

Zomb

Bias report. You know that old white dude (that will probably die in office) running is probably worse.

Earthslide

Biden has great foreign policy experience, which is why he was chosen, and that's really about all he will be involved in. Biden is no puppet-master Cheney character.

Moreover, even if he WAS going to have veto power, I'd still vote for him over McCain, who has positions that range from unreasonable to just plain crazy on nearly every single front. Again, think of Biden as a the foreign policy man. He is the chair of the senate foreign relations committee and back when they were all vying for a position as lead cheerleader he was the only mutherfucka who ponied up a complete plan for moving forward in Iraq. Its also one of the only viable solutions I've read.

In actuality, Biden will probably function more like a Secretary of State than a VP in the end. Let's keep some perspective here and also realize that his views on this subject will have about no effect on internet related policies. If you can't motivate yourself to vote after 8 years of this bullshit, then you deserve what you get.

Furthermore, what do you think McCain will do with Net Neutrality? "When you control the pipe you should be able to get profit from your investment" Now that's a fuckload worse than ANYTHING Biden has said or done in his tenure.

ALT

If thats true... BOOOOOOOO!

Obama now looks bad in my eye.
How do you pick a guy (that looks) (and acts) like that.?

kmkl

no thanks...

rudez90

Oh and you people flipping out about this and saying you won't vote for Obama because of one stance his VP has are morons. There are much bigger issues at hand here and you need to worry about what Obama's stances are much more than Biden's.

rochec

obama just lost millions of votes instantly because of this bastard VP joe biden some body should kill him. if obama wants to win he should get rid of this guy. hillary wanted to ban videogames now she's gone. these politics need to realise that how important media (internet, video games, music, tv, etc.) is to people and people will revolt if they try to mess with it.

omegaviper

I just hope that the people who vote do so as an informed decision, not based on hype, or age, color of skin, net views. Well, people will vote for whomever they want for whatever they choose. I'm hoping that through the numbers we can average out all the people who follow the headlines, but don't really have a clue.

mykalt45

Biden won't have a say in any of these issues though. You may not like that stance, but he is a great VP choice for Obama specifically. He has strengths in every aspect where Obama doesn't.

If you think McCain and whoever he picks for VP will be more open to net neutrality you are sorely mistaken. Republicans are the ones who want to get rich(er) from fucking up the internet and charging you to high hell.

rochec

@danlikey2: Agreed. This was not given proper perspective, which I think the readers at Giz truly need to keep things in line. All this talking about no longer voting, even if its just a momentary hair trigger reaction, is truly disappointing.

ALT

Gizmodo, I'm rather quite disgusted here. What the fuck are you trying to do? Seriously, you're a bunch of professional gadget bloggers, not political pundits.

Furthermore, as others have noted, Obama is the one with the big veto stamp, not Biden, so worry about Obama's views, not Biden's.

DisposableInterloper

You know who adores Obama? Russia.

Now, I wonder why that is...

citylights5

Don't worry about P2P monitoring, go out and support your artist and buy their work. Taxes, it's part of life plus you knew it was going to happen anyways. Always criticizing folks for doing what's right.

Earthslide

I look at the election like this:

(In the words of Lewis Black) [sort of]
"you have a choice between two bowls of s***. The only difference is the smell"

SlimDan22

So i am pretty sure i was going to vote on obama, but now, i dont think i am going to vote at all.

Voting schema.

McCain: Basically voting in Bush again

Obama: The internet as we know it is fucked

No One: I Have no guilt trips later in life.

heylookitscook

To those saying he wants Biden so that he will have disagreement and discussion - your closest elected official/ally should BE an ally, and should assist, not hamper. Biden, as anti-technology as he is, is going to hamper Obama's technology policy efforts. He is a bad choice.

Second, he is next in line for the presidency. If anything happens to Obama, it's Biden - and we're not voting for HIM, we're voting (or WERE voting) for Obama.

Third, he has the tie-breaking vote in the Senate - a vote that as been used as far back as John Adams. It's an important vote and something people tend to dismiss. We shouldn't dismiss it.

I'm VERY disappointed in this. I'm a conservative who was planning on voting for Obama - now I'm having to think about it.

socalboomer

This is actually a good thing: Biden will have LESS influence to shape policy as a VP than as a senior Senator. Should Obama/Biden win, hopefully his replacement will have a more progressive view on these issues. But removing him from the Senate is a point scored for supporters of the issues he opposes.

And as others have said, Biden's not going to trump Obama's views on net neutrality. Also, he didn't seem to have a strong opinion against it, just that he thought it didn't require legislation in 2006.

sharpski

@elegantelliot: You underestimate the gravity of the job. The president also pardons a turkey every thanksgiving.

frigg

-_- Obama looked decent until now. Who will I vote for when I finally remember to register to vote now? But meh. If you're doing everything legally, you have little to worry about, but then again, this is the 21st century. >_> most of us use to internet to do less than legal things.

Obama prolly didn't pick Biden for his internet policies -_- He just needed that Foreign Policy experience so people stop whispering :P

I h8 ph15h with a passion

Are you serious when you are saying that we should hold back on Biden's public record, just because he is Obama's running mate? I love Obama, the man as is addicted to his Blackberry/iPhone as I am grew up in the best City in the world Honolulu and can move! BUT.... Biden, he's a disaster, old Washington, been there for 35 years and his record speaks for himself. So at least the Zealots should ask for clear *NEW* positions and *COMMITMENTS*. Not of the kind that we've seen flip-flops recently. Please don't use "The Republican Card" to silence the truth.....

altus

Who ever votes for fucking Mccain are fucking lunatics wanting another BUSH back in office wtf is wrong with you people?

Enisity

Well that sucks but everyone has to remember Obama would be the president not Biden sooo if Obama wants net neutrality enough he will make it happen if he wants.

Enisity

Obama needed to pick an Old White Male to appeal to the misogynistic racist red-necks retards that constitute half the population of the United States.

For those who openly said they would vote for McCain on this forum, I'm really intrigue to know why? Bush is arguably one of the worst President in the history of the United States who bankrupted the country for a pointless war. Here comes a dude that said he would continue in Bush's footsteps and he still gets your vote??? An I missing something?

drkick

Well about the tax part who the hell cares paying a couple cents or dollars more you already pay it when you buy stuff not over that net so whats the big deal about that your that damn cheap.

On the peer ro peer activity do you download stuff thats illegal if so why the hell are you doin so.

For the anti encryption thats bad i agree with.

Internet filtering in schools and libraries I agree those are public places you do what you what on your own pc not one paid by taxes

The RIAA situation on that one ita ut look at it this way he makes Verizon, Microsoft, Apple, eBay and Yahoo all look good.

To bad we dont have a third option we could use it right now.

utube2007

No one (here) makes a decision on what phone to buy based on one article. So... no one should make a decision about what President to vote for based on one article either. Everyone who's so concerned about the internet should use the internet to get more info before baking up their mind.

frigg

Wow this is really depressing. Seeing how many of you don't understand the system whatsoever and are completely unable to think objectively.

Not voting for Obama over this is basically giving a 1/2 a vote to McCain, which on this particular issue alone is 100x worse. McCain, his VP and the Republican base will likely gut neutrality within the next 4 years for profit.

Obama on the other hand has a very solid stance on his tech platform and it is a very good stance. Biden's views will not effect it in any way.

rochec

That guy Biden is really bad news. Obama has now changed his tune on about everything several times to be elected. That's about all he seems to care about.

Biden has a 35 year old record and we've been fighting the guy on high tech all along! And you want him for VP, just a heartbeat from the Presidency????

Bring back Hillary!!!! Biden is a disaster. The ultimate insider and the ultimate foe of open progress in technology!

Arghhhh... What a horrible choice.

altus

@DisposableInterloper:
And, as has already been mentioned, getting Biden into position as VP will take him out of a legislative position where he currently has a much greater role in formulating federal laws regarding tech issues.

Again, you all should read up on Obama's technology platform. [www.barackobama.com]

fotoplasma

McCain FTW, if for no other reason then the fact that this guy looks like an ass clown.

Dooosh

@OmegaVader: You're wrong - I know plenty of Republicans that are FOR Net Neutrality... and they're in Texas to boot.

unspellable

BTW, stating things such "You have no clue" just furthers loss of credibility. This is not about people but about issues. Debating these issues is what we need to do, respectfully. Thank you.

altus

also screw this one party state. if the bloody democrats, the supposed "liberals", the most liberal party who actually have a shot at the presidency, are considered "right wing" in, say, holland, how can you say that everyone is fairly represented? this is stupid. there isn't a single candidate who i feel is even close to my point of view.

Alfonzo

makes me want to join the black bloc smashing up the DNC. **** this shiznit. Obama just shot himself in the foot with this guy.

Alfonzo

@hobobobo:

First of all it's whether. Second of all you have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. Especially your rant about taxes.

You are talking about how much money Obama made when McCain is morth 100x as much? And what does their financial situation have to do with their ability to make political decisions. None.

rochec

constitution party. the won't tread on you.

thedarkhorse

HAhaha... this discussion is hilarious. Obama, weather you like him or not, doesn't stand a chance at this point. He's too radical, and his sucky choice of a VP candidate won't win him any additional votes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not excited about McCain by any stretch of the imagination, but given the choice of two bowls of crap... I'll take the older one because it smells less. My philosophy is that I want government to stay out of my life. I want to keep EVERY SINGLE hard earned penny I get from working. I don't want to be forced to pay for other people's pathetic lifestyle choices (ie universal healthcare and other idiotic social programs that reward the lazy and unmotivated), etc. Give me what's mine and let me keep it... stop taxing EVERYTHING (it kills business and jobs). Frankly, I think we need term limits on all congress/senators and income limitations for them as well. Obama somehow made $4 million last year as a senator. What gives? $4 million?? Their salary is like $169k... how did a full-time U.S. Senator and busy father of two magically earn an additional $3,831,000 in his piggy bank in his spare time? (part-time pizza delivery job maybe?) That's the problem. All the upper level politicians are worthless self-centered money hording schlubs who use the political system to make a fortune at the expense of the nation. Get rid of them, limit their power and money, and help them make intelligent choices for the nation instead of themselves. Okay, I have to take some blood pressure meds now. :) Politicians suck.

hobobobo

@johnnyabnormal: Wow, your last paragraph is unfortunate. I think that this hurts Obama. As Obama supporters we need to stop this elitism. The "Clinging to Bible and Guns" type.. Which I read in your last paragraph. You see, the reality is that Biden's record is real and has to be dealt with. Period. It won't go away. Obama has no record so its his word. But Biden, it's his record. Saying that somebody else is worst is terrible. We ant to stand for something, not to "react to something worst". This election is the opportunity to stand for something. The trouble is that the records are not good and Obama has about flip-flopped on everything.

There is an easy solution: Get Mr. Biden to change his tune and explain why his record stand as it stands and get Obama to tell us where he stands and *not* flip-flop anymore. Biden will be President if anything happened to Obama. That's the law. It's happened to the best before. The VP position is very important. There is only one. I wished that Hilary had been in Obama's shoes personally and that Obama had been VP and next time President. But that is not how it payed out.

So now let's get it all clear and be respectful of everyone. Americans are smart, they work hard. They may not all be educated, but this is a great country that has in many ways helped build most of the technology that we love.

altus

if this hasn't been said yet (so many comments! too lazy to read!) at least it's not Hilary Clinton in the VP spot.

thegreyjedi

Another thing...why are so many wingnuts so concerned about Obama's experience level? I mean, how experienced was the last guy you voted in for two terms?

johnnyabnormal

@unspellable: Btw, last time I checked, humans weren't going extinct. Your human fetus & bird egg analogy is pretty weak.

johnnyabnormal

@unspellable: Funny, the anti-abortion crowd doesn't seem to value life after it is born. Go figure...

johnnyabnormal

Here's an acid test for all who do or do not get my vote:

Abortion: Is a fetus human on not human?

The egg of an endangered bird has more protection than an unborn baby. But it's just an egg, right? No, it's an unborn bird. It's without a guarantee of being hatched yet still with the potential to live unto being productive in the food chain and reproductive in its specie.

The same goes with unborn humans.

If you do not have the integrity to acknowledge that and the morality to protect that human's life then I cannot expect you to have integrity nor morality in less serious decisions, than whether someone lives or dies, that will affect my family, my friends, my country, our neighbors in the world, nor myself.

Thus, I will not be voting for Sen. Obama.

As far as his choice of V.P. - if Obama wins I think he should treat Biden as though he were keeping his 'enemies closer'.

unspellable

Reading this thread is sort of like reading the thread the other day about the bidet:
[gizmodo.com]
Basically, half of the people thought having a clean, washed ass was good thing and the other half argued that it's better to smear poo around their ass crack with dry tissue.

Oh, and another thing... Already, we've had one comment calling for Biden to be "killed", and some predictable regurgitation of anti-Obama spam that's been circulating around, for example:
[my.barackobama.com]

There is one thing that can't be denied through poll after poll: Most Americans are gullible, stupid, apathetic sheep who deserve whomever they "vote" for. I guess this thread aims to prove this.

johnnyabnormal

Giz,
Excellent, informative points. I care about these issues and it is right to bring them to light. For now, I will still vote Obama because, well....

Imagine trying to explain this article to McCain.

I believe Obama will not be a marionette to Mr. Biden, unlike, say, other presidents. He was chosen for his foreign policy creds, not his tech-savy.

Time will tell.

DaveExile

Damn, I hate misguided OLD people. Down with Biden!

Noobs-R-Us

@johnnyabnormal:

Sadly it is true. Look at the reaction to this post. Most people commenting don't even have any clue how little of an impact Biden's stance on this would affect legislation. Or that McCain in office would be much, much worse for this specific topic.

The fact that people have allowed this administration to strip away personal freedom after personal freedom and pass ridiculous laws so they can profit from war and off the little person's fear is extremely depressing. People can't even think objectively and realize that the threat of terrorism is extremely insignificant on the grand scale and that throwing out everything this country was founded on because of it is beyond foolish.

rochec

omegaviper:

Line two of your post is a fine way to have a visit from the Secret Service.

LarrySlade

@MikeRapin:
from obama's site:
"at a glance
* Ensure an open Internet.
* Create a transparent and connected democracy.
* Encourage a modern communications infrastructure.
* Employ technology to solve our nation's most pressing problems.
* Improve America's competitiveness.

if you go to [www.barackobama.com]
it goes in depth with all of the issues, but as a whole it seems fairly progressive- I don't think you will get a lot of votes if you go up and say "I want lots of piracy and complete anonymity on the internet so that no one knows what you are up to... and it should all be free" (heh, like it was in the old days) but it is definitely more in the direction that we can support than mccain whose stance is:
* Encourage investment in innovation
* Develop a skilled work force
* Champion open and fair trade
* Reform intellectual property protection
* Keep the Internet and entrepreneurs free of unnecessary regulation
* Ensure a fully connected citizenry
with specifics like:
John McCain Will Push For Greater Resources For The Patent Office
John McCain Will Pursue Protection Of Intellectual Property Around The Globe
John McCain Will Protect The Creative Industries From Piracy
(from mcain's site)

entropyman

@altus: "Wow, your last paragraph is unfortunate"

Well, it is unfortunately TRUE. Americans in general have a pathetic education level compared to the rest of the world. They believe almost anything they read, hear or see on TV. The level of misinformation and sheer ignorance is absolutely astounding. Saying so is not "elitist". I say it out of shame for my fellow countrymen and to be absolutely honest. I'm not going to skip in circles singing about how we are "the best country in the world" while our dollar plummets, houses foreclose, gas prices soar, national debt skyrockets, rights get abused, infrastructure crumbles and bullshit wars bleed us dry. It's a absurd state of affairs and you know it.

"Obama has about flip-flopped on everything"

So has McCain

"I wished that Hilary had been in Obama's shoes personally and that Obama had been VP and next time President."

Well, Hillary only has herself to blame for how that panned out.

"So now let's get it all clear and be respectful of everyone."

Things look perfectly clear to me. Respect is earned. I don't respect people who take pride in being ignorant. (not you, of course)

johnnyabnormal

Biden, while not an ideal fit for Net Neutrality, is a VERY intelligent man. The Obama/Biden Ticket is a very strong one.

Just FYI, Biden teaches at Widener University and has a very distinguished record. Obama is the is going for President and has a Very strong commitment to NN, so having Biden on board only makes me happy.

Don't depend on Tech blogs for your politics, they'll only give you a small sample of a candidates' stances.

ReynaldoRiv

@altus
Obama has flip flopped on everything do you know anything about McCain's political history he went from having almost the same views as every democrat to being completly republican to get the party nomination

and for those of you saying Obama makes to much money. McCain is worth over $100,000,000 has 7 houses and cannot remember what kind of car he drives. Probably because his wife controls the family finances, but whatever. He pretends to know how the working america feels and at the same time thinks you have to have $5,000,000 to be comfortable living in this country how far out of touch could you get.

My point all of the people dissing Obama should try researching McCain's past before you start shouting out untruths because in the case of Mistakes McCain has made same ones plus a thousand. his educational record is just like Bush's bottom of his class in Naval academy because his Daddy was an admiral and he is 72 so his mind is definetly as sharp as ever

Zomb

@unspellable: Right on! Let's protect the unborn children! That way, they can spend their miserable existence searching for jobs that aren't there because of a failed economy. Better yet, lets ship them off to Iraq where they can become disabled and have a poor quality of life when they return home because they can't afford healthcare. McCain FTW!

kwicherbichin

@altus:

I assume you were referring to me? I didn't start with "you have no clue what you are talking about", I starter with some grammar nazism.

But just because you don't like me saying he has no clue what he's talking about doesn't mean I'm wrong. Taxes kill jobs and small business? What the hell? That isn't even remotely true. He doesn't understand how an elected official could have a substantial increase in income? Especially one in Obama's shoes who has gone from a jr. senator to the front runner for the democratic nominee last year. A best seller might help the income a bit as well, but hey I know it's really hard to understand.

Not to even mention him saying that Obama is radical. Huh???

Not one point in his comment made any sense.

rochec

Say what ya want about Biden but his the main reason am voting for Obama, otherwise McCain would have my vote

snitch29

wow what a bunch of sheep! (jk, but there is some truth)

Charging_Mooses

Bob Barr for President!

Diskoboy

@altus: " If I was going into hand-to-hand combat in enem territory, I'd take McCain over about anyone in the world. Even at his age. That's because his record speaks for himself."

Uh, hate to tell you this...but he was a horrible pilot. He'd crash you in a plane before you'd get to any hand to hand combat! Btw, economic warfare? McCain's record ain't so great there either. Ever heard of the Keating Five?

[en.wikipedia.org]

johnnyabnormal

i guess obama just lost his presidency :O haha

Arsenal6

@snitch29: If I was going into hand-tohand combat in enem territory, I'd take McCain over about anyone in the world. Even at his age. That's because his record speaks for himself. But we're not. We are going into economic warfare and trying to build an open society that respects net privacy and the ability for people to share information freely. That's why the Obama/Biden position is so critical. Biden is an unfortunate choice. There were so many much better options. Now they need to fix it. They have to start now or they will lose many. It's urgent and imperative.

altus

@Luziphir:
Because the only thing that matters is what goes on on the interwebs. Obama has already said he's going to support a lot of technology-related things including net neutrality. Let Obama do what he's said he will while Biden works where his strengths lie - on foreign politics and the like.

Blah8

@johnnyabnormal: Interesting about the Keating 5. I had heard of it before, but was the first time I had read it thoroughly.

But.. it really doesn't look like he did much:

" The Ethics Committee ruled that the involvement of McCain in the scheme was also minimal, and he too was cleared of all charges against him. McCain was criticized by the Committee for exercising "poor judgment" when he met with the federal regulators on Keating's behalf. The report also said that McCain's "actions were not improper nor attended with gross negligence and did not reach the level of requiring institutional action against him....Senator McCain has violated no law of the United States or specific Rule of the United States Senate." On his Keating Five experience, McCain has said: "The appearance of it was wrong. It's a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do."

Several accounts of the controversy contend that McCain was included in the investigation primarily so that there would be at least one Republican target. Glenn's inclusion in the investigation has been attributed to Republicans who were angered by the inclusion of McCain, as well as committee members who thought that dropping Glenn (and McCain) would make it look bad for the remaining three Democratic Senators. Democrat Robert S. Bennett, who was the special investigator during the scandal, suggested to the Senate Ethics Committee that it pursue charges against neither McCain nor Glenn, saying of McCain, "that there was no evidence against him." The Vice Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Senator Warren Rudman of New Hampshire, agreed with Bennett, but the Chairman, Senator Howell Heflin of Alabama, did not agree.

Regardless of the level of their involvement, both senators were greatly affected by it. McCain would write in 2002 that attending the two April 1987 meetings was "the worst mistake of my life". Glenn has described the Senate Ethics Committee investigation as the low point of his life. "

It's amazing how petty adults can be, eh?

Hilo

George H.W. Bush completely changed his political stripes not once but twice--once when he sucked up to the racists in Texas (and lost) and once when he sucked up to the right-wingers nationwide (and won). No matter what any politician said yesterday, it doesn't mean he'd say the same thing today.

I'd like to think it's because they believe, as Emerson did, that a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, but it's more likely they just want to kiss the ass that'll get them elected.

infmom

Lloyd Kaufman would have made a good VP choice;

LarrySlade

Ok, first off I have to say congrats to the Obama supporters who arn't jumping ship at the first sign of a old white guy. If Obama is sticking true to his word of picking a VP who is going to be someone he can debate with rather then just roll over. I think Biden is a good choice.

Also, I don't know a whole lot about Mr. Biden's history but I can take a pretty good measure of a man by the way he carries himself (and I don't just mean posture)

And one thing that impressed me about Mr. Biden was in the early debates when we still had a whole boat load of candidates for this election. When most of the other candidates were asked a question, they wasted the first half of their time kissing the ass of everyone around them with the same generic insincere " thank you for having me B.S" and the second half with a tap-dance answer that usually didn't answer anything.

When Joe Biden was asked a question, he'd cut through the B.S and answer the damn thing in a straight forward manner and move on. To me, the manner he answered the question in was just as important as the answer itself. To me it's a the mark of someone who's more interested in being a leader then a politician.

moogoescow

OK it has been said once and it shall be said again "Gizmodo we love you but PLEASE stay out of politics...please"

SirNirian

Don't be stupid. 'I'm not voting for this guy' means McCain gets in, and he and his administration will be far worse. If you want to protect yourselves, you vote Obama. Simple.

Not voting in protest doesn't mean nobody wins. You just made it easier for the other guy to win is all.

What do I care anyway. I'm not american. Watching McCain win will merely maintain my respect for americans at zero.

Cultivar

Could be worse, we could be getting this:

[wherearethedogshumping.com]

beardedkid

@snitch29: No internet for you!

sxr7171

@hobobobo:

So you dont want anyone touching your money ? So you vote for Mcain ? If we go to war where do you think the money comes from ? More money is spent on wars then any of these programs you hate. I dont like people taxing my money so I choose Obama who is less likely to act on his temper and bomb iran or russia for that matter. Giving Obama another $100 today. I hope the money I give him today will save my kids from paying for another war.

Oh and the pro life folks. How about all you adopt all the children of the world. When there are no more children to adopt I will be happy to change my mind.

PDSM

@Cultivar: Until we show as a society that we value intelligence and rational thought in our leaders I can't really blame you for having zero respect for us as a whole. But damn buddy, you better care about which one we choose, because McCain would make everything else a hell of alot worse fo ervraybody

ALT

so, that one up for obama earlier this year about him knowing more about technology just went out the window.... lost the vote

nick

@Blinklink11: Obama is just a figure head to win the election...once in, he's going to relinquish the presidency and step down, leaving Biden in charge. Obama's slip up the other day wasn't a fluke, it was a Freudian slip of what's to come. Also, Obama's "financial expert" is none other then Jon Corzine who has done wonders (sarcasm) for NJ...if you want even more business deals w/ the Chinese & outsourcing as much as possible, then be sure to pick Obama. Not that McCain is any better, possibly worse, which is why everyone needs to vote, but vote 3rd party. We're screwed as a nation either way, Dem or Rep, but at least the message gets out.

Mr. Black

@lazerpenguin: Amen.

justhesh

Whoopidydoo. It should come as no surprise that a politician would have misguided thoughts on the internet, it's not like these people actually know anything. Public service is a good job for the otherwise unemployable; any rational, intelligent human being would rather stay in the public sector.

We've really come down to deciding between a giant douche and a turd sandwich, anyway. It's odd, this is the first election I'll have the honor of voting in since I turned 18 (I was a Marine and deployed in both of the preceding presidential elections), and I really can't decide. Both candidates are knee deep in douchebaggery, and I for one am appalled that these are the 2 best candidates we as a nation can decide upon. Shame on us.

Yarrr

A war cost more in blood and money then anything else. Who do you think will start another war?

PDSM

at least biden knows what the internet is.
mcbush cant even use a computer (said so himself)

mpriorfan22

I can't believe so many of you think it matters who you vote for. I can't believe so many of you fall for the Dems Vs. Reps crap that they feed us. They talk about unity and what not, but truth is, when votes are on the line, they want us to be as separate as possible. AFTER the voting has happened, it goes back to business as usual. Party doesn't much matter at that point. Unless your an idiot like Nancy Pelosi who won't even listen to her own party.

Have you ever watched a commercial late at night and thought, wow I want that? Guess what, the commercial worked!

Have you ever thought, wow, I should vote for that guy. Guess what, they told you exactly what you wanted to hear. Politicians, like many of the purchases you make, often don't live up to the hype.

nobodyzhome

fuck this, im writing i colbert.

roflwaffles

spend the hour it takes to flip through the OBAMA plan
[www.barackobama.com]
There is nothing new or different from the democrat platform for the last 40 years. News flash! Democrats have not solved anything with their plans. Like the pharmaceutical companies no longer working on cures, but maintenance drugs. The democrats have maintenance ideas.

CGANIERE

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!

burninator

when the wailing and gnashing of teeth has subsided, and you are standing alone in the voting booth, where you are alone with just your beliefs, all of us will have to answer but one question:

in a world that has slipped loose the dogs of war, where the innocent are being killed by those who have an absolute hatred of anything that smacks of freedom and choice. who will be the man who will stand up, not seek a quorum of world opinion, and simply do what is right, regardless of what ANYONE thinks.

that is the one true issue that confronts the US, and the rest of the free world.

the ability to make this choice used to be automatic.

in the eurocentric, everybody is equal, morally bankrupt, society that has evolved from good intentions being more important than actual results coming from hard work, some of us have lost the ability to make this choice.

i know what choice i will make, and i will sleep well for having made it.

i hope you will be able to do the same

godwhacker

Good thing I was going to vote for McCain anyways. I don't follow politics on a daily basis, but I very clearly remember turning on CNN for about 10 minutes and seeing 3 separate clips of Obama speaking...the man is about as bad as Bush when it comes to speaking skills. Everyone seems to think he's a fantastic speaker, but I haven't really seen it. I guess I just turned on CNN at the wrong time.

Eric1285

If the "online vote" counted Ron Paul would still be running.
I agree though, I thought Biden was cool but now that I know this I am starting to change my mind.

Strider-No.9

@StarControl: I don't understand, besides Biden, what has Obama done wrong to be a "poor" choice in your mind? Are you sure you're not falling prey to McCain's attack ads?

GiantEnemyCrab

@Hilo: We may never know exactly how deep in that mess McCain was (Keating 5). As we might never know the level of corruption in many politicians. I vote based on where a candidate stands & his/her record...not political party. I also don't vote based on race or religion, unless someone doesn't have a clue what separation of church and state means.

johnnyabnormal

The democrats screwed themselves incredibly - with both Obama and Clinton. You know it is a sad sad sad day when a democrat is looking to vote republican. Not because I like republican all that much, but because Obama is a poor choice, and now he up and selected Biden as his co.

At least by voting republican this year I can hope that Mccain crooks and his co takes up his place ( assuming he picks someone with more brains and .. you know ... personality )

StarControl

McCain '08. I don't dislike Obama from what I've heard him say, but I mean, when 9 out of 10 of your speeches consist of little more than screaming about the need for CHANGE, but proposing no fixes, and you have less than a decade in Washington, you won't make a good president. And McCain seems to me to have the best overall policy he wants to enact.

Con Seannery

People seem to always forget that you don't have to vote for nominees... You don't. You can vote for whomever you want. If Biden doesn't change his tune about the intertubes... Then my vote is going elsewhere, not to McCain, but maybe Ron Paul. Yes you can vote for him... You can write in anyone you want to. Everyone would just have you believe that you can only Vote Obama or McCain... I guess I could say 'they' but who are 'they' anyways?

akothan

we have a term for obama in illinois.... CROOK COUNTY POLITICIAN.

did you know he helped his church "aquire" over 15 million dollars in grants? 15 mil. What church in ILLINOIS gets millions from the government...????

His of course.

knappoleon

Do you think that Declan McCullagh eats haggis? I'm just sayin' . . .

alowishus

@godwhacker: I heard through the grape vine that you're writing in Al Gore? Muahahaha....

johnnyabnormal

@knappoleon: Hey, if you're going to repeat some dumb stuff you read on FAUX News, at least include the rest of the info from the article:

"Records show this money supported a variety of outreach: everything from low income housing to nutritional programs for needy kids to money for HIV/AIDS education."

"Barack Obama did not work to secure grant money for Trinity United Church of Christ while serving in the Illinois state Legislature or Congress."

Another nice little nugget you should read:

"With neither Congressional approval nor oversight, and without Judicial review, President Bush has successfully implemented his vision of doling out multi-billions of federal taxpayer funds annually to faith-based groups to supplement or support their social services programs."

Do you have ANY idea how much money mega-churches in the South rake in? Wake up.

johnnyabnormal

@gamecrazychris: u mean fred thompson?

ThisIsSharksTerriroty

Meh. Remember, you are voting for Obama. He is good. This guy, who cares? He isn't going to do anything radical if Mr. Obama is top dog and seems to be against things like what was listed in the article. If you were planning on voting for Obama, still fucking vote for him!

The Magnificen7

Looking back through the comments (sorry for the double post) I have come to realize the sad state that American voters are in. I am frankly appalled by the amount of one issue voters and spineless flip-floppers I have seen on the news and in the polls, but the amount here scares me a little.

Wake up guys, this election is so incredibly important. Think of what truly matters, instead of the little things that will make no difference. I am terrified (as a Canadian) to be watching a sure thing slip away in November because you were too scared or cowardly to do the right thing, and to make your own decision. I agree with a poster before me, it's only you in that voting booth. You have a chance to make things better, not just for yourself, but for everyone. Don't decide not to vote because of something like this. I don't want to see senior citizens in Florida and misinformed zealots ruin the one chance the US has at redemption. Please, make the right decision.

The world wants to respect you, don't spit in our faces again. The system may be flawed, but it's the only chance you have. Don't waste votes, don't decide not to vote, and don't decide to vote for somebody else because of something as trivial as this. I applaud everyone before me who has taken a similar stance, and for those who haven't, give your head a shake. I'm sorry for the harsh words, but I can't watch it happen again. You have the power to change the world. Don't leave it up to somebody else.

I know we like to joke around here, but this isn't a joke. I'll thank you for understanding that.

The Magnificen7

Yes, please.
Let us engage in political discussions on a tech blog.

-or better yet, let's take 'em seriously.
(hoo boy)

strider_mt2k

Let us all hope he doesn't get the chance to take office. With Obama's stance on Net Neutrality all but solidified, I'd have to say I think the internet users of the US are safe...for now at least.

Imakeholesinu

@Hilo: Actually, he backpedaled on the NASA thing. Seems someone briefed him on the good points of the space program.

Anyway... ugh.

brainwav

@The Magnificen7: This is not a small issue. Moving into the future, this is a huge issue. What they're saying here is "let's pass laws that'll make it legal to fuck over not only you but all of your descendants". And the American people aren't tech savy enough to understand that. The big problem with the current administration (and McCain as well) is that they support policies that allow mega corporations to run roughshod over ordinary US citizens. Iraq is just a symptom of that fact, as is middle class poverty, DRM and allowing said mega corps to throttle Internet access. And it's a shame that Biden is on the wrong side of the fence on this one. Not enough of a shame for me to switch my vote (not by a long long long shot) but it's still a shame.

stryder100

@unspellable: I hope this gets devoweled. We're talking about Biden's record on technology here. There are lots of places to talk about the subjects you address. Go there.

That being said, Biden's record on tech does concern me greatly.

stryder100

@drkick:

Read: Rednecks are retards and racists, yea?

I swear, some people don't think that classifying people into one group just makes them look bad. Is saying this any better than saying niggers (Hey! Rednecks is just a rude way to say Southern or Country people!) are all watermelon eating fried chicken loving welfare drawing dregs of society?

No, it isn't. Please keep your stereotypes to yourself.

Kicken

@lazerpenguin: Yes, I agree. I won't just not vote because the VP disagrees on some topics, like he has any stopping power really. I mean if Dick can go shoot people, well, he has a lot of free time.

SubKamran

This dude sucks. I'm still voting Obama, because I don't want McCain as pres. I'd rather have Obama in there with a small change of D-bag in the office than have McCain in the office at all. Besides, when's the last time we heard of a VP actually accomplishing anything?

@snitch29: Your statement makes me think of that Firefly episode where the crew goes into an Alliance bar on I-Day. Welcome sore thumb man!

hagrun

@johnnyabnormal:

LOL, ahhhhh, no.

you gots to stay outta the vinyard, nothin good there happens.........

godwhacker

This is more of a reason to vote for the Libertarian candidate, Bob Barr. He's into smaller federal government, and less interference with over regulation like the Democrats like to do.

www.bobbarr2008.com

dacman61

Have ANY of you even bothered to check Bidens voting record?
1. He wants to tax the net on EVERYTHING, including a per byte rate. say goodbye to unlimited downloads.

2. you "borrow" someone else's wireless (wifi hunting, a seemingly new game on the net) and that would be prison term offense with you being placed in a 1-5 term. Granted this is not cool, but 1-5 years? A fine and community service is a better sentence.

3. He wants to turn the backbone control of the Internet from an American company that has held this since the start of the net (WebUseNet) to the UN. and they already want to tax this at $.25 per byte.

Obama on the other hand, has made these statements in the Ill State Assembly, so it seems that they are in lock step to destroy the net.

1. Obama wants jail time for ALL file shares, and massive fines for music shares...even if you let a friend borrow a store cd, and the friend rips it and posts it...YOU will receive the same punishment as your friend as YOU were the source of it (thank God that never passed, but what if he becomes Prez? ever hear of an executive order?)

2. Obama wants to increase the taxes on Social Security (isn't this suppose to be tax free according to the SS law that was passed in 1940's) And need I remind you that it was the DEMOCRATS that have stolen close to 1 TRILLION dollars from the Social Security Fund. Dont believe me? Look up Helvering v Davis on the www.ssa.gov webpage and get ready for a massive shock...it was a DEMOCRAT Supreme Court that ruled this money went into the national treasury and the Democrats have been stealing it every since and owe the taxpayers 1.7 TRILLION in payments and interest.

3. Obama wants to increase taxes on EVERYONE that makes $50,000 and up. How else is he going to pay for all of the things he wants to do? The US Treasury has released a report showing that if everything that Obama wants is done..the tax rate for a SINGLE individual would increase by 80% and for the Married individual with or without kids...it would increase by 52%

I am no fan of McCain...but how low do you have to be to try and hide this info from the American Taxpayer, knowing that if they found this out your political career is dead in the water.

coffinsurfer

Biden is only going to be the VICE PRESIDENT. Obama will be pulling the shots, and Obama is STRONGLY PRO-NET NEUTRALITY. Go on his website. It's one of Obama's main policies.

XerxesMerula

Biden ist not only an online facist, he is also in real world one of the most fervent war mongers. So now everybody knows who is behind Obama. It is the same circle as behind Bush or.... or... or....

Read this: [www.amazon.com]

BTW: A "Manchurian Candidadate is someone who has been brain-washed to be the instrument of someone else.

rufanna

While I disagree with his polices stated above, the fact is the state and welfare of the country is more important than your The Wire Season 5 torrent.

ESModul

From Obama's website:

Protect Intellectual Property at Home: Intellectual property is to the digital age what physical goods were to the industrial age. Barack Obama believes we need to update and reform our copyright and patent systems to promote civic discourse, innovation and investment while ensuring that intellectual property owners are fairly treated.

He sure makes it sound nice... I wonder how he'd describe going to a proctolo