In light of recent events, I have decided to choose a candidate.

[Hortensis]

23. We-elll, expertise in both judiciary and foreign affairs, for two things.

In addition to chairing both senate committees, he acted as a fireman and diplomat, assigned various responsibilities by President Obama in the ME and Ukraine (overseeing the cleaning out of corruption, including Russia-linked, for instance), as well as other nations. No one begins to match his foreign affairs chops.

Biden is well known to colleagues both here and internationally to be a man of integrity and honor. He's trusted by those he works with. We're going to need all the trust and good will our president can reestablish, and all the big players have worked with him before.

The U.S. is a union of 50 semi-autonomous states, plus other territories, extremely diverse and all with their individual economies, legal systems, cultures, climate and geographic issues, and power centers of all types, not just political, that must be reckoned and worked with. And on and on. No other candidate begins to have Biden's knowledge about how this incredibly complex country works, connections, and expertise in what can be done and how. And which people when given power make it work well and who doesn't. And when he doesn't, he knows just who to ask and trust to give him good information.

For someone whose environment/climate record began back in 1972, when passing climate legislation wouldn't earn anyone more than a handful of votes, his record is excellent. He's very well regarded by and been a dependable partner in DC for environmental groups for decades, and he has a great deal of expertise in the various realities of the costs and benefits of what needs to be done, undone, how to make it happen, etc.

This is the plus side of being a caring, involved liberal Democrat who's served in government for nearly a half century. And there's more. That's just some main points that leap to mind.