Vice president Joe Biden has taken an influential role in the Obama administration. He oversaw distribution of the economic stimulus, and he helped to formulate the administration's approach to Afghanistan. But Biden also has a well-known tendency for "rhetorical flourishes", sometimes running counter to the administration's message, and requiring clarification by the White House. This past week, President Obama was forced to explain Biden's comments about the economic crisis and a preemptive Israeli attack on Iran. How do you view Joe Biden's performance as vice president? Does his experience outweigh his potential liability? Larry Mantle and a guest talk with listeners.

Mark Barabak, political correspondent for the L.A. Times