Biden To Protesters: Politics Of Division Must End

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden made fun of a small group of protesters Sunday, then told supporters that the raucous Republicans are the same people they need to embrace once the election is over.

About two dozen supporters of Republican John McCain wailed loudly outside an event next to Florida State University's football stadium, causing Biden to stop and say, "I thought it was a siren, it's just a whine."

Acknowledging the group, Biden said he would speak louder so they can hear.

"The economic policies of the last eight years are the cause of the economic crisis we find ourselves in now," Biden said, his voice rising. "John _ as my mother would say, God love him _ continues to cling, cling to those same economic policies."

The event began a three-city swing through Florida, a must-win state for McCain. Democrat Barack Obama has erased the lead McCain had in the polls for much of the year, with most polls now showing a statistical tie. Obama has pumped a lot of money and staff into Florida, which has only supported one Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976, that being Bill Clinton in 1996.

More than 4.2 million votes have already been cast in Florida, with Democrats casting about 330,000 more early and absentee votes than Republicans through Saturday, according to figures compiled by the state Democratic Party.

While Biden made several references to the protesters as he criticized McCain, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, he told the crowd of about 1,000 that they need to unite with Republicans.

"We can't moan about the politics of division unless after this election's over, God willing we win, we reach out to the very people out in the outer parking. I mean literally, not a joke," Biden said. "I know you find some of that obnoxious, but ... we've got to end this. Somebody's got to be big enough to stand up and end it."

Story continues below

advertisement

At the University of Florida in Gainesville later Sunday, Biden pointed out quieter protesters, particularly one waving a large flag with the Republican emblem.

"I also salute our Republican colleagues carrying that elephant out there," Biden said after thanking Florida Democratic Party leaders. As the crowd booed, Biden quieted them. "No, no! That's good, folks. Hey! Hey! Hey no! No, no. It's a good thing, man, it's a good thing."

Biden later stopped in Daytona Beach, where more than 1,000 attended a rally at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Noting the area's connection to auto racing, Biden said, "We just turned the homestretch and we can see the checkered flag, folks."

Biden's trip comes the day after Sarah Palin made a three-city swing through central and northern Florida. McCain scheduled a midnight rally in Miami and plans to campaign in Tampa Monday; Obama plans a Monday rally in Jacksonville.

___

On the Net:

McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com

Obama: http://www.barackobama.com

Comments

[redsongia]

Biden is great for the team. He fell in line with Obama's message and hit the trail almost immediately doing 2 and 3 rallies a day. I love both these guys, and I'm glad that Obama's campaign gave him a little room to be himself, even if he is goofy and corney. It's why he's so loved.

[jabe]

I referenced this article in a blog post discussing Biden's responses to the protesters.
http://objectors.us/

[truthseeker7]

Go Obama/Biden, but not enough will change unless we take away the abiity of the pivately owned Federal Reserve to control our money supply and continue to add to our debt. Do people realize that we (the federal government) are borrowing money from the Federal Reserve (a bunch of private bankers) to bail out a bunch of private bankers so that they can continue to loan us back our own money on which we will pay interest back to the profits of private bankers? They are making money out of thin air - literally. Why don't we do it ourselves and pay ourselves interest, just like Abraham Lincoln did!

[webprogrammer]

Advocating reaching out to Republicans strikes me as being a lot like advocating reaching out to a rabid dog. I expect to behave as I always have, polite and respectful while making my point to those who are polite and respectful in making theirs. And a verbal rattlesnake when faced with lies, distortions, insults, and denigration of my service and that of others. Anyone who thinks Republicans are suddenly going to find respect, civility ("Kill him!") and the value of truth after watching a black man ascend to the White House is living a fantasy. If you're going to reach out to a Republican, there better be a hundred dollar bill in that hand.

[strength]

seems Biden is getting as big of crowds as Mccain is! Im so proud of Tampa for ignoring the old man as he yells at our clouds!

[bygollymissmolly]

Difference between the Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin campaigns. Obama/Biden talk to the protesters. McCain/Palin either have them removed or have them arrested. The other day McCain had his people removing people from the crowd who "looked like they may be an Obama supporter". He had one young couple removed, who had voted for McCain the day before. The woman said she really wished she had not already voted for McCain. She said after what happened to them, she would have changed her vote.

[carriellbee]

This is scary. They are profiling people based on nothing more than appearance. McCain is ins@ne.

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2008/10/28/news/local_news/doc49068f6ccce49245010961.txt

[emncaity]

Boy. You must be against law 'n' order or something. ;-)

[thehonestpolitician]

"In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope. In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.....In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. That"s what"s at stake. That"s what we"re fighting for." Obama Closing argument Speech - Oct 27th 2008
Now GO VOTE! Make History!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[minty68]

Joe Biden may insert his foot in his mouth sometimes, but I truly believe that he is a kind, honest, straight-forward broker who has everyone's best interest at heart. It will be refreshing to have someone like that in the White House.

[emncaity]

He puts his foot in his mouth a lot less than people think. He's said a couple of things over the past 30 years that you can identify as really not good, but mostly it's hype based on reputation. Take that comment about Obama being "tested." That's about as controversial as saying the sun comes up in the east every day. But the media sheep were ready to eat it up.

[redsongia]

Agreed. Also, the joking and the self deprecating friendly dog demeanor vanishes when he's talking foreign policy. He's no light weight, for sure.

[BillMelater]

It is not news that the republicans have divided us. From the impeachment of Bill Clinton, their venom and hate have spewed all over this country and covered everything. We saw how much George Bush was a uniter, not a divider as he claimed. They wish us to stay divided because divided we fall... right into the republican sea of lies and deception.

Two years ago, we swam to the edge of that sea. Tomorrow, we are going to climb out!

http://billmel8er.wordpress.com

[protagonia]

Everybody bring a camera phone into the voting booth.

Record your own hand casting the vote!

[solanus]

Hey Joe taking the High Road, love ya

[jnah]

wow is that what a respectable politician sounds like

[MrKINOKO]

Yes, absolutely. Why do you ask?

[ApolloniaCreed]

Well, yes...

[hogoza]

Joe the Biden is really funny!!!

[Pulemerci]

Biden is on "The Road to Change" bus? Change? Coming from a 4 decade DC insider? One who lost miserably at the polls in the 88 and 2008 primaries?

[Sunnyd1965]

Why yes Joe is proof you are never to old to change :)
Perhaps you should take a page out of his book and learn to adapt and change for the good of the country.

[Pulemerci]

He's been on the wrong side of issues (major ones) during most of hios long and lackluster career. He was one of five senators who voted against the Alaskan Pipelin in the early 70's. After Saddam Hussein"s army invaded Kuwait, Biden voted against the first Gulf War, claiming the U.S. had no "vital interests" in stopping the invasion. Virtually everything he predicted about that war -- American casualties, Saddam Hussein"s weapons capability, the reaction of the Arab states -- turned out to be dead wrong. Biden has since conceded his "No" vote was a mistake.
Biden has been wrong on domestic and social issues as well. Early in his Senate career, he voted for price controls and windfall profit taxes that actually increased U.S. dependence on foreign oil. He has favored a devastating cap-and-trade bill to "reverse" global warming and has vigorously fought the expansion of oil production offshore and in ANWR.
Biden now says he made yet another mistake in supporting Antonin Scalia to the High Court, not because he wasn"t qualified, but because he was "too effective."
The man's an idiot and he's supposed to shore up Obama's paper thin resume?

[MilesTone]

No different than McCain, who started out as the "experienced" candidate, then after he saw how the trend was "changing" he jumped on the "change" bandwagon. The difference though is the Biden never voted with Bush 90% of the time.

[GlenRast]

As compared to what? Change from the phony 'maverick' who sold himself to the Christian right? Takes a real maverick to push his campaign finance reform bill with the knowledge that his party was going to have it struck down in court. Or perhaps change from Palin who wants to 'change' the country into a Christian version of Iran? That is if her and McCain don't get us all nuked first.

[Bitsko]

One thing you're forgetting: The voters of his state keep reelecting him.

[bygollymissmolly]

You are going to be in so much trouble Wednesday morning. You might want to seek out friends now so that they can console you. Your and your ilk's rein of terror is over and "we the people" are taking back our government.

[lwfky]

The only "Joe" this campaign should be talking about- a man of honor who wants to bring this country together.
Obama/Biden '08
GO VOTE!

[TheAlchemist]

Amen

Repeat after me:

President Obama

Om

God keep these men and their families safe.

[solanus]

President Obama, yes please God

[MsDoc]

It's a great feeling to be able to support two candidates that I both like and respect. It's also an unusual feeling in politics.

I have great faith that the Democratic ticket will do it's level best to repair the tears in our society and bring us back to the path of international respect.

I'm not silly enough to think it will be easy... but I do think, that working together as citizens, we can make it possible.