Joe Biden: Obama 'Has A Big Stick. I Promise You' (VIDEO)

Vice President Joe Biden spoke at length in defense of President Obama's foreign policy on Thursday, managing to draw snickers for a comment about the commander in chief's "big stick."

"I promise you, the president has a big stick," Biden said, after quoting President Teddy Roosevelt's enduring foreign policy advice to "speak softly and carry a big stick."

The audience at New York University responded with scattered laughter.

"I promise you," Biden repeated, deadpanning.

The Associated Press reports on the more mature and substantive content of Biden's speech:

The vice president said Obama had met the foreign policy challenges facing the United States in the 21st century, including ending the war in Iraq and ordering the mission that killed Osama bin Laden.

He said Romney's foreign policy vision is stuck in the Cold War-era.

"Governor Romney is counting on our collective amnesia," Biden said. "But Americans know that we cannot afford to go back to the future."

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[cfwintner]

12:04 AM on 05/08/2012

This speech was written by others and read by many others before it was delivered. Maybe Biden didn't get the joke, but the author and white house advisors did.

[regularguynyc]

03:13 AM on 05/05/2012

Biden never ceases to disappoint...BTW: As per FOI ACT Biden's VP interview has been released...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmRXH7RkCZQ

[MrDrawingguy]

08:01 PM on 05/01/2012

Sounds as though he has first hand knowledge?
Honestly, if Abbott and Costello are re-elected we deserve the consequences.. :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ86Bd4Xfcc

[Kyle Noe]

09:10 AM on 05/01/2012

This is one of those harmless, funny gaffes that I'm glad to hear about.

$10,000 bet, "I have friends who own NASCAR teams," etc. are a completely different kind of gaffe.

[flygirl10]

09:41 PM on 04/29/2012

Don't all blackguys?

[Bon1042]

05:25 AM on 04/29/2012

I know the culture has a one track mind, but despite Biden's propensity to commit gaffes, in all seriousness, I do believe he was simply quoting Teddy Roosevelt's famous phrase re. foreign policy, to "walk softly and carry a big stick." Seems to me in this case, it was the university audience and their sniggering that was THEIR problem. This one wasn't on Biden. And, I'll probably get harangued, but that video of J. kimmel's at the corr dinner tonight (last night now) was really sickening and just distasteful. I felt uncomfortable watching it, and the photo doctored to show President w/other foreign leaders with a "big stick" scribbled into the photo looking appropriately erect was so totally frat boy, and frankly humiliating to the office of the President. It just seems that the male preoccupation with "their big sticks" or sticks otherwise, is what drives the world engine. That may be our universal problem.... that is... I want a stick bigger than your... stick. And I'll blow you up if I don't get my way.

[regularguynyc]

03:18 AM on 05/05/2012

Unfortunately, Biden is not bright enough to even paraphrase TR correctly...Biden could have said that Obama "Carries a Big Stick" or been original and said something else...Instead he let his hair plugs do the talking...

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

01:43 AM on 04/29/2012

For those of you feigning concern about Biden being next in line for the presidency... remember, YOU voted for Dubya (TWICE)!! So, cut out the drama, please!

[regularguynyc]

03:21 AM on 05/05/2012

Biden has had two brain aneurisms, been busted twice for plagiarism and is the currently the only politician in America dumber than Obama....therefore, he makes the perfect Leftist VP...

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

08:29 PM on 05/05/2012

What a joke! Next to that line of Republican candidates, Biden looks like a Renaissance man. Perry, Bachmann, Cain, etc.... are you kidding me??? LOL!!! You must not have watched the Republican debates!
Gingrich was talking about a moon colony for Chrissakes!!! ROFLMBO!! Leno, Letterman, and SNL will have a field day with your group of loonybirds!

[Raiderinntacoma]

04:33 PM on 04/27/2012

I believe the correct term is ANACONDA........Now I understand that funny looking grin on Michelle's face.

[Brew50]

04:13 PM on 04/27/2012

You can tell by the way he walks that he has a "big stick." ;-)

[rtaylor1974]

02:37 PM on 04/27/2012

This man is a Gaffe MASTER!!

Jedi of Gaffes

[The truth 1234]

01:38 PM on 04/27/2012

People that mock The VIce Presidents comment are just childish idiots......He quoted one of American HIstory's greatest presidents in stating talk softly, but carry a big stick and then went on to say the president has a big stick, only meaning he is the man in charge and means what he says, no manner how low/softly he says it. Grow up!

[The last sane American]

02:58 PM on 04/27/2012

Absolutely pathetic try at squelching a completely idiotic gaffe by this apology for a VP

[Devorah Judith]

07:39 AM on 04/28/2012

Hey. The VP has much for which to apologize, not the least of which is what flows out of his mouth. My personal favorite is his, "This is a big f_____ deal" when referring to the unConstitutional healthscam bill.

[ewrug]

07:53 PM on 04/28/2012

LOL, your upset telling everyone else to grow up, thats rich. Isnt a shame that Obama just picked many cabinet members and an idiot for a VP. Living Proof that he has no ability to be effective,especaily when most of the Rats have resigned or are not returning if Obama wins.

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

01:29 AM on 04/29/2012

I find it absolutely hilarious that most who have the gall to call the VP an idiot, actually voted (not once but) TWICE for George Dubya Bush! LOL!!!

[redcoat]

01:34 PM on 04/27/2012

Little Man
Little State
Little Mind
But a BIG mouth

[The last sane American]

02:59 PM on 04/27/2012

And how!

[maryfred]

01:18 PM on 04/27/2012

And that big stick is gonna knock willard around the debates like a rag doll. Can't wait! I'm a ninety-nine %er-so I'll have my spam and gov't cheese all ready to go. A soul brother vs. a manegan? NO CONTEST!!!

[Devorah Judith]

07:40 AM on 04/28/2012

Maybe he will send you to those dumbed down schools. Your spelling, etc., need help.

[maryfred]

01:14 PM on 04/28/2012

Thanks for the tip...as you can tell; eyes alredy wass thair:)) HAPPY VOTING!

[robtral62961]

12:55 PM on 04/27/2012

And the Polls show no Balls...

[maryfred]

01:14 PM on 04/27/2012

You Must Be Talking About Willard: the right sized tree guy:))))

[Devorah Judith]

07:45 AM on 04/28/2012

No the "tree" guy is Al Gore. He has been referred to as The Tree Trunk for decades. The moniker refers to his size, clumsiness (rivaling Gerald Ford), randiness (attempting to emulate Clinton), lack of class (right in there with Edwards) and just plain lack of ethics (selling supposedly green credits which he was allowed to do because of pushing through the selfish legislation which enabled him to do so). To be fair various masseuses got most of his ill-gotten gain. Class acts all.

[notwaff]

12:35 PM on 04/27/2012

----------

considering how President Obama is cutting defense, perhaps Biden meant to say

The President is castrating his big stick

----------

[rtaylor1974]

02:37 PM on 04/27/2012

Sorry that needs to be SLICED even more than he is willing to do...

[Devorah Judith]

07:46 AM on 04/28/2012

What a great way to start the day!! Thank you.