America's Middle Class: Is Biden Your Guy?

Enough with the talk about filling in the foreign affairs gap. This just accepts that we are going to live out yet ANOTHER campaign the way the right wants us to -- on their turf. The most pressing issues to America's middle class are economic, economic, and ECONOMIC, so let's learn a little bit more about where Senator Joseph Biden stood when it came to voting for legislation that matter to the pocketbooks of middle-class Americans.

Check out his record here:
http://themiddleclass.org/legislator/joseph-biden-412

And then let's talk.

Comments

[sangsue]

I am so fracking tired of people whining!

Look, NO ONE IS GOING TO BE PERFECT!!!

You have to be pragmatic.

If you hold out for perfection, you'll end up with Republicans.

You know why they always win? Because they're disciplined.

Tell me who would have been perfect!

Kucinich? That would have been one way to guarantee McCain.

Hillary? When your negatives are equal to your positives, that does not bode well.

Nader? Why do you think he's never gotten more than 5 percent!

Say what you want to. Obama stole it from Hillary. He's only there because he's black and the world is sexist. Biden is a slap in the face to Hillary Clinton and her supporters. Biden didnt vote for or against such and such.

If that will stop you for voting for them then you're either looking for an excuse not vote for Obama without saying you won't vote for a black man, you're for Hillary and only for Hillary and or you're not a real Democrat.

A real Democrat votes for the Democrat. Period.

[brighterside]

Why oh why do you people keep saying Hillary won? Prove it!!

Come on I want proof.

[heal57]

He's my guy and I'm a true Independent.


Independent for Obama/Biden '08

[darker]

Me, too.

Who's supposed to be "our guys", MCBUSH, CHENEY???
YOU HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH YET???

Republicans proved that THEY CANNOT GOVERN NATIONALLY.

Republicans are NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
Republicans = CORRUPTION, DESTRUCTION, DEBT, DEATH.

Republicans DON'T DESERVE RE-ELECTION.
Vote for OBAMA-BIDEN, a winning team.

[WASanford]

Here’s a quote for you all to think about.

“Throwing the rascals out is no longer enough. The problem is structural, it is inscribed on the map; it glows from the illuminated logos on the contractors’ office buildings; it is built into the systems of governance themselves. A friend of mine summarized this concisely as we were lunching in one of those restaurants where the suits and soldiers get together. Sweeping his hand so as to take in our fellow diners and all the contractors’ offices beyond, he said, “So you think all of this is just going to go away if Obama gets in:” This whole industry, this whole economy, all these profits?” [1]

America has traveled down this dark road for a long time and it will take hard work and time for us to make our way back into the sunshine. The neo-conservatives have pushed us all towards the center of political thought even as they moved that center towards fascism. We have been guilty of not understanding that they are our sworn enemies. They want nothing less than the total destruction of our government, our institutions, our liberties, and our way of life. It goes without saying that we need to begin fighting back. We can’t do that and pleasure our fancies, we need to be as sly and persistent as they are.

1. Thomas Frank, “The Wrecking Crew,” metropolitan Books, New York, 2008, Conclusion, “Reaching for the Pillars,” p. 271

[WASanford]

I just hope McCain's inauguration speech isn't going to be a bore.

[AmericanFool]

Man, you folks on the left have so many issues. You allow yourself to be labeled 'leftist' (you realize that the word 'sinister' means left-handed, eh?). This 'conservative' vs 'liberal' labeling hurts Democrats, but you still call yourselves liberal. You rail against Biden for supporting middle-class economic issues but don't say what you prefer. Frankly, without a strong middle-class, this nation is doomed. Read a little history and you'll know why. Progressive issues will never be addressed unless there is a strong middle class to support them even if it's a slow path. In way of disclosure, I'm a something of a utilitarian pragmatist, which means on one issue I might seem progressive, and an another I might seem libertarian. On one issue Republican, on another Democratic.
Right now, the only imperative is to wrest control of the white house from the neocons, who use the religous nutcases to secure their majority, and who want to grow the imperial presidency and use it to tell us all how to live our lives, and spy on us to make sure we do it. Yeah, to be sure that kind of reality is a long ways away, but it's also a lot closer than you think. I'd be voting for Obama in any case, as he's so clearly a superior individual, smart and open enough to see the truth on all sides of an issue, and I believe in a meritocracy. Obama-Biden 2008!

[JimR]

Great post!

[GuiltyByStander]

According to the information at the link, Joe is a supporter of middle class interests.

But the wider issue is that this is politics. If you choose not to vote for Obama/Biden -- for whatever good and nuanced reasons -- you are voting for McCain/Romney(?).

This is not about what should be, it's about what is and what is best.

[WASanford]

Why was this "If you're not with us then you're against us" stuff crap when Bush said it but not when you just expressed the same thought? I haven't voted for a Republican since 1972. Nixon and his Watergate scandal taught me a valuable lesson. I'll NEVER vote for another Republican.

But I have this real dilemma, I value my civil liberties. Obama voted to compromise our Fourth Amendment rights. Those rights belong to us, not him. They're not his to surrender! Now how can I vote for someone who has done that to his fellow citizens? How can I trust him with the power of the presidency? If you can give me some answer to that, I'd be much obliged.

[Liberal2]

Oh my, another fool. When Bush first uttered those words, immediately after 9/11, they were true. Had my spine not been blown, I'd have tried to re-up. It was after his invasion of oil-rich Iraq that they became the words of a gangster president. That's when I was grateful for back problems. Ya see, fool, when Hitler had convicted prisoners pulled from German prisons, dressed them in Polish army uniforms and displayed them as members of Polish army units which had crossed into Germany, German men rallied to the defense of their nation. And then Hitler started on his conquest of Europe. Bush pulled the same "bait and switch".

As for Obama and FISA, I have the same problem. I only hope FISA is equivalent to FDR's promise not to send American boys to fight in Europe, even thought he knew we'd have to. So FDR used every political trick to keep Britain from going under (selling obsolete Navy ships to Britain based on a promise to pay later) until Germany or Japan would make the mistake that would drag us into the war.

[swift goat pet for truth]

How?

It's him or McBush.

Can't talk for you, but its pretty easy for me.

[AlG1]

I am Republican. I contributed to Biden's campaign because I thought this was a really important election and we needed a good Democrat in case the Republican was not elected. And I though Biden was the pick of the litter. That said, Biden as VP carry's no weight. Except for the unfortunate case of Dick Chaney there are almost no instances where the VP has much input in US policy. The VP candidate is not a difference maker for me, nor should it be for you.

[example1]

It takes a guy who you liked from one of the three branches (Senate) and moved him (potentially) into the policy side of the executive branch. It takes a guy who you like and puts him in the room with the President, every time, when important decisions are made.

In the past the VP hasn't had much say in the outcome of such meetings, but with Cheney and Biden that will clearly be different. Obama is not so arrogant as to make decisions alone; Biden will be his right hand man.

If you liked Biden before you should support Obama/Biden now, no brainer.

[swift goat pet for truth]

I am encouraged by the NY Times Mag piece about Obama and how he is getting economic advice.

IF that is the way he works, and it seems that it very much is, then not only Biden, but everyone in his cabinet will have a say. And I do not believe his cabinet will be a bunch of yes men, like Bush's is.

[slg]

The guys with their fingers on the big red button are still in place. BushCo has angered a large proportion of the world and messed things up in more than a few. These two Senators are going to have their hands full.

People of conscience. If not now, when?

[sharpstyx]

Remember people we are looking for progress not perfection. Colette is absolutely right , we are not going to fix this overnight, it didnt get broken overnight.

[abigail1]

95% approval, seems pretty good to me.

[okwassup]

I think Joe Biden is an excellent choice. If we listen to the Repubs, there is NO good choice to them since they planned to beat up on whoever was chosen. In picking Biden they claim there's no change and it proves Barack lacks foreign policy experience. But in picking anyone else like Tim Kaine for example, they would have cried neither candidate has enough experience to run the country. So according to them it's a lose/lose.

But picking Biden puts John McCain somewhat into a corner, since now he will have to find someone who can match Joe in the debates, who is experienced enough to actually be President, and is still likable to the conservative and religious wing of the party. Pawlenty? Joe will eat him alive. Ridge? Pro-Lifers will go CRAZY since he's pro-choice. Romney? Religious prejudice will be deep with him being a Mormon. For McCain it's almost a lose/lose.

Joe Biden will be a game changer for the Democrats, and will serve Barack Obama well on foreign and domestic experience issues, with Blue-Collar voters, and as a junk-yard attack dog. Whoever McCain selects will likely just be a dud.

Obama/Biden '08

[colette]

Please, people, get real: We're not going to have a truly progressive, quasi-socialist government in this country that has drifted so far to the right any time soon. We can have a saner, less bellicose, more equitable country, that isn't as militaristic, lethal and corrupt.

If progressives (me included) want an ideal world, then start teaching your kids and grandkids how to plot one out. But if we want to improve the lives of millions of people in the US and around the world, even a little, today, we need to get behind Obama-Biden and turn our fire on McSame, not savage our own candidates for their faults.

This isn't a fairytale, and life ain't fair. If Obama wins, we must press him to do the right thing. We k8st keep working in our own communities, on decisions that affect people's lives. Let's stop bellyaching about centrism, a la Nader, because our own carping and half-hearted support can help us lose this election.

if Gore, who ran centrist, had won the 2000 election, 4,000 Americans would not have died fighting on Iraq soil, tens of thousands of Iraqis either, and Halliburton would not be the beneficiary of billions of of our tax dollars. We also might have better fuel standards and slower global warning.

these things alone make "centrism" preferable. We can kick Biden & Obama around all we want once they're in office. For now, let's do what we can to get them there.

[lobear00]

And we would not have "Traitorious" Politicians in the Congress either! nor,Those who vote against the Constitution.

[TellingTruth2Kooks]

Just what is Wrong with US? Why are We, as A Nation, even ALLOWING SENATORS to Run in Presidential Elections?

Everytime we have elected a Senator to the Presidency, we all have REGRETTED IT!!!

How Much worse can this election get? Lieberman as McCain's VP Candidate?

We need to stop this Farce in it's Tracks, and start all over with Real Leaders, and Not these Flim-Flam artists!!!

[Senzasord]

The last senator who was directly elected to the presidency was John Kennedy, and I certainly do not regret that.

Actually in the second half of the 20th century we have had more state governors ascend to the White House including Carter, Reagan Clinton and Bush. Since their political experience is dealing with state legislatures many of which are part time, it is no wonder they have a hard time figuring out what the proper role of the president and the executive branch is under our constitution. Having someone in power who has come up through the legislative ranks and knows how things are supposed to work will be a refreshing treat.

[unity08]

I would argue that the last GOVENOR we elected made a pretty lousy president, and inflicted more "flim flam" artistry on this nation than anyone in recent history.

[Tristan2]

>Look - my family is the independent MIDDLE - hopelessly jaundiced by neocons, Israel, multi nationals, and the inability of either party to stick to the constitution.

I love Joe -- always have... even when I was voting Republican. I defected to Perot and then gave up on both parties...

Obama is the real thing... for me anyway. And Biden just makes it better.

[ceti]

Biden "being knowledgeable about foreign policy" to the MSM means he is a pro-war hawk. His "centrism" and "bipartisanship" also means he leans right, while holding on to the few wedge issues (like abortion rights, and not even that really) that galvanize the democratic base. It's the same old politics and Biden was yesterday's man last year.

[Expatessa]

If the millions of HRC supporters really want to vote for McCain, they will. If they expect Obama to pay for Mark Penn's mean and nasty campaign tricks, they're the ones living in a fairytale. Joe Biden is someone who has worked for the common people since he was in his 20s. He's the anti-McCain. He's a great guy and will make a great VP. I'm not sure why the HRC madwomen think they have any clout with the rest of us Democrats. They're petty, mean-spirited and self-destructive. And that sounds like they're totally ready to be Republicans.

[theblueAmerican]

I 2nd this opinion!