"Air Force Two Joe" Advises Americans to Stay off Planes and Trains

Those "100 Days" analyzes have focused on the President and, to a lesser degree, on the First Lady. The Vice President has been outside that loop. Had an objective journalist undertaken the task much of it would have been embarrassing -- the verbal gaffes, the bad jokes, Biden's comical cascade of bizarre outbursts.

On the other hand, just as the 100-day mark hit, Biden would have had a huge accomplishment to celebrate: Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter switched from the Republicans to the Democrats. The credit, according to most news analyzes, went to Joe Biden.

Before Jill and Joe Biden moved to the Vice President's official resident at the Naval Observatory up in lovely northwest Washington, he and Specter frequently rode the commuter rails together. The longtime Senator from Delaware, such a regular on the Amtrak train between Washington and his family's home in Wilmington that he was nicknamed "Amtrak Joe," and the longtime Senator from Pennsylvania often sat together. So they were friends and Biden was on the telephone and in face-to- face meetings with Specter scores of times before Specter decided to change parties.

Two days later came Biden's appearance on the NBC "Today Show." Ask by Matt Lauer about the Swine Flu, Biden offered to millions of "Today Show" and YouTube viewers the precautions he would give his own family:

I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now. If you're out in the middle of a field and someone sneezes, that's one thing. If you're in a closed aircraft, a closed container, a closed car, a closed classroom, it's a different thing....It's not just going to Mexico, if you're in a confined aircraft and one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft.

Before he was done, Biden also added subways to the list of places to avoid.

Which just goes to show a couple of things: Joe still doesn't think before he talks and, has forgotten the way most Americans live. He has the services of Air Force Two so he doesn't have to worry nearly as much about a sneeze propelling germs down the aisle. Subways or commuter trains? No worry there either. He has a driver to shuttle him and his family around. He doesn't need the Metro, the bright, clean Washington subway, much less New York's much older, darker, more crowded and complicated system.

Comments

[SparkyDash]

Let's move on. This odd obsession of this day is too much. For us to parse and pick through every part and piece of VP Biden's flu utterance, including his ride home on Amtrack, is too much. This has become awkward to read.

None of us can second guess this gentleman down to the bitiest minutiae...it makes no sense. Biden said what he said, he was told it needed clarifcation, he did that. The End.

Honestly, it's been said many times before, media and detractors skim through every single word this man speaks in hopes of finding a mistake. No, he does not misspeak any more than any other politician, but he does speak more frequently. (odds-makers know about this)

In my opinion, this was not a mistake; however, to those who feel it was so, VP Biden had made a clarification. And there it is...we move on.

[wizened]

Yes, Sir. Of course, Sir. As you wish, Sir.

[RapidRay]

I have no idea if "Tale Gunner Joe" is a genius or not but he's waaaay ahead of the curve on this pandemic. Brilliantly honest or generously garrulous, he's adding to the media frenzy that goes with this latest , Chicken Little school of journalism, crisis.
This highly sucessful, respected man seemingly, simply, needs a little attention. If he's not careful, he and Alex Rodriquez will be looking for approval from similar audiences.

[PrincipiaChamp]

are you in a panic by his answer? or do you see it for what it is? Media doesn't need anything to further its inappropriate frenzy, they do it all themselves. Biden did nothing wrong.

[wizened]

I really don't understand how his comment can be defended. He is the Vice President speaking on national television. He shouldn't be a source of mass hysteria. He should think before he answers a question. So what if that is what he would tell his family. The really question he is being asked and answering is that of what should we tell our families. Most people don't have chauffeurs and private planes. They have to live in the real world. His answer was the functional equivalent of "Let them eat cake."
And the answer was likely as incompetent as it was insensitive. We have a Department of Health and Human Services and a Center for Disease Control. If they aren't telling people to change their lifestyles to that radical extent, the Vice President shouldn't be coming up with it on his own.

[trimom]

And your point is that I am going to be more inconvenienced by the flu than Joe Biden and his family? Please.

Certainly there are more important things for you to write about.

[jeg]

Vice President Biden was asked a question about how he would advise his own family. Not your family, not my family, but HIS family. He's a father, a husband, and a grandfather, and being overprotective is part of that job. Between the accident that claimed his first wife (and nearly his children), or the headaches that nearly claimed his own life, in his position, I'd be a little overly cautious with my family too.

Should he have said it on national television? Probably not, but he gave a straight, honest answer to a question that wasn't necessarily a gotcha question... but was definitely a leading one.

The fact that so-called journalists such as yourself have overly sensationalized it without providing the appropriate context, is just another example of how far the fourth estate has fallen.

[Palmz]

Excuse me - Biden didn't say anything that most companies are not thinking. A friend of mine went to Mexico and was told to stay home for a week despite the fact that he is OK.

We don't want to hear the truth.

We want to be lied to.

Biden's candor is refreshing. The man is use to riding trains so i think you are wrong on so many levels.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Why are schools closing?

[dan-o]

Does anyone think that the Vice President is not giving this advice to his own family? He is being honest and I'm sure he sees the data available about how serious this is. There is NO reason to panic but is it smart to stay out of crowded enclosed places for a while? It sure is. Vice President Biden's comments are not gaffes, they are the truth and a lot of people don't like the truth being told.

[ColumbusMike]

Yes, he's forgotten 30 years of riding the train every single night, after only 15 weeks of being VP. That makes no sense at all.

[larry278]

Joe didn't say anything about Greyhound busses; they must be safe.

[ChampLessFuzzy]

He didn't tell anyone to stay off of anything is why. Biden responded to a question about his family's travels. This blog is inappropriate if not unnecessary. But, there it is.

[larry278]

Joe Biden may not have heard the WW II slogan, "Loose lips sink ships.". Some of us remember that slogn. Parse VP Biden's words if you wish. That does not obviate the effect of VP Biden's words. If Pres Obama runs in 2012, it would be better if he dropped Biden from the ticket as his VP. FDR did. Poor Geo McGovern did too. Running to become POTUS is a gamble. FDR won. Geo McGovern didn't win.
Parse Biden's words but get rid of big mouth Joe before the 2012 Democratic Convention. Biden as VP won't fly.

[LizM]

Come on, Carol...print Bob's comment...we could all use a good laugh!

[LizM]

Carol,

Why on earth do you suppose Barack Obama chose Senator Biden as his running mate? Do you have any idea, whatsoever?

[Carol Felsenthal - Huffpost Blogger]

Biden is a man who portrays himself as a working-class Catholic from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Obama needed the Catholic and the rust-belt vote.

Most important, Biden will not be jockeying for position (i.e. running for president) during Obama's first term. By 2016, should Obama serve too terms, Biden will be seen by most Americans to be too old to run for president.

[ChampLessFuzzy]

Yes, Obama needed all three electoral votes from Delaware. (sarcasm) But that aside, you have read and/or heard President Obama's numerous statements of how he came to his decision? Your reasoning being simplistic. Tthere were a vast number of individuals from which to choose for his running mate, probably at that time, more popular. Your response to LizM however, is enlightening as to why you would write such an odd blog entry. Interesting.

[PrincipiaChamp]

No living person has chaired more Supreme Court confirmation hearings (six) than Biden. Five current members of the court were confirmed while he was chairman. Biden will play a big role in the upcoming Supreme Court nominating process.

VP Biden was Chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee and staffed it over many years, accomplishing too much to mention here, and gaining respect and affection of numerous foreign leaders.

BIden has been busy meeting with French PM Fillon, Haitian PM Pierre-Louis, former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Jordan's King Abdullah II, others.

Obama utilizes Biden’s extensive foreign policy experience, as a top advisor and liaison, sending Biden on numerous "missions" abroad: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Munich, Brussels, Costa Rica, Chile, and upcoming Balkans.

Biden has well over three decades experience in the U.S. Senate, becoming one of the most powerful, albeit least wealthy, Senators.

Biden has taken on everything Obama has thrown at him, including middle/working class America task force; lead over stim package/economic recovery act implementation;

VP Biden will be the administration's point man in attempting to pass the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Misc: Has, as VP, received numerous acknowledgments, awards, and honors from various nations/orgs.; is asked to give no less than three commencement speeches (Wake Forest University, Syracruse University, and United States Air Force Academy) May; continues with numerous appearances, interviews, speeches, conference calls, administration meetings.

I believe President Barack Obama knew exactly what he was doing and chose well.

[jcwtts1]

Carol,

What is so disappointing about your read on Biden, and the Biden Obama relationship is that you think Biden has only been a gaffe machine. Specter isn't the only accomplishment these hundred days, it is the only accomplishment you know. Joe Biden brings with him a wealth of experience and personal knowledge about Washington and Congress. Further, he doesn't just portray himself as working class catholic, he actually is. Joe Biden's wife wasn't sitting at home hosting tea parties, she was working, they were using her salary, they were using his salary.He raised three kids in Delaware while working in D.C. this isn't a myth this is what actually happened. The day before Joe Biden made his statement I told my cousin to drive from D.C. to Philly instead of taking the train. She didn't listen to me but I told her that. I meant it and I offered to drive her back to D.C. the next day. That is how seriously I didn't want her on a train from D.C. Look, I hope I am an alarmist but to actually attack Biden for saying what most people are already thinking isn't right. Biden told the truth and I would prefer the truth to pretty lies every single day. Biden hasn't forgotten anything, including that family comes first.

J

[d45]

"Advises Americans"? I thought it was about his family. Anyway, not very Vice Presidential, answering a question about what he would say to his own family. Shouldn't he be working on torture policy or oil deals for Exxon or something useful like that?

[cacatua]

Joe Biden has far more common sense than the MSM that is continally waiting with baited breath for him to say anything that they can pounce upon, cherry pick out of context, and then exaggerate way out of proportion. they are so puffed up with their own percieved importance.

The real tragedy here has nothing to do with what Joe said truthfully about the advice he gave his family but is that the President, after proclaiming Joe to be an asset when he is able to be himself on 60 Minutes just last Sunday, turns around and stabs him in the back. Joe has defended Obama and been loyal to him and then Obama, and after saying one thing, does another - throwing Joe under the bus! Just go ahead and kiss up to the travel industry instead of protecting the public, Obama! Until we know for sure just what sort of virus we are dealing with it is only smart to err on the side of caution whenever one is able to do so.

[dessertsfirst]

Well said.

[LizM]

President Obama is definitely creating a record of...how shall we say, misunderstanding his Vice President. I still think he knows how loyal VP Biden is...in the sense that Joe has the president's back at all times...and that the sage and informed advice that he gets from Biden is always second to none.

But, it is nevertheless disturbing to see how President Obama can be, at times, dismissive of one of his wisest and most loyal political advisors so effortlessly.

[jcwtts1]

You mean publicly dismissive an privately taking his advice? Politics man, politics.

[caribgirl]

I just don't see this dismissivenes but maybe I'm blind. I like Biden's blunt talk and I'm sure Obama appreciates it in private. However I sometimes think Biden doesn't see the far-reaching implications of his honest thoughts for the public. Obama shouldn't defend Biden's comments just to reward his loyalty. He has to see the bigger picture and the implications of the comments of anybody's in his administration and make changes or adjustments to suit even if it leaves egg on someone's face.

[ChampLessFuzzy]

Nice job, Cacatua.

[caribgirl]

I don't see how Obama threw Biden under the bus. Was he supposed to change the administration's position based on what Biden said? The implication of what Biden said is that people would be afraid to travel by train/subway or airplane. If millions of people took that advice, its not only the travel industry that would be affected, but many others and what would be the economic impact in already difficult economic times? Especially coming from the VP, people would take it very seriously. I agree that we don't know what type of virus this is but there has to be balance, there has only been one death in the US and a few hundred cases. The regular flu kills tens of thousands a year. Biden's statement pushed the panic button and its not time for that yet.

[LiberalBuzz]

I do not understand why people are getting on Biden.

He answered truthfully and the media went nutso because it was something that they could try and turn into a "gaffe".

Sorry not buying it and he should not have apologized nor should the WH.

[Jillianw]

Omg - Joe Biden was asked a question about his family and he answered it.

Truthfully.

Is that what you talking heads can't get over? that we have a politician that speaks from his heart rather than his script?

[Nicas]

Honestly - get real.

Biden is the VP and he's been a politician for more than thirty years. I would expect a lifetime politician to be smarter with his words.

If this were isolated, it would be one thing, but we're only 100 days into the presidency and he has screwed up several times already. This guy is an obvious, complete mess. What's the defense for him - that he's your Average Joe? Didn't we already try that with Bush?

[Jillianw]

Maybe I would agree with you if I thought he said something wrong.

[dessertsfirst]

Get real, Nicas??? ummm you should practice what you preach.
There's nothing wrong w/ Joe Biden. The MSM has to have something to report. Must be a slow news day. This is a serious strain of flu. Joe hasn't forgotten his train riding days, and Americans should listen to him, and if they need to modify their behavior somewhat, that is up to them. The White House didn't need to restate his "speech". Did they forget that Americans are smarter than that? Or are people still living in the GWB era? You know: "the people havta understand..." verbiage?

[RaderBarbarian]

So Joe is not suppose to be "real" anymore, since he is now the Vice President, is that it? He now needs to "be smarter with his words" - in other words, to learn how to obfuscate, diffuse, confuse, and otherwise not say what he means. That's the way we like our politicians. Yep, I am reading you, Nicas, but I think your thinking is part of the problem. You need to learn how to deal with honesty from a politician for a change.