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Biden's Gaffes and Second Guessing Continue to Hurt Obama
Tell me it aint so, Joe!
We all knew it was just a matter of time, well the time has come. Two weeks before the election and the green eyed monster that lives within the weeds of Biden's hair plugs, has reared its ugly head. Joe Biden is like an ugly step child who sets fires just to get his real parent's attention. He ran for President twice and got nowhere, and just when he finally has one foot in the oval office, and not for a bipartisan photo op, he undermines the navigation of the ship he's riding on. Not once, but twice, over the weekend, Joe Biden brought up his suspicion about Obama's readiness. "Mark my words...They're going to test him...He's going to need help."
One would think the Obama campaign would've learn something about fundraiser slip ups, from the top of the ticket's, "bitter" comments. The GOP has jumped all over Biden's chest pounding speech, like a virgin at Sing Sing. Even Sarah Palin, whos obvious shortcomings would be no match for any "crisis" has weighed in with her usual snarky zeal. Where were the Obama operatives when Biden was channeling Nostradamus?
The weekend started out with an attention grabbing tour; he did Leno, then Ellen, where he re-iterated how much he didn't want to be VP, "The VP doesn't do much," he said. Then it was off to Oregon, where in an effort to convince himself more than anyone else that he will be an integral component to an Obama presidency, he went on to extol his qualifications, "I know these guys since they were young Parliamentarians..." He then recited his quatrain which describes how Obama will be tested in the first six months of his presidency, but we needn't worry because Biden, the older wiser more experienced hand, would be there to guide the "young man."
Haven't we seen this kind of selfish egocentric spotlight hungry cry for help confront Obama before? I believe it was in Philadelphia when Obama spoke so movingly about not being able to disavow the first man who who nearly derailed his campaign. Fortunately, he'd banked enough electoral votes at that point, that Clinton couldn't surpass his lead. Senator Obama is now at a juncture where he's faced with another test, does he look like a wimp as he did when he couldn't kick Rev. Wright to curb, or does he "gird his loins" as "Joe the clairvoyant" suggests and give him his marching orders. Of course he can't kick him off the ticket now but he can tell him STFU.
Joe Biden was a bad choice from the beginning. The man is "bitter and angry." He, like his "good friend" John McCain, can't believe he was usurped by a "clean cut" Black guy. I'm curious what kind of vetting Obama did of Biden. How many times did they have a heart to heart to see where Biden's allegiance lies. Biden spoke his mind during the primary, when he stated that Barack was not ready to be President and that the Presidency was no place for on the job training. If that didn't tip Obama off what will?
Once Biden was on the ticket he started second guessing and criticizing his running mate, like when said, "If I knew about the commercial on McCain being out of touch," it wouldn't have run. Who's running this campaign? More importantly, whose team is Joe Biden cheer leading for? It appears that he's a teammate of his fellow grumpy old man.
After the Shite hit the fan, the Obama team seem ill-equipped to handle inquiries. I said it before, I guess I'll have to say it again, the Obama campaign needs attractive fluid speakers not these sweaty bald brow spokesmen and trembling unsteady spokeswoman who stumble over themselves with the same talking points. This morning Stephanie Cutter, appeared on FOX to address this recent Biden foot in mouthitis, and her voice quivered and quaked as if she was caught stealing from the collection plate, she did the same thing on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews yesterday. Robert Gibbs didn't fair any better on "Morning Joe," this morning.
For a campaign that has been disciplined about guarding against leaks and dissension in the ranks and has run a superb campaign tactically, they come up short when it comes to effective spokespeople. When things go wrong, like when Hillary Clinton came out swinging and produced Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers during the primary, they appear unsteady and deer in headlights-ish. For all the praise Obama has received for his eloquence, why can't he find spokespeople to his equal?
Two weeks out and there's not one advocate for Obama who can simply say, "Joe Biden's wild prognostications was just conjecture and in no way reflects the reality of what may happen, but rest assured if "tested," President Obama is prepared to address it in the same manner he's addressed and triumphed over all the challenges he has faced in his 47 years."
Note to Obama, don't take as long to snuff out this smoldering blaze as you did with Rev. Wright. Nearly a billion dollars of other people's money and dreams are at stake.
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Joe Biden reeks of goodness and while his mouth may sometimes gets ahead of his brain, everything he says comes from the heart. He is , besides Michelle, Barack's biggest fan. I read somewhere yesterday (wish I could remember where!) that Obama may be tested by an international crisis, but John McCain would be the one causing an international crisis. How true it is. History tells us that what Joe said may be true. He also said that they will see that Barack has steel in his spine. I don't look forward to a crisis. I think McCain has put us through enough in the last months, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that Obama is the one to lead us through any crisis we may face and that we will be a better country and a better people with him at the helm with Joe by his side.
"For all the praise Obama has received for his eloquence, why can't he find spokespeople to his equal?"
Who do you recommend, Reny?
Far from expressing suspicions of Barack Obama, Senator Biden demonstrated that he is Obama's wisest and most loyal defender and protector and that Senator Biden has Barack's back at every turn.
Senator Biden"s remarks have been quoted completely out of context and have so perverted the meaning of his words as to make the gist of his remarks completely unrecognizable. And the really funny thing is that the media are now wondering out loud why Joe Biden doesn"t talk to them as much anymore!
You are quite right that the GOP has jumped all over this. But, one has to ask why has that been allowed to happen? I would suggest the reason rests with an incompetent and inept media - all parts of it - which has lead directly to a very dangerously ill-informed electorate.
It also seems clear that many people cannot recognize self-deprecating humor when they hear it. Senator Biden has always possessed this trait, in spades...name me one great political leader who hasn't been so blessed. His comments about being the VP must be taken in this vein
Here's what I don't get...Senator Biden's remarks are not difficult to understand...unless people are looking for something - anything - to denigrate one of America's greatest statesmen. And, frankly, I don't get that, either.
Where's the gaffe? How has the statement hurt Obama - given that Joe Lieberman said the same thing would happen if McCain were elected president?
Just because you don't like Joe Biden doesn't mean he was a bad pick. I would actually argue that Joe Biden was the perfect pick for this ticket. He's a blue-collar guy with a law degree. He's a practicing Catholic who is pro-choice. He is the women's rights champion - and not just on abortion. He's a champion of union workers who, while the Neo-con beauty queen was giving a shout out to all the haters, was quietly speaking to small crowds in working class neighborhoods in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania assuring them that they could trust this Democratic ticket to look out for them in a way that hasn't been done in the past eight years. And it worked.
So, again, just because you still don't like the choice, and feel that you have to get that out of your system, doesn't mean that he was a bad choice.
I agree to a point. I do think there is something personal fueling the particular kind of thoughtless remarks Biden has made. He seems to entirely lack the inhibitor area of the brain and his particular words and timing are always unfortunate. Probably both he and Hillary aren't really "over it" yet (understandably), Biden is a vain man with a huge ego and Obama is the kind of figure who inspires jealousy as well as reverence--the two go together. And, yes, Stephahie Cutter was truly awful--I couldn't watch her. She seemed to do nothing but convince any rational listener that there was even more going on there than Biden meant and she denied the actual words we all heard. Joe didn't say "either" president would face this challenge, he said "we"--meaning the supporters, himself, Obama--would be facing it.
Nonetheless, he's the man we have and he has tremendous strengths too. It will blow over and probably won't alarm too many prospective voters. But every day seems like a month before the final hour!
Sorry, meant Reny with an "n".
I agree w/ Remy, but I'd still take Joe Biden over Sarah Palin any day and twice on Sunday. Btw, I'm a registered Republican.
Are you finished now?
Based on money raised, latest poll results and the surrender of most conservative pundits, I would say your article makes no sense. Biden is hurting no one, Obama has risen above all this picky stuff.
Did you just need something to fill a blog quota and chose this off the wall topic?
Just askin.
lol
Oh my! Where to begin?
Let me just say that Joe Biden is a known quantity, unlike Ms. Palin ... and yes, sometimes open mouth, insert foot. But your harsh comments, Ms. Monk, are unfounded. Senator Biden was chosen for his incredible wealth of knowledge on foreign affairs -- not for his silver tongue. He is immensely popular among women who realize the value of his long-time support for them. Yes, he is a man. But he is the ultimate anti-Sarah among our current vice presidential nominees. Ms. Palin does not represent me!
Gnash your teeth if you must, but Joe Biden is a more-than-competent pick for a variety of reasons.
Do you honestly think Sarah Palin -- a person who doesn't know what a Vice President does -- is a better pick to be a heartbeat from the presidency? Does she know what a president does?
Stop ragging about Joe's gaffes and thoughtfully consider his exemplary record. Once you've done so, I'll look forward to reading your mea culpa.
Try to separate "can campaign well" from "can administrate well".
Obama said on Day 1 that he chose Biden to help him lead, not as a political choice. It was ballsy, and it was the right choice. Joe is real, he is experienced, and he is going to be a great VP.
Hillary, as much as I liked HER, had about 230 pounds of ex-Presidential baggage that made her an impossible choice.
What is the gaffe? There is no gaffe, other than in your head, Monk. Don't let the Party of Corporate Welfare put words in your mouth. Look at what Biden said, think about what he said, and try to use those two teeny brain cells of yours.
I agree with you that Team Obama needs "fluid" people to speak to controversy, I am in TOTAL agreement with you, personally I am a huge fan of Ron Emanuel Chicago..need more like him talk about a "pitbull"
I completely disagree.
Have seen what Biden brings to the ticket in terms of his record? His support of women's issues? His military and foreign affairs prowess? His ability to connect with the working class white male?
Biden has put his foot in his mouth a couple of times, but that doesn't mean he was a bad pick. Biden was a brilliant pick - warts in all.
And lest we forget, the polling that indicates Palin is a drag on her ticket doesn't back up your contention that Biden is a drag on the Obama-led ticket.
You're reaching on this one.
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