Joe Biden takes note of Sarah Palin's sheltering from the media

Joe Biden made news earlier today -- likely in a way that caused Democratic strategists to cringe -- when he said that the wealthier Americans who would pay more under Barack Obama's tax plan should feel "patriotic" about doing so.

At a union hall rally this afternoon in Akron, Ohio, Biden sought to make a virtue of his accessibilty -- even if it results in the occasional gaffe.

The Times' Faye Fiore is covering Biden and she relates that after he mentioned the tax question he had been asked on "Good Morning America," he said, "I’ve done a lot of press, I’ve done, I don’t know, I was told I did 68, 70 press conferences."

Then he recounted being asked by a reporter what he thought of Sarah Palin. "When she does three, I'll let you know," he quoted himself as saying.

That means the political world will have to wait for one more tete-a-tete between Palin and a journalist. Since John McCain picked her as his running mate, she's done two sets of interviews -- with ABC's Charlie Gibson that aired last week and with Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity, which wraps up tonight (previews of what she has to say can be perused here and here).

Biden, as is his wont, warmed to his subject after his comment about Palin, saying: "I don’t know! I don’t have any idea! I don’t know! I don’t know!"

With his crowd rising to its feet, he broadened his riff to include McCain.

"You know, I mean, look, and it’s not, look guys, it’s not just Sarah Palin," he said. "When’s the last time John, when’s the last time John’s had a press conference? I’m serious.”

McCain, once perhaps the most accessible of national politicians to reporters, has changed that policy as the presidential campaign has progressed. The Democratic National Committee, in turn, this week started a "McCain Press Watch," which clocks ...

... the time elapsed since the Republican last took reporter questions.

By the same token, lack of accessibility to the candidate has been an ongoing complaint among those covering Obama.

Biden, continuing a rare day in which figured prominently in the political back-and-forth, stood by his "patriotic" remark during an interview with Katie Couric of CBS.

Asked about the barbs directed at him over it by Palin and McCain, noted that the latter had opposed the sweeping tax cuts President Bush pushed into law in 2001 precisely because it benefited the wealthy (McCain famously has since retreated from that position).

"Give me a break," Biden told Couric. "I remind my friend John McCain what he said. When Bush called for war and tax cuts he said, quote, 'It is immoral, immoral to take a nation to war and not have anybody pay for it.'

"I am so sick and tired of this phoniness.  The truth of the matter is that we are in trouble, and the people who do not need a new tax cut should be willing as patriotic Americans to understand the way to get this economy back up on their feet is to give middle-class taxpayers a break. We take the tax cut they're getting and we give it to the middle class."

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Joe]

> Maybe thats because the Media criticized her before even knowing who she was...

No, the media (and everyone else) waited to criticize Palin until after they knew that she lied about earmarks, the Bridge to Nowhere, the ethics investigation, putting a tanning bed in the Governor's mansion (at state expense), etc. They just didn't have to wait very long until they started turning running into lies.

But why care about the lies when you can hold a pity party for her? Go Palin! I can see Russia from here!

[MP]

During this despressing state of our nation how can you possibly love your nation by encouraging Hillary supporters to vote for McCain. This is utterly SICK.

[TJ]

I think what Joe Biden said about the wealthiest people, over the $250,000 income level, being or feeling "patriotic" about going back to their tax bracket pre GW Bush, is perfectly appropriate. Some of them have even gone on record in the past saying they did not ask for it, they did not need it. It IS patriotic, this thing about paying taxes. I spent 2 1/2 years working as a civilian nurse in Saudi Arabia after my children were grown and gone and I needed to earn money for retirement as a single mom and reduce my expenses. It was a great experience in Dhahran and I left the Pediatric Unit in the hospital for which I was responsible better than when I found it and had made many friends from Jordan, Lebanon, India, Australia, Pakistan, Ireland, my nursing staff. When I decided I had had enough, though I could have stayed to age 58 (8 yrs) and received full health care benefits and a hefty package of savings, it was the desire to return home AND PAY TAXES because I learned that Democracy is NOT FREE, it is a privilege and I wanted to come home and participate. "To those to who much is given, much is expected." Even though they have worked for it and achieved the success, there is the responsibility and it is a shared responsibility and should be commensurate with what you earn. I will bet that if you ask them, most of them will agree with that concept.

No one can debate the fact that Ms Sarah is being kept from the press. Recently retired, I am watching the campaign trail vignettes. It is no wonder she is being kept away and they are trying to continue this strategy for the brief period of time to election, banking on her "personality" and the draw of her "charm", for those who find her "charming". At their "town hall" yesterday, when asked by a person in the crowd about her foreign policy readiness, her response was that of a high school student council candidate for president. After she said something about the "Palin/McCain Administration"....she said she was ready to serve; "I have a readiness"; we are ready." Period. Finis.

Let's face it: Day after day, we see our issues growing more and more grave and in need of responsible government. It is obvious that the past 8 years have just about undone everything good and stable in this country. Day after day, we see this duo of McCain and Palin unfit to serve and, really, unfit to campaign! They are an insult to the American people if they believe the majority of us will place any credibility in them, either of them.

Women of this country cannot even look at "feminist issues" anymore. The fact that there is a glass ceiling that needs to be broken is mute. Reproductive rights is on the list but the heart and soul of the home and family lives of women, is the bigger issue here. One cannot either abandon or embrace Pro Life or Pro Choice when the viability of home and family life is non sustainable with the absense of policies that support it or the enactment of policies that are detrimental to it.

Aside from the embarrassment of this woman to women everywhere, she and her running mate offer nothing for us. I am embarrassed and offended by both of them and find their campaign insulting to us during a time when our incomes, our savings, our health care, our education, our costs of living, our environment, and our foreign relations, and our world peace are in such dire straits. This is not a game. In better times, perhaps we could be indulgent. But, not now.

It would be comical if it were not so potentially disastrous. Honestly, when I watch the two of them AND their surrogates, I cannot tell if I am watching a SNL skit or the real thing.

[JC]

I could spend hours making the case for voting democrat and why R.miller and eric and the like are way off base, but Democrats dont' need convincing and Republicans seem to have trouble comprehending reality so I'll make it short.

There are only two good reasons to vote for John McCain.
1. You're rich
~or~
2. You're stupid.

It's really just that simple.

[Aycee]

To Eric, who posted fear mongering lies on this blog..."If you elect Obama for 2008 , Hillary CAN'T RUN IN 2012!! The
incumbent always runs for their party in reelection."

This is a lie. Anyone can run. Hillary Clinton, if she want's to, would be able to run in 2012.

The vast majority of women in America who supported Hillary are supporting Obama. This is a known and proven fact. They are far too smart and know what's at stake for Women and our Country.

[Steven]

"Yea, I agree, it is patriotic to pay taxes and it would show real patriotism for the wealthy to pay a little more. Is that asking too much?"

Yea, Paul, your really patriotic about giving money back...I bet you didn't donate your tax cuts back to the GOV...

[Aycee]

To Eric, who posted fear mongering lies on this blog..."If you elect Obama for 2008 , Hillary CAN'T RUN IN 2012!! The
incumbent always runs for their party in reelection."

This is a lie. Anyone can run. Hillary Clinton, if she want's to, would be able to run in 2012.

The vast majority of women in America who supported Hillary are supporting Obama. This is a known and proven fact. They are far too smart and know what's at stake for Women and our Country.

[Joe]

An interview of Palin by Sean Hannity of Fox is not an interview. It is a campaign stop with planned topics. To call this a press interview is outrageous.

Fox should give Biden or Obama equal time and let them be interviewed by a staff member.

[TJ]

Hillary does NOT want us to vote against all she has worked for and advocated for. If anyone has put "Country First" in this election season, it has been and it is Hillary!!

This woman is greatly respected. There are many ways in which she can serve and probably accomplish much, much more than if she were the VP. And she knows this. She is perfectly comfortable with Joe Biden and I am, too. Name the Cabinet position and she can serve it and do an exceptional job. I guarantee that, in whatever capacity, she will be a sought after advisor and confidante to an Obama/Biden Administration.

I believe many people did not really know her and/or misunderstood her. I love her and respect her but I believe because of many people's mistaken impression of her, much of it from the hatchet job the Republicans did in the 90's, there would have been more difficulty in this election. There is also the "intimidation factor". She knew too much, she is too capable, too well informed and is not "just like me". In an appointed position, she will do just fine. Even if she remains in the Senate, she is a leader and will be an asset to promoting the policies and the legislation we need to correct the failed policies of Bush/Chaney/McCain/Liebermann/et al.

[Steven]

Rob from the Rich and Pay the Middle Class... Hmm.. does he think of himself as a Modern Day Robin Hood?

[Bob]

Biden has a good perspective and in depth knowledge on many subjects related to national governance, but can't talk at length about any subject because of the risk of the Republican propagandists twisting his words to appeal to the low information types who only understand 10 second sound bites. Let's vote in Obama and Biden, and then maybe they can speak the truth about how screwed up this country has become the past 8 years.

[Miron]

The only one thing is certain is that, if all is well ( I hope ), a few months down the road Mrs. Palin's daughter will give birth to a child.

I whish this was the biggest trouble Ms. Palin had to deal with. I whish we could move elections by a year or so and give Ms. Palin some time to look after the daughter and then grandchild.

As for myself I always wonder boy or girl ;)

[Tim]

Eric sounds like a republican plant to me.

McCain keeps talking like he is an outsider, he IS the establishment and HAS BEEN for 26 years. The Maverick line is as old and tattered as he is and needs to be retired.

Palin is just scary, she is beyond the pale and makes Bush look like a centrist. We don't need her, go home to Alaska and be a Governor.

McCain is a flip-flopper!! He contradicts the old John McCain every time he speaks!! He sold his soul to win the far right approval. So sad, you blew it buddy.

[NotSoDumb]

The person urging Hillary fans to vote for McCain is not a Hillary supporter but rather a dirty republican trickster. Pay no attention to such nonsense. A vote for McCain is a vote against everything Hillary has ever fought for.

[Steven]

Where's My Post... apparently La Times Doesn't like it when you tell the truth... Obama Is a Joke, McCain Is a Joke, Vote independant, A bum off the street could do a better job then them...

[John Widman]

Biden said to a group of union workers:
"When wealthier Americans who would pay more under Barack Obama's tax plan should feel "patriotic" about doing so." The "wealthier Americans" who will be paying more taxes under Obama's tax plan are those union workers, and teachers, and local businessmen trying to keep their head above water. Biden "let the cat out of the bag". If these "wealthier Americans" want to feel patriotic they will vote for McCain because under Obama's tax plan they will become "extinct". Obama and Biden are "more of the same"... Tax and Spend !

[GLORIA JOHNSON]

HOW CAN SENATOR MCCAIN BE PRESIDENT, WHEN HE IS IN FACT SO AFRAID TO STAND ALONE WITHOUT SARA PALIN AS HIS SIDE-KICK EVERY STEP OF THE WAY? WHEN WILL THEY CUT THE UMBILICAL CORD?

WHEN WILL HE MAKE HIS FIRST BABY STEP?

SENATOR OBAMA HAS BENN OUT THERE MAN-TO-MAN,

[Joan Opyr]

Give 'em hell, Joe!

[Disco Stu]

Obama tells you everything you want to hear,
McCain tells you everything you don't

Don't vote for either.

[John Widman]

Biden said to a group of union workers:
"When wealthier Americans who would pay more under Barack Obama's tax plan should feel "patriotic" about doing so." The "wealthier Americans" who will be paying more taxes under Obama's tax plan are those union workers, and teachers, and local businessmen trying to keep their head above water. Biden "let the cat out of the bag". If these "wealthier Americans" want to feel patriotic they will vote for McCain because under Obama's tax plan they will become "extinct". Obama and Biden are "more of the same"... Tax and Spend !

[Wired]

Obama's democrats broke into Palin's E-mail account.

Palin Email Hacker is Son of Democrat Tennessee State Senator

Bristol Palin may be pregnant out of wedlock, but at least she's not going to jail.

David Kernell, a college student has been positively identified as the perp who hacked Sarah Palin's Yahoo account.

State Rep. Mike Kernell said today that he was aware of Internet rumors about his son being the subject of speculation that he accessed the personal e-mail of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Asked whether he or his son, a student at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, had been contacted by authorities investigating the break-in of Palin's account, he responded:

"Me, no."

As far as his 20-year-old son, David, he said: "I can't say. That doesn't mean he has or hasn't (been contacted by investigators."

Kernell, D-Memphis, cited the father-son relationship.

He said he had talked to his son today, but that he talks to his son regularly.

He declined further comment.

[Godman]

Since when did this become the nation of the wealthy ? I mean understand we have lots of them and billionaires to. Still they only make a small majority compared to the middle class. I think this market trouble we are in now is PROOF trickle down economics is obsolete and useless in the modern social class system.The middle class is what Joe is talking about here in case some of you morons forgot like the retard eric who made the point about not voting obama so hilary can be pres.......DUhhh..... were you a stunt double for Forest Gump? Anyways i digress My point about the middle class is we are a nation of the middle class. RIght? I mean remeber those photos of soldiers coming home from ww2 and standing in front of thier Sardine can houses with a picket fence and two grotesque children in the front yard playing. The image isnt the same but advance that to now. Unless your bill gates i am guessing 80 percent of the people you know are middle class. If not .....damn you are fucking lucky. How can we as a nation HONESTLY SAY MORE TAX CUTS FOR THE MINORITY OF THE WEALTHY AND KEEP THE HIGH TAXES FOR THE MAJORITY> sorry for caps but i thought i needed to drive the point home baby!

[Please!]

Rush, oops, I mean Eric -

You speak with all the authority and persuasiveness of a pedophile.

"Hey kids, free ice cream!" "Come on over and look at the puppies in my van!"

Who do you think you're kidding, you moron?

[kelly]

I am a Hilary supporter and I will now vote for Obama. The party comes first, how insane it would be to vote against your party because Hilary will be 69 before she can run again.
How sad it is for any women with this type of thinking. I will vote for Hilary when she runs again, but now I will give my support to Obama!

[annonymouse]

Quote: "He is one of the most well respected in the Senate and is wise with all of us in a subtle, subtle way."

You have got to be kidding. He is known in the senate as "The Blowhard". He had to drop out of the presidential race several years ago, because of plagiarism in his college papers and his political speeches. Read up.