Joe Biden's 'flourish' remains fodder for McCain/Palin attacks

Publicly, Barack Obama delivered only a mild rebuke to Joe Biden after his running mate delivered -- on a silver platter -- a prime talking point for the Republican presidential ticket.

But for the GOP, it's been the gift that keeps giving. And one has to wonder what Obama and his no-drama aides really had to say to Biden behind closed doors.

The Delaware senator, as is his wont, got carried away with the sound of his own voice as he spoke at an ostensibly private fundraiser Sunday in Seattle.

Given Obama's youth and newness on the world scene, Biden said, as president he assuredly would face some sort of international crisis within months of taking office -- in part as a test.

Just what we don't need, John McCain and Sarah Palin have loudly proclaimed ever since a tape of Biden's remarks surfaced (as inevitably it would).

Obama, during a brief news conference Wednesday, sought to staunch any political damage Biden might have caused by saying, "I think Joe sometimes engages in rhetorical flourishes."

In the process, though, he gave his rivals more rhetorical fodder.

Speaking in Florida today, McCain mocked Obama for his "flourishes" comment. "Really? Really?" McCain said, his voice rising in apparent disbelief. "That's another way of saying [Biden] accidentally delivered some straight talk to America."

Campaigning in Ohio, Palin similarly scorned Obama, saying she would concede that he "knows a thing or two about rhetorical flourishes, but I question dismissing Joe Biden's moment of truth-telling as nothing more than a social embarrassment."

If the Obama-Biden team triumphs on election day, their relationship would be well worth watching ...

...as they settle into their new jobs.

Presumably, Obama's White House crew would be as buttoned-down and leak-resistant as his campaign staff has proved to be. Also presumably, Biden would not mend his off-the-cuff ways. One can bet that his office would become a destination point for reporters trying to pin down the inner workings of the new administration.

Along with Biden's natural inclination to spout off, it is unlikely the constraints that typically apply to vice presidents would come into play with him.

Before Dick Cheney, vice presidents over an almost 50-year stretch were all seen as future presidential contenders. But Biden's role in a first Obama term would focus on helping win a second one. And eight years from now, Biden will be on the cusp of turning 74 years old -- probably too old to have been part of the 2016 presidential sweepstakes.

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[VJ Machiavelli]

They are like "OIL" and "WATER" they don't mix.
It was a arranged marriage.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Tim Jacobs]

McCain keeps bragging that he has been tested because he was a soldier during the Cuban missile crisis. Oh really? I think that if the Russians were testing anyone , they were testing president Kennedy. I'm sure they weren't aware of the young maverick at that moment in time.

[Diametro]

"Obama, during a brief news conference Wednesday, sought to staunch ... "

Author meant "stanch ... "

[stahr]

If in 2016, Biden, approaching 74, would be too old, what does that make McCain now??? Especially considering "being tortured" would presumably take years from his life!

[WeThePeopleInOrderToFormaMorePerfectUnion]

McCain/Palin's Orwellian distortions have become a bore. Anyone seriously concerned with the future of democracy in the USA is urged to watch "The End of America" based on Naomi Wolf's recent book for free at http://snagfilms.com/films/watch/the_end_of_america/ and VOTE (early) for CHANGE in 2008!

[Vote Blue]

Did you not hear Biden's entire remarks? Or are you just another angry little Republican spinning your frustration. Obama and Biden will continue to make a great team as President and Vice-President. "Mark my words!"

[Superpower]

Biden has become Obama's crazy Uncle who lives in the attic. Let's hear more about how terrorist nations will lead young Obama around by his onions.

[sanjuro]

What was embarrassing about that remark? It's true, there will be international crisis, we don't live in a world of everlasting peace where problems are taken care of even before surfacing. It's true too they would test Mr. Obama's competency as a president, if he's elected. But the same can be said about any new elected president!

Does Mr. McCain think old age give him better judgement? At 72, his age does not highlight that experience is on his side but that he's himself an old man, who might be able unable to cope with the strain of a global crisis, who might suffer from ailment during his presidency and whose vice president would be even younger and certainly less experienced than Mr. Obama.

[blondegenes]

Obama and his "advisors" no doubt took Biden to the woodshed over spilling more Socialist plans.
For all those peaceniks who are backing Obama,,,pay very close attention to Biden's statement;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZMOn3X4CPU

Obama has already hinted at giving Osama Bin Laden, and all terrorists who have attacked the U.S., a Presidential pardon, because he thinks if he "sits down to talk" to terrorists, they won't attack the U.S. again,,,,,riiiiiight.
Biden almost spilled the beans over Obama's plan to reinstitute THE DRAFT for all men AND women in several speaches he has made in the past.
He and Biden have also spoken of the possibility of them going to war.
http://thatsmeontheleft.blogspot.com/2008/10/obama-military-service-is-obligation.html

Do your homework PEACENIKS!

[yurwho]

This snippet of news is pure republican propaganda and I doubt Vice President Joe Biden will ever let your evil body close enough to even sneeze on him. You are a piece of crap journalist. I also bet that you will not publish my truthful post since you are obviously interested in controlling the spin.

[Kris]

Biden needs to be more careful. McLame and his pitbull are just looking for an excuse to make something out of nothing. They are disgusting and not fit to be President or Vice President with their continual sliming of Obama.

[HoosierGuy]

"Fodder for McCain/Palin attacks", huh? The other day Dan Blather said that if Palin had said such things, it would be on the newspapers "Above the bar". But when Biden says it, the news outlets (including NBC, who was there) hide it until it "leaks out" through talk radio. There is no objective journalism anymore. Give us the Fairness Doctrine so that we will never hear ANY of the secrets that the radical left news media don't want us to hear!
Hey LA Times, do something useful, find a copy of BHO's birth certificate. Or is that what he is going to Hawaii to have falsified?

[lightnin]

Isn't it surprising that Obama, Biden, the DNC, their media storm troopers, Hollywood and music celebrity minions, and "democrats" in general explode in displays of visceral hatred against Sarah Palin "racist, KKK, nazi", Palin's family, and to a lesser extent, McCain, and anyone else who dares oppose them, but they can't find any fault with "Rev." (God Damn America/America invented the Aids virus to kill Black people) Wright and his "church", which Obama and his family attended for the past 20 years with no complaint about the racism or anti-American diatribes Wright was spewing (even though Wright and that "church" were receiving $15 million in taxpayer dollars over the last 15 years)! Wright WAS also Obama's campaign's "Spiritual Advisor" til Wright's enormous ego made him spill the beans! They likewise find no fault with Ayers & Dohrne, who founded the Weather Underground, that bombed the Capital, the Pentagon, police stations, and killed several people. Obama served on boards, committees, "civic projects", etc. with Ayers, his wife worked with him, they socialized with Ayers & Dohrne, have friends in common with them (i.d. Rashid Khalidi, who has ties to the PLO), and Obama's Illinois Senate run was announced from Ayers living room (Obama says Ayers "lived in his neighborhood!) In 2004 or 2005, Ayers said he only wished they had done MORE bombing, he's been photographed trampling the American Flag underfoot and grinning, but Obama says he "thought Ayers had been rehabilitated"! NOT rehabilitated, NOT repentent, avowed Marxist, vehemently says so in public, but Obama "didn't know about any of that"! He knows about it NOW, have you ever heard Obama denounce Ayers and Dohrne? Wright? No, just "some of their past activities". How about Rezko, Obama's convicted criminal buddy, who gave him $1.6 million and a corrupt real-estate deal? How about Mazen Asbahi, Obama's "Islamic Advisor", who had to quit when his Hamas connections were discovered? What about the fact that Obama SUPPORTS Partial-Birth Abortion, the most bestial, sadistic "medical procedure" allowed in this country, against the most innocent and helpless victims, voted AGAINST the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, which protects babies who survive abortion attempts and are born alive from being killed or left alone to die (he was the only Illinois Senator to speak against it) and even NARAL wasn't for that, but he ALSO has stated that women should have some period of time after a baby is born to decide if they want it KILLED! What part of THIS GUY IS A MONSTER do you not understand?? Think Jesus would approve of Mr. Obama?
Never hear a word of criticism from anyone on the Obama side, do we? They don't CARE what Obama, his wife, or any of their associates have ever said or done! They have NO problem with racism, anti-Americanism, criminal connections, corruption, or abortion extremism, so long as those involved support Obama. No better definition of hypocrisy or "low-life" will ever be found.

[madisonhack]

Yeah, I'll bet Kruschev was scared to death of McCain. I imagine him telling his aides, "be careful not to piss off the little man on the aircraft carrier. He is known to crash his planes into things...accidentally."

[Fred Garvin]

>Do your homework PEACENIKS!
>
>blondegenes

Wow, what a horrible insult. People who prefer peace over blowing up babies. You sure put them in their place, 100 more years of war!!

[SassySanFran]

Okay let's say Joe messed up and it was taken out of context. Then Barack should have said so straight out. I have to wonder though if Barack has made a proper choice with Joe. I mean the guy is really screwing up. We need him to do better than that.

[Rob]

Obama knew who he was getting when he picked him, and I still like Joe Biden a lot. I think most people, includiing centrist Democrats and Republicans and independents, like the idea that he would be a close adviser to Obama in the White House.

Another little anecdote: I remember hearing awhile back that Biden said publicly that he thought the Obama campaign's ad about McCain's age and knowledge of computers was terrible. I agreed, and I was happy that the VP candidate was willing to say so. I think lots of people like his candor and appreciate Obama's willingness to have him.

[ash]

I really want to say something, but my mom taught me that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
So here goes:

Gov. Palin sure looks nice in her new clothes.

[Average American]

It is hard to think so many Americans are so shallow! I know we are a country of fast food and immediate gratification but come on people, look at the facts of record.

You can't CHANGE the system if you have never even stood up to the system!

Times are hard and with the Baby Boomers retiring it will get even harder. There is no quick, Slick Willy fix! This subprime loan of Carter/Clinton took a while to put in place and it's effects are pretty deep as we all can see. So much for the Social Engineering of the Democrats! Thanks allot Clinton and Carter!

I don't think McCain is the best choice for President, however, Obama is by FAR the worst choice for President! Even his own running mate has told us over and over again that he is too dangerous for the country! When are you going to listen? After we invade Pakistan like he said he would do during the debates?

We Americans have to take responsibility and work through this hard time! We can't spend or tax our way out of it! We must elect McCain if we stand a chance at all of heading off a depression and world conflict!

Start taking responsibility and thinking for yourself! Pelosi and her clowns will never tell you the truth, just look at this proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs&feature=related

[Average American]

Chase wrote:

"Redistribution of wealth:

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference --- just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed the money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application."

[ThereYouGoAgain]

Mr.Obama and Mr.Biden are just exactly what this country needs at this time in our history. If there is a chance to wage peace, wouldn't we all rather try that than continue to send our kids and our nation's money into the great meat-grinder? After eight years of botched policies and false American bravado, can we please change direction and try diplomacy, reason, and measured intelligence instead of headlong stupidity? America is bleeding, we must stem the loss of our vital essence. A vote for McCain is a vote for the leeches who will continue to suck what little remains of our piddly existences.

My vote is already enthusiastically cast for Obama/Biden!

[airplane]

Some times this election is like a HOT POTATO, HERE YOU TAKE IT, no no no its to hot you take it.
ORl like a boxer trying to take a dive.

[Leon]

Barack has less time on the floor in Congress than most of you doing the Bog routine. Can you trust all this experience considering his questionable background?

[steve rodriguez]

What's the difference between Joe Bidden and Howard Dean? Nothing!!!!!

[jeffrey]

What was Senator McCain palling around with?

In December 1985, Senator McCain and Cindy traveled to Chile for a friendly meeting with Chile's military ruler, General Augusto Pinochet, who at the time was the world's most notorious violators of human rights. General Pinochet was credited with killing and jailing tens of thousands civilians for political reasons. The private trip was arranged and paid by the Pinochet's ambassador to the United States. They spent three and a half days fishing and riding horses in the scenic Puyehue area of southern Chile, in the estate of a prominent and wealthy Pinochet backer Marco Cariola.

According to a declassified U.S. Embassy cable, McCains meeting with Pinochet was described as warm and friendly. McCain, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at the time made no public or private statements critical of the dictator. General Pinochet assassinated his opponents at home and abroad. According to the U.S. Justice Department, in 1976 the Pinochet regime was involved in an act of terrorism in on the US soil involving the assassination of the former ambassador to the US and former Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier. The car bombing on Sheridan Circle in Washington, D.C. was described as the most egregious act of international terrorism perpetrated on U.S. soil by a foreign government.

Army General Pinochet came to power through a bloody coup of a democratically elected government on September 11, 1973. He led the bombing of the presidential palace, padlocked the congress, outlawed all political activities and actively persecuted his opponents. At the time of his death, around 300 criminal charges were pending against him for people disappearances, torture, assassinations, tax evasion and financial embezzlements. Was McCain ever aware of the despicable international terrorism record of his friend General Pinochet? This is a very good question for the Senator to answer?