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A Warm Encounter with a Steeler
August 29, 2008 6:25 PM
This afternoon in Pittsburgh, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., greeted Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin.
"Hey coach. I'm Joe Biden," said the vice presidential candidate. "I'm second string."
Biden told Tomlin that after his wife and daughter were killed in 1972, the owner of the Steelers Art Rooney -- whom Biden called "Old Mister Rooney" -- had players from then-world champion Steelers bring an autographed football "to the hospital in Wilmington, Delaware with a signed football for my sons" as a Christmas present, "and I have been a Steelers fan since that day."
"Not much has changed," Tomlin said.
"They are first-class, first rate people," Biden said.
Soon Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and his wife Michelle came out.
The coach introduced everyone to the three Tomlin children Michael, Mason and Harlyn.
The shy Mason refrained from shaking Obama's hand.
"You going to leave me hanging like this?" Obama asked. "Aw, man, that's a shame."
After posing for a family photo, Obama told Tomlin, "If I didn't live in Chicago I'd be a Steelers fan."
"You've brightened what has been a miserable day," Tomlin told Obama. "I had to cut 23 guys this morning. Hardest day of the year."
"Your owner has supreme confidence in you," Obama told the coach. "Good luck on the season. We're very proud of you."
Tomlin replied, "You have our support, our well wishes, our blessings and prayers."
"I'll be watching the games, I might even try to come to one," Obama said.
"We're playing in DC the night before the election," Tomlin said, "but no pressure."
"We're kind of in the same business, they renew my contract every six years, yours after every game," Biden said, adding that optimism is "an occupational job requirement."
- jpt
August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (21)
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The Steelers weren't World Champions in 1972.
Posted by: Tom Fuls | Sep 1, 2008 4:12:25 PM
Thank God for McCain's choice..............
Obama the empty suit can’t win this election. He’s just a narcissist. What a disaster.
Obama never won the primary. Obama stole it from Hillary.The world watched the DNC hand the nomination to Obama by silencing voters.
Obama has destroyed the Democratic Party because of his own self centered narcissist personality.
The media can say what they want about Obama winning the primary but voters know the truth, especially Clinton supporters. Obama ignored voters. Florida and Michigan will never forget it.
Obama and Michelle were given a second chance to put Hillary on his ticket, but instead chose to hog the glory and embarrass the Democratic Party. Obama could have won these women over.
Now McCain is winning the Hillary women with his VP pick.
Obama is risky, radical and not a great patriot. Remember: Rezko, (the criminal), Reverend Wright (the anti Semitic racist) and William Ayers ( Obama's coworker = domestic terrorist)
God is watching and the world is staring at our unfair voting process.
The Democratic Party is embarrassing, especially Barack Hussein Obama.
Posted by: Al from NJ | Aug 31, 2008 8:35:14 AM
Without getting into the political discussion on the candidates; I can't even begin to imagine how I would feel if I lost my wife and daughter. My heart goes out to Sen Biden as time seems to desensitize one to a loss like that but you never get over it completely.
My 20 year old cousin died in an accident 5 years ago and the family has moved on but some of us will never fully recover from it. You go on because there is nothing you can do to bring them back, you just have to move on.
Being a life long Stiller fan though just provides to me further proof of what a classy organization and top notch owner ship that we have in the Rooney's.
Posted by: SteelersCA | Aug 30, 2008 2:47:28 PM
Wow dude, that is like totally amazing. I absolutely had NO idea!
Ripp
Posted by: the Whistler | Aug 30, 2008 11:40:58 AM
Palin's voice is about as appealing as that of a yowling cat. Then there is that almost frightening level of "perkiness". Also annoying. Then she fails the number one requirement of a VP which is to be qualified to step in and be president, which with McCain is a real concern. She makes Obama look seasoned by comparison. Will an enthusiastic right-to-lifer really attract that many PO'd Hillary voters?
Posted by: Donna Hughes | Aug 30, 2008 10:16:41 AM
Voters chose Obama after a long, grueling process. McCain chose Palin after one meeting. There is a difference. Still, I may vote for the maverick now since I now know he supports affirmative action.
Posted by: Henry | Aug 30, 2008 6:41:28 AM
geevill
Well McCain passed over rivals with millions of votes for a woman with ZERO votes, so apparently not everyone thinks that second place gets automatic VP.
Posted by: jock59801 | Aug 29, 2008 11:06:48 PM
So you take a line Supe and make them a middle manager. Then after less than 180 days you say "He should be the CEO." That's Obama, then you add the old Man (Biden) to keep the dude in check. . Have Democrats solved racism, sexism, poverty, ANYTHING??? No.
Gov. Palin has been an executive. She is a GOVERNOR and not a occasional voter in the Senate. She'll make a great VP and future President herself. Republicans promote people based on experience and competence...not based affirmative action.
Posted by: Kory | Aug 29, 2008 10:59:42 PM
Republican VP candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin told Larry Kudlow less than *two months ago*:
“As for that VP talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me *what is it exactly that the VP does everyday?*”
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 29, 2008 7:06:40 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I warched this on tv today. you are misquoting or trying to give the wrong impression because she goes on to say she likes to work hard and wants to know the schedule because if the schedule is not full time hard work she might not be interested. She says she likes to work hard and keep busy.
she knows the vp duties she wondered about the detail of his schedule. she wants a busy schedule. she is not interested in sitting around doing very little.
this woman is a dynamo. look out dems she is a winner. grand slame home run for McCain.
Posted by: DemocratNoMore2 | Aug 29, 2008 9:04:19 PM
Let us get this historically correct. the saying that Hillary used was first used by PUMA person. except Hillary changed it slightly. The original was
No Way
No How
NObama
so be careful when using it. the original might come back to bite you.
Posted by: DemocratNoMore2 | Aug 29, 2008 8:59:07 PM
I've personally met Joe Biden, and I feel bad for what he went through in '72. Awful thing for anyone, left or right - it's a human thing.
Tomlin seems first class and I wish him luck.
Posted by: D'Obama | Aug 29, 2008 8:44:36 PM
"Hillary supporters are educated, politically informed people..."
Yes. that is why they voted for Clinton and not Obama. That is why they are disgusted that Obama chose Biden and his 9,500 voters over Clinton and het 18 million voters.
Posted by: geevill | Aug 29, 2008 8:22:56 PM
Is Maccain resposible person to Our country?
considering his age, he should be more considerate in choosing VP.... He just think of his election.
He was criticizing Obama that he is ready to lose war for his political gain.
And how about Maccain? he is ready to lose our country for his political gamble?
Posted by: zen | Aug 29, 2008 8:17:31 PM
If they are seeking female hillary supporters, they lost the game.
Hillary supporters are educated, politically informed people...
And what kind of Palin's stand point resembles hillary's?
Posted by: zen | Aug 29, 2008 8:13:30 PM
Obama is a dyed-in-the-wool socialist - all you Gimmee Gimmee Dems love him for the promised freebies - the Steelers and Pittsburgh of course are associated with hard workers - Tomlin should have told Barry that.
Posted by: Dakotafreedom | Aug 29, 2008 8:00:09 PM
Good post, Anon.
The McSame ticket is Palin' in comparison to Obama/Biden!!
No Way, No HOW, NO McSAME!!!
Obama/Biden 08
Posted by: jackt51 | Aug 29, 2008 7:10:50 PM
Republican VP candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin told Larry Kudlow less than *two months ago*:
“As for that VP talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me *what is it exactly that the VP does everyday?*”
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 29, 2008 7:06:40 PM
I've heard that Palin now a couple of times. That's an ANGRY person. And you think Hillary's voice was grating? You've heard nothing yet.
Sigh.
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 29, 2008 7:04:44 PM
Man, I love this ticket. Seems like a good pairing - honestly, Obama needed to loosen up a little bit around the national press. Biden seems to be grounding him.
Posted by: Tungsten | Aug 29, 2008 6:52:49 PM
Joe Biden knows the difference between the Steelers and the Packers.
Posted by: Ryan C | Aug 29, 2008 6:44:45 PM
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