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Oh, That Joe! (No. 43 in a Series) -- So Much for Being Muzzled...
November 02, 2008 5:56 PM
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., Sunday came to the University of Florida a day after the school's football team thrashed the Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville, in a game called "The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."
On the university quad in Gainesville, Biden, a Delaware Blue Hen alumnus donning a blue Gators hat, told the crowd of 4,500 how relieved he was that his alma mater doesn’t have to play the fifth-ranked Florida squad.
"I tell you what, I’m a proud University of Delaware alum," the Democratic vice-presidential nominee said. "We won the national championship in our division a couple years ago. But I tell you what, I watched you all Saturday, and I thought, ‘Thank God, thank God we don’t play the Gators!’"
Biden’s gridiron humility was a marked change from the Blue Hen bravado he displayed in an impromptu meeting with the Delaware squad Sept. 19 at the Wilmington airport. "I was out in Ohio," he said then, having just come back from a two-day Buckeye State bus tour. "I told the folks in Ohio that we’d kick Ohio State’s ass."
Today, the garrulous Veep-wanna-be spotted his home state’s flag in the audience.
"A Delaware flag!" he exclaimed. "Alright, man! You guys are on a roll. Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!"
"And I want to tell you," Biden continued as rain cascaded down on the college quad. "I used the rain as an excuse to wear the hat, but the balder I get, the more I love hats. I always loved hats."
Moments later, another giant flag caught the senator’s eye.
"I also salute our Republican colleagues carrying that elephant out there," he said, prompting loud boos from his Sunshine State supporters.
"Well no, it’s good, no no, that’s a good thing," Biden said, urging his audience to stop the boos. "It’s a good thing about this country. It’s a real good thing about this country, even though some of you out here are Republicans voting for us!"
In recent days, Republicans and members of the media have said that Biden seemed "muzzled" by the heads of the Obama campaign to keep him on-message and avoid any inflammatory comments.
But today, Biden could barely stick to the teleprompter.
"And the amazing thing to me is, and I mean this sincerely, as passionate as I was about the prospects for America back when I got elected as a kid, I’m even more passionate now that I’ve served as long as I have," said the six-term senator.
"I believe the possibilities for this country are absolutely amazing and -- stop moving the prompter! -- the loquacious Blue Hen suddenly demanded.
"Absolutely amazing," he laughed, as the crowd applauded. "These guys…there’s a prompter I hardly ever read here. They don’t want you to know that they put it up to make me sound disciplined, you know."
After the prompter was back on track, Biden delivered his usual stump speech, with a rather unusual ending.
"Go get ‘em, Gators!" he bellowed.
-- Matt Jaffe and Jake Tapper
November 2, 2008 in 2008: Democrats | Permalink | Share | User Comments (19)
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Gators still wear jean shorts.
Posted by: Left to Right | Nov 3, 2008 9:28:37 AM
Oh by the way Hillary wouldn't have treated so sexist either. It is a historic time ladies step up and support Sarah she needs some help. She is more experienced than the Obama and won't let us down!
Posted by: Mike Magucy | Nov 2, 2008 10:35:39 PM
I'd vote for John and Sarah just on general principles even if I didn't like them. Sarah has'nt been shown the same respect that Obama has by Gibson and Couric. There entire design was to try to make a fool of her something they wouldn't have done to McCain/Biden or the one who thinks he's Prince!
Posted by: Mike Magucy | Nov 2, 2008 10:31:18 PM
ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/Time Magazine you've done a fine job for the last two months and more you've decided Obama has already one we don't need to vote. You're responsible for destroying this countries democracy in less time than it took to bring down Rome!
Posted by: Mike Magucy | Nov 2, 2008 10:25:41 PM
Well look in the mirror and what will you see a very disappointed America if you give up Democracy by voting for Obama!
Posted by: Mike Magucy | Nov 2, 2008 10:20:04 PM
My God, did Biden ever consider being a sports journalist, as everytime I read one of his blunders on Political Punch, it's always a sports event. What a boring load he is.
But I do thank him for his biggest gaffes 1) patriotic taxes, 2) Obama is untested and a crisis will strike within 6 months 3) Obama is articulate and clean for an African American, 4) "Is this a joke" to the Florida anchor, and 5) his comment not three months ago prompted by Stephenopolis that Obama is not qualified.
I could't agree more.
HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN!
Posted by: Hopey Uniter, is Dopey Divider | Nov 2, 2008 7:18:41 PM
The ELECTION IS TUESDAY NOV. 4TH. There is, and never was, any reason to be afraid of Barack Obama. Who cares what his middle name is? How can people believe all the bs from the Republicans?
Posted by: Sheri Legg | Nov 2, 2008 7:10:02 PM
Hey, where is Joe the Plummer when you REALLY need him???….the Republicans have backed up all the toilets full of crap!!!
Oh that’s right, their right hand man is in JAIL for BACK TAXES and working ILLEGALLY as a plummer!!!!
Obama/Biden 2008!!!
Posted by: Richard | Nov 2, 2008 7:06:53 PM
Imagine that, a veep candidate capable of saying something that's not on a telepromptor!
Posted by: Pacific moderate | Nov 2, 2008 7:04:38 PM
Was Biden ever actually muzzled, or was it biased speculation? It's obvious that whoever is elected has very serious national and international problems passed on to that individual. Biden was being realistic when he said Obama would be challenged and it's highly doubtful he was muted expressing hat.
Posted by: kat | Nov 2, 2008 7:00:27 PM
Another reason I'll be glad to see November 5th is an end (hopefully) to this "Joe" series -- hopefully Jake will have better things to do than carry it on through eight years of Biden's Vice Presidency!
Yet, no one seems to have taken McShame to task for his "Joe the Biden" routine, which I certainly consider disrespectful. Not to mention McShame's "Whirling Dirvish routine ending his stump speeches the last few days!
And finally, I'll be glad to see all you anti-obama idiots put in your place when Senator Obama is the President-Elect on November 5th!
Obama/Biden 08
Posted by: jackt51 | Nov 2, 2008 6:54:50 PM
For your information, samhiguchi, NO ONE said ANYTHING about kicking ass ...
Read the article again and maybe you might just catch what I mean the second or third time around ...
Think ... It's Not illegal YET ...
Vote Democrat ...
Posted by: Blogger | Nov 2, 2008 6:46:51 PM
You know the scariest thought of all, Nancy Pelosi, two heartbeats away from being president. Ok now I'm gonna have nightmares!
Posted by: samhiguchi | Nov 2, 2008 6:38:12 PM
I think he is great! and really loose and genuine,
he is just who we need as the vp.
biden is going to be a great vice president.
what a great combo. and so refreshing,
think back to the permanent grumpy face we have for vp right now. grrrr.
it is nice to have someone who will be approachable. like joe biden.
Posted by: cheer up, smile, nertz! | Nov 2, 2008 6:37:25 PM
"In the White House there is no time for speeches and on-the-job training. Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign and Senator Obama will bring a speech that he gave in 2002. I think that is a significant difference," the voice of Clinton is heard saying.
Posted by: zoe | Nov 2, 2008 6:35:33 PM
Biden: God love him! The more he talks, the more fearful I am that "he" may be only a heartbeat away from the presidency. Everyone laughs, but maybe there is a problem here? Also, he seems to get very angry? I feel bad for him, cause he seems like an ok-Joe, but.....?
Posted by: jg | Nov 2, 2008 6:21:38 PM
Crazy Joe must be mental!
Of course, his name gives it away doesn't it.
Posted by: Captain America | Nov 2, 2008 6:20:26 PM
Do these guys not realize that people bring their little kids to these things. Kids are like little sponges and pick up everything. Some little kid is gonna say something about kicking ass and the parent is gonna wonder where they heard it.
Posted by: samhiguchi | Nov 2, 2008 6:12:03 PM
Over the weekend in Virginia, bogus fliers with an authentic-looking commonwealth seal said fears of high voter turnout had prompted election officials to hold two elections - one on Tuesday for Republicans and another on Wednesday for Democrats.
In New Mexico, two Hispanic women filed a lawsuit last week claiming they were harassed by a private investigator working for a Republican lawyer who came to their homes and threatened to call immigration authorities, even though they are U.S. citizens.
In Pennsylvania, e-mails appeared linking Democrat Barack Obama to the Holocaust. "Jewish Americans cannot afford to make the wrong decision on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
In Pennsylvania leaflets taped to picnic benches at Drexel University, warning students that police would be at the polls on Tuesday to arrest would-be voters with prior criminal offenses.
In a Jewish neighborhood fliers were recently left claiming Obama was more sympathetic to Palestinians than to Israel, and showed a photograph of him speaking in Germany.
In Colorado and Virginia, people reported receiving calls that told them their registrations had expired and they would be arrested if they showed up to vote.
In Milwaukee, fliers went up advising people "if you've already voted in any election this year, you can't vote in the presidential election.
In Pennsylvania, a letter bearing what appeared to be the McCandless Township seal falsely proclaimed that in order to cut long voting lines, Republicans would cast ballots on Nov. 2 and Democrats would vote on Nov. 3.
yeah, they don't call it the "Grand Old Party" for nothing, deceitful hypocrites.
Posted by: JR | Nov 2, 2008 6:02:32 PM
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