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Biden Defends Obama: Bush Should 'Get a Life'

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May 15, 2008 2:31 PM

ABC's Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Former presidential candidate, undeclared superdelegate and Senate Foreign Relations Chair Joe Biden, D-Del., called President Bush's comment during foreign policy speech to the Israeli parliament "a political hit" against Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

"This was a political hit. This was a hit. Not trying to make a point," Biden said this afternoon in a pugnacious counteroffensive against the president on behalf of Obama.

In his address to the Knesset, Bush said ""Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along."

The Obama camp took issue with Bush's remarks, calling them "a false political attack".

Biden took Bush to task for his tacit criticism of Obama's pledge to speak to leaders in Iran and Syria before the Israeli Knessett today and said the president  should "get a life".

"His policy has been an abject failure," Biden said of the president. "For him to call those who rightly see the need for talk as appeasers is delusional and for him to do it from abroad is disgraceful."

Biden referred to what he called the "ridiculous hypocrisy of [the president's] statement."

"Here is a guy who is negotiating with Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Il! He makes Ahmadinejad look okay," Biden said.

"If President believes (in his speech) he should get in touch with his administration. I assume the first thing he's going to do when he gets home is fire his two top cabinet people."

Biden then quoted from recent statements by Secretary of State Robert Gates, who seemed to say the US government should find a way to use leverage against Iran and sit down with Iranians.

Biden said President Bush made a deal with Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy "who blew a lot of my alumni friends from Syracuse university out of the sky."

Biden said when he travels abroad, even though he disagrees with the president's policy, he makes a point of not speaking out against the president.

Earlier in the day, Biden was quoted using an expletive to describe the President's speech. On the recorded conference call he did not repeat that word, but said what he said was accurate.

"I reacted viscerally," Biden said. "What I should have said was malarkey instead of what I did say. I should have said malarkey. but what I said was accurate."

Biden also referred to a speech by Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, who today gave a speech as if from the future in which McCain argued he would have brought most troops home from Iraq by 2013.

Biden said the speech was given from a "dream world."

"I like John's dream. I like John's goal. I just have not heard anything on how he will achieve those goals," Biden said.

May 15, 2008 in Biden, Joe, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Washington | Permalink | User Comments (52)

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Joe Biden is a loon. He needs to get a life.

Posted by: geevill | May 15, 2008 2:46:01 PM

Good for Biden. Bush is an idiot.

Posted by: d | May 15, 2008 2:49:38 PM

Exactly who is Bush talkign about? Who is advocating negotiating with terrorists?

Posted by: Louis | May 15, 2008 2:51:58 PM

Dems should take their cue from Biden and pile on. Mr 29% approval can't bit back, and any republican who defends him will look like an ass.

Posted by: Northern Observer | May 15, 2008 2:54:58 PM

No need to swift boat Obama when his DNC supporters are doing it themselves.

Posted by: geevill | May 15, 2008 2:56:28 PM

Bush uses interesting rhetoric for a man whose grandfather Prescott Bush financed the Nazi war machine until 1942.

The Israelis do know that, right?

Posted by: winston | May 15, 2008 2:57:34 PM

Hey Biden, YOU ought to write your own speeches and quit plagerizing and passing off as your own.

Oh yeah, and how is your "clean and articulate" black man Obama doing these days? And seen any more Indian men working at 7-11 lately?

Lol. Biden -- get a life and shut your trapper.

Posted by: Jo | May 15, 2008 3:04:09 PM

Geevil

The fact that you call Joe Biden a loon and you have been supporting Hillary suddenly makes sense.

Have you ever seen a single policy statement or a single rally by any candidate outside of Hillary Clinton

I realize now...you are the reason blog comments are often ridiculous.

Joe Biden knows more about foreign policy than anybody up there.

a "loon"...needs toget a life because he calls this man who has come close to ruining our country and it's standing to account...

oy. You must work at Mccain headquarters...or in Cheney's office.

Posted by: dl | May 15, 2008 3:05:04 PM

President Bush's comments were consistent with his past statements. The fact that Senator Obama has so vigorously denounced this comment says a great deal about the Senator's shortcomings when it comes to dealing with international terrorism.

Posted by: Bubbler Dad | May 15, 2008 3:10:21 PM

Do all the people who post on this blog do so during Hannity's commercial breaks. You sound just as stupid, biased and "bitter".

Posted by: jim | May 15, 2008 3:15:29 PM

Sounds like the Israelis got the point. Obama is either misguided or dangerous.

We just don't know enough about him. Why would we want to take a chance on him as President?

Posted by: Reagan Democrat | May 15, 2008 3:15:59 PM

Joe Biden a two-time loser like Dodd and Edwards. how many votes did he get 1? maybe his hair tramsplant is too tight?

Posted by: geevill | May 15, 2008 3:16:19 PM


Bush is trying so hard to change the narrative away from his dismal failure as a President.

Bush obviously still is under the delusion that Americans are stupid.

Posted by: Michele C. | May 15, 2008 3:16:29 PM

White House spokesperson now claims that President Bush WASN'T relating to Senator Obama with his remarks.

Right!.. President Bush does think we are all stupid!

Posted by: Michele C. | May 15, 2008 3:20:33 PM

Americain will make a very good choice by listening to Sen, Biden .
He is one of few American politician that understands forgien policy and have the courage and honesty of advocating it.

Posted by: Jay | May 15, 2008 3:28:49 PM

Americain will make a very good choice by listening to Sen, Biden .
He is one of few American politician that understands forgien policy and have the courage and honesty of advocating it.

Posted by: Jay | May 15, 2008 3:28:54 PM

bush has lost all credibility. Does anyone listen to the guy anymore. He's been the worst president ever, I guess he's going for the worst "lame-duck" ever now. Obama 2008!

Posted by: pt | May 15, 2008 3:31:04 PM

Bush = sociopath

Thanks Joe Biden for saying what 80% of Americans (including this republican) have concluded about George W. Bush, a dangerous buffoon.

Jan. 20, 2009 - end of the Bush "error"

Posted by: tomcat27834 | May 15, 2008 3:52:57 PM

Joe Biden is a good soldier and will do anything to help. He is probably the smartest guy, but unfortunately, he never got his campaign taken off, for no other reason than Obama and supporters accusing him racist because he praised him as articulate and fresh, on the day he announced his candidacy.

Without BHO's smear, Biden might be the dem nominee, rather than a phony hypocrite.

Posted by: Olbermn3 | May 15, 2008 3:58:33 PM

Please explain what kind of experience did Bush have in foreign relations when he entered the white house. all i see is his experience in bankrupting this country. people need to wake up and smell the roses. did Regan have experience, did they even live abroad?

this race is becoming a mess. i always had admiration for Hilary until all her dirty politics that came out, and bill clinton, who i am ashamed of i thought he would have been a better person. if you (this country) wants to truly become a third world country they had better come together (democrates) and get those republicans out of office.

Posted by: Frances Howard | May 15, 2008 4:17:47 PM

Bush...a miserable failure and looking ever more pathetic everyday as we get closer to kicking his butt out of the White House.

Our next president, Barack Obama!

Posted by: GAP | May 15, 2008 4:22:32 PM

I meant to say we don't want to become a third world country ... we were once the land of milk and honey what are we now???

FH

Posted by: Frances Howard | May 15, 2008 4:24:17 PM

I love this guy.

Posted by: Jessica | May 15, 2008 4:45:02 PM

I love this guy.

Posted by: Jessica | May 15, 2008 4:45:11 PM

Biden is a nut-case, he called the President's remark bull-s**t only he didn't use the asterisks. This is one of the reasons he didn't succeed as a Presidential candidate, he flaps his lips before he has a chance to think!

Posted by: Todd | May 15, 2008 5:05:40 PM

From an X Republican. Who is now voting for Obama. I believe Democrats have switched places and are now the sane ones.

Posted by: Juice | May 15, 2008 5:11:51 PM

Bush could have been talking about anybody here! Why are all these Dem's taking offense??? Just because Obama said he would meet with terorists and Pelosi and Carter subverted US foreign policy by meeting with terrorists doesn't mean Bush was talking about Dems at all. He could have been talking about those congressmen that went on an all expense paid trip to Iraq and met with Saddam during the run-up to the war (Bonior, Thompson and McDermott) Oops, they're Dems too. Ok, you got me...he probably was talking about Dems.

Posted by: BluestateCon | May 15, 2008 5:15:02 PM

I guess Mr. Bush knows a Nazi when he sees one. Is this OK with you, Israel?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar

Posted by: neo | May 15, 2008 5:23:31 PM

During the Bush-McCain Preside:y:

1. The worse attack on American soil, 911!

2. Americans least safe!

3. Worse national disaster -- Hurricane Katrina

4. Record budget deficit!

5. Biggest military blunder!

6. Housing scandal, AGAIN!

7. One of the worse economic downturn, etc, etc

The only experience Bush-McCain has is one of catastrophic failure for the country.

Posted by: Patriot | May 15, 2008 5:34:10 PM

Their loss in Mississippi must really have the Republicans crapping their pants. Grandpa McSame - who previously pledged to run a clean campaign - has already sunk to labeling Obama a terrorist sympathizer! And his desperate, chest-thumping cohort of chickenhawks on blogs like these are predictably chiming in with a slew of ignorant, racist comments!

I can't wait for the first debate, when Obama cracks down on your sputtering, bewildered, angry old candidate...and the American public gets an earful of his crackpot rationale for staying in a war we should never have fought.

BTW, is your dodderer still planning on us being in Iraq for another 100 years, or is it five, or what? Because I'm having a hard time keeping up with his flip-flops.

Posted by: balthus | May 15, 2008 5:40:19 PM

If you want a BUSH third term vote for John MCain. They are joined at the hip....

Posted by: Johnny K | May 15, 2008 5:50:34 PM

HATE-riot: Americans least safe? The inaction in response to terror attacks of the prior President precipitated 9-11, but ZERO attacks since then (and that includes embassies, ships, etc). As far as the other crap... Katrina was no worse than other natural disasters except that the victims refused to help themselves or their community, Deficit is a result of Lib policies that force us to import our energy needs. Military blunder??? More military deaths while Clinton was president during training incidents! Where were you bemoaning military sacrifice then??? Housing scandal AGAIN? The only scandal is that Lib pressure on lenders caused it and that taxpayers will be paying for it. By the way, this is a non-issue compared to the Carter years. Lastly, the economic downturn started in 2006... when the Dems took back congress.

Posted by: BluestateCon | May 15, 2008 5:55:41 PM

Have the American people had enough yet.....Bush is the worst president of all time and now MCcain wants to adopt his policies...wake up America....

Posted by: Johnny K | May 15, 2008 5:56:00 PM

Seems to be a number of red neck Bushies on the site today....

Posted by: Johnny K | May 15, 2008 5:59:00 PM

Balthus: the doddering old stutterer knows that there are 50 (not 57) states, does Obama?

Posted by: BluestateCon | May 15, 2008 6:01:45 PM

Northern Observer writes in and sez:

wDems should take their cue from Biden and pile on. Mr 29% approval can't bit back, and any republican who defends him will look like an ass.

I recommend that you and Joe Biden take his 4 votes in the primary and stick them where the sun doesn't shine. What a flock of idiots. Yeah, let's all line up to talk to the terrorist. While we queue up, they'll be sharpening the knife they willl use to cut your head off. The only thing they understand is force. Eg. Kadaffi. He saw the light.

Posted by: brwillham | May 15, 2008 6:10:51 PM

So would Bush be talking about himself and the deal he cut with North Korea?

Posted by: Louis | May 15, 2008 6:17:36 PM

Not to mention his ongoing dealings with the primary financiers of terrorist organizations, Saudi Arabia.

Posted by: Louis | May 15, 2008 6:18:39 PM

Biden is the man. He's got it all in perspective. Aside from being impulsive and speaking his mind all the time, he's great. I think the best presendential ticket would be Obama/Biden 08. Obama must choose Biden. He would complete Obama. He's got plenty of experience. I believe more than any other presendential candidate including John Mccain. He's the senate foreign relations chair. Has plenty of foriegn policy experience. Would be a great at arguing and debating Mccains record, if you can say he has one. And last of all, him and Obama get along great together. Biden would without a doubt guarantee Obama the nomination and the presidencey. An Obama-Biden ticket is a true dream ticket.

Posted by: Jeff Michaels | May 15, 2008 6:27:47 PM

It is a known fact Bush has no respect from any person outside of his mates, especially none outside of usa. He ought to wait and see what reception naive Obama will receive from around the world, enemy and friend.

Posted by: pana | May 15, 2008 6:49:02 PM

Bush should "get a life"? The last time I looked, I see Bush has a life.. one that you wanted. Unfortunately you don't and won't ever have it. Biden is an idiot. Everyone is defending the poor baby Obama. Obama wants the easy road to the white house and doesn't want anyone to question his royal highness, when they do.. it is a "distraction, an attack", etc.. This guy is in not a REAL MAN. Hillary has more fire inside her than Obama will ever have. He is a nothing. I will vote for Mccain if obama is the nominee. BTW, Obama is going to be boycotted..right on.

Posted by: MJL | May 15, 2008 11:32:36 PM

Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common-sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can’t tackle the big problems that demand solutions.

Obama had put into words what is in the minds of millions of Americans,especially the non-ideological crossover voters.

Obama's buoying call to a common sense approach a welcome antidote after the name calling and fearmongering of Bushism and scandals involving the Bush Administration. Many voters hunger now for a more productive and positive politics.

Like JFK, Obama will be a successful leader because they were gifted with the ability to put into words what many people were thinking in a way that produces genuine empathy.

Democratic Party presidential candidates have not displayed this quality in decades. Among the present pretenders for the nomination, Sens. Joseph Biden and Christopher Dodd and Rep. Dennis Kucinitch do not display it. John Kerry and Al Gore? Nope. John Edwards displays it, but his base of support is too narrow. Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will best serve as Secretary of State if a Democrat wins the presidency.

That leaves Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Unfortunately, her greatest strength is also her greatest weakness -- experience. The Republicans are in disarray. More than half the party is still in denial about why they lost control of Congress. A Clinton candidacy will be a lightning rod that will unite the Republicans, allowing them to paper over their differences to attack an old foe and get back in the game. That will be more difficult to do with Obama, who really represents a different generation.

The Republican frontrunner is Sen. John McCain. He has positioned himself for the race ever since losing the 2004 primaries to George Bush. But McCain has undercut his vaunted reputation for “straight talk” by cultivating support of Christian conservatives and supporting the escalation of the Iraq war, alienating crossover voters who want nothing to do with American mullahs like James Dobson and want to end the war.

Dem08


Posted by: jld1959 | May 16, 2008 7:49:10 AM

Normally, Bush's speeches are pretty blasé and sometimes border stupid. This one hits the nail on the head. He threw a hook and the dummy, Obama took the bait! If he did not say he was going to talk to Ahmadinejad and his fellow terrorists, Hezbollah,Hamas,Al Qaeda, etc., how come he admits the speech was targeted at him and not the other dud, Jimmy Carter? Bingo! As for Biden, he's small fish but took the bait. Any more Democrats wanna bite on this one? So we finally now know what Obama's change is about: Me, Me, Me!

Posted by: Scorpionet69 | May 16, 2008 10:07:48 AM

I just don't get it. One minute the Obama camp says the WH is politically savy the next they are idiots. Which is it? Did Bush intentionally bait Obama into exactly the rhetoric we are now hearing, or was it just a simply generalization that MANY, including Obama really do feel that talking directly with terrorist groups will somehow deliver some positive feedback. Barack really needs to get a much thicker skin if he plans to be president and stop reacting hysterically about what the intentions are of his opponents. He really is such a baby. Biden is joining in this schoolyard "he said, she said" nonsense.

Look, so many of you believe that Bush with his close advisers like Rowe want to keep this dynasty going. I strongly disagree. If this was true they would have long ago picked a candidate that could go on after Bush to keep the republicans in office. There is no such person and certainly McCain would not be their choice. McCain is in this all by his lonesome. The core republicans are deliberately conceding this next term to Barack. Many republicans are retiring and so there will be nothing but democrats to take over what certainly is a mess on so many fronts.

Biden is old school. Nobody listened to him when he was running as the democratic candidate. If he talks too much he will put his foot directly in his mouth which he has done so often.

We are giving these guys in Washington way too much credit for their intelligence and that includes all the candidates running. Barack gets up there and stumbles all over himself trying to act hurt and surprised that the president attacked him. He is shocked that McCain would take a swipe at him. Please.....he comes from the most corrupt political machine in the country - the Chicago machine. Barack really is annoying. I can understand now the Bush derangement syndrome because that is how Barack affects me.

Posted by: Susan | May 16, 2008 2:55:57 PM

Looks like even country music stations are upset with Bush attacking an American citizen:

“Currently, 147 country music stations have instituted the [Bush] ban, a number which has been growing by the hour. Clear Channel, a major syndicator to all radio formats across America, is considering the ban, which would increase the numbers significantly and be a major blow to the White House. Several Clear Channel stations have independently instituted their own ban.”

Bush may find his Hitler remarks backfiring even further on him considering his own well documented family history of appeasement, support and money laundering for Hitler.

Posted by: MsSwin | May 16, 2008 9:33:07 PM

they talked to quadafi,they are talking to north korea who supplied iran with the nuclear technology,they are friends of egypt,jordan-who attacked isreal in 67 and 73, when obama mentions talking to iran then they forget about their deal with north korea which they branded axis of evil

Posted by: okumu c | May 17, 2008 6:34:25 AM

McCain is one of the biggest flip flopper in history of the US. Bush is not only incompetent but a hypocrite. Why would people want more of same. Republicans really want new leader should vote for Bob Bar as Indepedent.

Posted by: Mook C | May 17, 2008 1:26:16 PM

"I like Barack's dream. I like Barack's goal. I just have not heard anything on how he will achieve those goals."

So what's it gonna be Barry?

Posted by: Randy | May 17, 2008 9:14:10 PM

This is a quote: Like JFK, Obama will be a successful leader because they were gifted with the ability to put into words what many people were thinking in a way that produces genuine empathy.

Welll I hope Obama is JUST like JFK cause that means if he is elected=he'll be dead in a year! Yeah!

Posted by: Catherine Haig Bonjukian | May 17, 2008 9:19:53 PM

anyone know where to find video or audio of biden's remarks quoted in this article?

Posted by: Kurt | May 18, 2008 12:35:29 AM

I wish Biden would just shut up. The man is a liar and thief who stole speeches and said they were his own. He and his party have done all they can to make this country vulnerable to a terrorist attack. If Obama wins, maybe he can name Biden as his Secretary of State, so Biden can be the one to surrender to bin Laden.

Posted by: Ben Bartlett | May 25, 2008 6:41:33 PM

Catherine Haig Bonjukian -- that is a sickening, disgusting, evil remark.

Posted by: Kat | Jun 12, 2008 5:10:14 PM

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