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Biden calls Palin 'Lieutenant Governor'

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September 04, 2008 5:29 PM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports: After her speech Wednesday night at the Republican convention in St. Paul, most of the nation now knows who Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is. Her vice-presidential counterpart, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., apparently still does not.

"I heard a very, by the way I mean this sincerely, a very strong and a very good political speech from a lieutenant governor of Alaska who I think is going to be very formidable, very formidable not only in the campaign but in the debate," Biden said Thursday at an economic discussion at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia.

Biden spokesman David Wade acknowledged that Biden mistakenly called Palin "lieutenant" Governor, but brushed it off as a meaningless error.  "Oh Lordy day, it's not like he said Czechoslavakia was still a country. Newsflash: sometimes people get a word or two crossed," said Wade.

However, Biden's audience appears to know plenty about Palin - and they are none too pleased with her. For the second consecutive event, Biden had to field a question from a female audience member expressing very strong anti-Palin sentiment.

"I just want to let you know that I'm really tired of the Republicans pandering to women voters," said Jennifer Halpin of Leesburg, Virginia. "I've been supporting Barack Obama from day one. I also really respect and admire Hillary Clinton. And I think it's preposterous for Republicans to think that just because they add any woman to their ticket that we are going to be dumb enough to turn into Stepford wives and vote [for McCain]."

Responded Biden, "Spoken like my wife, daughter and sister."

Although he joked Thursday morning in Virginia Beach that "fortunately" he didn't see much of Wednesday's Republican convention action while he flew from Florida to Virginia, Biden sounded like he had caught up on what he missed.

"I heard a lot of attacks on Barack Obama and a few on me," the senator said. "I heard a lot of appeals to division in America, heard a lot of scare tactics, heard a lot of things that weren’t accurate from the speakers about Barack Obama’s record and what an Obama-Biden administration would do."

Referring back to John McCain campaign manager's Rick Davis' comment that this election is not about issues," Biden noted, "It's obvious to me from last night that that's what they intend to do, try to make this election not about issues."

"Quite frankly, folks, they can't explain the eight years of absolute, absolute, abject failure of our foreign policy," continued Barack Obama's running mate. "And they can't explain the eight years of economic decline in this country, particularly hitting the middle class like a gut punch. They can't explain it. And the second thing is, the don't have any answer. They dug us into a very, very, very deep hole. and I think I can say this without fear of contradiction. Just forget the politics, just look at the facts. Look at where the nation is today and where it was, notwithstanding 9/11, and where it was prior, prior to George Bush becoming president of the United States of America."

The ever-colorful senator also went on to compare President Bush to Houdini.

"I call President Bush, I'm kidding with him, I call him Houdini," he said. "And the reason I do, I kid him, I say how could you have gone from a projected surplus of $5.4 trillion to a projected deficit of over $8 trillion – trillion with a "t" dollars. How could you have inherited a $232 billion operating surplus and leave us with a $500 billion likely deficit, on average well over $250 billion a year. I didn’t think Houdini could do that. So I find it interesting that, that, that John McCain talks about how he votes - brags about he votes 90, I think, 95, whatever he said, percent of the time with George Bush. That’s not what I’d call a change agent. I find it kind of fascinating that when he talks about being joined at the hip, his folks talk about being joined at the hip with Bush. Folks, we need a hip replacement."

September 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (61)

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OK, a governor of 670,000 people. That's less experience than a borough president in Queens, LOL.

Lieutenant, not lieutenant, so what. She barely qualifies as a governor at all.

Yawn

Posted by: Yawn | Sep 4, 2008 5:37:05 PM

I'm a bit concerned with the McCain/Palin energy policy (especially in regard to drilling in the ANWR). Given the state of the environment these days I think it is important for us, as consumers to support 'green business.' For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.

Posted by: Clark | Sep 4, 2008 5:51:14 PM

Did you know they tried to have a recall elction in Wasilla because she tried to have the librarian fired because she wouldn't promot creation,
More abuse of power from Republicans

Posted by: LIsa | Sep 4, 2008 5:53:54 PM

thanks ok... Guliani called her Senator Palin just before saying "how dare they question her ability to serve while a mother" ... what an idiot

Posted by: cathy | Sep 4, 2008 5:53:59 PM

Glad to see that Yawn values experience. With McCain getting the nomination, he will have more options since experience is so important.

Posted by: Mo | Sep 4, 2008 5:55:24 PM

Too bad for Palin, the race has just begun.You started it all! We do not want a nursing mom in the white house. Again McCain's wrong judgement.Go OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12.God is with you.

Posted by: mike | Sep 4, 2008 5:56:06 PM

might be bringing attention to all the reasons she actually lost that race for Lt. Governor.

Posted by: dl | Sep 4, 2008 5:57:10 PM

Shows McCain's incredible lack of judgement... the last thing we need is another cowboy in the oval office...

Posted by: fair | Sep 4, 2008 6:01:04 PM

Please somebody tell Palin that voters care about their country first and the well being of the largest group in AMerica( middle class) somebody please please buy Bush sorry McCain a clue because he really doesn't get it!!!
At no time did the Reps talk about their country, our country, people are tired of divisive politics. It's time for the Big "O" to unify our country and get everyone talking about how we as a country will succeed.
Palin , is an empty suit.....

Posted by: DRI | Sep 4, 2008 6:04:13 PM


Dear concerned citizens of America and mass media of the U.S.A.

As a concerned disabled American Veteran and American citizen, I consider it my duty and responsibility to address the following critical issues facing the voters of our Greatgrand nation, the United States of America [USA].

The citizens of the United States of America [USA] have the ultimate power and responsibility to elect the Right Ticket with the right joint "temperament, judgment, and statesmanship" to lead our nation as well as change our nation's present and future moral, political, economic, educational, health care, energy, military, and foundational soul.
In my firm professional, personal, and political opinion, the media should help the common voter to explore and discuss the following attributes of the present Republican and Democratic presidential slates:
1. Does the joint ticket have a calm, cool, and collected " temper and impulse" [Presidential Temperament]?
2. Does each ticket have sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber"?
3. Does each ticket have a "presidential depth and degree" in regard to their purpose, policies, and positions?
4. Does each ticket have adequate, "understanding and knowledge" of workings around Washington"?
5. Does each ticket have enough "vigor, wisdom and Vision" for the future of our beloved Great-grand Nation?
6. Does each ticket possess enough joint foreign policy experience and ex-poser based on "American Values, Virtues, Vastness, and strong soul"?
7. Are their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity, and impulsivity?

If your answer to a majority of the above questions is yes, I suggest you vote for that ticket. As a Independent registered voter I have decided to vote for Obama-Biden ticket. I am sure they will protect our national security, Strong's, stamina and strong soul. Rebuild our nation from bottom up in all areas of need, OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will once again restore and rebuild our global standing with the use of maximum international humane diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated.
Yours sincerely,

COL. A.M. Khajawall [Ret] MD., Forensic psychiatrist, Colonel, US-AR / MC Combat Stress Control[Ret], Disabled American Veteran and Iraq Freedom team.
PS: This nation will not buy into kitchen sink approah. We are getting deeper into internal and external holes thru these attack and world is laughing on us and enjoying our kitchen sink gimmics. I am sure GOP.RNC, FOX, RUSH, And McCains his surrogates will fail to dupe, decieve, and deprive USA its deserved leadership.

McCain and his surrogates have taken a Pitt Bull strategy. I am sure common people will see thru it and vote against it.

Posted by: COL.A.M.Khajawall [Ret[ | Sep 4, 2008 6:07:02 PM

The full-scale assault on Sarah is now going into overdrive. The dems and the media will never be able to live with having the first female vice-president of the United States of America. They are kicking, screaming and belching fire, like a dragon being slain.

Posted by: Joaquin B. | Sep 4, 2008 6:07:22 PM

BIDEN'S A HAIR PLUGGED NEANDERTHAL PIG WHO IS SO INTIMIDATED BY PALIN THAT HE THINKS IF HE KEEPS BELITTLING THE FACT THAT SHE IS A GOVERNOR THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BELIEVE IT. AND THE OBAMA SUPPORTER WHO THINKS REPUBLICANS ARE PANDERING TO WOMEN? YEAH, WE'LL TAKE AN OBAMA SUPPORTER SERIOUSLY, ESPECIALLY ONE OF THE KOOL AID DRINKING COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO SWOON OVER HIM YET CAN'T NAME A SINGLE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OBAMA'S - SURE, WE'LL TAKE THOSE KIDS REALL SERIOUSLY... NOT. OH YEAH--THER REASON THEY CAN'T NAME ANY IS CAUSE HE HAS NONE!

Posted by: Foodforthought | Sep 4, 2008 6:10:16 PM

Please excuse the typo in my last message. I must admit I was a little excited...The full-scale assault on Sarah is now going into overdrive. The dems and the media will never be able to live with having the first female vice-president of the United States of America be a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN. They are kicking, screaming and belching fire, like a dragon being slain.

Posted by: Joaquin B. | Sep 4, 2008 6:12:52 PM

It's funny to see all these liberals in a state of panic!

Posted by: CC | Sep 4, 2008 6:24:21 PM

Joaquin;
It is not because she is female. It is because she is a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN. I for one do not want someone in the White House who believes that the planet Earth is 20,000 years old.

Posted by: Jim H | Sep 4, 2008 6:33:48 PM

I am sorry for blathering like an idiot here. I am just so frustrated with all of this. I know in my heart that we will lose when Obaman wins in November.

That's not my only source of frustration though.

I have just been fired and replaced by an unqualified black man who has 1/10the the experience I have. Just because he went to Yale and I didn't. They just want to kiss up to blacks now. It'll happen to you too.

Posted by: Foodforthought | Sep 4, 2008 6:38:18 PM

It's "typical" of Joe Biden. Someone needs to remind him that he IS on the DemWit ticket this year! LOL!

Posted by: david from texas | Sep 4, 2008 6:43:11 PM

So here we go again with all of the Dem's empty rhetoric about "change" and focus on domestic issues. Most Republicans and Independents will agree that there is definitely some change needed in our Govt - especially at the Executive and Legislative level. What has the Democratic led Congress and Senate done lately? Really, changing for changes sake isn't going to fix the problems we have in America - just the opposite - they'll raise taxes and cause our economy to decline further. After listening to her speech, I applaud Gov. Palin's methodical approach for energy independence and tackling some of the tougher domestic issues that we're facing today. And as to experience, she was a popular Mayor and a successful Chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission while Mr. Obama was still just a community activist and Associate attorney with Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland.

Posted by: Rob B. | Sep 4, 2008 6:44:09 PM

Mike,

You are an ignorant fool.

Posted by: oldspice | Sep 4, 2008 6:46:29 PM

Foodforthought.....

Contrary to what the DemWits believe, Obama will NOT win in November. He is already falling in the polls while McCain is gaining. Obama is only 13 projected electoral votes ahead of McCain and the swing states are now leaning to McCain. Obama is all "used" up. The media "darling" has let down the media and America. Remember, the GOP still has surpises up their sleeves. They mysterious tape of Michelle will be out for all to see in October. Obama, now flip flopped on the surge, among many other issues. The evangelicals and catholics are now behind McCain. Obama, does have the African American vote, not because they beleive in the issues, but mainly because he is a black man. Hang in there, don't give up. McCain/Palin is are headed to the White House.

Sorry about your job loss......hang tough!

McCain/Palin 08!
Country First!

Posted by: david from texas | Sep 4, 2008 6:49:27 PM

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