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Biden's Gloves Come Off ... Against 'Sexist' Media

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September 04, 2008 8:41 AM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports: Some might have expected Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., to come out swinging after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's scathing speech last night at the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. But Thursday morning, Biden threw more punches at the "sexist" press than at his vice presidential counterpart.

"No one has to wonder about there being a sexist bone in my body," Biden said in an appearance on "Good Morning America." "And the truth is, some of the stuff that the press has said about Sarah, and that others have said about the governor, I think, are outrageous. Look, I think kids are off-limits, flat off-limits.

"I think this stuff about how can she be a governor and vice president and raise three kids -- c'mon, whoever those folks are don't know any strong women," he continued.

"I just think some of the stuff said has been over the top, totally unfair, and has been sexist, and I think the way the governor has handled it has been admirable."

As for how Palin handled her speech at the Republican National Convention, Biden said he was impressed.

"I thought she had a great night," the senator said of Palin. "I thought she had a very skillfully written and very skillfully delivered political speech, and I was impressed with her.

"I was also impressed with what I didn't hear," Biden added. "I didn't hear a word mentioned about the middle class, or health care, or about how people are going to fill up their gas tanks."

The Democratic vice presidential nominee noted that the speech reeked of the influence of Karl Rove.

"That's sort of the Rovian way of doing things," he said. "You know, I think it's a political skill set that Republicans have used with some effectiveness over the years, and so, it's not surprising to me.

"I don't know if they're effective or not," he said of such tactics. "That's for the American people to decide. My guess is that they saw through a lot of it. So much of what was said was just simply not true."

The senator cited taxes as one example, noting the case of Palin's sister, who owns a gas station.

"I should let her sister know she'd be better off under a Democratic plan."

But it was not what Palin said that stood out for Biden -- it was what she didn't say.

"She never once mentioned the word Afghanistan, never once mentioned the word Pakistan," he said. "The phrase 'middle class' was not mentioned once."

Of course, some of the things Palin did say served to attack the Democratic ticket, but Biden said he will not ratchet up his rhetoric in response to his Republican opponents.

"I'm not going to change my tone about John McCain, I think it's just kinda sad the way they went after Barack Obama," he said.

"They're good funny lines," Biden acknowledged. "I gotta admit, I'm glad they weren't about me, ya know. I mean, I'm sitting there thinking, 'Whoa, look at that zinger.'"

And Obama's running mate has already started raising expectations for Palin ahead of the veep debate on Oct. 2 in St. Louis.

"I think she's gonna be a pretty skillful debater. I think it'll be a tough debate for me."

September 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (204)

User Comments

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Sarah shone last night!! She was AWESOME! She's brilliant, qualified, capable, graceful, and full of great ideas from which our country will benefit! I can't wait to have her as our next VICE-PRESIDENT! :)

Way to go, Sarah! You're a great example of authentic womanhood and a smart, qualified Republican!

MCCAIN/PALIN '08

Posted by: Theresa T. | Sep 4, 2008 8:51:43 AM

Thank God for Biden. Through the entire speech last night I kept waiting to hear what McCain/Palin were going to do to help our country and instead all I heard was how they think Obama is elitist.

Joe Biden said it best... its about what we did NOT hear.

The reason we didn't hear anything about jobs, healthcare, afghanistan... is because they've got no plan!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA... I can't wait for one planted question for Palin in a town hall such as... "who is the President of Georgia?"... just to watch her fumble and bumble will be a fun sight to see.

Anyone can read a teleprompter... but can you debate Joe Biden on foreign policy? HAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: Blake | Sep 4, 2008 8:52:08 AM

The pupose of Sarah Baracuda's speech was not to outline a McCain Admin policy, rather to introduce Sarah Palin, a ball of fire, as we saw.

At the same time, though, it is clear, from the speech, how the policy is gonna go.

Snooty Libs got reason to worry. They are seen now as the problem, and we begin their demolition.

Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 4, 2008 9:03:41 AM

As a Democrat supporting Democrats downticket and McCain for President, I think the Republicans can breathe a sigh of relief. Sarah Palin did women proud. She will not back down, she will not be destroyed by a pro-Obama media, and she showed how strong women really can be. As a woman, I was proud of her, and I think she will make a fine Vice President. If the DNC doesn't think this woman is going to bring over some moderate and conservative-leaning Hillary supporters, they are living in Fantasy Land. I don't like all her stances, but I like Sarah just fine. McCain-Palin have the support of all the women in my extended Irish-American family.

Posted by: Carrie | Sep 4, 2008 9:04:31 AM

Hey, McCain said it himself - "This election is not about issues. It's about personality." So according to him, it doesn't matter that you don't have a job, it doesn't matter if you can't afford health care, it doesn't matter if your kids have to drop out of school because they can't afford it, it doesn't matter that we're spending 10 trillion dollars a month in Iraq and our kids are being killed and maimed and there's no help for them if they make it back to the US alive, it doesn't matter that our country is a laughingstock to the rest of the world and we've lost the respect of our allies. (Now THAT's dangerous.) And, it doesn't matter that the separation of church and state, which our constitution guarantees, is in the process of being destroyed, first by the Bush administration, and now by the McCain/Palin evangelical agenda. This election is really a personality contest? Coulda fooled me. I really did think for a while there that this election was about the issues that affect our lives and livelihood. Silly me.

Posted by: 59 year old white woman obama supporter | Sep 4, 2008 9:07:37 AM

days through the Republican convention and not a single word about issue # 1, the ECONOMY. Not one word from the keynote speaker, not a word from the VP candidate. All they know how to do is hurl insults. republicans are more concerned with winning elections than goevrning. They say never mind about the disaster of the last 8 years, vote for McCain because she was a POW. Never mind her draconian, insane stance on women's rights, vote Palin because she is female. This is a pathetic party that is quickly pushing itself into irrelevance. Sooner or later Palin will have to face that devil liberal press. we'll see how she holds up without the speech Bush's speech-writer wrote for her.

Posted by: Kevin | Sep 4, 2008 9:09:53 AM

My question for the Mcfool followers. What will they do for Americans??? They try to scare everyone as if Obama will not protect us. McDumb says he know how to win wars. What was has he won??? Bin Laden sent minions to this country and killed 3,000 of our brothers an sisters. When it came time to protect America, Bush, Cheney and McCain decided it was best to attack someone who had nothing to do with it. How is that protecting us? How is that following Bin Laden to the "gates of hell"??? He's in NW Pakistan/Afghanistan. Look there first. That's cowardice if you ask me. If someone punches you in the mouth, would you go after them or someone standing off to the side? That's what this administration did with McCains support. How do they explain that? They're cowards with no sense of duty or honor to those who died on that tragic day.

Posted by: Craig | Sep 4, 2008 9:10:47 AM

So, ABC didn't like my post and they took it off? Isn't that called censorship? Another thing to look forward to in a McCain/Palin administration...

Posted by: 59 year old white woman obama supporter | Sep 4, 2008 9:11:40 AM

Joe Biden is a statesman who can call almost every country's leader around the world and have a direct dialogue with because he has met them. He has been a champion on behalf of women in the United States for writing and getting passed the law for prosecuting domestic violence against women and the legislation to put 100,000 new police on the streets of the US. For these petty attacks from a woefully unqualified neopphyte to attack him and Senator Obama is pure political theater written by a very good speechwriter. For the last three years, Barack Obama has been vetted by the American people. Through over twenty debates, through every vicious attack, some warts, yes, some worries yes. but there is a true sense of hope and future planning instead of staus quo that cannot continue. Let Govenor Palin's vetting proccess begin now and see where it leads.

Posted by: Frank | Sep 4, 2008 9:12:09 AM

PALIN WORE AN ALASKA FIRST PIN. WHATS WRONG WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG PIN?

Posted by: vet watching | Sep 4, 2008 9:12:27 AM

Uggghhh lord knows I am not a big Obama fan, but I thew up a little yesterday watching this. There was no inspiring message about how to lift yourself up. It was all fire and brimestone, the republicans truly looked like the devil.

Posted by: rachel | Sep 4, 2008 9:14:08 AM

Please someone help me out to verify the fect that when Mr. Biden ran for USA president twice and he's got what, less amount of votes than what Sarah got when she ran for the Mayor of a small and unknown town. Shame on you Mr. Biden! Show American people that you have cojones not the otherway around.

Posted by: mtr2311 | Sep 4, 2008 9:15:52 AM

I consider myself and Independent voter who votes for candidates not parties. I supported Hillary Clinton 100%, but have tried to keep an open mind about both presidential candidates.THANK YOU SARAH PALIN -- YOU'VE MADE MY CHOICE SO MUCH EASIER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: heidi | Sep 4, 2008 9:16:10 AM

Let the vetting begin!!!

Insane McCain/Secession Sarah '08!

Posted by: firedup | Sep 4, 2008 9:16:11 AM

The thought of hearing that screechy voice for the next 2 months is too much!I can't wait for that country bumpkin to talk about foreign policy with Joe Biden. No doubt she will dish out the sarcasm and when it's time for her to take a punch she'll turn into the victimized woman who is being disrespected.

Posted by: Ex Republican | Sep 4, 2008 9:17:22 AM

Republicans should lose for the mess they have created. Of course Obama and the dems will just add to the mess. Eventually the country will be either smart enough or desperate enough for real change. Ron Paul.

Posted by: Ben Straub | Sep 4, 2008 9:19:14 AM

Guilliani has to be the slimiest politician on the planet. How much fame and money has that snake gotten from the worst attack on American soil. He is too elitist to have a relationship with his own son. I wonder when he is going to dump his current wife for another bimbo?

Posted by: Joe | Sep 4, 2008 9:22:21 AM

Nobody is listening to the snooty, sneering Libs.

Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 4, 2008 9:23:23 AM

Lib blood is in the water.

Posted by: Mr. Incredible | Sep 4, 2008 9:25:31 AM

Funny Americans....so the election is about a childish ranting women...about Republicans attack? ...Name Calling....not about issues anymore!!Gooduck if you believe 8yrs lesson is nothing......other countries are moving on!

Posted by: Barry | Sep 4, 2008 9:27:25 AM

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