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On Economic Bailout, Biden Brags on Obama & Blasts McCain

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September 25, 2008 2:38 PM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: While Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain return to Washington to meet with President Bush about an economic rescue plan, Sen. Joe Biden, campaigning in Pennsylvania Thursday, argued that Obama had shown leadership on the issue while McCain had "lurched so rapidly from one fundamental position to another."

"Yesterday Barack Obama - and this is the tradition of this guy, this is how he works - in the midst of all this political blather that's going on, all the negative ads being heaped upon him, what did he do?" Biden asked at a rally in Greensburg.

"He reached out. He picked up the phone and he called John McCain and he said, 'We should put aside the politics for the day and we should see if we can agree jointly, we can agree jointly on the basic elements of what needs to be in this package, this rescue package so that not only Wall Street doesn't fail, but Main Street doesn't get crushed in the avalanche when it falls'. He showed leadership. He showed leadership by suggesting that we come together."

"In a closely contested presidential election," continued Biden, "Barack Obama stepped up to say, 'John, this is too important. This is too important. It's essential we show unity.' That's how you change the tone in Washington. That's really leadership."

At the same time, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate continued to blast McCain for what he calls the Republican's "economic epiphany" last week, when McCain said "the fundamentals of the economy are strong" and then later said "the economy is in crisis."

"You can’t be president of the United States of America and lurch so rapidly from one fundamental position to another, seeing sunlight and then seeing nothing but darkness all in a matter of two hours," Biden said, accusing McCain of flip-flopping with his views on the nation's financial stability.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you can’t gain the confidence of the nation and you can’t gain the confidence of the world when in fact you are not rooted and know exactly what you think.”

When the two candidates converge at the White House, Biden said he knows what Bush should expect to hear from Obama.

"We cannot and we will not simply bail out Wall Street without helping the millions of innocent homeowners who are struggling just to stay in their homes," said the Delaware lawmaker. "If Wall Street is going to get this help, Main Street, Main Street has to get the help as well.”

September 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (159)

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Poor Biden. Does he realize how ridiculous he makes himself sound? I have read that he is likely to step aside and use health reasons as an excuse so they can allow Hillary to step in and take over as VP. That shows their desperation.
What a travesty.

Posted by: Fran | Sep 25, 2008 3:06:31 PM

Was he sobbing?

Posted by: Mack | Sep 25, 2008 3:06:51 PM

Obama acted Presidential. McCain acted like someone trying to move up in the polls. You don't have to be a veteran to understand how the economy works. He was editor of one of the most influential legal publications in the world and a professor at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. You don't get either position without having the ability to handle multiple crisis or work effectively across a wide swath of ethnic, social and economic levels. John obviously doesn't have a clue what an editor does, or else he wouldn't have rediculed Obama for "never once authoring and article." Having been both an editor and an author, I can tell you that authoring is the easy part.

McCain suspended his campaign because he doesn't have someone he can rely on in times of crisis. Palin is a bubblehead (the Couric interview shows that). Obama called him first about a joint statement. His reply was a "Hail Mary" to try to restart his faltering campaign.

McCain, the veteran, voted against every bill to support veterans, including the Veteran Bill of Rights. Only after he was thoroughly embarassed by fellow veterans (and wanted their vote) did he jump on the VBR bandwagon. McCain is a flip-flopper and we need a President.

Posted by: algwriter | Sep 25, 2008 3:08:43 PM

I wouldn't put up with this crap for a minute if I were the Dems. Walk out of the Bush meeting this afternoon. Tell them to GTH, they broke it, they can fix it. McCain wants to play games, let him and the Republicans play all they want with Bush. Enough of the B.S. the American public has seen enough to know who is to blame for this mess.

Posted by: Phillip | Sep 25, 2008 3:10:05 PM

"McCain acted like someone trying to move up in the polls."

No need.

Gallup

McCain 46%
Political hack 46%

Posted by: Mack | Sep 25, 2008 3:10:15 PM

Schmegal from Lord of the Rings. Constantly battling himself: trying to convince himself and the public that he is good in order to get close enough to the ring to steal it for himself. Not to mention that the republic party's rich free trade constituents are calling members of congress trying to block this bailout. Besides that..... HELLO, how come it seems that every time a republic policy fiasco blows up all of a sudden they want to be bi-partisan? More like republic bi-polarism. Hey, I know! Let's save the countries ass because the republic party has destroyed it. Then we'll let them take a victory lap for saving the day! Meanwhile we can change from capitalism to socialism without anyone noticing. BRILLIANT!

Posted by: beck | Sep 25, 2008 3:10:30 PM

"He reached out. He picked up the phone and he called John McCain.

Wow!! Joey Obama phone...and that's all he did!! but he refused go back to D.C. until the president summoned him. Did he forget he is still a senator? What happened to I work for you the american people. Typical Obama a day too late.
Vote present..

Posted by: Kev | Sep 25, 2008 3:10:54 PM

"What happened to I work for you the american people.'

How many days has he actually worked as a US Senator?

Posted by: Mack | Sep 25, 2008 3:12:54 PM

What is a travesty is McCain politicizing a national crisis. McCain is been deplete of honor or integrity.

Posted by: Liz | Sep 25, 2008 3:16:40 PM

Great leadership Biden, that is a real VP who has no lipstick on and cannot see Russia from the window of his bedroom. He is not using his son's service to our nation for political purposes like Sarah Palin is doing with the support of McSame.

Posted by: BKMC | Sep 25, 2008 3:19:34 PM

Fran: "I have read that he is likely to step aside and use health reasons as an excuse so they can allow Hillary to step in and take over as VP."

From where did you read that?

It sounds ludicrous on its face, because if there was a shred of truth to it, wouldn't this be a pretty closely held secret... and thus not available to read about?

Posted by: Paul | Sep 25, 2008 3:22:15 PM

Dana Perino was asked why she is giving an optimistic assessment of the bailout's chances while McCain continues to insist its dead (and only he can revive it, lol).

After dodging the question a couple times, she finally said she doesn't know where McCain is getting his information.

Could it be McCain is making it up, so he'll look like the guy who saved the economy when it does pass?

Posted by: Paul | Sep 25, 2008 3:24:25 PM

We should let Wall Street fail - period.

Posted by: jozy | Sep 25, 2008 3:26:20 PM

Kev: "...Obama phone...and that's all he did!! but he refused go back to D.C. until the president summoned him."

Kev, it seems McCain forgot there were such things as phones. He needs to be in DC to show support for the bailout?

The whole thing is ludicrous. McCain is simply trying to find a way to make the bailout about him, because he can't stand people not talking about him.

Posted by: Paul | Sep 25, 2008 3:28:13 PM

Sloppy Joe Biden... What a TOOL!

Barack Hussin Obama... What a FOOL!

Put them both together... What a STOOL!

Vote Obama/Biden and you have no one to blame but yourself!

Posted by: An American | Sep 25, 2008 3:28:46 PM

jozy: "We should let Wall Street fail - period."

And take the rest of us down with them? The real potential damage here isn't the indices falling; its a seizing up of credit. Then everything stalls.

On Fox a couple days ago, I heard someone saying that there's companies out there borrowing to make their payroll, and if money isn't available, they aren't paying their employees. Don't know if its true, but this guy was saying it would impact millions of workers.

Posted by: Paul | Sep 25, 2008 3:30:38 PM

Yea I just love the way Bush and Mcbush

are doing our Ecomony ... they dont

Need Obama...they are doing just Great!

"Our Economy is strong" ...statement

form GW.Bush and McBush...

2 Weeks Later "My Friends we are on

the Brink of the 2nd Great Depression"

NO THEY DONT NEED OBAMA ...

Them two Bush and McBush are doing

Just fine as hairs on a Frog.....

Posted by: Anita Yova | Sep 25, 2008 3:30:53 PM

Biden's Link To Credit-Card Firm Questioned

All Things Considered, August 25, 2008 · Sen. Joe Biden was one of the few Democrats who sided with credit-card companies that were trying to make it harder for people to declare bankruptcy.

At the time, his son was a consultant to Delaware-based credit-card company MBNA. MBNA employees also contributed heavily to the senator's election campaigns

Posted by: geevill | Sep 25, 2008 3:38:08 PM

t

Posted by: beck | Sep 25, 2008 3:39:04 PM

McCain's Travelling Circus:

My Friends, for my next clown trick, I plan to lose this election by a massive landslide. At least, I'm predicting it.

My future plans include shooing imaginary trolls off of my wife's lawn while sipping on a tall, warm glass of buttermilk.

I also now realize that turkey buzzards could attempt to, but could never fly with Perigrine Falcons.

That Obama just drank my milkshake!

POTUS OBAMA - EVEN MCCAIN KNOWS IT'S A LOCK!

Posted by: Nat Turner | Sep 25, 2008 3:39:10 PM

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