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Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"
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ShareOctober 20, 2008 7:35 AM
ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions.
"Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."
"I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. "And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."
Not only will the next administration have to deal with foreign affairs issues, Biden warned, but also with the current economic crisis.
"Gird your loins," Biden told the crowd. "We're gonna win with your help, God willing, we're gonna win, but this is not gonna be an easy ride. This president, the next president, is gonna be left with the most significant task. It's like cleaning the Augean stables, man. This is more than just, this is more than – think about it, literally, think about it – this is more than just a capital crisis, this is more than just markets. This is a systemic problem we have with this economy."
The Delaware lawmaker managed to rake in an estimated $1 million total from his two money hauls at the downtown Sheraton, the same hotel where four years ago Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., clinched the Democratic nomination. Despite warning about the difficulties the next administration will face, Biden said the Democratic ticket is equipped to meet the challenges head on.
"I've forgotten more about foreign policy than most of my colleagues know, so I'm not being falsely humble with you. I think I can be value added, but this guy has it," the Senate Foreign Relations chairman said of Obama. "This guy has it. But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us."
"There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision'," Biden continued. "Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made, which I believe you will when they're made, they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound."
Biden emphasized that the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border is of particular concern, with Osama bin Laden "alive and well" and Pakistan "bristling with nuclear weapons."
"You literally can see what these kids are up against, our kids in that region," Biden said in recalling when his helicopter was forced down due to a snowstorm there. "The place is crawling with al Qaeda. And it's real."
"We do not have the military capacity, nor have we ever, quite frankly, in the last 20 years, to dictate outcomes," he cautioned. "It's so much more important than that. It's so much more complicated than that. And Barack gets it."
After speaking for just over a quarter of an hour, Biden noticed the media presence in the back of the small ballroom.
"I probably shouldn't have said all this because it dawned on me that the press is here," he joked.
"All kidding aside, these guys have left us in a God-awful place," he then said of the Bush regime, promptly wrapping up his remarks. "We have the ability to straighten it out. It's gonna take a little bit of time, so I ask you to stay with us. Stay with us."
October 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (1719)
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biden is full of ****!
yuuup!
Posted by: brii | Oct 28, 2008 7:27:59 PM
The Oligarchy
70% percent of Americas wealth is owned by, not you the voting masses, but is owned by Elitists, who control the economic destiny of the present and prevailing World Order !
The top 1% own 38.1% of the wealth in the country, the next 4% own 21.3%, and the next 5% own 11.5%. That is to say, the top 10% of the country owns 70.9% of the wealth of this nation.
I would like to know if any of the people offering their opinions at this site are part of the 10% that own approximately 70.9% of the wealth of this nation ?
Social Change is not about "Socialism" or Communism or Markism !
The Elite 10% percent got a TAX cut and a deregulation pass from the G Bush administration, allowing them to live higher on the hog then they already were, while at the same time, the result for the bottom 80% percent was/is loss of their retirements packages 401Ks jobs homes etc. !
Senator Obama wants to turn those losses, that the bottom 80% are suffering, back into gains and back towards the road to recovery, and for this, he is being labeled a Marxist ?
The present economic political military and social crisis America is facing, was not caused by Senator Obama, now lets be honest !
Wake Up America !
Posted by: Ken | Oct 29, 2008 10:35:46 AM
Let's not forget that while Bush deserves some of the blame for this current economic mess, the Congress has been controlled by Democrats for the last 2 years. What have they done? The current Congress has a very low approval rating, just like Bush.
No matter who is elected, it will not be easy the next few years. I just know that I want my HARD EARNED money to stay in MY pocket, and not go to someone to lazy to earn their own.
Posted by: David | Oct 29, 2008 3:07:06 PM
Sigh.... This forum makes me sad. It appears that the Ignorant peoples of america want another Bush. I guess someday we can learn to live in peace with the rest of the world when we own it...
Posted by: Laytont | Oct 29, 2008 11:31:00 PM
Social Change
Social Change is not about "Socialism" or Communism or Marxism !
"Social Change" generally reflects policy change, especially those changes in government policy that directly and indirectly impacts and affects the socioeconomic levels of society !
The policy's of the Bush administration, that McCain is 90% in support of, clearly has adversely affected this nations economy !
Those in "Denial" ignorantly reject truth in light of and despite the facts !
They spew false and misleading rhetoric, with the intent to deceive the uniformed !
Be Ever Vigilant !
Wake Up America !
Posted by: Ken | Oct 30, 2008 10:03:51 AM
Let me pose one question:
Would you hire a guy that has several aliases and an questionable Birth Certificate for a job in say a fast food restaurant?
No is the answer- anyone who thinks Barack Obama is going to change the US for the good has not taken the time to review his background-the Socialist way of thinking is going to be the ruination of what our Forefathers did so many years ago -protect our rights- the pursuit of happiness...FREEDOM
Get out vote for America vote for a true AmeriCAIN!!!!
There isn't a fast food chain that would hire someone that has such a alias ridden background!
Why should he hold the highest- office
Posted by: Roma -Pa | Oct 30, 2008 3:08:40 PM
Counting The Votes
The Citizens of this Nation should demand that change be made to the way your vote is counted !
Do you truly know if your vote is actually being counted ?
And how can you verify that your votes are actually being counted ?
Receipts are given to verify bank transactions, so why can't the same thing be done when American's cast their vote ?
Before the next election, voters must "Demand" that "Receipts" be given to every voter !
That way the voting public can validate and verify that their vote actually counted !
Voters must Demand transparency, when it comes to counting the votes !
Wake Up America !
Posted by: Ken | Nov 1, 2008 12:51:14 AM
Sen Barack Obama is the only candidate who will truly unite America and restore our standing within the world community. Period!
Posted by: Mark A.M. Kramer | Nov 3, 2008 7:03:24 AM
FACT= The Press IS buying this election for Obama by suppressing true facts and distorting those presented.
Posted by: BILL | Nov 3, 2008 5:44:54 PM
FACT= The Press IS buying this election for Obama by suppressing true facts and distorting those presented.
Posted by: BILL | Nov 3, 2008 5:45:13 PM
Every time I remind a Obama supporter about the Dems owning the House for 2 years, they change the subject, or throw sexist torts about Palin or call me a racist. I give up on these people, they will take my money, probably point at me when the Obama Youth walk by in the parade and say "That's Him!" and off I go to a re-education camp to understand and love Obama, the Left and all thinks socialist. Sorry, but McCain is getting my vote, as I am voting against Obama. For some reason Gary Hart can have a picture of a blond on his lap and be pulled from the race, but Obama can have 20+ questions left unanswered and all I hear back is RACIST. We have sorely fallen down the rabbit hole.
Posted by: Dave | Nov 4, 2008 7:00:43 AM
Ok I’ve been reading a lot of these post for a while now and I’ve constantly seen a mixture of ignorance, stupidity and non-open mindedness especially pertaining to the issue of religion and culture. First off I myself am a Muslim and I promise you on this fact that Obama is not a Muslim nor would we Muslims accept him as one. Second on the issue of taxes the middle and lower class citizens have been paying on average a little above 30% while the upper middle and "rich" have been paying around 15% all of this is began when Bush came into office and gave tax breaks to those whom belong to higher tax brackets, all Obama is proposing is that we slightly head towards an even playing field meaning closing the large gap in the tax rate between the rich and the poor which anyone can see is fair. Now along with the issue of abortion I myself am against it BUT I support the ideals of freedom that America supports and there is a should maintain a division between church and state, and saying that Obama is not a Christian is a foolish statement because the fact is all he is doing is showing patriotism by supporting the American idea that every man OR women has the right to make there own choice and saying other wise is supporting a form of communist governing. One last thing yes im black but if he was another man like bush black people wouldnt vote for him race isnt an issue... well it shouldnt be alot of people need to question why they are voting FOR McCain black people are lazy and stupid like white people believe and fyi most of welfare goes to white people not blacks.
Posted by: Yenom | Nov 4, 2008 3:49:01 PM
GOD BLESS AMERICA !
LAND THAT I LOVE !
STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER !
AMERI-CAN AMERI-CAN AMERI-CAN !
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 2008 !
LET THE U.S., i.e., the US OF AMERICA HUMBLE OUR SELVES AND PRAY !
LET'S MAKE AMERICA A NEW AND BETTER PLACE AND SHINING EXAMPLE FOR ALL THE WORLD TO BEHOLD !
Posted by: Ken | Nov 4, 2008 11:18:07 PM
awwesome
Posted by: rose augustin | Nov 6, 2008 9:12:51 AM
awwesome
Posted by: rose augustin | Nov 6, 2008 9:12:54 AM
Did he really use this language? It's funny, reminds me of the film Idiocracy. I don't know when the language of the leaders of this country started to decline, but I shouldn't be surprised if soon they start talking with words like "Lolcat. Ppl are ####### #####, if them vote for McCan't."
Words have meaning. Orwell harped on that. If people can't use words clearly, it's a serious matter, as it could potentially cause the decline of the Republic.
Perhaps talking about God and loins and using the word "man" are acceptable to the "public." I get the feeling that the "public" can't even understand speech that doesn't use sensational terms.
It offends me, that the most advanced form of matter known to humans, that is, the human brain, is so underutilized. 100 trillion synapses, and 99% of humans spend their lives laboring like dogs. Politicians for some perverse reason seem to encourage this, with "pro-labor" representatives, and opposing them, conservatives who represent "the common man" who "works." It's all offensive to me.
If someone has to physically labor, that's how it is, but it doesn't mean their mind, their potential, their dreams should be wasted by forcing them to specialize their one and only life in making repetitive physical movements.
Posted by: Connelly Barnes | Nov 16, 2008 6:18:19 PM
I can relate to all of these posts. I thought I was virtually alone about Obama/Biden. I will read comments and post repies. There are several here I would like to comment (in agreement) on.
Jack
Posted by: Jack | Nov 23, 2008 7:09:05 PM
OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME I THINK THAT THE SITUATION OBAMA IS LEFT IN WASNT HIS FAULT, BUT HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT KNOWING THE CHALLENGE AHEAD AND HE IS MOST DEFINITELY READY FOR THE CHALLENGE BUT OBAMA NEEDS OUR SUPPORT AND SO DOES BIDEN ALL THEY NEED IS STRONG SUPPORT OF THE NATION AND SOME TIME AND GUARANTEED HE WILL FIX THIS I HAVE FAITH AND I BELIEVE IN THE CHANGE THAT OBAMA AND BIDEN CAN PROVIDE.... coming from a 16 year old jr in hs
Posted by: Daniel V. | Dec 2, 2008 10:41:40 PM
There are a lot of people here calling Biden an idiot because he said this. But maybe he knows something you don't. Maybe Ron Paul knew about something when he spoke about an economic collapse a year before it happened. Maybe there is something going on far deeper into the rabbit hole, far more corrupt and deceiptful, and far more widespread than your brainwashed mindss can realize. And for those of you war mongering, Bush supporters who think McCain would be better – get real.
Posted by: Mark | Jan 17, 2009 5:17:47 PM
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