Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"

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Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"

October 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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Why I am voting Democrat!

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending MY MONEY than I would. I think when you spread the wealth around it is good for everybody! It’s Patriotic!

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. All profits are evil and should be confiscated for Government Redistribution.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that MORE Government regulations and higher taxes on Business will stop Business from exporting their jobs to Countries with LESS Government regulations and lower taxes.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe terrorists should be allowed to have trials in American courts. And be able to subpoena top secret documents, soldiers, government officials, etc. to cross examine for their defense. They should have ACLU lawyers who can help intimidate Americans who serve on the juries!

I'm voting Democrat because I believe Gay Marriage should be the law of the land and will probably produce better children.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe English should not be the official language of the United States. I don’t mind pushing one for English when I use the phone.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe partial birth abortion is okay but water boarding a terrorist is disgusting.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe having a domestic terrorist like Bill Ayers as a close friend is a good thing. It allows for great relations with foreign terrorists.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe in a FREE government health care system. I believe doctors, nurses, hospitals, drug companies, etc. will gladly donate their time, products, services, facilities, etc. for FREE and that will be a better system.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe in and support trial lawyers, frivolous lawsuits and outrageous jury verdicts.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe 9/11 was an inside job to con the American people to go to war for oil.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe social security is solvent and that there is a social security lock box and I don’t believe social security is a Ponzi scheme.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe MOST AMERICANS are bitter and cling to their guns and religion. Let’s rid our country of guns and religion!

I'm voting Democrat because I believe illegal aliens deserve all the rights of ordinary Americans plus some additional rights Americans do not have.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe corporations should pay higher taxes! I believe higher taxes on business will make the price of their products and services LESS EXPENSIVE.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe groups like ACORN who register felons, drug addicts, wino’s, homeless drifters, illegal aliens, dead people, children, fictional Disney characters, etc. makes my vote count more.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe celebrating the winter solstice shows compassion for the small minority of people that do not celebrate Christmas.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe hard core criminal murders and rapists deserve life and that the innocent unborn deserve death. It’s a choice I can live with.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe Bush caused Hurricane Katrina and he blew-up the levies in the ninth ward of New Orleans.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that any one who is not partaking in one of the many wonderful government programs obviously has too much money and should pay higher taxes.

I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq the terrorists will be happy and now think of us as good people.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe our soldiers are AIR RAIDING villages and killing innocent people.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe sex in the Oval Office with an intern is a private matter and that everybody lies under oath about sex.

I'm votin Demokrat becuse I wus edumkated at a publick sckrool. I lik da Natsionel Edukatshun Assoseeashun!

I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as it does not offend people. Can’t we all just get along?

I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits are wrong. I believe higher taxes on oil companies will produce lower prices at the pump.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe we need to rid ourselves of dependency on foreign oil, BUT I AM AGAINST offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, drilling in Anwar, building nuclear power plants and clean coal technology.

And finally, I'm voting Democrat because I believe Reverend Wright when he said “GODDAMN AMERICA” and “OUR CHICKENS ARE COMING HOME TO ROOST”. Hey let’s make a comfortable nest for those chickens!

Why are you voting Democrat?

Posted by: Average American Mom | Oct 20, 2008 8:56:30 AM

Angie - try reading the article. ALL Dems were opposed to the bill! McCain was in favor and a few Repubs were opposed, leading to its failure!

This is why you rarely see Biden on the news! And where is Michelle Obama. Don't see much of her! Cindy is on stage with McCain everyday! are they afraid she'll make some more dumb anti-american comments?

Posted by: John E | Oct 20, 2008 8:59:17 AM

Israel has already indicated they'll pre-emptively bomb Iran if Obama is elected.

Posted by: Texanshaveitright | Oct 20, 2008 8:59:22 AM

abc: if you were doing your job, you would be covering more international goings on instead of sending charlie gibson to do an elitist-type interview. but then, since i'm not a princeton grad like charlie, what do i know? i guess you have to go there to lose common sense and gain snob appeal.

Posted by: anne | Oct 20, 2008 8:59:24 AM

Sorry 'bout that. Saddam only has 2 a's.
Biden gets me so excited I stutter and get a tingle running up my leg.

Posted by: John Stryker | Oct 20, 2008 8:59:25 AM

I trust Obama. He has better judgement than McCain.

Posted by: Sandy | Oct 20, 2008 8:59:49 AM

Get ready. Obama is going to reinstate the draft. All the youth that support him, are you going to be drafed or run to Canada?

Posted by: Juanita | Oct 20, 2008 9:00:38 AM

When will Senator Socialist throw Biden under the bus?

With Biden's statements, Joe Biden is telling America that Barack Obama is not ready to be President. He is warning us that Obama is a weak leader and no ready to lead in a crisis! This is the first truthful thing Joe Biden has said in weeks!

Way to go Joe!!

Posted by: USVet | Oct 20, 2008 9:01:17 AM

Joe Biden has been wrong most of his political career. The test will come because Biden will say something foolish, untrue and sensless and cause the world to turn on the USA - perhaps threatening WWIII.

Posted by: RAltiere | Oct 20, 2008 9:02:09 AM

Angie,

You obviously didn't read the article. It said McCain wasn't involved because he signed the bill. Nice try, but learn to actually read it.

Posted by: Tim | Oct 20, 2008 9:03:32 AM

The "testing" of Kennedy led to the Cuban missile crisis: Khruschev got a look at Kennedy in Vienna, and decided that he was a push-over. I expect Obama's testing to go about the same.

Posted by: Paul J | Oct 20, 2008 9:04:05 AM

Tested? I prefer to think of him walking the streets of Chicago wondering what happened or just pushing up daisys.

Posted by: Bob | Oct 20, 2008 9:06:00 AM

It makes it sound like a Big Time Rasslin' 'confrontation' that has already been pre-arranged between the hero and the villain for dramatic effect.

Posted by: tan | Oct 20, 2008 9:06:36 AM

I'm voting democrat so the Republicans can regroup and start collecting money on January 20 and start their campaign to regain control (with the certain help of the democrat bedwetters in the Senate and House)of the government on January 21. This will be the longest campaign for the Presidency in history. And, when the donors to Obama realize what he and the other 2 amigos have done they'll be chomping at the bit to send money to Republicans. Obama will Make Jimmy Carter look like Barry Goldwater.

Posted by: John Stryker | Oct 20, 2008 9:07:25 AM

Gotta love it. Biden wants understanding and support when Obama has to make unpopular decisions. Where has all that understanding and support been for the difficult decisions Bush has had to make the past 8 years?? One thing you can say for Bush: he did what he thought was right for the country, not what would make him popular.

Posted by: NB | Oct 20, 2008 9:07:37 AM

Biden has the same three basic messages:

(1) Gaffes like JOBS is a three letter word.
(2) Goofy suggestions like dividing Iraq into three parts.
(3) Affirmation of the obvious like our eenemies would test Obama.

So we're supposed to be comforted that Joe would be advising him?

Posted by: LDC | Oct 20, 2008 9:08:08 AM

He'll be tested all right. Biden knows Obama will just be "present" when a crises comes up and will have no opinion either way. That's why he's already asking for our help.

Posted by: Rick | Oct 20, 2008 9:09:55 AM

Gotta hand it to you guys- some of the funniest, and at the same time hard truth comments to a story I've seen this election cycle. There's a Letterman Top 10 List from this material (okay, maybe not Letterman- but somebody funny...)

Was Biden wearing the donkey outfit during this speech?

Posted by: BKeyser | Oct 20, 2008 9:10:16 AM

In other words, Biden, we should elect McCain who has military experience.

Not some socialist idiot!!

Electing Nobama is INSANITY for America.

Posted by: Darryl | Oct 20, 2008 9:10:21 AM

Obama is a NOBODY that would not be in the position he is if he wasn't _ _ _ _ _. Biden is an idiot.

America will stand up to this loser in a couple weeks. The MSM is trying their hardest to elect him but we won't have it.

ARFCOM RULES

Posted by: Amos | Oct 20, 2008 9:11:19 AM

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