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Despite GOP Ad, Biden Stays Silent on "Tested" Guarantee

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October 24, 2008 4:59 PM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., persisted Friday in not commenting on his guarantee Sunday in Seattle that if elected, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., would be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in office, despite their Republican rivals using his remarks against them in a new ad.

At a visit to a Charleston, WV, ice-cream shop, Biden ignored a question asking for his reaction to his own words being used against him.

The ad for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., starts with an announcer saying “Listen to Joe Biden talking about what electing Barack Obama will mean.”

“Mark my words,” Biden said at a Seattle fundraiser Sunday. “It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama. The world is looking. We’re going to have an international crisis…to test the mettle of this guy. I guarantee you it’s gonna happen.”

While the audio of Biden’s comments play, images of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, and tanks are shown on screen in the ad.

“It doesn’t have to happen,” the announcer warns. “Vote McCain.”

Although Biden would not respond to the Republican ad, his spokesman David Wade did, releasing a statement attempting to clarify Biden’s remarks.

“Senator Biden was simply saying that with an economy in crisis and two wars going on – and after eight years of a foreign policy that has made us less safe – the next president is going to confront real challenges,” said Wade. “Even Joe Lieberman, one of McCain’s biggest supporters, said recently that 'our enemies will test the new president early,' and Secretary Chertoff has said that 'any period of transition creates a greater vulnerability' -- and that will be true whoever the next President is.”

“Most importantly," Wade continued. "Joe Biden said that Barack Obama has the 'steel in his spine' to take on these challenges and protect us here at home. General Colin Powell agrees, and he’s confident that Obama 'will be ready to take on these challenges on January 21st.' He praised Obama’s 'steady' leadership and make it clear that he’s 'the president we need right now.' Most importantly, one of the most respected Generals and statesmen of our time knows that we cannot 'just continue, basically, the policies that we have been following in recent years.' End of story.”

However, Biden was asked about his Seattle comments in an interview Wednesday with Abby Lane of KOAA, NBC News’ Colorado Spring affiliate.

“Barack is much better prepared to deal with an upcoming crisis, whichever they may be, than John is,” Biden said. “Secondly, John, we have a crisis on our hands already. It’s an economic crisis. And John is nowhere.”

October 24, 2008 in Biden, Joe, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (71)

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I'm a Democrat who's voting for experience - McCain

Obama can run again in 8 years.

Posted by: DemocratVotingForMcCain-Palin | Oct 24, 2008 5:09:52 PM

What Biden spoke of is the truth but it's the truth for whether McCain or Obama win.

After watching McCain handle the economic crisis, I actually trust Obama more than McCain in handling an international crisis.

Posted by: David | Oct 24, 2008 5:17:39 PM

I`m a life long republican who is voting for good judgment and leadership.

Obama 08

Posted by: Keith | Oct 24, 2008 5:20:04 PM

Perhaps Biden is tired of his foot/mouth disease. He gaffe are so stupid considering the time this man has been in the Senate and a VP candidate. The Democrats must be desparate with Obama and Biden now and their sheer lack of intelligence. But those lemmings are following the leader over the cliff.

Posted by: Mary | Oct 24, 2008 5:20:38 PM

Biden is someone I trust to speak the truth. Bush got tested and look where the cowboy took this country with suport by McCain and other republicans. Clean House vote Obama Biden

Posted by: S. Canning | Oct 24, 2008 5:21:50 PM

democrat voting for mccain, please hand in your democrat credentials because anyone who can vote for mccain with palin on the ticket is sick and needs to remove themselves from this party...

voting for mccain... and what happens when mccain gets sick with cancer and she becomes president in the first six months?

Posted by: Bhrandon | Oct 24, 2008 5:23:42 PM

lol so your voting for mccain and palin mary

lol talk about inexperience

Posted by: Bhrandon | Oct 24, 2008 5:24:27 PM

Posted by: samurai | Oct 24, 2008 5:31:48 PM

AP finally included the last line of Biden's comments in their story about the McCain commercial. "The words are: They're are going to want to test him, and they're going to find out this guy's got STEEL IN HIS SPINE."
The ad is another McCain half-truth!
In all seriousness, do you really think McCain will be immune from the "test." When it comes, how will he react? Remember, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."

Posted by: B. Bear | Oct 24, 2008 5:32:08 PM

Interesting how Colin Powell has gone form a sellout who convinced the UN to sanction war on Irag, to "one of the most respected Generals and statesmen of our time". Endorsing The Obama erases all sin

Posted by: sDee | Oct 24, 2008 5:34:25 PM

biden made a true statement about all new presidents---and lame mccain put a different spin on it ---nothing more nothing less---just more republican bs.

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 5:35:45 PM

I worked for the Regan campaign when I was 18 and been a lifelong Republican believing that their affilitation knew how to maneuver International waters and keep this country safe. The last 8 years, some of which have been devestating, in terms of International threat, I am disheartened and broken. I find myself in new waters. Unsure of the steps it is going to take to strenghen the foundation of America. We gambled and lost under the Bush administration. This is the time for change. Under Palin I am afraid (yes I do not believe McCain will live thru his term)all women will wear burka's and live an incredible life of "barefoot and pregnant". I am not confident that she can spell UN let alone understand what it takes to navigate in those waters. Obama, I hope you are steady, strong and wise. Change is what we need, change is what I am counting on. Change for the better. You have my vote.

Posted by: Jake | Oct 24, 2008 5:40:41 PM

Bush took the country to war with the support of McCain, Biden and Hillary Clinton. Oh and Colin Powell, who made the case for war in the first place.
What do folks make of Biden's "steel in his spine" comment, or the fact that he was telling a group of liberals in Seattle that they wouldn't much like Obama's response to the "international crisis" he was promising? Could it be that Obama might have the sort of cowboyish response Bush has been accused of? It sure sounds that way to the interested observer.
By the way, if the media could stop obsessing over the cost of Sarah Palin's wardrobe it might serve us all for them to pin Joe down on precisely what he meant. Don't voters deserve to know how President Obama would react to a an international crisis?

Just Wondering?

Posted by: Just Wondering | Oct 24, 2008 5:47:10 PM

Biden has probably been told to keep his mouth shut as he has diarriha of the mouth. He hasn't met with the press in weeks either, not that anyone really cares.

Obama's eratic behavior, short term memory loss (Joe the Plumber rally), changing his positions daily to suit his audience, past terrorist associations, all his lies, ACORN involvement, negative campaign ads that exceed McCains, shady real estate dealings, increasing taxes on small business that will increase unemployment, Zero Experience and now his spreading the wealth is more that America can stomach.

My whole family voted today, 2 sons as first time voters.

4 Votes for McCain/Palin You go girl!!Country First!

Posted by: DJB | Oct 24, 2008 6:00:12 PM

It will be less than six months, Iran
and all those terrorist countries will
be licking their chops if Obslima gets
to be pres. Wait and see !!!!!!!!!!!!
Go McCain 08

Posted by: Joey | Oct 24, 2008 6:00:35 PM

To the democrat voting for mcshame-palin.You'd really rather have a hothead and an idiot in the white house? Insane! Barack Obama WILL be our president and everyone needs to get used to the fact.

http://www.ocweekly.com/2008-10-23/news/john-sidney-mccain/

Posted by: Ritalisa | Oct 24, 2008 6:04:38 PM

Keith: If you're a lifelong republican I'm the Pope.

Posted by: michael loehrer | Oct 24, 2008 6:05:29 PM

""The words are: They're are going to want to test him, and they're going to find out this guy's got STEEL IN HIS SPINE.""

Yes, and those words were spoken at a subsequent rally AFTER he had been caught, and I'm sure after the Obama campaign palced a frantic call to his cell phone.

Nice try though.

Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 6:05:52 PM

Jake, if you had volunteered for the Reagan campaign, don't you think you'd at least know how to spell his last name?

Don't you just love the anonymity of the 'net? Anybody can claim to be something they're not. Pretty pathetic in this case though, Jake to pass yourself off as a former Reagan Republican who is voting for Obama. Even if that's the case with you, good riddance and enjoy his overwhelmingly socialist-driven agenda.

I wonder how you'd feel four years after supporting Obama if you're so quick to "supposidly" abandon Reagan conservatism? Sunshine and lolipops, I'm sure.

I call BS.

Posted by: Mike B | Oct 24, 2008 6:12:36 PM

"Posted by: Ritalisa | Oct 24, 2008 6:04:38 PM"

No, the only FACT here is that your proclamations of an Obama victory are premature and will, in FACT, serve to drive more voters away from your candidate.

Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 6:14:38 PM

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