The Bidens & Clintons Come Home to Scranton

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The Bidens & Clintons Come Home to Scranton

October 12, 2008 8:17 PM

ABC News' Matt Jaffe reports: Call it a Scranton homecoming, with two former Democratic presidential hopefuls -- one now the current vice presidential nominee -- bringing their spouses back to this northeastern Keystone State town to stump for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., hails from Scranton, as did the father of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., so this afternoon, before a crowd of 6,000 at the Riverfront Sports Complex, the two lawmakers joined their significant others, Dr. Jill Biden and former president Bill Clinton, in calling for voters in this battleground state to come together behind Obama.

"I've been criss-crossing the country campaigning for Barack and Joe," said Sen. Clinton, who soundly defeated Obama in the April primary here. "Why? Because this election is too important to sit on the sidelines of history."

As Obama and Biden regularly do on the campaign trail, the New York senator repeatedly hit out at Republicans for the fragile state of the nation's economy, as chants of "Hillary! Hillary!" echoed around the gym.

"To John McCain and George Bush, the middle class isn't fundamental, it's ornamental," she said. "They don't understand that we are at the core of whether this country goes up or down. That's why, my friends, sending the Republicans to solve this economic crisis is like sending the bull to clean up the china closet. They broke it and we're not buying it anymore."

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be leaders who will lead us out of this economic crisis," she added. "They will once again clean up this economic mess. It took a Democratic president to clean up after the last president Bush, it's going to take a Democratic president to clean up after the next one."

"Make no mistake about it, we've done it before and we'll do it again," Clinton continued. "America will once again rise from the ashes of the Bushes."

In urging voters to back Obama, Clinton called this period in our nation's history "an all-hands-on-deck moment" and told voters that if they turn out for Obama in Scranton, then the Democrats will win Pennsylvania and in turn the White House.

"We are in a financial crisis in America," she cautioned. "And it is a crisis born and bred by failed Republican policies, championed by George Bush, John McCain, and the Washington Republicans. To President Bush and John McCain, middle class families sinking into debt are invisible. We can help Americans losing their houses. But we can only do it by if we make sure the Republicans lose the White House come November.

"When this crisis finally hit Wall Street and big financial firms came calling, well, suddenly, oh my goodness, President Bush and John McCain and Republicans, they snapped to attention," Clinton continued. "A big bank is going to fail? Well, bail it out. A big financial firm is going to fail? Bail it out. A big insurance company is going to fail? Then bail it out. Well, what about the millions of people losing their homes and their jobs every single day? Where is their bailout?"

Despite the presence of the Clintons, the headliner in Scranton was the hometown boy Biden, who spoke at the tail end of the event.

"The one thing I find about this city is what we learned in our faith and our family. There is the one most serious abuse a man or a woman or a government can engage in, is to abuse power," said Biden, who last month noted that Sen. Clinton might have been a better vice presidential pick than him. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, the reason I love this woman, you think about it now. You think about it. Everything -- she probably doesn't even think of it in these terms -- everything she's devoted her life to has been on the side of people who have been on the other side of power."

For the most part, the Delaware lawmaker delivered his standard stump speech, calling the GOP ticket "unpatriotic" for allowing off-shore tax-shelters as his voice boomed throughout the gymnasium.

"I’m ready, you’re ready, Barack Obama is ready," an animated Biden said in closing, as he always does, but on this occasion virtually yelling into the microphone. "It's our time. It's America's time. So get up, Pennsylvania! Get up Scranton! Get up! Deliver this election to Barack Obama! Change this country!"

Pounding the podium and pumping his fists furiously as he concluded his speech, Biden then raised the arms of his wife Jill and Sen. Clinton as the audience erupted in applause. By that point, former President Clinton was long gone, having headed down to campaign in Virginia immediately following his brief remarks.

"I am profoundly grateful to all of you who helped me to serve and who supported her, more than you will ever know," said Clinton, who some critics say has not done enough to support Obama.
"Barack Obama could not have made a better choice, so we're proud of that," Clinton said of Biden.

The former president touted his wife's work on Obama's behalf, noting that she has done 50 events for the man who narrowly defeated her for their party’s nomination.

"She has not only done more to support him than any runner-up in a Democratic primary process in my lifetime, she has done more than all the other runners-up combined, and that says a lot about why she ran for president and what she believes in," Clinton said of his spouse. "And the reason, the reason that's important is that more than three-quarters of you supported her and you need to remember if you supported her, why you did it.

"If you ask yourself who has the best ideas, who's got the best instincts, who's got the best ability to understand these challenges, who's got the best supporting cast," Clinton continued, "the answer is Barack Obama and that's why Hillary's here, that's why I'm here, that's why you're here!"

October 12, 2008 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (281)

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Joe Biden gave a great speech today. I liked his line "I don't need a lesson on patriotism from Sarah Palin, I've had it up to here" Great speech. Moving.

http://www.congratstothewinners.com/2008/10/joe-biden-speech.html

Posted by: FriendlyFred | Oct 12, 2008 9:18:31 PM

To read about the REAL John McCain, check out the below link:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

To read about the REAL Sarah Palin, check out the below link:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23318320/mad_dog_palin

Posted by: miles1967 | Oct 12, 2008 9:18:52 PM

I must say I find this all hard to believe...That democrats are so so very desperate to get a dem in the white house that they will overlook all the underlying questions that Obama just sweeps under the rug...Let me give you all facts...Obama is friends with bill Ayers who is a known domestic terrorist..Was involved with Tony Rezco a convicted Felon which also helped Obama do some shady dealing to get his big fancy house in Hyde Park who just happens to be in the same neighborhood as Ayers Rezco Wright who was Obamas Pastor for 20 years who preached words of hate and louis Farrakhan who and I quote called Obama the Messiah...Have ya ever noticed that the only time Obama denounces any one is when it could hurt his political career??? Are you democrats that desperate to have control ? I am neither a Rep. Or Dem. I vote the best choice.And clearly McCain in this case is the best choice. You see if Obama can show such poor judgement in choosing his friends such as Ayers, Wright, Rezco who would he choose to be friends with if he were President??? Obama says he thought Ayers was rehabilated (sp) is he gonna think Bin Laden and the Taliban are too?? And I am sick of the democrats calling The Race Card anytime someone questions Obama there is nothing racial about asking questions and wanting REAL ANSWERS>not half truths as Obama is famous for telling. And the latest shady thing in his background is ACORN ...Voter fraud...at first Obama camp said he had nothing to do with Acorn then as Media learned He was once a lawyer for Acorn Trained for Acorn and his Campaign gave them 800,000... all he does is lie it is sick and you all believe it...ask a chicago person when he was running for office there he promised lower taxes THEY GOT HIGHER TAXES .Think about it all then make your choice .I just hope you all wake up befor it is too late. I will take McCains record anyday at least when the Keating thing happened he was TRUTHFUL and by the way was cleared of any wrong doing by a Democrat.Obama is not truthful and to me that says alot....

Posted by: tammy | Oct 12, 2008 9:21:16 PM

Poor Hillary. This had to be so difficult for her. The Democratic Party (her boss) is making her do something her soul knows isn't right. At least she and Bill are keeping it to an underwhelming minimum.

Posted by: PGHPAVOTER | Oct 12, 2008 9:21:19 PM

"It took a Democratic president to clean up after the last president Bush, it's going to take a Democratic president to clean up after the next one." Not only well said but so true, so true. Time for the Republicans to turn off the kool-aid fountain they're swimming in. As a former resident of Florida... I know you have to be very careful when swimming with Barricuda...sadly for you guys, oops you got bit by your dream ticket VP... Sarah. Shame though cause she's alot cuter than Cheney.

Posted by: Rick_VT | Oct 12, 2008 9:21:30 PM

It's truly exciting to be a part of such an inspiring campaign. I'm sorry the McCain supporters aren't enjoying their experience - but hey, there is still room on our side, come on over!
Obama/Biden 2008!

Posted by: carolina | Oct 12, 2008 9:22:00 PM

Actually, Clinton does not want barrack HUSSEN Ob(S)ama win. She will not have a chance to candidate again

Posted by: Truc Nguyen | Oct 12, 2008 9:22:35 PM

The "Pumpkin Lady" turns Blue ! Nothing to worry about. Acorn has make sure the Dallas Cowboys will be voting for Obama, in Las Vegas !

Posted by: Uncle Moe | Oct 12, 2008 9:23:15 PM

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Posted by: harrison | Oct 12, 2008 9:23:49 PM

To read about the REAL Obama go to...hmmm...who knows who the REAL Obama is?

Posted by: zeke | Oct 12, 2008 9:24:09 PM

someone wrote "Wow, so now Obama has a confessed adulterer..." this is an attack? A defence? Geez... McCain is a documented and virtually unrepentant adulterer. He tagged Cindy while he was still married to a disabled woman. That's low as the pond slime on a frog's belly.

Posted by: Rick_VY | Oct 12, 2008 9:25:39 PM

Gee you neo-cons are absolutely stupid. You think Obama caused the crash? Oh yeah nad he was at the Hindenburg as well....
Let's go back to 9/11, when OSAMA had his peep's fly those planes into the towers. He knew that if he could draw use into a war we could not win - and exhaust our resources while doing so he would bring us down. And guess what - he has!
Oh we can still lay some of the blame at Americans' feet, democrats and republicans as well - but come on - you people are out of your fricken minds.
Where in the consitution does it say you can't speak out about America's faults? Heck, where does it say you don't have to believe in what the powers that be believe. You people make it like if you speak against American's faults - your anti-american. Well I am here to tell you it ain't so. You can speak your mind even if you don't believe - if your against or for. You can say what you want and it does not make you less AMERICAN! I personally believe in order to become better that you must acknowledge your faults, not hide behind them and pretend that everything is all right. So when I disagree, I will speak. Even if the neo-cons try and paint me as unpatriotic, or whatever. Because that is what AMERICA is founded upon, the right to speak your mind and to point out faults - not to be ruled over and your mouths to kept shut.

Posted by: jozy | Oct 12, 2008 9:26:41 PM

Speaking of Acorn Gosh I would think Hillary would be ticked off knowing that Obamas Campaign gave money to Acorn thats probably the only reason he is the Dem nominee he had to buy the vote and denounce his pastor of 20 years
who preached hate ...But Obama didn't know what he was preaching ..Please what a LAME EXCUSE I guess Obama was wearing ear plugs

Posted by: Tammy | Oct 12, 2008 9:27:20 PM

dO ,so obama is to blame for entire crisis? wow, you must be bush blind. obama is running for pesident to take care of your parties mess and failed administration. your funny!

Posted by: Paul | Oct 12, 2008 9:28:59 PM

I think Hillary did not want to be a Vice President. It would not surprise me if she will be a cabinet member. I also think she would make a first rate SENATE MAJORITY LEADER. There will always be alot of options for Hillary.

Posted by: Intelligent voter | Oct 12, 2008 9:30:10 PM

what a sad day when Hillary and Bill Clinton are out stumping for someone that they know is not qualified to be President ... isn''t this the "politics as usual" that the Obama Campaign said they weren''t going to be a part of?

Posted by: Truc Nguyen | Oct 12, 2008 9:30:57 PM

READY99 go learn how to frigging speak you illiterate. My taxes pay for you to come online cause it sure ain't your salary you punk. I guess commercials and Obama's sound bites are your scope of vocabulary. Pardon the pun...switch from this page to a lexicon you might learn something Scum.

Posted by: Jeff in the windy city | Oct 12, 2008 9:30:57 PM

GOP and Mccain/Palin bakers are nervous by seeing President Bill Clinton,Hillay Clinton are Campaigning side by side for Sen.Barak/Biden. Does Mccain/Palin has any message for American Voters other than Negetive Ad & Ugly comment.What a Shame. A LOOSER always behave like that,Because a looser has nothing to loose. BARAK/BIDEN will win big time in Nov.4 if not Landslide.

Posted by: mksyed | Oct 12, 2008 9:31:18 PM

Let's just list the troopergate investigation to no where next to the road to no where which Sarah Palin built with the money Palin received for that bridge to no where of which Sarah told congress thanks but no thanks.

Still Governor Sarah Palin kept and built the road to no where which no one uses on the Island because the road goes no where.

Posted by: mere | Oct 12, 2008 9:32:07 PM

It's ok when people who attend a Mc Cain and Palin rally scream " traitor, off whit his head" call him a Muslimwhen everyone knows that Obama is a Christian. Yet when other point out to Mc Cain the he is inciting racism he gets offended. Rebublicans are the most racist group of Americans. All Mc Cain does is preach hate and fear. If you believe Republicans, Obama is the cause of the housing crisis, the trouble on Wall Street. Millions of Americans losing their jobs. Just how stupid and ignorant Rebublicans are amazes me. Imagine Cindy Mc Cain calling Obama's campain the dirtiest in history. Just where has she been. 95% of Mc Cains ads are negative. They talk about judgement yet a bi-partisan commitee just concluded that Palin abused her powers. Oh! but I guess Republicans being Republicans of couse would say she was cleared. Had that been a Democrat, they would have had a commercial on the air in seconds. Why are white people so afraid of having anyone other than a white person be president of the United States.

Posted by: DuncanMcCloud | Oct 12, 2008 9:32:49 PM

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