See ya! Joe Biden. As many are predicting this could have been the shortest Presidential Campaign in some time....

For those that haven't seen it yet, here is Biden on Barak Obama....

“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”


And were off!

He didn't really say that....did he?

Thats not too intelligent.

Oh he said it a couple of hours ago. It will blow up shortly. The liberals don't even know how to spin it at. They are still in shock. Will they try the "mis-quote" angle or "botched joke" approach.:huh:

Biden is probably one of the brightest people in the Senate. His Obama comment seems to be dead on...

-spence

Biden is probably one of the brightest people in the Senate. His Obama comment seems to be dead on...

-spence

There's an approach.

It's like that billboard across the state "He's an articulate black man", no - it should properly read "He's an articulate man"...

If this is true and not taken out of context, it's more than a little oops. 'Course it will get piled on for the same reason a dog licks his you get the picture...

Much ado about nothing...

I'd wager he meant clean as in clean cut. This is often how Biden speaks and seems to fit the context of his statement.

And John, I don't think there's any getting around the fact that part of Obama's appeal is that he's one of the first black figures that's has universal appeal.

Sounds like those who oppose political correctness are calling the kettle black.

-spence

Sounds like those who oppose political correctness are calling the kettle black.

-spence

Personally, It doesn't bother me that he said that, but when you are out there hustling votes, saying something like that will cost you a few....from the people who DO care about what he said.

And the media is just waiting to find something to pounce on someone about.....you have to choose your words EXTREMELY carefully when you decide to run.

The non-story angle doesn't play here, just ask John Kerry. News outlets like the conservative Drudge Report are already running.

http://www.drudgereport.com/

Even strict liberal Bloggers like DailyKos and Atrios are on it.

What exactly is a "Mainstream" African American anyway? I know I wouldn't be comfortable asking a black man if he is 'mainstream' or not.

Maccaca... "If not you'll get stuck in Iraq...."

Welcome aboard Joe.

Ant yet the Drudgereport dosn't even have the original source for the quote!

I like a man who can speak openly. This is what we need...

-spence

Ant yet the Drudgereport dosn't even have the original source for the quote!

I like a man who can speak openly. This is what we need...

-spence

:hihi: As do I, this could be fun. He wasn't a candidate more than a couple of hours. Can you imagine 4 years of these quotes? Honestly, Joe could fit right in here at S-B. Remember this gaffe? How many times has this issue been discussed on our board? http://youtube.com/watch?v=OIT3jUrNTX0

Mr. Biden is equally skeptical—albeit in a slightly more backhanded way—about Mr. Obama. “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

But—and the “but” was clearly inevitable—he doubts whether American voters are going to elect “a one-term, a guy who has served for four years in the Senate,” and added: “I don’t recall hearing a word from Barack about a plan or a tactic.”
Ok, reading this in context I think it's even less of a big deal.

So Obama is a pretty boy with loads of charisma, a cinderella story and no experience.

Some tough words, but like I said he's dead on.

-spence

:Can you imagine 4 years of these quotes?

We'd end up with another website like this one....

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/blbushisms.htm

Looks like its cut and run from poor Joe among the liberal ranks. Here is the bloodthirsty nature of this game. Not only are the conservatives trying to whip this up, the Liberals who back other liberal candidates are stepping on his throat. This from an extremely popular super liberal blog.

From the Uber liberal DailyKos:


It's sort of ironic that Biden stepped in it big time the same day he announces his exploratory committee for president. Let's recap:

“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

So some are saying that an editing decision could've made the quote sound worse.

OK, I'm not a big Biden fan, so I wouldn't be disappointed to see him drop out. But I have to say this: what if the Observer punctuated casually? That is, what if there is supposed to be a comma before 'who,' making it a non-restrictive relative clause:

“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American, who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

Thus he would mean Obama is both

a). the first mainstream African-American candidate for president

and

b). articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.

It's within the realm of possibilities. But then is he saying that Carol Moseley Braun wasn't "mainstream" even though she represented the fifth largest state (in population) in the U.S. Senate? Is he saying that Jesse Jackson wasn't "mainstream" even though he won 11 primaries in 1988 and 6.9 million votes? The population of Delaware is 783,600. Heck, he won Michigan with 55% of the vote.

So either 1) he's a patronizing %$%$%$%$%$%$%$, or 2) he's a historical revisionist %$%$%$%$%$%$%$. Either way, he's an %$%$%$%$%$%$%$. And either way, the racial element is inescapable.

When he said "clean" do you think he was referring to his pers. hygeine or lack of scandal?

When he said "clean" do you think he was referring to his pers. hygeine or lack of scandal?

Not sure... I am still stuck on "mainstream."

Is someone like Sharpton mainstream? Is Jesse J. mainstream?

Mainstream as in universal appeal. No, Sharpton and Jackson don't have mainstream appeal outside of the black communities.

-spence

You'd think the called someone a Macca or something!

Ok, reading this in context I think it's even less of a big deal.

So Obama is a pretty boy with loads of charisma, a cinderella story and no experience.

Some tough words, but like I said he's dead on.

-spence

You agree that he's the first mainstream black man to possess those qualities?

You agree that he's the first mainstream black man to possess those qualities?
With real Presidential ambition and the media spotlight?

If he's not the first he'd be among select company. Help me out by naming a few.

-spence

With real Presidential ambition and the media spotlight?

If he's not the first he'd be among select company. Help me out by naming a few.

-spence

I didn't see the qualifiers of "media spotlight", and "real presidential ambition" in Joes quote and neither did anyone else. I do agree with his overall statement but the word "first" in my mind has really opened him up to attacks from both sides. And Bronko's right, any candidate that won 11 primaries is mainstream whether we'd like to admit or not. Jesse Jackson and Shirley Chisolm are and were considered, bright, articulate and clean by a huge number of Americans. Maybe not by your's or my standards but we're only one vote each. Maybe he meant "one of the first".

I didn't see the qualifiers of "media spotlight", and "real presidential ambition" in Joes quote and neither did anyone else. I do agree with his overall statement but the word "first" in my mind has really opened him up to attacks from both sides.

He didn't use those qualifers but wasn't he talking about presidential candidates and not African American men in general (unless I'm missing your point)?

It was all his opinion so he obviously thought Jesse and Shirley weren't viable, mainstream candidates.

He didn't use those qualifers but wasn't he talking about presidential candidates and not African American men in general (unless I'm missing your point)?

It was all his opinion so he obviously thought Jesse and Shirley weren't viable, mainstream candidates.

Yep, Your right but my point is he left himself open to some very broad interpretation of his comment and as we've already seen both sides are running with it.

As fate would have it he is scheduled to be on the Daily Show with John Stewart tonight. I wonder if he cancels. If he goes on, I am sure Stewart will throw a few cute little jabs at him, then they'll let him lick his wounds a bit as they both bash the President. Textobook slip-up triage.

Yep, Your right but my point is he left himself open to some very broad interpretation of his comment and as we've already seen both sides are running with it.


Fair enough - Its a new world with the net and youtube and anyone who doesn't adjust accordingly is going to be in trouble.

Yep, Your right but my point is he left himself open to some very broad interpretation of his comment and as we've already seen both sides are running with it.
That's just the information manipulation age we now live in. Biden thinks and speaks off of the cuff, which can certianly be dangerous.

But in the end the people will decide, and his foreign policy expertise might just in the end make him a fine decider.

-spence

Another one for the Political forum :bgi:

This just in... Al Sharpton takes a bath every day. :grins:

Now that this silly story has been flushed from the news cycle, there is one observation worth making.

Biden was attacked from the far right and far left.

To me this indicates:

1) Both extremes are very threatened by his running
2) He really is a centrist

-spence

Hoe did this end up here, instead of in the political section where its easier to ignore it?

Now that this silly story has been flushed from the news cycle, there is one observation worth making.

Biden was attacked from the far right and far left.

To me this indicates:

1) Both extremes are very threatened by his running
2) He really is a centrist

-spence

To me it indicates that the right just jumped on a wounded animal and had fun exploiting an incredibly idiotic and campaign threatening statement much like they did with John Kerry's gaffe a couple of months ago.

The far left wants the Kerrys and Bidens of the world out of the way in order to promote faces that aren't re-treads. They need to run with the 'grass roots' and 'fresh faces' theme that Howie Dean has instituted. So they stabbed Ole' Joe in the throat also. It is a Ruthless business.

Don't get me wrong, Biden's qualifications are on par with the other candidates, but in my opinion, fair or not, he doesn't have the slightest chance.

Joe Biden is a super Ball

Now that this silly story has been flushed from the news cycle, there is one observation worth making.

Biden was attacked from the far right and far left.

To me this indicates:

1) Both extremes are very threatened by his running
2) He really is a centrist

-spence

This is far from flushed. Everywhere I turn it's in my face. I have to admit I never expected this much or this kind of reaction to his statement despite the way he presented it. I'm a little disappointed that he actually apologized.

This is far from flushed. Everywhere I turn it's in my face. I have to admit I never expected this much or this kind of reaction to his statement despite the way he presented it. I'm a little disappointed that he actually apologized.
He simply said he was sorry if Obama was offended...he didn't admit any real error.

And it's pretty much gone. If there was any residue it will be washed clean by Bush's surge plan really requiring 35-48K troops and not the 20K he said they were sending.

Oh, you meant all the troops? Hahaha, silly Administration.

-spence

i don't think it is as bad as when Ross Perot said "you people" though..

2008 is far enough away for this to evaporate.

Spence, you're alone on this one, every talk show I listen to, left and right, said he is done.
I agree with you that what he said was not that bad, but we're two white guys. There is no way the Dems will back him now and he is the most qualified Dem candidate. Strike another win for the Hillary machine, she signed a good contract with the man downstairs.

all this politically correctness is way over done and nauseating !

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were not that articulate

more like grandstanders with a preachy style of speaking imho

and with Jessie Jackson you barely make out what he's saying...

i think this is what Joe was "trying" to say.... although it didn't

turn out that way ... and i think it's crazy to eliminate one's whole

political career based upon a single sentence. Thats absurd. :hs:

I hereby Predict that Joe Biden will be our next president.

Thus far he's Still the Most presidential candidate i've seen.

and with all the Blunders that Bush has done..... it's like comparing a mountain to a mole hill.

Spence, you're alone on this one, every talk show I listen to, left and right, said he is done.

Don't agree...

For one it's a long time till the election, and two Biden is perhaps one of the most qualified in the field.

Regarding foreign policy, he's by my estimation clearly the leader of the pack. And this is going to be a huge qualifier come election time.

-spence

Don't agree...

For one it's a long time till the election, and two Biden is perhaps one of the most qualified in the field.

Regarding foreign policy, he's by my estimation clearly the leader of the pack. And this is going to be a huge qualifier come election time.

-spence

In my humble opinion, he won't be a factor. Even my liberal friends want him to go away. Nobody doubts his brains and eperience in FP matters, but sadly those qualifications, or lack thereof, aren't always the standard . Most liberals I know want the Gore, Kerry and Bidens of the world to step back and allow some new blood to emerge as party leaders.They see them as retreads and gumming up the works for a party looking to take contol of the oval office. I am confident Biden will not be that person.

And my wife who's nearly a member of the socialist party loves him :zup:

Biden is a pragmatist and a centrist which is what the country is looking for right about now.

Hillary is the real target, she has all the money and most of the party power base bahind her. Yet a good portion of the country believe she isn't electable.

Biden and Richardson are the two moderate dems with the perfect resumes to capture the middle.

If Biden blows it my money is on Bill Richardson, but I'd like to see both.

-spence

How would have this played out if Bush had said what Biden said?

How would have this played out if Bush had said what Biden said?
:behead:

How would have this played out if Bush had said what Biden said?
I think people would have been stuck on how he butchered the pronounciation of "articulate" :laugha:

But in all honesty, it would have just been par for the course. Biden gets special treatment because:

1) He does run his mouth
2) I don't think anybody really believes he is at all racist
3) He's a very smart and well respected person, so the assumption is that he's not going to leave himself open for this sort of time waster.

Listen to how carefully Clinton's or Bush's words are...it's programatic and sterile.

-spence

Spence, like it or not Biden pigeon-holed Obama as a black man who is main stream. Thats racist (closeted) all day long. Just because he is a democrat (centrist) doesn't make it right. What he said certainly wasn't as bad as some other far more ignorant people have said, but regardless its all the same.

You're taking his comment out of context...he was talking about black presidentail candidates with broad appeal.

Can you name very many before Obama?

-spence

No Spence, I understood the context of what he was saying and how he ment it. His intentions were not bad by any means, but it doesn't mean he isn't a closeted racist. What Biden said was lazy in manner and ill thought before he opened his yap. To me that says he doesn't care very deeply if at all about Obama. It should matter one way or the other about his skin color. Throw Biden a life preserver he needs it.

His intentions were not bad by any means, but it doesn't mean he isn't a closeted racist.
Those are pretty strong words. Are you basing that statement on anything of substance or just the knee-jerk analysis of a few off putting comments?

When you look at Biden's track record...and he has a long and well documented track record...I don't think there's much of anything that indicates he's a racist person in any way.

-spence

Those are pretty strong words. Are you basing that statement on anything of substance or just the knee-jerk analysis of a few off putting comments?

When you look at Biden's track record...and he has a long and well documented track record...I don't think there's much of anything that indicates he's a racist person in any way.

-spence

He is one of those guys who will just talk and talk, typical political egomaniac. If there weren't cameras on he'd be talking to the mirror. He got jammed up last year making a crack about needing to speak indian at Dunkin donuts and convenience stores. He can't help himself. :hihi:

Thier is nothing knee-jerk with regard to my interpretation of what he said. You would have to know me to think my reaction to or subjective interpretation of what Biden said is slanted, and you don't other than here. What he said is textbook grouping in a backhanded backdoor manner. He is just more articulate than an uneducated racist.

Again, you're taking a sinlgle statement that many would argue is being taken out of context.

You're saying his long track record on minority rights etc... isn't a better indicator of what he really believes?

-spence