Joe Biden, Mitt Romney’s greatest asset
By Neal Larson
Trying to choose my favorite Joe Biden gaffe is like being a seven year old in Baskin Robbins. The only difference is that at Baskin Robbins you have only 31 choices. “Stand up Chuck!” still elicits a laugh-out-loud response when I hear it. And when he whispered into President Obama’s ear that the just-signed health care law was a “big f***ing deal” just loud enough for a stray microphone – and America – to hear too, I just shook my head. Of course no Joe Biden gaffe list is complete without including the time he erroneously implied the Irish Prime Minister’s very-much-alive mother was dead. “God Rest Her Soul,” he said somberly. After quickly realizing his blunder, he surprisingly recovered quite well with a tone-changing “God BLESS her soul!” I liked Joe Biden a little more after that one.
While we still occasionally hear “potatoe” jokes about Dan Quayle, I must say respectfully to Mr. Quayle: When it comes to gaffe-making, you’re no Joe Biden. Remember when he called then-Senator Barack Obama “…the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean…”? Or that in Delaware you “…cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent…”? Classics, all of them.
This week Joe stepped in it again, telling an audience with a large black population that the Republicans wanted to “put y’all back in chains” by unchaining Wall Street. Some who saw the clip say he was not making a reference to slavery. One little word seems to counter that line of thinking: “back”. He clearly was referencing a people who had once been in chains, and in this case, literally. It didn’t help that Biden was gesturing and voice-inflecting similar to a southern black preacher, complete with a faux southern accent. While the offending line felt like a tossed-in, unscripted line, I believe it was a deliberate one, designed to appeal to the racial sensitivities of his audience. Perhaps it was subconscious, but it was there nonetheless.
Biden’s role as running mate is in some ways a godsend to the Romney campaign because it distracts the Obama re-election effort away from the substance of their message: that Mitt Romney killed Joe Soptic’s cancer-ridden wife and an anonymous and unverified caller to Harry Reid’s office insists that Mitt Romney hasn’t paid taxes in ten years. The Obama campaign wants to make sure we don’t get further distracted with silly-talk about the economy, jobs, and the national debt.
While the mainstream media’s collective “That’s just Joe” response is predictable, we all know a similar statement by a conservative would have elicited boycotts, incessant demands for a resignation and an apology, renewed calls for stronger hate-speech legislation, and maybe even a riot or two. But, silly me, why would I expect the media to avoid a double standard?
I have to admit there’s something likeable about Joe Biden. For me, it’s because I’ve said my share of stupid things too, as throngs of ex-girlfriends, school teachers, psychiatrists, police and parole officers, and one patient loving wife can attest. I’m totally kidding; I don’t have any ex-girlfriends. See? I just did it again.
While I believe Mitt Romney’s has many powerful weapons in his political arsenal – like Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, his business experience, and much more – Vice President Joe Biden is arguably the Romney campaign’s strongest serendipitous asset. A Presidential re-election campaign needs a dependable running mate, but not a dependably stupid one. On the flipside, it may be a wash, because Joe Biden makes even Barack Obama appear competent. Perhaps that’s the only reason he remains on the ticket.
Neal Larson of Idaho Falls is a conservative talk show host on KID Newsradio 590am and 92.1fm. “The Neal Larson Show” can be heard weekday mornings from 8:30 to 10:00. His email address is neal@590kid.com.
“Biden’s role as running mate is in some ways a godsend to the Romney campaign because it distracts the Obama re-election effort away from the substance of their message.” Neal Larson
Well then you just keep cheering for Joe and you shall have another four years Neal.
Yep, Joe’s “Off the Cuff remarks” are surprising. He makes me laugh sometimes.
Here’s one Joe gave to the Disabled Veterans.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/08/07/vice-president-biden-speaks-disabled-american-veterans
But I remember the “Gaffs” of George W Bush, Biden does not even come close to that guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEbZqvMu2cQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6tunbRcs8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=tlcE3HVRlRs&NR=1
I rest my case
I, as many others, took Vice President Biden’s comment about chains as a metaphor; understanding that there are many forms of chains, and the fact that African-Americans wont be subject to the literal chains of slavery again. Correct me if I’m wrong, but even after slavery was abolished African-Americans suffered from forms of slavery.
Freemen worked for many plantation owners for a meager wage, one that could not support the new life style. They became indebted to the land owners for the supplies needed to survive. They were no longer slaves, but were subject to the very same individuals and could not leave. They were in chains because of debt.
The system of convict leasing is another form of slavery. Because of the selected form of law enforcement and the discriminating sentencing most of the convicts were African-Americans. They were forced to work for one plantation after another as criminals. Douglas A. Blackman wrote, “It was a form of bondage different from the antebellum of the South in that for most men, and the relatively few women drawn in, this slavery did not last a lifetime and did not automatically extend from one generation to the next. But it was none the less slavery – a system in which armies of free men, guilty of no crimes and entitles by law to freedom, were compelled to labor without compensation, were repeatedly bought and sold, and were forced to do the bidding of white masters through the regular application of extraordinary physical coercion.”
African-Americans were forced to dine at separate restaurants, use different restrooms, attend separate schools, and ride in the back of the bus, or give their seat up to a white. African-Americans were subject to the chains of discrimination in the 1960s. In many places down South it wasn’t until the Civil Rights Act was passed that their education and opportunities improved.
Many individuals are subject to the chains of addiction. Their choices have been eliminated by the constant demand of the substance.
The question one could ask is what kind of chains could be produced by no longer regulating wall street? Could we see another Lehman Brothers declare bankruptcy? Could we see another financial collapse where pensions and savings are lost? Could thousands of people be laid off and business closed? Could these produce the chains of poverty, of homelessness, and of insecurity?
Mike,
4 for Bush and only 1 for Biden? Bit lopsided aren’t we? Bush made fun and got people laughing, not screaming obscenities. Biden’s never have. No one would accuse him of being funny. And no, I don’t personally know Biden but I do know the person George Bush is and we’ll take him any day.
Oh, “you tube”, home of edited versions of all sorts of garbage. Give me the original any day.
Bush is a ordinary human not like the wonder boys on the other side that can blame any wrong doing on their side by pointing fingers and blaming the other side. They never make a mistake or say something wrong, just ask them?
Chains is a “metaphor” to excite a ‘mob’ coming from a politician who has nothing else to run with. Run on your record Joe, the one that is so lacking in everything.
Indeed, how well did the “regulation” of Wall Street work? How well did the regulation of the stock market back before the depression work? But more regulation is needed? Why? No one went to jail this time around, they bought their way out with naive taxpayers money among other things. Just donate to a specific political fund and watch the tax spigots flow in your favor.
jay hook,
People put their own chains on themselves, they don’t need help. I grew up in poverty, I didn’t plan on staying there all my life. This is a country where if you work hard and the government stays out of your pocket you can do well. Government report card has some big F’s on it over the years doesn’t it?
But some revel in their poverty as if it’s a good thing? Growing up, I never went to a restaurant, outhouse out back was the only choice, one school take it or leave it. No buses. Can’t give up a seat that doesn’t exist.
And now we’re closing all their vaunted schools because of “no progress” and busing them to other schools where they drag everyone else down. And that’s progress?
Not sure what your addiction remark meant. Indeed is it chains and a mean one. Never pick it up.
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ Ronald Reagan 40th president of US (1911 – 2004) Boy, do I agree with him.
EPA lost big time down here after failing to respond for 18 years on something and then coming in and saying “although it was too late” that we had to follow them. Now the administration is looking for another judge to find the opposite out. Wonder what the going price for judges is now? I suspect we can’t afford that either.
It’s not what life throws at you, it’s what you do with what life throws at you.
Some things are coming back to bite.
“Nancy Cordes, CBS: As you know, your opponent recently accused you of waging a campaign filled with anger and hate. You told Entertainment Tonight that anyone who attends your rallies can see that they are not angry or hate-filled affairs. But in recent weeks, your campaign has suggested repeatedly – without proof – that Mr. Romney might be hiding something in his tax returns. They have suggested that Mr. Romney might be a felon for the way that he handed over power of Bain Capital. And your campaign and the White House have declined to condemn an ad by one of your top supporters that links Mr. Romney to a woman’s death from cancer. Are you comfortable with the tone being set with your campaign? Have you asked them to change their tone when it comes to defining Mr. Romney?”
But, “nobody” accused……http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/07/obama-team-romney-committed-a-felony-or-lied-to-voters-128757.html Gee, we even know their names. Other references say the same thing.
Biden might just be the least of their worries. Seems they might be back tracking on the woman’s death a tad, seems they made connections that had never been there and forgot a bunch of stuff. But the “nobodies” didn’t say anything….?
It’s an election year and getting beyond ugly, one side guarantees it. Especially when they can’t back up their charges when people question them. Chains are when you can’t stop bad habits that label you horribly.
Times awastin’ people.
All Presidents have had their documents open to the people EXCEPT OBAMA. WHY?
1. Obama’s Columbia University transcripts—-Hidden from Americans – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
2. Obama’s Columbia thesis paper—-Off Limits to Natural Born Americans – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
3. Obama’s Harvard University transcripts—-Off Limits to American voters – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
4. Locations & names of all of Obama’s half-siblings & step-mother–Secret, off limits to US citizens – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
5. Obama’s Medical records sealed (only the one page summary released so far) – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
6. Obama’s Occidental College Transcripts–Only records there belongs to Barry Soetoro,an illegal – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
7. Obama’s parent’s marriage Certificate sealed (were they ever married?) sealed – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
8. Obama’s Record of baptism (was he ever a christian?) sealed – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
9. Obama’s Selective Service registration records (Did Obama Actually Register for Selective Service? COME CLEAN OBAMA !
10. Obama’s Schedules for trips outside of the U.S. Before 2007 (Trip to Pakistan) sealed – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
11. Obama’s passport records for all passports sealed . Why? COME CLEAN OBAMA !
12. Where’s Obama’s scholarly articles (Did he ever write anything or is another scam) – COME CLEAN OBAMA !
13. SAT and LSAT test scores sealed – COME CLEAN OBAMA !!!
14. Access to Obama’s grandmother in Kenya and his rapist brother prohibited – COME CLEAN OBAMA !!!
15. Obama’s Punahou grade school records, belong to a said Barry Soetoro an Indonesian Illegal sealed. COME CLEAN OBAMA !
16. Obama’s Noelani Kindergarten records are oddly missing from the the State of Hawaii Department of Education.Why ? Is his name Barry Soetoro? COME CLEAN OBAMA !!!
17. Page 11 of Obama’s mother, Stanley Ann Dunham’s divorce decree missing. Why? COME CLEAN OBAMA !!!
18. Why isn’t Barack Obama still a member of the Illinois bar & where are all of the relevant documents?( Was obama ever admitted to the Illinois Bar Asscociation? COME CLEAN OBAMA !!!
19. Why isn’t Michelle Obama still a member of the Illinois bar, after only about four years of practice, and where are all of the relevant documents? COME CLEAN HoOBAMA !!!
20. Is Michelle 0bama a disbarred Attorney? COME CLEAN HoObama !!!
27 Why is it that Nobody remembers Obama at Harvard and Columbia U? COME CLEAN OBAMA !!!
28 Is Obama real name Barry Soetoro? COME CLEAN OBAMA – COME CLEAN
But Obama says we have to see 200 years of Romneys tax returns, why, nobody knows. Ah, the president no one knew is more interesting.
“Anytime you find someone more successful than you are, especially when you’re both engaged in the same business – you know they’re doing something that you aren’t.”
So be sure to demand 50 years of tax returns as if that will tell you what it was.
Oh, Malcolm X said it. Sometimes he could put a pithy slant on a lot of things.
That really does a world of good… calling Michelle Obama a ho. You really are a disgusting creature.
No Idea,
It was a name for Mr. Obama, among other similiar ones. I hear Obama and Biden are going to leave their wives and marry each other. Part of their evolvement. Prove me wrong. Aren’t things wonderful to run with?
28 items and that’s the best you can find? Oh, I didn’t write it and I didn’t edit it either.
Oh, by the way, neither here nor there but blacks use the term all the time down here. First time I heard it, I had to ask what they were referring to. They were referring to their girl friends as prostitutes, it seems. They use the n-word too. It’s verboten for me to use it.
DR: It is just hilarious how someone can write a thousand word paragraph, and say one thing that can be taken wrong, and that is the ONLY thing that the critics read. Nothing else matters. Did you happen to see/hear Romney, in the state where he was born, (among other things), making the comment about no one there asking to see his birth certificate since they all knew he was born there. Immediately, they started calling him a ‘birther’, and accusing him of jumping on the ‘birther’ band wagon.
So don’t feel bad about the ‘ho’ part. Those of us with a little sense knew what you were saying about Ho-Obama.