Vice Presidnet Joe Biden on Larry King Live, courtesy of CNN.
by Mark Silva
Vice President Joe Biden, who has served under eight presidents, for more than three decades in the U.S. Senate and now with the president, concedes that he has no expectation of achieving the sort of bipartisanship that may have existed long ago.
But he still expects to get a health-care bill out of Congress, Biden tells CNN's Larry King in an appearance on Larry King Live tonight. And if the Republicans bank on making a strategy of beating President Barack Obama on the issues, Biden suggests, they're playing the wrong political horse.
"You know, Larry, I'm vice president, not president.,'' Biden says in the interview airing tonight at 9 pm EST. "I get to give a lot of advice and I get responsibility, but the guy who has to make the decisions is the president, and it's just remarkable how centered this guy is. I mean, he gets up every morning, puts both feet on the ground as my dad would say, knows what he's about to do, goes out and does it, seems unphased by it....
"Do I think there's going to be the kind of bipartisanship I'm used to as all the years I served in the Senate? Not likely,'' Biden tells King. "But I do think there will be some more movement because there's a dual message being sent out there.
"It's not just that people -- that Massachusetts election wasn't just about Democrats, it was about Washington is not working. And I don't think that Republican leadership is going to continue to include that the way they win is if the country loses...
"I was a senator for 36 years,'' Biden reminds his interviewer. " I got there when I was 29-years-old. So I have been through seven presidents, eight now. And I've never seen a time when the operating norm to get anything passed was a super majority of 60 votes. No matter what the bill is, it's filibustered, it's required to get 60 votes. You can't rule by a super majority. You can't govern if you require a super majority. And I think it's getting to the point where it's been abused, this idea of the filibuster or the threat of extended debate.
" And I think the public is taking it out, the Congress as a whole, Republicans and Democrats, are extremely low on the polls, in the Congress. And I hope it's sinking in to everyone that the American public sent us all here to solve certain problems. And everybody knows, it's a little bit like the Middle East, everybody knows the outlines and the final settlement. It has to do with a two-state solution.''
King asks Biden about Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president in 2008 who famously asked Biden in their debate, "Can I call you Joe?''
"Gov. Palin appeals to a group of people who are generally frustrated, feel disenfranchised, are very conservative -- not all of them,'' Biden says, acknowledging King's remark about "TEA Party people.... Tea Party people, but beyond that. She has appeal beyond that as well. But I don't know that it represents anything approaching a -- a significant portion of the population.''
Here, courtesy of CNN, is a trasncript of the interview:
LARRY KING::Great pleasure to welcome to LARRY KING LIVE, Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States. It's going to be hard to call you Mr. Vice President because we go back a long way, but I've got to do that. That's the rules, OK.
JOE BIDEN: Joe's fine.
KING: Let's begin right from the top of the get-go. Jobs, so many people out of work, people angry. Basic question, what are you and the president going to do to turn this thing around?
BIDEN: Well, the first thing we're going to do is sort of keep us from going totally off cliff and that's why in the Recovery Act, we went out there and everyone acknowledges that we created somewhere between 1.6 million and 2.4 million. But there are still 7 million people lost their jobs this year and so what we're doing now is focusing and hopefully with some Republican help this time, on job creation.
Focusing a lot on small business, because they're the ones who create jobs. Doing everything from eliminating capital gains to offering a $5,000 tax credit for hiring new employees to moving in the direction of future oriented things too, Larry.
It's not just enough to create the job that right this minute, which is our primary responsibility. But to lay the foundation for creating good decent jobs, the green economy and dealing with everything from broadband to making sure that we have a new system of energy production in this country.
KING: It seems overwhelming. Does it wear on you?
BIDEN: Well, you know, Larry, I'm vice president, not president. I get to give a lot of advice and I get responsibility, but the guy who has to make the decisions is the president, and it's just remarkable how centered this guy is. I mean, he gets up every morning, puts both feet on the ground as my dad would say, knows what he's about to do, goes out and does it, seems unphased by it.
KING: You recently swore in the new senator from Massachusetts.
BIDEN: Yes, I like him.
KING: The Republican Scott Brown and just after he is sworn in, right after, he walks outside and he says this. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. SCOTT BROWN (R), MASSACHUSETTS: The last stimulus bill didn't create one new job and in some states, the money that was actually released, hasn't even been used yet.
QUESTION: It didn't create one new job?
BROWN: That's correct. We lost what, another 85,000 jobs again, give or take, last month.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: OK. You didn't create a job. You just told me you created.
BIDEN: I don't know -- let me just say what the facts are.
KING: Were you shocked at that?
BIDEN: Well, I'm not. Look, he's a new guy, he ran on two things.
One that we're not handling the economy well and health care, and so I think that's part of the shtick. I hope he doesn't really believe that.
You can just go to Massachusetts and see the thousands of teachers that still have their jobs and firefighters and police officers, the new jobs created as a consequence of investments in new technologies and the like. So again, I don't know one single serious econometric model from the conservative to the liberals who acknowledge anything other than we created a minimum of 1.6 million to -- and the estimates from the CBO which is really, as you know, the gold standard, no Republican or Democratic questions, that say we created or saved over 2 million jobs.
KING: How about Mr. Vice President, all you spent to save them? Is it
$787 billion?
BIDEN: Well about halfway there. We spent about half of that so far.
It's a two-year program. But you know, it wasn't just creating jobs, Larry. A third of that money went to tax cuts. A third of that money went to tax cuts to businesses and to individuals. Everybody who collected a paycheck and people don't even know this, if they collected a paycheck and they had withholding tax taken out of it, they had $60 to $80 less withheld. So they had $60 to $80 more a month in their paycheck.
KING: In the last year?
BIDEN: In the last year, from the day we came in. That was billions of dollars pushed into the economy in their pockets. They went out and spent that money for everything from a hair cut to helping pay for the electric bill. And that has impact on the economy.
Secondly, what we did was, we made sure that we invested in not just tax cuts, but in the -- they call it, fancy word, countercyclical help.
A lot of these states are in deep, deep trouble, so we provided significant help for the states, in everything from making sure -- look, for example, all of those people getting health care, Larry, who -- the people who lost their jobs, lost their health care, got dumped into Medicaid, those states wouldn't have been able to provide that health care for them. So a lot of it is not seen and a lot of it is misunderstood.
KING: You know, it's the one-year anniversary of the Recovery Act next year. Did it go fast?
BIDEN: Well, it did go fast, but I'll tell you what, I've spent most of my time making sure that there are no big boondoggles. If you notice, for all the criticism of the Recovery Act, no one has come up and said they wasted $50 million here, $100 million there, $90 million here. That dog never bit and so I'm very proud of the way we've done it and you can -- I've talked to every single governor now at least once, most of them twice, for a half hour at a shot. Once a week I'm on the phone with five governors to seven governors and 7-to-12 mayors or county executives. I've yet to have one say to me, anything other than thank you for being responsive, thank you for the help.
KING: Next, more on economy and then later, the woman who wanted his job, Sarah Palin, has had a lot to say lately. Let's see how he responds, right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: In this economic back and forth, are you ever going to get bipartisanship?
BIDEN: Well, we met yesterday, Larry, the president and myself. We met with the Republican leadership and the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate. And I think there is a realization that we have to do something about jobs, for example. There is an agreement. They said, well by the way, OK, we support no capital gains for taxes for small business. We think the healthcare system is broken, has to be fixed.
So it's the first time any of that has occurred. Do I think there's going to be the kind of bipartisanship I'm used to as all the years I served in the Senate? Not likely. But I do think there will be some more movement because there's a dual message being sent out there. It's not just that people -- that Massachusetts election wasn't just about Democrats, it was about Washington is not working. And I don't think that Republican leadership is going to continue to include that the way they win is if the country loses.
KING: You're the majority party.
BIDEN: We are the majority party.
KING: You've got all of the balls in your court.
BIDEN: Well, that's true, Larry, except take a look at that. I was a senator for 36 years. I got there when I was 29-years-old. So I have been through seven presidents, eight now. And I've never seen a time when the operating norm to get anything passed was a super majority of 60 votes. No matter what the bill is, it's filibustered, it's required to get 60 votes. You can't rule by a super majority. You can't govern if you require a super majority. And I think it's getting to the point where it's been abused, this idea of the filibuster or the threat of extended debate.
And I think the public is taking it out, the Congress as a whole, Republicans and Democrats, are extremely low on the polls, in the Congress. And I hope it's sinking in to everyone that the American public sent us all here to solve certain problems. And everybody knows, it's a little bit like the Middle East, everybody knows the outlines and the final settlement. It has to do with a two-state solution.
Everybody knows we have to change our energy policy, we have to change our education policy. We can't lead the work with --
KING: Are you optimistic about a jobs bill?
BIDEN: Well, I am optimistic. I think now the jobs bill I think will be probably less than is needed initially, but it will be very helpful.
The House already passed the jobs bill. I think the Senate will pass the jobs bill. And I think, Larry, look, by the spring, I think people are going to begin to have more confidence in the policies we've put in place. I think you're going to see net creation of jobs every month. I think you're going to see -- now it's not going to be 7 million jobs in the next six months, but I think you're going to move from we lost 20,000 jobs last month, I think you're going see it move to -- I'm making a number up -- 50,000 created or 12,000 and then 20 and then 100.
But I think what people need now -- when you're sitting at your kitchen table, Larry, in the neighborhoods I grew up in, and you don't have a job, or you're about -- the rumor is you're about to lose your job and your company is about to go under, or you can't pay the mortgage on your house, let me tell you something. That's a depression for you. And my grand pop used to have an expression from Scranton, he'd say the guy up in Alophin (ph) when he's out of work, that's an economic slowdown.
When your brother-in-law is out of work, that's a recession. When you're out of work, it's a depression. It's a depression for millions of Americans. It's understandable why they're angry and frustrated and concerned. But we took this job knowing we were facing a gigantic hole we would fall into.
KING: You inherited it.
BIDEN: And by the way, we can argue that old expression, the proof in the pudding will be in eating in. We'll find out if what we're doing makes sense.
KING: More with the vice president in 60 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Now let's rat-a-tat a bunch of things while we have some time here in this segment. Did the president waste too much time on health?
BIDEN: No. No, look, you cannot get control of the deficits unless you deal with entitlements. One of the biggest entitlements is Medicare and Medicaid, 47 cents in every dollar is spent now for health care nationwide is spent by the government. The cost curve is going up like this. You've got to bend it. The only way you can do that is reform health care.
KING: Are you going to get a health bill?
BIDEN: I think we will.
KING: Really think so?
BIDEN: I really do.
KING: You're no good at the Republicans start from the beginning again?
BIDEN: Well, I don't care what they call it as long as it does three things. One, bends that cost curve so it doesn't go up 40 percent a decade and it just makes it impossible to gain control of our fiscal House. Two, make sure there's a fighting chance for people who don't have insurance to get it. Three, make sure those who have are not subject to the kinds of thing Blue Cross out in California has announced, a 39 percent increase in health care costs. And four, make sure that there is a circumstance where people are not able to be whipsawed by the insurance companies. Imagine if you went through what you and I went through in our health problems and we were 40-years-old and we lost our jobs. How do you get insurance, Larry, with a preexisting condition?
KING: We share that club.
BIDEN: No, we aren't part of that club.
KING: All I have to say is say her name. Sarah Palin.
BIDEN: I like her.
KING: She wanted your job.
BIDEN: Yes, everybody --
KING: You like her?
BIDEN: I do, I like her. She's an engaging person. She has a great personality. I don't agree with what she says and I think some of the things she says are not -- well --
KING: What were you going to say?
BIDEN: Well, you know, it's sort of like -- some of the comments made are just so far out there, I just don't know where they come from. But, she -- if you met her, she's an engaging person.
KING: I've met her.
BIDEN: I understand why people like her.
KING: Do you fear her? Fear her, in a sense, politically fear her?
BIDEN: No, I don't. Look, I've not done as much the law of politics as I used to do when I was a senator. I mean, this job, I've been given big chunks of assignments, Iraq this, et cetera. So I'm not up to being able to give you the poll numbers. But my sense is that Sarah appeals
-- Governor Palin appeals to a group of people who are generally frustrated, feel disenfranchised, are very conservative -- not all of them.
KING: Tea Party people.
BIDEN: Tea Party people, but beyond that. She has appeal beyond that as well. But I don't know that it represents anything approaching a -- a significant portion of the population.
KING: All right, you mentioned Iraq.
BIDEN: Yes.
KING: That had to tick him off. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan.
What -- what worries you the most?
BIDEN: What worries me the most is...
KING: Of that group?
BIDEN: -- Pakistan. But you...
KING: Pakistan?
BIDEN: Well, you've heard me say that for the last 10 years. I think it's the -- it's a big country. It has nuclear weapons that are able to be deployed. It has a real significant minority of radicalized population. It is -- it is not a completely functional democracy in the sense we think about it. And so it's -- it -- that's my greatest concern.
I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer.
You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government. I spent -- I've been there 17 times now. I go about every two months -- three months. I know every one of the major players in all the segments of that society.
It's impressed me. I've been impressed how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns to settle their differences.
KING: Iran, nuclear.
Worry?
BIDEN: A concern. A -- a -- a real concern, not an immediate concern in the sense that something could happen tomorrow or in the very near term, but what I worry most about with regard to Iran, if they continue on the path of nuclear weapons and were able to gain even a modicum of the capability, then I worry what that does -- Larry, you know the Middle East, what that -- what pressure that puts on Saudi Arabia, on Egypt, on Turkey, etc. To acquire nuclear weapons. That's...
KING: (INAUDIBLE).
BIDEN: That's very destabilizing.
KING: Terror -- last week on terrorism, the heads of the major U.S.
intelligence agencies told Dianne Feinstein that another attempted terrorist attack on the United States is coming certain in the next few months.
BIDEN: Well...
KING: What do you make of that?
BIDEN: Well, look, let me put it this way. The idea of there being a massive attack in the United States like 9/11 is unlikely, in my view.
But if you see what's happening, particularly with al Qaeda and the Arabian Peninsula, they have decided to move in the direction of much more small bore but devastatingly frightening attacks.
KING: Detroit?
BIDEN: Detroit. But I think what you're seeing morphing here -- and it's a concern to us -- is you'll see the -- the concern relates to somebody like a shoe bomber or the underpants bomber, the Christmas attack or someone just strapping a backpack on them with weapons that are indigenous and blowing up, you know, walking into (INAUDIBLE)...
KING: So that's going to happen?
BIDEN: Well, I -- I think there are going to be an attempts. I hope we've been -- I've been really impressed. As I said, I've been here for eight presidents. I used to be in the Intelligence Committee. I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. It's something I spent my professional life doing. I've been really impressed with the success we've had, building on the last administration, in dealing with these.
KING: We're running out of time.
Condolences on your mom.
BIDEN: Oh, thanks, buddy. Well, look, I was lucky. She -- you -- she...
KING: (INAUDIBLE)?
BIDEN: You were her favorite. Literally, there was not a single night you could walk into her living room and not have you on television.
KING: Great seeing you.
BIDEN: Good seeing you, buddy.
KING: Let's do it more often.
BIDEN: Thank you. I'd love to do it.
Comments
I guess they still don’t get it. The vote was an explicit referendum on the President’s harebrained approach to the economy, jobs and financial policies. The good folks from the Bay State said they don’t like it and don’t trust it any more. There is no other rational explanation as to why the bluest state in the Union, with 75% of the voting public registered Democrat, elected a Republican to take the seat of the late Edward Kennedy. So, no, the election wasn’t about Democrats; it was about the stuff that Democrats do.
Posted by: John W. | February 10, 2010 8:01 PM
REPUBLICANS HOLD AMERICA HOSTAGE!!!
John Boehner's 'ransom note' just screams "we (Republicans) would like to cooperate with you to reform the American health-care system," doesn't it? But don't take my word for it: You'll really want to read the whole thing. These are not folks who concern themselves with the appearance of good faith. The only thing missing is an obscure riddle that Obama must answer before he can speak to Mitch McConnell.
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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/02/lets_make_a_deal_1.html
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Posted by: Laura Lexnor | February 10, 2010 8:03 PM
Republicans by definition are UnAmerican as a whole. They're openly calling for states to secede from the United States. Declaring that civil and human rights are optional. That the 'Rule of Law' means nothing. That they prefer an autocratic ruler -- provided he or she is a radical right wing autocrat. For only operative Constitutional amendment to be #2. That court trials are only for certain people -- certainly not for anybody announced to be a suspected terrorist, no matter how flimsy or non-existent the evidence. The only 'liberty' Republicans want is the liberty to make everybody else live and exist by their hypocritical social & religious memes. To revoke the citizenship of and deport anyone they don't like. It's Fascism, plain and simple.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
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The right wing lunatic fringe list goes on and on -- and makes it abundantly clear the country they wish to live in does not in any way resemble the United States of America.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCLz7XQOIOQ
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Posted by: Teabaggers = ordinary Republican voters | February 10, 2010 8:10 PM
"Washington Times: GOP PRIVATELY ADMITS STIMULUS CREATED JOBS!!!
If there's one thing that unites the Republican Party it's their phony claim that the stimulus bill was a job-killing piece of legislation that was the worst thing in the whole entire world for the economy, right? Or maybe that's just what unites them in public, because in private the Washington Times reports they've been working overtime to get their hands on job-creating stimulus cash.
Remember Joe "You Lie" Wilson?
"Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican who became famous after yelling, "You lie," during Mr. Obama's addresses to Congress in September, voted against the stimulus. Nonetheless, Mr. Wilson elbowed his way into the rush for federal stimulus cash in a letter he sent to Mr. Vilsack on behalf of a foundation seeking funding. "We know their endeavor will provide jobs and investment in one of the poorer sections of the Congressional District," he wrote to Mr. Vilsack in the Aug. 26, 2009, letter.
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http://washingtontimes.com/news/2010/feb/09/stimulus-foes-see-value-in-seeking-cash/
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Kudos to the Washington Times for having done the leg work of filing the FOIA requests to expose these examples of Republican lawmakers talking out of both sides of their mouths, publicly lambasting the stimulus as a job-killing measure, but privately conceding that it actually created jobs. It's hard to imagine a more effective way of demonstrating Republican hypocrisy on the question of whether the stimulus bill creates jobs, and Dems should remind them of it every waking day.
Posted by: Planet Wingnuttia | February 10, 2010 8:14 PM
If Republicans were really serious about reducing the size of gov't they'd all resign. That would do more to reduce gov't waste in one day than anything that's been done in the last 50 years.
Posted by: Steve Larsen | February 10, 2010 8:17 PM
The GOP Wants to Take Away Your Social Security
It really is that simple. In the contest between tax breaks for Paris Hilton or corporate welfare for Exxon, and an ongoing multidecade contract with over 100 million Americans, judging by the latest Republican 'budget' priorities, they're working for Paris Hilton:
First, it calls for big cuts in Social Security benefits for everyone currently under 55 years of age. On top of the cuts it also calls for privatizing Social Security.
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http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/02/game_on_3.php#more?ref=fpblg
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Republicans want to cut your social security until it bleeds to death and toss the drained corpse into the jaws of Wall Street. Reason? To transfer your money to the wealthiest people on earth and stick you with the bill. So, democrats, do you have a simple five-second elevator pitch at the ready for why people should vote for you this Fall? If not, how about "Republicans are going to steal your social security and give it to rich people"?
Posted by: Darksyde | February 10, 2010 8:19 PM
It's pretty simple. Sarah Palin appeals to the providers, those that pull the economic wagon. Foot in the Mouth Biden appeals to those that depend on the gov't or sit on the economic wagon.
Posted by: Terry | February 10, 2010 8:24 PM
The American people have been very clear in the past eight months. They DO NOT want this bill and all of its shenanigans and deals. They DO NOT want government control of 1/6th of the U.S. economy. They DO NOT want the government spending wildly, producing multi-trillion dollar deficits. They DO NOT want more taxes. They DO NOT want cap n trade. They DO NOT want appeasement to terrorists.
They DO WANT lower taxes, smaller government, less spending, smaller deficits, terrorists not given their Miranda rights, and Gitmo to stay open.
A Quinnipiac poll just out, and I think they are Mark Silva-approved, shows that 70 to 80 percent of the American people DO NOT want terrorists to be treated like common criminals, given the same rights as you and me, and civilian trials.
As long as Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, and the so-called mainstream media like Mark Silva DO NOT get this, the bigger their eyes will be opened come November 2010.
And perhaps that will be a good thing!
Posted by: John D | February 10, 2010 8:32 PM
Republicans are closet fascists, they are never, ever going to vote with Obama on anything, even if it means voting against their own policies and general common sense.
The Repugnuts don't care if the country burns, so long as they are the one's in charge of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9mYCU0mH7w
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Posted by: Andrew Hart | February 10, 2010 8:34 PM
Argentina Loverboy Mark Sanford is begging for stimulus money today!
- Republican Senate Candidate Rep. Mike Castle Takes Credit For Over $5 Million In Stimulus Funds He Voted To Kill
- In KY, Republican Mitch McConnell Brags About Stimulus Projects, Requests More Money; In DC, McConnell Says Stimulus Should End
Republicans Who Opposed The Stimulus Continue To Pan It As A ‘Failure,’ While Also Taking Credit For Its Success
- Republican Jindal Tours Louisiana Attacking ‘Washington Spending’ While Handing Out Jumbo-Sized Stimulus Checks. Jindal takes credit for stimulus, presents constituents with jumbo-sized stimulus check.
- Republican Rep. Shuster Bashes The Stimulus As A Failure While Taking Credit For Its Success
Republicans Who Opposed The Stimulus Line Up To Criticize It Publicly, Request More Money Privately
- Republican Kit Bond Touts Effects Of Stimulus Bill He Voted Against
- All In A Day’s Work: Republican Rep. Kingston Smears The Stimulus On TV, Takes Credit For Stimulus Jobs In His District
The GOP is not interested in productive policy, they are only interested in sabotaging the President's agenda. I'm not sure what good he thinks this meeting with them (GOP) is going to do other than hopefully point out their rank hypocrisy, but so far he's giving way too much deference to the party of "no" that deserves none. The Republicans are more than happy to continue to drive the economy into a ditch if they think it will keep them in office.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/maddow-calls-out-individu_n_456645.html
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Posted by: GOPer Hypocrisy | February 10, 2010 8:42 PM
*************************************************
guess they still don’t get it. The vote was an explicit referendum on the President’s harebrained approach to the economy, jobs and financial policies. The good folks from the Bay State said they don’t like it and don’t trust it any more. There is no other rational explanation as to why
Posted by: John W. | February 10, 2010 8:01 PM
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Wrong again, Bircher Boy
Nude Model Scott Brown has a decision to make now.
He can vote like a true moderate and possibly retain his seat in two years, or he can vote with the rest of the nutbag Republicans and lose his seat faster than he got it.
MA isn't Alabama.
Ma voters didn't vote for naked Scotty Brown, they rebelled against Dems. They want a better health care bill and more cracking down on Wall Street from the Dems. Brown can either vote with the Dems on those things or he can lose his seat and watch those bills pass anyway.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/20/obama-backers-more-commit_n_429673.html
Brown will get two years in MA to do the right thing. He'll either vote 90% of the time with the Democrats or he will lose his seat to a Dem in '12.
Brown is already walking back his past associations with and endorsements of Teabagger Republican candidates.
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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/77383-brown-camp-wont-say-whether-controversial-endorsement-is-legitimate
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Pres Obama is on the right path if he makes HCR better. And I can't wait to watch the Repubs explain why they're voting against crackdowns on Wall Street.
Posted by: huh? | February 11, 2010 12:21 AM
Our so-Called Leaders:
~Biden, "What the American people need now are a three letter word...J-O-B-S !"
~president panty waist, "We've been to 57 states and one more to go."
Let's face it...like the bill-board asks, Miss Me Yet?
Yes we do, President Bush.
Paulo
p.s. corpse-man...think people.
Posted by: Paulo | February 11, 2010 3:33 AM
Again, ridiculous comments...do you liberals ever listen to yourselves? How do stand it? Such over the top sky is falling BS.
Biden doesn't get it, or more likely he does and won't admit it. But, the movement is big. You don't elect a republican to Teddy's old job just by chance. That's OK, you just keep up the leftist propaganda that has gotten into this mess. We've all heard it before. You time is over. No more compromise to "come together". It only leads to more and more taxes, waste and corruption. Enough. TEA BAG THIS.
Posted by: Free to Watch Whatever I Want | February 11, 2010 5:04 AM
Well, "John W ", since we are guessing on the political machinations of the voters, from what was once, one of the most most Democratic states in our Union, I'll take the bait and give you, my guess.
It is not too difficult to assume that the voters of Massachusetts were presented with a slicked-down, puppet, not too unlike Ronnie Raygun, mouthing all of the platitudes of the presently, contrarian Party of the Republican-Libertarian-T-Baggers. Whew, what a collection of misfits to corrall !!! In any case, on the other hand, there was an inexperienced, well-intentioned novice, Ms Coakley who was hell bent on running for the vacated seat. It is a Herculean task to defend a work in progress, President Obama's and Vice-President Biden's mission: To undo the incredible damage that the Bush&Cheney unleashed on America during their stay at our Executive Branch( I better check with Cheney if I got his limb right. I don't think he really knows yet, which branch he was elected to !!).
Amid the particulars of the statewide election, the issue was President Obama's and Vice-President Biden's track record, after a year in office, with Corporate America on their back, since they took their oath of office. We will not even give a nod the the various " opposition groups", that for one reason or another, weren't going to give our new President and his Vice-President a fair hearing. That was a given and still is !! As for the work President Obama and Vice-President Biden have attempted, and to some extent, accomplished to the benefit of all Americans, I tip my hat to their efforts and determination, in spite of the wind-tunnel of blow back from their detractors, who have lied, distorted and falsely characterized what they were attempting to do, to rectify the Bush&Cheney disaster. Try as you might " John W ", your predisposition to a possible failure by our new President was always, just under the surface of your posts. As I know this post of mine, will fall on your deaf ears, I make it only to present an alternative view to your simplistic and somewhat, self-serving " guess " about the Massachusetts election. You are earnestly entitled to the guesses your heart desires, as I am, to respond to them. Though, as in the past, this will be one of a few responses to your post that I will make. I very much dislike , addressing a vacuum !!
So, with that final observation, I'll close, hoping I didn't step on your toes, too many times. If I did, well, I am assuming, you're a big boy, by now !!
P.S. I hope you have a chance to read this, but if not, that is okay, too. It is always good exercise to construct a good post, as you probably know.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | February 11, 2010 6:00 AM
So let's see. In this comment thread, we have: Republicans are un-American, Republicans are traitors, Republicans eat babies and kick puppies, Republicans are 'closet fascists,' Mark Sanford (?) is teh suxor, Republicans are 'holding America hostage,' Republicans want to steal your Sociali Security, Democrats are the greatest, Obama does no wrong, Republicans are Hitler. Etc. Ad nauseum.
That about cover it all, Obamacrats? Anything else to add of value? Didn't think so.
See you all in November, where going in, the Democrats are in the worst shape they've been in at any time in the past three decades. Ask yourself why (hint: read the comment thread).
Bush's fault, for sure.
Posted by: Good Lt. | February 11, 2010 8:05 AM
Biden seems to connect with the average American better than anyone in the Obama administration. The White House needs to send him out more (especially to rip Palin...)
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: Matt | February 11, 2010 8:15 AM
Now we understand why Obama selected Joe Biden as his VP. He wanted to have somebody with below average intelligence in all aspects of government. It has become abundantly clear that Obama surrounds himself with uneducated and inexperience cabinet members so he makes himself look good.
At the very minimum, I would expect him to listen to the general public. Nevertheless, we should all NOT complain. What did you expect from a community organizer with fake education degrees and no business sense what’s so ever.
God Bless America.
Posted by: Richard Owens | February 11, 2010 10:07 AM
I would agree with Biden. Palin sheeple are frustrated, disenfranchised, low information people many are incapble of thinking for themselves. They blindly follow the likes of Limpbaugh, Hannity, Buttface Beck, and Weinerman Savage who spew hatred, lies, and inaccuracies. Palin is dimwited and clueless. She has absolutely nothing to offer. She speaks in broad generalizations and even has to write the answers to quesions in the palm of her hand. The Republican party has created this recession and they are doing nothing at all to benefit the welfare of middle and working class Americans. Sorry Mr. Dicky Owens, the Republican party does not listen to the general public either. Where have you been??
Posted by: Doug R. | February 11, 2010 11:55 AM
I guess they still don’t get it. The vote was an explicit referendum on the President’s harebrained approach to the economy, jobs and financial policies. The good folks from the Bay State said they don’t like it and don’t trust it any more. There is no other rational explanation as to why the bluest state in the Union, with 75% of the voting public registered Democrat, elected a Republican to take the seat of the late Edward Kennedy. So, no, the election wasn’t about Democrats; it was about the stuff that Democrats do.-------------------------------------------------------Don't forget John W. that Scott Brown signed his name "41" as in the 41st seantor to STOP the heathcare boondogle that these incopetent Democrats were trying to "Jam" through. These jokers can pretend that the Election of a Republican to Teddy's seat wasn't due to the Democrats and their overreaching all they want. They are going to in for a shocker come Nov.
Posted by: Dave | February 11, 2010 12:11 PM
"huh?
Pres Obama is on the right path if he makes HCR better. And I can't wait to watch the Repubs explain why they're voting against crackdowns on Wall Street."------------------------------------------------------------------------I guess it might be time for a new "cut&Paste" post, since you have been posting the same drivel since the election. Scott Bown is not going to vote like a liberal and made it very clear before the election (signing his name "41" as in the 41st senator to KILL the Democrats heathcare Boondogle not make it stonger like you imply). Since that time he has voted down Ozero's radical union nominee Bob Becker and will vote against another radical Dawn Johnsen. As for crackdowns Wall Street, the Republicans can oppose that too, especilly since Obama did an interview yesterday supporting the insane million dollar bonuses at Goldman Sachs and Jp morgan and calling the Ceo's that run those companies "Savy Buisnessmen"......
Posted by: Dave | February 11, 2010 12:27 PM
Biden is claiming credit for Iraq's success ("I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration." WRONGO! Biden and Obama both strongly approved the surge that made the Iraqi advancement possible. This was Bush's success and now Biden wants to jump in? Pure Fantasyland. But the other question is: Why didn't Swamp call him on it?
Posted by: McKinley | February 11, 2010 2:12 PM
Biden is claiming credit for Iraq's success ("I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration." WRONGO! Biden and Obama both strongly OPPOSED the the Bush surge that made the Iraqi advancement possible. This was Bush's success and now Biden wants to jump in? Pure Fantasyland. But the other question is: Why didn't Swamp call him on it?
Posted by: McKinley | February 11, 2010 2:14 PM
Biden: I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration.
Joe - ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS???
You are going to take credit for success in Iraq when you and your idot boss both voted against Bush's troop surge while you were both Senators?
You and your liberal colleagues in the Senate were calling the war lost. Now, you want to take credit for Iraq being a success!
How is it possible that these idiots are our elected leaders? Biden is the most repulsive hypocrit ever, and his boss is right there with him.
Posted by: Chris | February 11, 2010 2:37 PM
Two mental giants, Larry King and Joe Biden.
Posted by: vla | February 11, 2010 2:39 PM
Little Johnny D,
Do you understand that the LAW is more important than what 80% of the country may or may not want? At one time 80% of the state of AL wanted blacks to drink out of different fountains. You know you're not supposed to smoke the TeaBags, just staple them to your hat and stand around w/ your fat, old white TeaBagging friends.
Posted by: janet | February 11, 2010 2:48 PM
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Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | February 11, 2010 6:00 AM
.
No, Don, we are not guessing about anything. The FACTS show that Senator Brown ran an anti-administration campaign. He promised the people of Massachusetts that he would vote to stop the Obama administration’s wrongheaded policies regarding the economy, health care reform, taxation and the deficit spending. In fact, when Barack Obama went to Massachusetts to campaign against Brown he told people that electing Brown would signal a return to the failed policies of the past. In which case, Don, it appears as though you are the only person left guessing with regard to Brown’s intentions.
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In the second place, Coakley wasn’t and isn’t the tenderfoot you portray her to be. She is a Democrat and the Attorney General of Massachusetts; not some soccer mom turned politician overnight. The truth is that she stood foursquare with Obama’s policies and lost because she did.
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I can tell from the rest of your post that you have a rather distorted view of what I think and believe. To be sure: I don’t want America to fail. I don’t want America to be unsafe. If I thought Obama was taking rational steps to protect the country and help to turn around the economy, I’d be all for him. However, the economy looks much like it did in 1978 right about now, and I am seriously considering building that bomb shelter in my back yard given the administration’s lackadaisical approach to national defense. Not only do I have no faith in Obama vision or direction, his track record shook what little confidence I ever had in him. God forbid that we should ever suffer another attack on the scale of 9-11. However, if we do, Obama will be in a race to the bottom in a dead heat with Jimmy Carter.
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And, no Don, I didn’t support the big government, tax-and spend, war-mongering Machiavellian type of police state that Bush and Cheney wanted to build. We already had one Democratic Party. We didn’t need another one. Bush and Cheney did not represent good Republicans, good conservatives, or even the Libertarians you love to vilify.
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And, no Don, you didn’t step on my toes. I will charitably describe your efforts as a swing and a miss. That’s pretty good for someone who is usually incapable of punching his way out of a wet paper sack.
Posted by: John W. | February 11, 2010 4:36 PM
Must be Kool-Aid time at the Whitehouse and in the Swamp
"Republicans by definition are UnAmerican as a whole"
(Yeah in the Social Democrat dictionary, sure)
"Republican Party it's their phony claim that the stimulus bill was a job-killing piece of legislation"
(hmmm 7.5% to 10% unemployment since enacted, yeah thats creating jobs.... at the unemployment offices)
"Republicans are closet fascists"
(Liberals are open socialist)
"The Repugnuts don't care if the country burns"
(Is this a reference to Global Warming?)
"Nude Model Scott Brown"
(Try a neutral site for your talking points, Humpington Post doesn't cut it)
"Pres Obama is on the right path if he makes HCR better"
(Healthcare is not the issue, it Healthcare Insurance that is the issue)
"platitudes of the presently, contrarian Party of the Republican-Libertarian-T-Baggers"
(Try Tea Party next time, it might make the argument to be taken more seriously and palatable to discuss the issues)
"Palin sheeple are frustrated, disenfranchised, low information people many are incapble of thinking for themselves."
(And your talking point comes from..... come on..... I know you know the answer, that is on many Americans lips)
Posted by: MAJMark | February 11, 2010 6:39 PM
THE LIB TEMPER . . . ON FULL DISPLAY (AS USUAL TODAY).
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The Liberal Temper Tantrum
Do supporters of Obamacare think we’re stupid? Yes, some do.
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The great temper tantrum has begun. It involves as much red-faced foot-stomping, breath-holding, and chair-pounding as you’d expect from a five-year-old who didn’t get a Zhu Zhu for Christmas last year.
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Liberal pundits are beginning to grapple with the fact that President Obama’s “transformational” agenda may be dead, and are lashing out at the American public and our institutions of government. That President Obama himself might be at fault for reaching for too much, too fast, apparently never enters their minds.
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The opening salvo came from Joe Klein who declared Americans, as he put it in the title of a blog post, “Too Dumb to Thrive.” Their offense? Thinking that the stimulus has been wasted. Klein hit these fools with a killer riposte — they’ve been getting $60 to $80 extra in their paychecks every month thanks to tax rebates.
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http://article.nationalreview.com/424643/the-liberal-temper-tantrum/rich-lowry
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 11, 2010 7:34 PM
WE'RE JUST A NICE LITTLE "COMMUNITY ORGANIZING" GROUP. NOTHING TO SEE HERE.
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ACORN slated to get nearly $4 billion in Obama's fiscal 2011 budget
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To add to the list of outrageous earmarks in Obama's fiscal 2011 budget, ACORN, the embezzlement-prone, voter-registration-fraud-plagued, leftist community organizing group, is slated to receive nearly $4 billion from a taxpayer-funded slush fund.
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http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/watercooler/2010/feb/10/acorn-slated-get-nearly-4-billion-obamas-fiscal-20/
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 11, 2010 7:42 PM
Joe Biden used the phrase "econometric model" on Larry King Live. Still daunting to hear intelligence after 8 years of Dubya.
Posted by: smart lipo | February 12, 2010 6:37 AM
I have not seen even one commentor refer to the US Constitution in this blog, which is the charter document of the federal government. Lots of name calling on both sides, but little real debate. This is why we are in real trouble in this country. When citizens throw stones, verses engaging in consitutionally informed debate, we end up allowing our governement unfettered and unconstitutional control. I think this is unfortunate.
Posted by: Wordsmeansomething | February 12, 2010 7:50 AM