Oh, That Joe! (No. 8 in a Series) — On Fred ‘Red October’ Thompson, His Gall Bladder, and Brigades Vs. Battalions
EmailVice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., might be in the Sunshine State, 1,700 miles southeast of the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., but the loquacious son of Scranton is definitely keeping tabs on what the opposition party is up to.
He seemed quite keyed up, for instance, over the remarks at the GOP convention last night by thespian and former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn.
"I heard ‘Red October’ hunting for votes," Biden said at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Fla., "and Fred got up there and said, ‘Well, the Democrats are going to raise your taxes, because they say they’re not going to raise taxes, but they’re going to raise taxes on business and that’s going to affect your food.’
"Let me tell you something," Biden said. "I don’t know why we need to give another tax break to Exxon Mobil. … These guys made $600 billion. Six hundred billion in profit has been made by the oil companies since 2000, and John McCain wants to give them another $5 billion tax break."
"So, Fred," Biden said, addressing a man not in the room, "Fred, look at me. We’re gonna make sure you don’t get another tax break, because I’m going to give the tax break to the people right here in this room.”
Defending his running mate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., from the charge that he’s inexperienced, Biden reached back to his first Senate campaign, when the then-New Castle County council member defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Caleb Boggs.
“The line I used to use is, 30 years of bad experience ain’t worthwhile experience," Biden recalled. "You’re not going to take your car back to a mechanic who, for 30 years in a row, has screwed it up.”
But heralding his own experience, Biden also said he "know(s) as much as anyone in government about" national security and foreign policy.
And for the third time since his acceptance speech a week ago, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confused battalions and brigades.
“Over a year and a half ago,” Biden said of Obama. “He said we need two more combat battalions in Afghanistan.”
Actually, Obama called for two more combat brigades.
A brigade is bigger than a battalion — a brigade, in fact, is composed of a varying number of battalions.
The chairman said he expects to receive an agreement soon signed by the Iraqi and U.S. governments. “It’s going to say it’s time to turn over responsibility to the Iraqis and set an absolute date to bring our troops home,” Biden said. “So, if Barack Obama is the agent of surrender, George Bush is the one signing the surrender papers!”
Biden noted that he "left part of me here in Ft. Myers. You have one of the best hospitals in America, Lee County Memorial," he remembered. "They have my gall bladder.
"I got down here one time with my dad and wife at three o’clock in the morning, and woke up with this awful, awful pain and thank God, thank God, you have — it’s rated one of the top 100 hospitals in America, so you should be very proud. And I can testify to the fact that you’ve got the best doctors and the best nurses of any place I’ve ever been, and I’ve spent a lot of time hanging out with doctors and nurses."
But it wouldn’t be a complete day for Biden if he didn’t make a slip-up about who’s actually at the top of his party’s ticket.
“We’re stepping up to the ball here, the Biden — excuse me, the Obama-Biden administration," Biden said. "No, that wasn’t a Freudian slip, I was just talking about myself,” he said as the crowd laughed. “Believe me, believe me, you got it right, Obama-Biden, I got that part,” Biden continued, laughing.
“Oh, Lordy day, I tell ya,” he said, chuckling as his voice trailed off.
– Jake Tapper and Matt Jaffe
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Contrast Biden’s ease with crowds and stumping for the ticket vs Palin being sequestered lest she open her mouth and remove all doubt.
Posted by: Ryan C | September 3, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Doesn’t Joe realize that if and when Obama wins Joe will redefine the meaning of the word “irrelavent”? Joe has never been part of Obama’s inner circle and never will be. He’ll be kicked to the curb faster than Rev. Wright.
Posted by: Woody | September 3, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Biden said. “I don’t know why we need to give another tax break to Exxon Mobil.
—-
Good question. Why did Zero-bama vote for giving Exxon Mobil tax breaks, while McCain and HRC voted against it?
Posted by: d0 | September 3, 2008, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Go get ‘em, Joe baby!! Obama/Biden ’08!!!!
Posted by: RuthieM | September 3, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
What I like about Senator Biden is that he’s cynical and runs at the mouth, and because of that, the truth occasionally comes out. A rarity for a national politician…
Posted by: Reality-based | September 3, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
FARAH
after confoirmation
Posted by: rodney | September 3, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
wow a Vice Presidential pick that can talk away from a speech that someone else wrote.
amazing.
Posted by: dl | September 3, 2008, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
Does Joe not realize that he has been a large party to the disaster in DC for what 35 of those 30 years he talks about?!
Posted by: samhiguchi | September 3, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
I see Biden put those 5 student deferments to good use in avoiding learning anything about the military altogether.
Posted by: drjohn | September 3, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
“Contrast Biden’s ease with crowds and stumping for the ticket vs Palin being sequestered lest she open her mouth and remove all doubt.”
I wish I could link right to this…..
Posted by: drjohn | September 3, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Going from cheney to Biden is going to be like night and day. 01-20-09 is the End of an ERROR. Obama/Biden 2009!!!
Posted by: pt | September 3, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Lets see? Joe Bidens wife is killed, he leaves his children to run for office… uh someone tell me why Palin is supposed to stay home with kids.. LMAO OLD PLAGERIZING JOE
Posted by: hilly-billy | September 3, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
“But heralding his own experience, Biden also said he “know(s) as much as anyone in government about” national security and foreign policy.”
If you leave out the “soldiers” stuff, that is….
Posted by: drjohn | September 3, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
““We’re stepping up to the ball here, the Biden — excuse me, the Obama-Biden administration,” Biden said. “No, that wasn’t a Freudian slip, I was just talking about myself,” he said as the crowd laughed. “Believe me, believe me you got it right, Obama-Biden, I got that part,” Biden continued, laughing.”
Jake- did I predict this or did I predict this?
LMAO
Posted by: drjohn | September 3, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Biden took the train back every night to see his sons.
Posted by: Vanessa | September 3, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
ExxonMobil’s total profit numbers are impressive – except when you consider their typical profit margin is only a few points higher than most manufacturing companies make (and probably lower if you took out the failing auto industry). $600 billion income sounds like a lot of extra cash– but don’t forget about the $300-400 billion in costs. (I’ll do the math — let’s focus on the $6 dollars you made, not the $3-4 dollars you spent to make it.)
So why stop at BigOil … let’s tax all businesses who are outside the magic number. And then, when the profits start to drop, and prices go up, and cost cuts (i.e, job cuts) are made, and 401(k)s start to weaken, everyone can be miserable together.
Best part of Thomson’s speech – “They [Dems] say they are not going to take any water out of your side of the bucket, just the “other” side of the bucket!”
Posted by: Bizz | September 3, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
Gosh, why didn’t Joe stay home with his two sons who were seriously injured after his wife was killed in an auto accident?
Oh, oh — it’s just Republican women who are supposed to stay home. Got it.
Posted by: Peach | September 3, 2008, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
I wish you ask few question about brigade MadMom Palin.
Along with other stuff.
Just ask.
Posted by: Linda,Fl | September 3, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
More political amnesia.
4 years ago.
Bush getting into TANG and not completing his service, Cheney saying he had better thing to do than serve – why that was ok and needed to be defended staunchly.
Kerry serving with distinction – why that had to be destroyed.
Now
Biden is horrible for getting deferrments and how dare you question John McCain’s military record!
Posted by: Ryan C | September 3, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
I remember when the republicans spun Michelle Obama’s comments about being proud of her country. I see that Palin’s husband is a member of the API which is an organization that wants to succeed from the rest of the 49 states. I can’t wait to see how rove & the boys are going to spin this one. Her husband doesn’t even want to be part of the USA. Obama/Biden 2008!!!
Posted by: pt | September 3, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
If Biden were a female the media would be demanding that Obama drop him from the ticket.
Posted by: geevill | September 3, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
for “watching” — counting the years is a nice touch, but doesn’t answer the issue. There’s a difference between teaching and legislating (giving opinions) and governing (making decisions and dealing with the consequences).
Obama’s heavy on one side, but where’s his experience being the actual “decider”, being the one to actually make the final decision and live with the ramifications of it. Mayors and governors do that – from deciding to float municipal bonds, making staffing and policy decisions, managing budgets, etc.
In a contest of “I think” vs “I do” … “do” has the experience angle down.
Posted by: Doer | September 3, 2008, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Do you know why no one asks Obama why he doesn’t stay home? It’s because they don’t blame him for not wanting to stay home with that hate-filled Michelle.
Posted by: Brad | September 3, 2008, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
If palin were male, would mccain have picked him. You can bet your life he would not have been considered. So with mccain it’s “mccain first”.
Posted by: pt | September 3, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
“Do they really think we’re THAT stupid?”
If we keep comparing the guy in the number one slot with the woman in the number two slot, we are.
One is half as much as two.
Ok, over the top.
Posted by: len | September 3, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Obama did not graduate Magna Cum Laude and he did not sponsor 500 bills – he sponsored nothing substantive he hijacked many bills with the help of other congressmen and he was not “president” of the law review – he was Editor which he was because they were trying to give the position to an affirmative action candidate not the most qualified by any stretch. He did such a poor job he never produced one article ( unheard of) was not offered a clerkship with a judge ( the only Harvard law review editor who never received one) and he wasn’t offered a job at a top law firm ( again, every other law review editor was) so he “chose” to be a city organizer because he had no options.
Posted by: Watching | September 3, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Palin says that her 5 kids, her pregnant daughter, her husband that doesn’t want to be part of the USA, and her redneck future-son-in-law who doesn’t want kids, won’t be a distraction doing her job as VP or filling in for mccain while he is having health issues. hmmmmm
Posted by: pt | September 3, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Jake someone just reported on another blog that Biden is right on the brigade thing…because “shock troops” are different because they are rangers…
they said
“Our Ranger and special forces teams do not come in brigade sizes!”
so maybe Biden is actually as smart as people claim he is…
I guess Palin is smart enough to avoid the discussion all together. oy
Posted by: dl | September 3, 2008, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
“The line I used to use is, 30 years of bad experience ain’t worthwhile experience,” Biden recalled.
Posted by: Belle Starr | September 3, 2008, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
okay len
lets compare the Mccain and Obama on their first and most important Presidential decision…
their VP’s
Biden
and Pailin’
yeah it’s about judgement not making stupid rash decisions out of political tactics that throw the welfare of the country under the bus
making strong decisions that are wrong seems to be McCain’s specialty…and then trying to fix them on the other side as if they didn’t make a mistake to begin with…
kind of like this suppression of the lead witness that just popped up in the Palin ethics investigation
yup that’s right welcome BushIII …cover those tracks.
Posted by: dl | September 3, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
During the 2008 Democratic Presidential primary in Biden’s home state of Delaware (population 800,000+), Biden received ONLY 2,863 votes.
Biden is so popular with voters that he received about 9,000 votes in all the 2008 Democratic Presidential primaries he was in.
Keep talking Joe, one day they will find a cure for foot-in-mouth disease.
Posted by: Sally J. | September 3, 2008, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
During the 2008 Democratic Presidential primary in Biden’s home state of Delaware (population 800,000+), Biden received ONLY 2,863 votes.
Posted by: Belle Starr | September 3, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Ryan, contrast Biden with constantly saying stupid stuff in front of crowds.
Posted by: biscuits | September 3, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
I wish that Biden would take the train he used to visit his sons, except this time STAY with his sons. TAKE BIDEN OUT!
Posted by: irma | September 3, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
“What I like about Senator Biden is that he’s cynical and runs at the mouth”
An irresponsible loudmouth. All you can ask for in a President right? Biden is better suited to replace Letterman.
Posted by: geevill | September 3, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Biden’s MOUTH trumps his experience.
Posted by: irma | September 3, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
Dear Mr. Biden!
ExxonMobil pays twice it’s profits in taxes already to the Federal Government. It works hard for its profit, you (part of the Federal Government) do nothing but take long summer vacations for your profit (i.e. taxes).
Sincerely,
Reality
Posted by: D'Obama | September 3, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
“Ryan, contrast Biden with constantly saying stupid stuff in front of crowds.”
Why is Palin sequestered from the press and delegates?
Why is the only interview McCain has given since his House gaffe has been to Leno?
Posted by: Ryan C | September 3, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
Yeah, really. I remember when the press couldn’t get near BsO until they dug their nose up enough for him to feel they earned it. Then of course he had memorized what he couldn’t read on a teleprompter.
Posted by: irma | September 3, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
Delaware has a size of 1,955 sq. miles.
Alaska has a size of 570,374 sq. miles.
Posted by: Belle Starr | September 3, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
Ok. I do like Joe, as the person he seems. However, he got a small percentage of votes miraculously, because DEMS knew he would be an embarassment. Take him out! Put the person who received more votes than BO.
Posted by: irma | September 3, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Yeah, righties. Nice that history shows that no one in your party makes verbal gaffes. Brother…..
Now back to your whining about Palin. Nice to see how all you Repubs became femnists in only ONE WEEK. Congratulations!
Posted by: tdub | September 3, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
“Delaware has a size of 1,955 sq. miles.
Alaska has a size of 570,374 sq. miles.”
And, uh, you’re saying that qualifies her more?
OOOOOK…..
Good to see you have a rock-solid grasp on civics.
Posted by: tdub | September 3, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
DELAWARE POPULATION: 864,764
ALASKA POPULATION: 683,478
Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t there two senators and just one governor per state? Hmm.
So, Terrible Gov. Palin handles a whole state by her little ol’ self, while Awesomely Awesome Sen. Biden handles half of the huge state of Delaware.
Right, Gov. Palin is the one that’s lacking. Please.
Posted by: jose | September 3, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
“So, Terrible Gov. Palin handles a whole state by her little ol’ self, while Awesomely Awesome Sen. Biden handles half of the huge state of Delaware.”
Joe Biden represents not just Delaware’s interests but those of our country. And he has done so for 30 years.
Palin has been governor of a small state for 20 months after being mayor of a small town.
I agree, the comparison is laughable.
Posted by: Ryan C | September 3, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
And did he mention that his IQ is higher than yours?
And did he mention that he got a full academic scholarship to law school?
And did he mention that he invented the internet?
Posted by: drjohn | September 3, 2008, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Once is a gaffe.
Twice is snort-worthy.
Three times means he knows not of what he speaks.
Way to bring that “military gravitas” to the ticket, Joe! That 36 years of sitting on your tucose doing nothing but talking means you haven’t had time to use your brain.
Biden’s IQ ain’t what he claims it used to be. Laughable.
Posted by: Good Lt | September 3, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
When will the vetting of Biden begin – why did Barack Obama manage to secure 3.4 million in taxpayer dollars for clients of Joe Biden’s son’s lobbying firm?
I’m sure ABC is on it.
Posted by: Good Lt | September 3, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
“Once is a gaffe.
Twice is snort-worthy.
Three times means he knows not of what he speaks.”
I agree. Why does John mcCain still think Czechoslovakia exists?
Posted by: Ryan C | September 3, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
Biden is a buffoon. He has been a buffoon for more than thirty years. He will most likely be a buffoon for the rest of his life.
Posted by: Buford Gooch | September 3, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
I just love me that Joe!
Thanks, Jakea & Matt!
Posted by: Just Us League | September 3, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
Joey was going to break up Iraq in little pieces…each piece was to be taken. Shiite to Iran, Sunni to Syria, Kurd to…who knows.
Good plan Joe that sure would settle things. Dividing up a nation into pieces to be fought over by other nations…brilliant! The surge has been successfull…thank God Biden/Obama wasn’t in office cause the situation could have been a lot worse.
Also (before the Libs get ahead of themselves…didn’t Biden vote for the war?? Yes…yes he did.
Posted by: Joe | September 3, 2008, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
Delaware -credit card companies ripping people off thanks to Biden
Alaska -providing domestic oil.
Posted by: geevill | September 3, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
why did Barack Obama manage to secure 3.4 million in taxpayer dollars for clients of Joe Biden’s son’s lobbying firm?
Posted by: Belle Starr | September 4, 2008, 11:33 am 11:33 am