Oh, That Joe! (No. 47 in a Series) — The Veep Lays Out the Odds
EmailYou may recall during the campaign we had a regular feature called "Oh, That Joe!" in which we catalogued the quintessential moments – gaffes, candor, charm and bloviations – of now-Vice President Biden.
We retired the series after episode 46 on November 4 out of deference to the office and Mr. Biden, and in an acknowledgment of the seriousness of the times in which we live.
But a few days ago, the Vice President nudged us to reconsider.
"The president and I were talking about something yesterday in the Oval Office — which, to the press here, I’ll not suggest what it was — but the response was to the folks that were in the office with us — was, you know, if we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, we stand up there and we make really tough decisions, there’s still a 30-percent chance we’re going to get it wrong," Mr. Biden told attendees of a House Democratic retreat.
Last night, our friend Fox News’ Major Garrett asked the President about Biden’s remarks.
"Since the Vice President brought it up, can you tell the American people, sir, what you were talking about?" Garrett asled. "And if not, can you at least reassure them it wasn’t the stimulus bill or the bank rescue plan, and if in general, you agree with that ratio of success, 30 percent failure, 70 percent success?"
Responded the president: "You know, I don’t remember exactly what Joe was referring to. Not surprisingly."
"But let me try this out," continued the president, "I think what Joe may have been suggesting, although I wouldn’t put numerical — I wouldn’t ascribe any numerical percentage to any of this — is that given the magnitude of the challenges that we have, any single thing that we do is going to be part of the solution, not all of the solution. And as I said in my introductory remarks, not everything we do is going to work out exactly as we intended it to work out."
Continued Mr. Obama, "This is an unprecedented problem. And when you talk to economists, there is some general sense of how we’re going to move forward; there’s some strong consensus about the need for a recovery package of a certain magnitude; there’s a strong consensus that you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket, all tax cuts or all investment, but that there should be a range of approaches.
"But even if we do everything right on that, we’ve still got to deal with what we just talked about, the financial system, and making sure that banks are lending again. We’re still going to have to deal with housing. We’re still going to have to make sure that we’ve got a regulatory structure — a regulatory architecture for the financial system that prevents crises like this from occurring again. Those are all big, complicated tasks. So I don’t know whether Joe was referring to that, but I use that as a launching point to make a general point about these issues."
The Telegraph’s Toby Harnden says the President threw his Veep "under the bus."
Asked about Biden’s comments, senior White House adviser David Axelrod told CNN, "I don’t know exactly about what that math was."
- jpt
Best Commencement Speeches of 2012 
Joe Biden Recalls Death of Wife, Daughter
At least he does not speak through a resperator ala Darth Cheney.
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | February 10, 2009, 8:19 am 8:19 am
I think that just about sums up the whole plan of this administration – “I just don’t know”.
Posted by: jas | February 10, 2009, 8:28 am 8:28 am
Why did no one ask him how he “feels” about Chris Brown beating up Rhianna? Isn’t that the pressing question of the day?
Posted by: jack | February 10, 2009, 8:33 am 8:33 am
I have been a supporter of President Clinton and SOS Hillary Clinton. But this week I read Ron Paul’s statement on the Federal Reserve and viewed the video “Freedom to Facism”. I am just trying to be open minded. The Federal Reserve Bank is not a government agency, we have all been fooled since it was created by private bankers bribing President Woodrow Wilson and Congress in 1913. Look it up, it is documented in Senate records of their votes on December 23, 1913.
Posted by: fooled again and again | February 10, 2009, 8:40 am 8:40 am
I have been a supporter of President Clinton and SOS Hillary Clinton. But this week I read Ron Paul’s statement on the Federal Reserve and viewed the video “Freedom to Facism”. I am just trying to be open minded. The Federal Reserve Bank is not a government agency, we have all been fooled since it was created by private bankers bribing President Woodrow Wilson and Congress in 1913. Look it up, it is documented in Senate records of their votes on December 23, 1913.
Posted by: again | February 10, 2009, 8:42 am 8:42 am
Joe Biden is an honest honorable person and VP. He does not do this BS that our Smartest Leader does, treating the entire country as if as old as his children.
Now, his inherent problems in these candies, excuse me, stimulus and his defeat are Pelosi’s fault. PBO is capable of and will blame any convenient victim for his failures of applying Marx theory to this economy.
Posted by: fools day | February 10, 2009, 8:42 am 8:42 am
Every decision maker faces the following odds: 1/3 likeliehood that the choice will improve the situation, 1/3 likeliehood that the situation will stay the same, 1/3 likeliehood that the situation will not improve. So, it sounds to me that Biden was off the mark, by about 10% (33%-3%=30%)
Posted by: LunchwithLou | February 10, 2009, 8:47 am 8:47 am
Even with a respirator, cheney could debate them two back under their rock’s
BTW jenny, what did VP Cheney do, that you think he was such a bad leader, 90% of our Troops looked up to him and their opinions have a million times more credability than yours.
Posted by: Eagle Eye | February 10, 2009, 8:52 am 8:52 am
Jake:
Why do you count only mishaps of Joe Biden and not also good points he makes.
I watched his speeches during the recent foreign countries trip. He was very humble and he talked points.
Posted by: Rosie | February 10, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am
Jake, you are to ABC News what Jimmy Orr is to the Christian Science Monitor.
Posted by: hamishdad | February 10, 2009, 9:11 am 9:11 am
Eagle – Well we will start with the mistruths about weapons of mass destruction that got us into Iraq. We will move on to his cold and indifferent attitude of the American people. I think it can best be summed up his comment “So”?
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | February 10, 2009, 9:17 am 9:17 am
I agree with Rosie. So far on Joe Biden’s coverage with Political Punch, he’s been portrayed mainly as gaffe ridden, which has also been a prominent GOP talking point. Actually, a 70/30 probability of success is a strong call for something to occur, like a 70% chance of clear skies and sun with a 30% chance of rain. Biden was making an honest along with a hopeful assessment, while refraining from hyperbole and false confidence. Let’s not forget the confidence and certainty of the Bush administration as they ran the country to the ground by dismantling the Constitution, leading the country into a quagmire war on false pretenses, and doubling the national debt.
Posted by: kathy | February 10, 2009, 9:20 am 9:20 am
Thanks. I just popped in over here to suggest the Oh, That Joe! series be continued. This one was just too good to pass up.
Posted by: Pip | February 10, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am
Biden does have a habit of trying to make himself look important.
But compared to Obama I think Biden is far more sincere and honest.
Obama is on one huge ego/power trip.
I wish Hillary and Biden would jump off of Obama’s ship of fools.
Posted by: riley | February 10, 2009, 9:32 am 9:32 am
Oh that Joe he’s not so smart and sticks his foot in his mouth lots!! Get him Jake! You and FOX so rock. Keep up the awsome work!!!!
Posted by: amber | February 10, 2009, 9:41 am 9:41 am
Wasn’t Biden just trying to be more honest and transparent than the long-winded, obfuscating Obama?
Posted by: Sally J. | February 10, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
Jake
Let me commend you on the job you’re doing. I appreciate your honesty and dedication, in all sincerity.
I wish more were like you.
Posted by: drjohn | February 10, 2009, 9:50 am 9:50 am
kathy – stop reading the Obama Socialist talking points, name a FACTUAL example of where Pres. Bush trampled the Constitution, Lied about Iraq !!
Now Obama is 3 short weeks has trampled the Constitution!! The Stimulus Bill is one example, then in the Stimulus bill he is taking away life and the pursuit of Happiness for the Elderly!! and the rest of us!!
They want to trample freedom of speech!!
Censorship Doctrine!!
Now I gave you Factual examples!!
Please give some yourself!
Posted by: spock | February 10, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
It’s not over. It’ll pass today and then the House and the Senate will get to sit down and noodle this thing out. Watch for the cost to go up. Oh … and don’t believe that the figures you get from Washington on how much this monster is going to cost.
There’s a little thing called “debt service.” You see, when this bill is passed we don’t have the money to fund it. That money will have to be printed by the U.S. Treasury. Then it has to be put into circulation. To get the money into circulation the Treasury will sell Treasury securities. The people who buy those securities expect to make money on them.
The money they expect to earn is the debt service. That debt service will take the cost of an $800 billion government expansion bill and push it well above one trillion dollars. Do you want to see the zeros? Here you go. $1,000,000,000,000. Looks good, doesn’t it? Your children are going to be paying this back … if still here to pay it back.
Posted by: pay back is a.. | February 10, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am
Stop playing the game of making Joe the fall guy…it is just a diversion.
Oslobo and team are always upwind of the stench, they just want the stink on Joe the fall guy or is that the straight man. He may crack and go postal and tell the truth, they want him sidelined.
Posted by: Joe is under the bus | February 10, 2009, 11:04 am 11:04 am
Concerned in OH – Please explain with facts how you come to make that sweeping comment “that he is worst Pres. in history” Do you realize how out of touch you sound? No, really.
Posted by: try the truth | February 10, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am
OMG- a politician who is actually makes an honest assessment of what might happen. Luv how the right wing MSM jumps on Obama and Biden for every little thing. He was pointing out that while it might not work, we have to try, there is nothing else we can do right now. Stupid question to Obama last night too. Really, do these journalists care about what happens to this country? Biden also was one of the first to point out the eventual problems in Pakistan, yeah he is really dumb and Obama is such a Marxist.
Posted by: Jenni | February 10, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
I have heard several economist and experienced individuals in the financial field same something similar to what Biden said.
The reason – we have never experienced the same current economic crisis. It is much different from past crisis. No history exists to gage the potential success.
The economy is significantly different from the Great Depression.
I think Chris Matthews was correct when he said last night. Is it that no one knows the answer? Matthews can be bizarre sometimes, but other times he is spot on.
President Obama is doing the best he can under a difficult situation.
Posted by: Julie | February 10, 2009, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Well at least hes being Honest and not feeding you BS Like good old Cheney and George did!
Posted by: Angie | February 10, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
For those of you (including Jake?) who want to see Joe Biden as a gafffe-machine who talks endlessly and meaninglessly …. it’s your loss. His 30% comment may be too blunt for many in the nation to hear but it’s spot-on accurate. Look at all the pieces Obama listed that have to come out just write and tell me 70% chance of success isn’t, in fact, optimistic! A lot of things that Joe says made much more sense, and are more honest, than what we are ever told by other politicians and he frequently conveys some important lessons.
I was very sorry last night to hear the President make that remark — I don’t think he meantit meanly, any more than he did the “you’re nice enough, Hillary” but it went down the same way. I hope that he apologized privately, because it has seemed like the two men have a good supportive relationship and there is a great deal that President Obama can learn from is VP (including how to rib someone without making it sound like a pretty bad put-down).
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 10, 2009, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
0bama did throw Biden under the bus. In 3 short weeks, 0bama has become the worse president and history, and Buffoon has become the worse VP in history.
Posted by: Concerned in OH | Feb 10, 2009 10:15:06 AM
——
Concerned,
You only got half right. Our Dearest Comrade 0bama has done a terrific job for us 95% proletariat class of blue americans. He will take good care of us. You 5% bourgeoisie society worms who only have money but contribute nothing to our common good will be brushed into the dusts of history.
On the other hand, the richest bourgeoisies of this country are all best friends of our Dearest Comrade PB0.
Posted by: Comrade Powell | February 10, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
I was very sorry last night to hear the President make that remark — I don’t think he meantit meanly, any more than he did the “you’re nice enough, Hillary”
Posted by: Elizabeth | Feb 10, 2009 1:40:10 PM
………..
Elizabeth,
It’s in his gene; it’s what and who he is. He really cares nobody other than his way of distorting facts and deceiving honest and honorable people like HRC, Biden and ordinary folks like you.
Posted by: scooter | February 10, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
“I don’t think he meant it meanly, any more than he did the “you’re nice enough, Hillary” but it went down the same way. I hope that he apologized privately”
I have read the transcript of the debate and more meaningful, watched the video of the debate. It was obvious that Obama was trying to help Hillary with the terrible moderator question. Hillary response, “Thank you, Thank you very much.” You need to watch her body language to see she appreciated what Obama said. Yet this statement has been repeated and repeated.
Posted by: Julie | February 10, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
quote: “The reason – we have never experienced the same current economic crisis. It is much different from past crisis. No history exists to gage the potential success.
Oh baloney, we have had worse unemployment in the recent past, not in the Great Depression. Read up>
Posted by: Billy | February 10, 2009, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Just to clarify — Julie, I watched the debate in which Obama made the statement to HRC and, like you and Hillary herself, it was pretty clear to me that he was simply trying to make her feel better and help her out with a very awkward/awful question. However, it struck many other people as a put-down and it’s possible to see how they took it that way. — Last night, again, I think he was simply looking to lighten up things and did so by joking about Biden in a way that Biden will often joke about himself. But it still came off with a little edge, which was probably awkwardness. It’s one of those things where nothing negative was meant …. but you still apologize, just in case.
scooter – With respect, you have no idea what you’re talking about. I suggest you read Obama’s two books, especially the first one Dreams From My Father, and then tell me that he cares about no one, is deceptive, etc. We are extremely fortunate to have him as our president at this difficult and frightening time.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 10, 2009, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Biden’s salary should be cut by
70 percent.
Posted by: anon | February 10, 2009, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
My replies to a confrontation @ 10:41 (2-10) weren’t allowed through, though they were a factual and reasonable response.
Spock requested examples of how the Bush administration violated the Constitution. I gave examples of how some of his policies violated the fourth amendment in regard to privacy. Some examples I gave were phone wiretapping without a warrant and interagency information sharing, with both being implemented on ordinary citizens. I also brought up the spying on religious and politcal institutions without any suspicion of criminal activity.
Oddly enough, later on in the day I became aware of the Truth Commission being formed by Sen Leahy which will be investigating potential Bush crimes. Today Leahy brought up some of the 4th amendment breeches by the Bush administration. There is burgeoning movement underway by Leahy and others to address their past abuses.
The third time might work the charm for the previous fourth amendment concerns I expressed to show. But then I’m banking on the reversal of Biden’s 70/30 prediction for stimulus success, meaning the probabilities are high that my concerns, if shown, won’t be around for long at all. Oh well.
Posted by: kathy | February 11, 2009, 2:04 am 2:04 am