President Obama Introduces “Sheriff” Biden, Touts Roads & Jobs
Email"To you, he’s Mr. Vice President," President Obama said at the Department of Transportation this morning. "But around the White House we call him ‘The Sheriff’ because if you’re misusing taxpayer money, you’ll have to answer to him."
That remark brought peals of laughter in the president’s rah-rah address before approximately 600 DOT employees, where he was joined by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and "Sheriff" Biden.
The president also took a moment to note that today the Treasury and the Federal Reserve are launching the Consumer and Business Lending Initiative, which he said, "when fully implemented will generate up to a trillion dollars of new lending for the American people. And this will help unlock our frozen credit markets, which is absolutely essential for economic recovery."
Mr. Obama also took some time to herald the transportation infrastructure projects that the stimulus package would fund, $28 billion for highway projects, for instance, "money that every one of our 50 states can start using immediately to put people back to work….Fourteen days after I signed our Recovery Act into law, we are seeing shovels hit the ground."
LaHood has announced that "the work begins today in Montgomery County, Maryland, where a work crew is starting on a project to resurface Maryland State Highway 650, a very busy road that has…not been fully repaired in 17 years. The contract for which this first project is being awarded is to American Infrastructure, a family-owned business. This will support 60 good jobs. And that’s how we’re going to get the country back on its feet."
The President mentioned that project and said that "more then 100 other people will begin receiving funds today as well" and "over the next few weeks, we will launch more then 200 construction projects across this country, fueling growth in an industry that’s been hard hit by our economic crisis."
This would "create or save 150,000 jobs by the end of next year, most of them in the private sector," the president said, "more jobs being created or saved in one year than G.M., Ford and Chrysler have lost in manufacturing over the past three years combined."
– Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
Rick Santorum Sweeps 3 States 
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So Obama could do this, but not hold a press conference today with Gordon Brown?
Posted by: MayBee | March 3, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
My father builds road bridges in the state he lives in. The lines for work to his door haven’t formed yet. He had a really hard time finding people wanting to go do hard manual labor in the heat and cold, I don’t think that’s really going to change.
Posted by: KR | March 3, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
So Obama could do this, but not hold a press conference today with Gordon Brown?
Posted by: MayBee | Mar 3, 2009 11:07:30 AM
*******
The Brits are pretty ticked about that. Obama knows he couldn’t stand there and talk without a teleprompter.
Posted by: Peach | March 3, 2009, 11:16 am 11:16 am
Did you all hear what Biden said when asked last week why there wasn’t any help for small businesses in the (anti) stimulus bill?
He said the help for small businesses was that bridges would be made safe and that would help traffic to the small businesses.
It’s amateur hour in DC, folks.
Posted by: Peach | March 3, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Where’s Chuck, stand up Chuck!
Oh God……stand up for Chuck.
The biggest idiot to have ever been veep is now sherif. Doomed, just doomed.
Posted by: Gaffe master Biden | March 3, 2009, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Oh God, Barney Fife is back.
Posted by: ceeLeelee | March 3, 2009, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Meanwhile, Bernanke is testifying before the Senate Banking Committee and the Dow has started on its way down…
Posted by: ceeLeelee | March 3, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
Ah yes, the vaunted “created or saved” logical fallacy.
So, OBama has “created or saved” 6722 Dow points, as of 1138AM today?
Ridiculous idiocy only a socialist media could pass on uncritically.
Posted by: G | March 3, 2009, 11:39 am 11:39 am
Could one of you media folks please point out to the “brilliant” Obama that “create” and “save” have two different meanings?
Obama really needs to stop using such dishonest rhetoric, which he obviously is using in order to inflate the number of “jobs created” he forecasts.
At the very least, Obama should be giving two different job projections, one for “jobs saved” and one for “jobs created”.
When Obama says “create or save 150,000 jobs”, he should be pressed to point out exactly how many of those 150,000 will actually be created and how anyone could even measure how many jobs were saved.
The media is so far allowing Obama to use these dishonest rhetorical devices. We Americans demand more from our leaders. Start doing your jobs and start holding Obama to account.
Posted by: OxyCon | March 3, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
You idiots on this blog Obama didn’t create this mess Bush did and all you can do is complain he is trying his best with the mess the previous administation left him use your heads and start supporting your president. Unbelivable how unsupportive you guys are. EJ
Posted by: EJ | March 3, 2009, 11:54 am 11:54 am
‘The Sheriff’ because if you’re misusing taxpayer money, you’ll have to answer to him.”
That remark brought peals of laughter in the president’s rah-rah address before approximately 600 DOT employees
=============
What does it mean when a bunch of jobs-for-life bureaucrats are pleased by the announcement that Biden is going to make sure they don’t misuse taxpayer dollars?
Posted by: MayBee | March 3, 2009, 11:54 am 11:54 am
Sheriff Biden immediately placed Obama under arrest. “Hands on the podium. Spread your feet, spread your feet. You got anything in your pockets that’s gonna stick me? Huh?”
Just kidding. Joe the Genius just chuckled, possibly not understanding the joke.
BTW, Jake, where were the “peals of laughter”? Maybe the microphone just didn’t pick it up.
Posted by: Jim Treacher | March 3, 2009, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
jpt quotes the unitary executive:
“But around the White House we call him ‘The Sheriff’ because if you’re misusing taxpayer money, you’ll have to answer to him.”
Not content to channel Cheney-Bush on secrecy, dictatorial powers for the president, war everywhere, The CHANGEling’s now taken even to Bush’s Old West references? Aargh.
The “Obama” organization soooo sucks.
Posted by: Human Intelligence | March 3, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
Looks more like 2 clowns trying to pretends that they know what they’re doing…….
Posted by: ReallyMeanIt | March 3, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
I have been swayed by geecee’s thoughtful, persuasive argument.
Posted by: Jim Treacher | March 3, 2009, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
Hey EJ,
barney, nancy, harry and their democratic cronies created this mess. Bush was trying to put a brake to it but to no avail. So put the blame where its belong.
barrack compounded the problem now by applying his own agenda to the problem.
Why do you think the market went on the down slide when barrack started to pull away during the election ?
Posted by: ReallyMeanIt | March 3, 2009, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
I just watched the press conference you all said Obama could or would not hold. What else does he do wrong? You seem to find anything he does wrong no matter what. Give the guy a chance, we gave Bush 100 days before we crucified him. He is trying to straighten out the mess he INHERITED not created.
Posted by: talmag | March 3, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
talmag- I just watched the press conference you all said Obama could or would not hold
============
British Diplomats spent the night telling the WH they were offended by Brown’s treatment, so the WH decided to allow a “pool spray”. There was no formal press conference, and there are no social events scheduled to celebrate Brown’s visit here. No Conga lines for our best ally.
Posted by: MayBee | March 3, 2009, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
Sheriff Biden = Barney Fife from the old Andy Griffith show.
What a joke the Obama administration is.
Amateur hour.
And we are all paying.
Posted by: Sally J | March 3, 2009, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
@ talmag
“He is trying to straighten out the mess he INHERITED not created.”
The epitaph written on the grave of the Obama administration.
And underneath that line:
“What fools the American voters were to bring in someone with no experience.”
Posted by: Will Stanton | March 3, 2009, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
Obama did not have the usual formal press conference for our closest ally. Basically snubbing him all around. The British press is a bit appalled.
Remember though, the first foreign leader Obama called up as President was a terrorist that heads the Fatah wing of the Palestinian people….
You know where Obama’s priorities are.
Posted by: Wilma H. | March 3, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
How on earth does Obama continue to get away with this “create or save” nonsense?
That silly phrase should have been laughed off the face of the earth by the press the 1st time he said it.
Posted by: dan-O | March 3, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Wilma H. -
From the BBC
“Downing Street dismissed suggestions that the visit had been downgraded by President Obama after it emerged there would not be a formal joint press conference.”
Posted by: Ranger | March 3, 2009, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
The problem with all these highway projects is that they are “contract” projects. Once they are done the jobs are done. These are all short term, plug the dike with your thumb, ideas. They are not permanent jobs.
Posted by: Barney Fife | March 3, 2009, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
“But around the White House we call him ‘The Sheriff’ because if you’re misusing taxpayer money, you’ll have to answer to him.”
Sounds to me like these guys have been hanging around with Otis too long !!!!!
Posted by: Barney Fife | March 3, 2009, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
Obama’s “create or save” nonsense:
Obama created or saved US taxpayers $50 Trillion by not raising our taxes by $50 Trillion!
Obama created or saved the oceans from rising by not going up to the North Pole and melting all the ice with flame throwers.
Obama created or saved 100 million lives….by not shooting off nuclear missiles at China.
Obama created or saved 500 million square miles of rain forest by not ordering them all burned.
Obama created or saved Americans from the worry of spending their own money by taxing it all away!
Obama – you are the greatest!
Posted by: Thomas Wheatstone | March 3, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
I think that awesome to know that we as amercian people are building new roads for are future and theres jobs out there that need to be created as he said earlier this year and i also think it’s awesome to know that there’s alot of money that is going out for someting from our taxes, but what is this secret sector that i’m hearing
Posted by: Otis Mitchell | March 3, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Sheriff Biden? That’s an odd name for him. He’s such a blabbermouth, but then again, he is now a member of the gang that can’t shoot straight. Maybe he’ll deputize Otis the drunk to help him out.
Posted by: AmericanPie | March 3, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Where’s Chuck, stand up Chuck!
Oh God……stand up for Chuck.
Posted by: JA | March 3, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
From now on, when Biden opens his piehole I will really feel like singing that old Clapton song…
Posted by: innominatus | March 3, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
Sheriff, hahahahahhaa !!!!!
This guy can’t hit a barn on broad side as intellect is concern !!! He could not even remember the website for the “package” he is overseeing !!!!
Barney Fife !!!!
Posted by: Frank | March 3, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
So what we will have here is 15 guys with shouvles looking at a POT Hole asking “what time is break”, and have you got your raise this week.
Posted by: PJ | March 3, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
At least he remembered there are 50 states in the US instead of, you know, 57 or 47.
Posted by: Ella | March 3, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Sheriff? Sheriff of what; the pediphile search group so Obama can have a fresh lay?
And about miuse of funds Mr. President; what are you doing with all the money from the “coupons for the tv converters”? Sir? Do you have too many bank accounts? Because you are not rich after you have been in my house; nope you are not rich.
Please America; Impeach at least; that idiot.
Posted by: Dennis Dunn | March 3, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
I just heard Obama’s speech.
I really hope that highways and streets will be repaired.
Streets are terrible, where I live.
Yall need to start supporting Obama.
Posted by: Terry Marvin | March 3, 2009, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
I know you all just can’t wait until the President does away with every remaining shred of Reaganomics!
We are all about to learn the values and convictions of a true Progressive.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Griswald | March 3, 2009, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
Does Obama ever mention Joe Biden without turning him into a joke?
Posted by: mad | March 3, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
It sounds like Obama as Matt Dillon and Biden as Festus.
Posted by: thom morin | March 3, 2009, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
It’s ok to misuse the tax payers money so long as the sheriff and his dems are the one doing it.
Posted by: dleon63 | March 3, 2009, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
oh ya, Michelle Obama as Kitty.
Posted by: thom morin | March 3, 2009, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm
Better not say a bad thing about Biden. He’ll stuff his rosary down your throat.
Oh! I forgot. The told Pelsoi in no uncertain terms you can not be Catholic and be pro-choice. Hear that Biden, Kerry,Kennedy. We’ll be watching if you show up for communion. Remember a good confession is par of lent. But the way Obama is spending our money we will have to fast the next ten years.
Posted by: s63m | March 3, 2009, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
Hi libs! Yeah, I’m going to buy stocks now! Excuse me, I’m already part of the producitve class/investor class (as are 70% of Americans in terms of their retirements) and I can tell you, I will take obama, the economic magician’s, advice…NOT. I am packing it away and will not ever be investing again in this socialist environment. Hey libs, enjoy your 401ks!
Posted by: Hawk | March 3, 2009, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
Obama, Biden, the whole lot of them are in way over their head. What on earth is happening to our country!! All Americans of every stripe need to pull together to reject these socialist policies. We are individuals endowed by our creators with inalienable rights. The government is attacking these rights. Let’s stand up and overcome.
Posted by: wake-up-America | March 4, 2009, 12:27 am 12:27 am
545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don’t control monetary policy, theFederal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.
The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party.
She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red ..
If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it’s because they want them in IRAQ
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of theOrlando Sentinel Newspaper.
Posted by: wake-up-America | March 4, 2009, 12:29 am 12:29 am
Obama is a joke. He has spent more money in one month then Bush did in his 8 years. Since Obama got Elected the Dow has droped 3000 points.
This is not change, this is more out of control spending.
Bush acted like a Lib for the last 8 years, now Obama is showing him how to really act like a lib and destroy are economy.
I can’t beleive some of you thought the Messiah moderate.
He is a socalist!
Posted by: jon | March 4, 2009, 2:29 am 2:29 am
“But around the White House we call him ‘The Sheriff’ because if you’re misusing taxpayer money, you’ll have to answer to him.”
—————————————
If that were the case, then the President and his cast of clowns known as the Democrats would have been in trouble weeks ago!!!!
Posted by: Global Fraud! | March 4, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am
Europe is slowly waking up, to what the american people have elected.
Posted by: Lizzie | March 4, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am
The Sheriff doesn’t seem to want to make any arrest or issue tickets, heck he don’t even know where the police station is….
“the web number”
Posted by: Steve | March 5, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm