VP Biden to Veterans: “I Don’t Want to Make a ‘Blumenthal’ Mistake Here”
EmailVice President Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden hosted a poolside barbecue for wounded veterans and their families last night at the Vice president’s residence, one complete with bluegrass music, honey-mustard-pulled-pork, and a Bidenism.
Speaking to the veterans — residents of the Mologne House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center – the Vice President spoke about the experience of troops returning from Vietnam.
"I didn't serve in Vietnam,” he noted. “I don't want to make a Blumenthal mistake here — our attorney general from Connecticut, God love him."
The vice president was referring to the recent admission by the Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal that at times he has exaggerated his war record. Blumenthal served in the Marine Reserves during Vietnam, but never actually went there, though at times he has told audiences about being “in” Vietnam.
Later on in his remarks, the vice president added "I have a bad habit of saying exactly what I think."
The US Navy Band's country-bluegrass group provided tunes, the Food Network's Sunny Anderson was chef, service members and their families were offered Yuengling, Sam Adams and Bud Lite in addition to other libations.
"We have one truly sacred obligation,” the vice president said, “to prepare and equip those in harms' way and to care for them when they come home."
-Jake Tapper
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>>>”We have one truly sacred obligation,” the vice president said, “to prepare and equip those in harms’ way and to care for them when they come home.” <<<
Too bad Obama doesn't feel the same about showing respect and honoring our Veterans and fallen Heroes.
Posted by: AZ Granny | May 26, 2010, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
“I have a bad habit of saying exactly what I think.”
I really do like Biden, definitely my favorite vice president in a long time. May not quite have the competence of HW Bush under Reagan (although his much closer than his public clown persona suggests), but that is a very high bar and Biden’s superior ability to perform the diplomatic roles makes up for it so far.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 26, 2010, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
Obama doesn’t share that thought. He wants to make veterans pay for their own health care……never mind they got blown to hell for our country.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | May 26, 2010, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
Posted by: AZ Granny | May 26, 2010 12:12:54 PM
What on earth would you base that opinion on?
Stunning.
President Obama’s words while signing the Veterans Health Care Bill:
“More than a million have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many have risked their lives. Many have given their lives. All are the very embodiment of service and patriotism. And as a grateful nation, humbled by their service, we can never honor these American heroes or their families enough.
Along with their loved ones, we give thanks every time our men and women in uniform return home. But we’re forever mindful that our obligations to our troops don’t end on the battlefield. Just as we have a responsibility to train and equip them when we send them into harm’s way, we have a responsibility to take care of them when they come home….”
Posted by: progressive mama | May 26, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
“I didn’t serve in Vietnam,” he noted. “I don’t want to make a Blumenthal mistake here — our attorney general from Connecticut, God love him.”
I’m Joe Biden, and I approve this gaffe.
“Chuck, stand up, Chuck, let ‘em see you!”
Posted by: Obama/Biden: Real Men of Foreign Policy Genius | May 26, 2010, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
Can we have his voice box removed…what a doofus!
Posted by: samhiguchi | May 26, 2010, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Biden is a moron.
Posted by: Bill | May 26, 2010, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
“Just plug the damn hole!”…
Posted by: Schadenfreude | May 26, 2010, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Obama will truly celebrate our troops when he”s managed to put the last one in his or her grave…along with the past patriot and the last Caucasian.
Posted by: wayne | May 26, 2010, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
“LAST patriot”
Posted by: wayne | May 26, 2010, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
Why do they insist on calling the Vice President’s wife Dr. Biden? She’s an instructor at a community college (not a professor at a university). Lynn Cheney had a PhD. too and I don’t recall anyone in the media making such a big deal out of it by calling her Dr. Cheney.
Posted by: Suzy | May 26, 2010, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
Those amazing vets and their families really they deserve better. We’re so thankful for your service and having you go to a luncheon with our current VP to have him mock something so offensive as Blumenthal- well sorry but he never served either due to his five deferments and then asthma so he may not see it quite the same. I hope you know not everyone in the US takes it so lightly and are truly grateful for the real sacrifices you vets have made on behalf of us here.
Posted by: obieone40 | May 26, 2010, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
having you go to a luncheon with our current VP to have him mock something so offensive as Blumenthal- well sorry
obieone40 | May 26, 2010 1:56:37 PM
What sort of bizzaro world is this where insulting Blumenthal is somehow… supporting him? Seriously? I’ve known some really thin skinned political correctness sorts, but wow.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 26, 2010, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Posted by: obieone40 | May 26, 2010 1:56:37 PM
This administration puts the meat on the table for veterans and military families.
Check out the improvements for veterans and military families under the Obama administration.
They pay REAL respect.
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
“I have a bad habit of saying exactly what I think.”
If that were true then Biden’s voice box would have atrophied years ago.
Posted by: Dr. Feelgood | May 26, 2010, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
Maybe CBS News will do him the honor of falsifying military documents to try to destroy his life, he could only be so lucky!
Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Miller | May 26, 2010, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Thanks vets sorry for the awful “laugh line” I am sure there are many more things in your life and that could have been cited to make you smile than that.
You’ve served and have put yourselves in harms way. Thanks again.
Regarding the comments about meat on the table these people have been wounded for our country some in very serious life changing ways. We at the very least owe them the ability to recover and make a living. That’s what any admin ought to do and do it in a manner that is respectful of their service. I am going to expect that of anyone serving in our gov’t and applaud their service for how truly remarkable an act it has been and continues to be. For once this is not about Obama it is about the vets- geez talk about a thin skin.
Posted by: GO | May 26, 2010, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
I guess that ‘Plagiarism’isn’t really lying,is it? A short memory has always been Biden’s strong suit.
Posted by: Charles Curran | May 26, 2010, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
We at the very least owe them the ability to recover and make a living. That’s what any admin ought to do and do it in a manner that is respectful of their service.
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The Obama administration has put serious measures in place to improve the medical care, psychological care, family care and education of veterans and military families.
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
And Obama will not attend the arlington cemetary that honors veterans on memorial day he is going to Chicago, that should tell you how he honors our vets.God bless every one of them.
Posted by: earl | May 26, 2010, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
And Obama will not attend the arlington cemetary that honors veterans on memorial day he is going to Chicago, that should tell you how he honors our vets.God bless every one of them.
Posted by: earl | May 26, 2010 6:29:10 PM
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We’ve already seen the President several times in Arlington honoring the war dead when it wasn’t required by any official protocol – just a President honoring those who fought and fell.
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
And Obama will not attend the arlington cemetary that honors veterans on memorial day he is going to Chicago, that should tell you how he honors our vets.God bless every one of them.
Posted by: earl | May 26, 2010 6:29:10
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By the way ‘earl’, the President will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – which was dedicated as the 117th national cemetery within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
There is more than one military cemetery in the United States.
So you were kind of implying the President was going to ignore honoring the vets right – so you didn’t mention the above fact. Right?
You were trying to dishonor the President with a bit of a phony half truth. Right?
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
tierra,if you were an American you might understand the significance of Arlington Cemetery and Memorial Day.Equating the 117th National Cemetery with Arlington is absolutely ludicrous.I know that as a Canadian you might not understand that but as a vet I can assure that it is true. My parents are buried in a National Cemetery more prominent than the Chicago cemetery,but the President’s place would not be there on Memorial Day-it is Arlington.
Posted by: Nephron | May 26, 2010, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
tierra,if you were an American you might understand the significance of Arlington Cemetery and Memorial Day.Equating the 117th National Cemetery with Arlington is absolutely ludicrous.I know that as a Canadian you might not understand that but as a vet I can assure that it is true. My parents are buried in a National Cemetery more prominent than the Chicago cemetery,but the President’s place would not be there on Memorial Day-it is Arlington.
Posted by: Nephron | May 26, 2010 9:24:17 PM
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So what . . . the soldiers buried at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – a national cemetery within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration – are somehow less deserving?
Let me tell you, they are not.
You’ve got to clear your head of all the right wing propaganda, do some straight thinking and pay some proper respects to ALL the fallen soldiers – including those the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
You insult them with your attempts to smear the President.
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
I insult my own parents?Insult my father who was buried with military honors and the flag was then handed to me?How dare you.
Posted by: Nephron | May 26, 2010, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm
tierra,if you were an American you might understand the significance of Arlington Cemetery and Memorial Day.Equating the 117th National Cemetery with Arlington is absolutely ludicrous.I know that as a Canadian you might not understand that but as a vet I can assure that it is true. My parents are buried in a National Cemetery more prominent than the Chicago cemetery,but the President’s place would not be there on Memorial Day-it is Arlington.
Posted by: Nephron | May 26, 2010 9:24:17 PM
__________________________________
So what . . . the soldiers buried at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – a national cemetery within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration – are somehow less deserving?
Let me tell you, they are not.
You’ve got to clear your head of all the right wing propaganda, do some straight thinking and pay some proper respects to ALL the fallen soldiers – including those the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
You insult them with your attempts to smear the President.
———————————–
I insult my own parents?Insult my father who was buried with military honors and the flag was then handed to me?How dare you.
Posted by: Nephron | May 26, 2010 10:55:49 PM
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Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
Or do you have a double set of standards? …tierra
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Major Yawn
it seems like you only have one set of standards and it all points to GWB. Well news flash he can never run for Pres any more and your guy that you can’t even talk reasonably about is headed for that same fate without term limits. Judging from this blog post Biden is certainly not helping. Nephron like most people who are sane you are evaluating things in terms of general decency and not through blinders looking into your own distorted Obama and Bush Vacuum.
Seriously Thanks for your family’s sacrifice and service. From an american.
Posted by: obieone40 | May 26, 2010, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm
it seems like you only have one set of standards and it all points to GWB.
Posted by: obieone40 | May 26, 2010 11:29:36 PM
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Try to pay attention – that was George H.W. Bush – just like its printed there. Not that accuracy and facts matter to the Republican right.
——————————–
tierra,if you were an American you might understand the significance of Arlington Cemetery and Memorial Day.Equating the 117th National Cemetery with Arlington is absolutely ludicrous.I know that as a Canadian you might not understand that but as a vet I can assure that it is true. My parents are buried in a National Cemetery more prominent than the Chicago cemetery,but the President’s place would not be there on Memorial Day-it is Arlington.
Posted by: Nephron | May 26, 2010 9:24:17 PM
__________________________________
So what . . . the soldiers buried at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – a national cemetery within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration – are somehow less deserving?
Let me tell you, they are not.
You’ve got to clear your head of all the right wing propaganda, do some straight thinking and pay some proper respects to ALL the fallen soldiers – including those the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm
And Obama will not attend the arlington cemetary that honors veterans on memorial day he is going to Chicago, that should tell you how he honors our vets.God bless every one of them.
Posted by: earl | May 26, 2010 6:29:10 PM
____________________________________
By the way ‘earl’, the President will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – which was dedicated as the 117th national cemetery within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
There is more than one military cemetery in the United States.
So you were kind of implying the President was going to ignore honoring the vets right – so you didn’t mention the above fact. Right?
You were trying to dishonor the President with a bit of a phony half truth. Right?
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
Posted by: GO | May 26, 2010 11:45:26 PM
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When the Republican right has no points of response in a discussion, they resort to personal attack and insult. Cute.
Posted by: tierra | May 26, 2010, 11:59 pm 11:59 pm
Actually those PATRIOTS buried in Arlington will now get to rest peacefully this year. Thank you for your service to this nation.
Posted by: gk | May 27, 2010, 12:00 am 12:00 am
“resort to personal attack and insult”-talk about the pot calling the kettle black.Let’s face it-some Canadians just don’t understand America or American traditions,no matter how much they want to be part of.
Posted by: Nephron | May 27, 2010, 12:17 am 12:17 am
Actually those PATRIOTS buried in Arlington will now get to rest peacefully this year. Thank you for your service to this nation.
Posted by: gk | May 27, 2010 12:00:12 AM
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Yes, knowing the current administration has made major improvements in programs for veterans and military families.
Posted by: tierra | May 27, 2010, 12:19 am 12:19 am
Tell that to the families of the 400 servicemen killed in Afghanistan since Corpseman Obama took office.
Posted by: Nephron | May 27, 2010, 12:25 am 12:25 am
Tell that to the families of the 400 servicemen killed in Afghanistan since Corpseman Obama took office.
Posted by: Nephron | May 27, 2010 12:25:48 AM
________________________________
Tell that to the 4,000+ American military killed in Iraq after Bush’s ‘mushroom cloud’ lie. And the tens of thousands more wounded and maimed.
Posted by: tierra | May 27, 2010, 12:28 am 12:28 am
tierra wrote:”Yes, knowing the current administration has made major improvements in programs for veterans and military families.”
.
Actually its because they will not have someone on those hallowed grounds speaking phony platitudes out of their lying mouth…. but go ahead and think what you want.
Posted by: gk | May 27, 2010, 12:29 am 12:29 am
tierra wrote:”Yes, knowing the current administration has made major improvements in programs for veterans and military families.”
.
Actually its because they will not have someone on those hallowed grounds speaking phony platitudes out of their lying mouth…. but go ahead and think what you want.
Posted by: gk | May 27, 2010 12:29:01 AM
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I’m sure they would value more the real accomplishments for veterans and military families under the Obama administration – than your biased mutterings.
Posted by: tierra | May 27, 2010, 12:30 am 12:30 am
tierra wrote:”I’m sure they would value more the real accomplishments for veterans and military families under the Obama administration – than your biased mutterings.”
.
Military folks can spot a phony a mile away…. I’m sure that’s why oBama got such a rousing response at Westpoint…LOL…. in fact that’s probably why the thin-skinned little fraud is not going to Arlington… this is payback…I’ll show you!
Posted by: gk | May 27, 2010, 12:35 am 12:35 am
Posted by: gk | May 27, 2010 12:35:59 AM
Again, I’m sure they would value more the real accomplishments for veterans and military families under the Obama administration – than your biased mutterings.
Did you like how Glenn Beck lied and said the President wasn’t going to honor the troops on Memorial Day?
Speaking of phonies – and knowing who’s lying. Shameful.
Posted by: tierra | May 27, 2010, 12:41 am 12:41 am
Joe Biden: Plagiarist, Draft Dodger, Serial Liar and Cheap Skate.
“I have a bad habit of saying exactly what I think.” Joe Biden
Me too, Joe, me too.
Posted by: Sunnyr | May 27, 2010, 1:31 am 1:31 am
being a vet myself i would rather not have him pay any respect to my fall comrades. he has not earned that right and shows no respect for what they have given for this great nation.
Posted by: chris | May 27, 2010, 10:02 am 10:02 am
Arlington National Cemetery represents all the fallen and it is also the location of the memorial dedicated to the Unknown Soldiers. Seems Obama is intent on destroying any tradition from previous administrations.
To all those who have served and are serving. God Bless You. and God Bless America.
Posted by: mj | May 27, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm