SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
Barack Obama introduced Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware on Saturday as a man "ready to step in and be president," and the newly minted running mate quickly turned his campaign debut into a slashing attack on Republicans seeking four more years in the White House.
Sen. John McCain will have to "figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at" when considering his own economic future, said Biden, jabbing at the man he called his personal friend.
It was a reference to McCain's recent inartful admission - in a time of economic uncertainty - that he was not sure how many homes he owns.
Before a vast crowd spilling out from the front of the Old State Capitol, Obama said Biden was "what many others pretend to be - a statesman with sound judgment who doesn't have to hide behind bluster to keep America strong."
Democrats coalesced quickly around the 47-year-old Obama's selection of the veteran of three decades in the Senate - a choice meant to provide foreign policy heft to the party's ticket for the fall campaign against McCain and the Republicans.
Biden emerged as Obama's choice after a secretive selection process that included at least a half-dozen contenders - but evidently not Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former first lady who was Obama's tenacious rival across the primaries and caucuses of winter and spring.
Obama made a symbolic choice for the site of the ticket's first joint appearance.
It was a brutally cold winter day more than a year ago when he stood outside the historic structure in the Illinois capital to launch his quest for the White House.
He returned this day in sunshine, the party's improbable nominee-in-waiting, a black man in his first Senate term who outdistanced a crowded field of far better-known and more experienced rivals for the nomination.
The Democratic National Convention opens on Monday to nominate him as president and Biden as vice president, the ticket that Democrats hope to ride into the White House after eight years of Republican rule.
McCain's convention opens on Labor Day. He has yet to select a running mate.
Polls indicate a highly competitive race at the end of a summer in which McCain eroded what had been Obama's slender advantage in the national surveys.
Responding to Obama's pick, the McCain campaign wasted no time trying to turn the selection to its own purposes.
It quickly produced a television ad featuring Biden's previous praise for McCain and comments critical of Obama. In an ABC interview last year, Biden had said he stood by an earlier statement that Obama wasn't yet ready to be president and "the presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."
Obama brought Biden on stage with his glowing introduction to the strains of Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising."
The newly named running mate moved center stage in shirt-sleeves at a brisk trot that belied his 65 years, and embraced Obama.
"I'm glad to be here," said the man who has twice sought the presidency and emerged as Obama's pick only in the past few days.
Thousands of newly printed signs bearing the words Obama/Biden sprouted in the crowd that waited in anticipation in 90-degree temperatures.
Both men spoke for 16 minutes - unlikely a coincidence given Biden's reputation for verbosity.
Obama's remarks were carefully crafted to emphasize Biden's accomplishments in the Senate, his blue-collar roots and - above all - his experience on foreign policy.
"I can tell you Joe Biden gets it," he said. "He's that unique public servant who is at home in a bar in Cedar Rapids and the corridors of the Capitol, in the VFW hall in Concord, and at the center of an international crisis," he said.
Obama recounted the personal tragedy that struck Biden more than 30 years ago, within days of his election to the Senate, when his first wife and their child were killed in an automobile accident.
He said Biden raised his surviving children as a single parent, commuting between the Capitol and Delaware daily on the Amtrak train.
"For decades, he has brought change to Washington, but Washington hasn't changed him," Obama said, attempting to blunt an emerging Republican line of attack that notes Biden's three decades in the polished corridors of the Capitol.
"He's an expert on foreign policy whose heart and values are rooted firmly in the middle class."
In a jab at McCain that foretold Biden's far sharper criticism, Obama said his political partner "will give us some real straight talk."
Biden offered parts praise for Obama and criticism of McCain.
"You can't change America and make things better for our senior citizens when you signed on to Bush's scheme of privatizing Social Security," he said.
"You can't change America and end this war in Iraq when you declare - and again these are John's words - 'No one has supported President Bush in Iraq more than I have,' end of quote. ladies and gentlemen, you can't change America, you can't change America when you know your first four years as president will look exactly like the last eight years of George Bush's presidency."
Biden returned to Delaware to prepare for the fall campaign. Obama was returning to Chicago before heading out to a trip across swing states en route to the convention.
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lies about mccain
E.L.and TR, you made two misstatements about McCain. For the sake of civility, I'll assume you made them by mistake rather than as a partisan-minded attempt to mislead.
First, McCain is one of the most outspoken critics of torture. The bill to which you are referring does not allow CIA to torture; it merely gives it more latitude than the DoD, which much adhere to the Army field manual on interrogation. Torture remains illegal, even by CIA.
Second, McCain never said the war in Iraq could last another 100 years. This is right from the Democratic talking points and is a lie. McCain said it is possible that we could have a presence in Iraq for 100 years. This is not the same as being at war, unless you believe we are still at war with Germany, Italy, Japan, etc. You guys all claim to have the advantage with the issues. If so, let them stand on their own without smearing the opposition.
E.L.
So we can just let Zogby call the elections right now and all stay away from the polls in November? On what do they base their certainty that they know how voters will secretly vote? I realize the electors factor in, but how do you get them to the point that they are committed in advance, before their states vote? Cheers, MGM
Nope
mary, so far if the election was held right now according to Zogby Obama will already have won the 260 0f 270 he needs in terms of electorates.
Ira, yea sorry it does cost that much, and well Drake or Bush they all bat for the same team; so yes I do believe your vote is part of the problem and you should pay in terms of taxes as well. You support a party that voted twice NOT to raise minimum wage but gave themselves raises both times.
As for Bush not being allowed a 3rd term, well I think most of us know that McCain is an extension of Bush at this point. After all he is the one who said that this war in Iraq could last another 100 years, sounds like same ole same ole to me.
Ira
"I too despise Bush/Cheney. Electing someone of a different party to spite them is nothing more than partisanship."
Spite? It may be spiteful in that people abhore the Bush/Cheney/McCain policies and they want a course correction. JM wanted to go into Iraq since Oct'01. BO did not. JM is NOW for making the Bush taxcuts permanent when he had been fervantly against them. JM doesnt want to leave Iraq even when Malaki & the Iraqis say its time. His foreign policy regarding Iran is Bush-like. He encouraged GeeDub to veto the anti-torture bill. JM is now against the McCain-Kennedy bill that he helped write a year ago. Not sure where JM is on warrantless wiretapping, or politicizing the DOJ, but BO is against that. Its based on policy & positions.
So
You posted to remind us we are debating and issue?
and the arguement continues
No matter what, the arguement of I'm right and you are wrong will continue. I don't care if anyone disagree's with me, but they are no more right than I or anyone else. A little common sense goes a long ways!
Now were talking
"I will vote for Obama because the current Republican Administration has been and continues to be a TOTAL failure."
I too despise Bush/Cheney. Electing someone of a different party to spite them is nothing more than partisanship.
"We, as a nation, continue to see troop casulaties in a war that is completely without merit."
And you still will. In fact Obama will be shown this by Biden if he wins.
"We have seen a President..."
I thought Bush could not run again?
"I frankly do not want any government governed by ANY religion."
Obama's religious. He has to be. I am not by the way.
"As for taxes, it costs money to live"
Not that much.
"Besides Thelma drake voted for not but 2 pay raises while voting against a raise in minimum wage"
Is she running for president? Oh yeah...partisanship.
Enjoy your vote!
E.L.
Aren't you confusing delegates (from the Democratic National Convention) with electors (Electoral College on election day)? Both counts are crucial, but don't usually involve all of the same people. Cheers, MGM
e.l.
Very well said. Thanks!
Ok Ira
here is moy position
I will vote for Obama because the current Republican Administration has been and continues to be a TOTAL failure. We, as a nation, continue to see troop casulaties in a war that is completely without merit.
We have seen a President declare a mission Accomplished, yet still do not see much in the way of accomplishment.
I support our troops 100% an defy any of you to claim differently. I however do not support the reason our troops are there at all.
We where in a justifiable war in Afghanistan, we had bin laden in our grasp, he was allowed to escape, ALLOWED to escape. Another war is begun in the false proclamations of WMD's, that were never found!
In addition, I frankly do not want any government governed by ANY religion. I am 100% not comfortable with the religous businessmen who are allowed more influence than the average american. Your religous beliefs are yours, I should not
Biden's comments about Obama and McCain
What does the new VP candidate think about his running mate and his opponent?
watch and listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8
Ira
It was difficult for me to make my decision on who I would vote for, and I posted my decision and my reasons why. Like it or not, they are my reason, you on the other hand attack everyone that disagrees with you. I owe you nothing, you are nobody to me.
Isn't it obvious
"You continue to allow the rantings of Ira Tateu, but you keep my comments that have not violated any guidelines delayed. What is going on?"
My postings are not rants. I spell out my position clearly. Some will not agree w/ others. This doesn't make anyones view less valid. I think the difference between some people's posts on this site is that while some offer an idea it is a select few such as yourself that simply post your point of view which is nothing more than disdain for those who do not agree. Give us some idea where you are coming from in a factual manner, even if flawed. Simply jumping up and down like Gertz, E.L, and asner is not bringing anything to the table. You just post t opost. Often to insult and chide others into negative responses.
I will allow the posts that have been made so far to speak for themselves.
According to Zogby
while McCain has made great strides this week, Obama still leads 260 electorates to 173. The convention should push Obama over.
so funny
It is so funny (in one way) to see the hawks, me-firsters, isolationists go after Obama for everything under the sun in like a bunch hysterical Henny Penny's (doom! doom! doom! lol)and yet not one of them see the danger of continuing the downward spiral that the two Bush administrations have plotted for us and that McCain has pledged to continue. They really are like vaudeville clowns. The part that isn't so funny is that what drives the frenzy is crass partisanship and xenophobia of the most base kind. Look at their "reasoning." They throw out insults like school yard bullies, with just as much substance. They are swift boaters all. It's good to see them pop their heads up so we know what they're up to. Another unfunny part is that most of them are working against their own self interest, so misled they have been by the politics of fear and hate that they'd vote to have their own nose cut off to spite
Ches 37
1) Your comments: I praise God I live in a country where you are free to enumerate an entire totalitarian platform and we can't even hit the "flag this" button because it is just your view, attacking no one personally. I have served 26 years in the military to help defend your right to express your view, with which I most heartily disagree!!!
2) To you personally: My view, equally valid, contain elements of "white guilt/black guilt/everyone guilt" before a Holy God to whom we will all give an account someday for our own personal actions in this world. Sometimes it is fair to atone for what others did in the past. I believe our generation has done that pretty well by way of equal *opportunity* (not equal *outcome*--people have to get out there and try their best. Our wide circle of middleclass African-American friends are good role models of how to do that!). Cheers, MGM
P.S. I think we need to elect
I'm sick and tired of
I'm sick and tired of hearing Republicans trying to change the subject whenever they get their rear-ends handed to them on a silver platter.
Laura Eichmann said:
"And in the interest of fairness let's hear about all the homes of the Kennedys, Edwards and a few others."
The Kennedy's and Edwards and a few others ARE NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT...McCain is.
It is McCain, the RNC and the right-wing media who have tried to paint Obama as an elitist...(actually using the word "elitist")while the hypocrisy is that there is no one who could possibly be more of an Eitist in this Campaign than McCain himself.
He was born into a rich family, and married into a richer family.
Obama and Biden both had to work VERY HARD to get every damned thing they accomplished. While McCain had it handed to him on a SILVER PLATTER COMPLETE WITH SPOON IN MOUTH!!!!!!
"Need to make up for what we
"Need to make up for what we have done to African Americans" My deepest wish before I leave this Earth is for history books to tell the truth about slavery in this country.It wasn't just whites who enslaved blacks,free blacks and indians enslaved them.
The first black man to be enslaved by another man occured in 1654 in Northhampton VA.The slaves name was John Castor. And sit down for this piece of history you won't be taught during "black history month" The man who petitioned the courts to enslave this black man was BLACK himself,by the name of Anthony Johnson.
Traveling to Jacksonville Fl? Stop and visit one of the four plantations owned by an African princess who married a white plantation owner and kept slaves herself.Google Ana Kingsley.
Can you stand one more fact? When Lincoln created the Emancipation Proclaimation,indians who enslaved blacks refused to release them from bondage.
Biden is Obama's Dick Cheney
Joe Biden is Obama's Dick Cheney. Joe was right Obama is not experienced enough so BHO had to bring the old man in to take up his slack. Lot’s of slack.
So Laura, Dems. Are Poised to Give as Good as They Get!
Republicans have had their way with Democrats who tried to take the high road. Americans like the get down, get dirty in the mud approach. We just tapped a master at it, and now you are complaining? Please. Aren't the Republicans the ones who stood on the podium at their 1992 convention and declared a cultural war on liberalism? Well now its' time for our counter attack! Enough of the high road!
weill america ever learn
why is it that every four years we,uh i mean you folks keep falling for the same two party system,who all they can do is point the finger at each other like a bunch of school yard kids,and saying"you did it"no you did it!and on and on and on,blame each other for the economy,the war,social security,taxes, etc etc.do you think obama going to change anything,your all wrong,if obama himself is the soul reason for our national debt to be paid in full,or even get us out of iraq,correct our border problems,fix social security,or any of the federal beauricratical bull,i'd bet a steak dinner to any taker out there.he is not a constitutionalist,he may have studied the law,but his politics ae pure socialist,now for joe biden,i feel it was a good pick for him,i think it would be the best bang for the buck,but not his saving grace.in closing,it is time to part from the fraud filled two party system.
Ira Ira Ira.... Leiberman is not even a democrate ; face facts
Blindly supporting Bush over and again; Why? Because Bush was supposedly a friend to Isreal. Most Americans know the truth. Bush has made matters far far worse for Isreal over the last 8 years all for a corrupt war. Leiberman was by Bush's side through it all just as MCcain has become. You fear that millions who have not voted will and Obama will win and that that tax bracket will change for you; admit it
Things to Ponder...
1. Most Liberal Senator in office/Socialist Views
2. Taxes/ Chicago is highest taxed city in USA.
3. Bill Ayers/Jeremiah Wright/Father Pfleger/Tony Rezko(pretty shady people all with ties to BO)
4. Experience
5. Flip-flopper
Right Decision
I believe Senator Joe Biden is a solid choice for the office of the Vice President with regards to the Obama campaign.
Yes, save the constitution
To swd2k,
When the electorate supports the concept that an American President can declare anyone who disagrees with him as any enemy and strip them of all constitutional rights and throw them into prison forever without trial, the constitution is pretty much null and void. I believe Hitler and Stalin did that...though they did delegate the same authority to underlings. The door to do that has been opened here. It won't easily be closed. It will be interesting to see if the next president repeals that authority or not.
If he doesn't, then for all practicle purposes the Constitution is dead...applying only to those the pres. or his delegates say it does. Our democratic republic will be dead too. The slide into a militarized corporate state will be complete.
This is a critical election. Every office in the country matters...particularly those in Washington. I fear for my country at this jun
It's Amazing!
It's amazing to me that someone like "Ches37" is even allowed to operate a computer. Ches37, with all due respect how do you figure that voting for Obama is somehow a clearing of the white concious? Personally I take no responsibility for something that happened hundreds of years ago. I never owned a slave and I have no need to apologize for anything by the way I cast my vote. When we stop living in the past we may possibly move towards the future. Neither of these guys are brain surgeons to be sure, but given the limited options Obama is the better option!
Why I Support Obama-Biden
It occurs to me that many of you could be convinced to vote for Obama with well reasoned and thoughtful ideas, as opposed to someone trying to lay a guilt trip on you. Forget about the guilt trip. Yes, unfortunately there are idiots on both sides of the fence. White guit? Really, who in their right (or left) mind would say such a thing? People like that who will turn off possible independents who may otherwise vote for Obama.
I am voting for Obama because I think that he gives us our best chance to regain a position of respect in the world. Not the kind of respect that comes from bullying our will onto others, but from being a good global citizen. Joining in making treaties to protect the planet. Joining with other nations to reduce or eliminate those conditions which breed terrorism, and resentment toward the U.S.
I am voting for Obama because he will give us our best chance of having decent health car
Baffled Cont.
"We have a chance to remove history to help remove some white guilt over what we have done to African Americans.."
We? Whose We? Not me. I have done nothing in my 21 years of living to any African Americans except treat them with the same respect that Itreat every race. So obviously I would say, NO, most disagree with needing any specific race to lift guilt. Me nor my family and friends, who consist of every race, have done nothing to opress African Americans or any other race. So I have nothing to be sorry about. Anyone who still believes in racism is themselves racist. It just needs to stop. I don't care if your white, black, blue, or purple with green pokadots; treat me with respect and I'll do the same for you. Like I said I, ME, have done nothing wrong to NEED to HAVE a black President because of what some ignorant people did hundreds of years ago. If people are going to vote based off the color of skin,a
White guilt canard.
I guess the elitist thing didn't stick.
Guilt Ches?
I should vote for Obama to help relieve white guilt? This white guilt you speak of only afflicts bleeding-heart liberals. And that's some pretty flimsy criteria for electing the leader of the free world. But it just goes to show the motivation behind many Obama supporters. He's black, that's good enough. Oh, and we're going to get some of that nebulous "Change" too. LOL!
I'm white, but I don't feel guilty at all. I have not done anything to feel guilty about. Never owned a slave and I don't treat anybody poorly based on their skin color. Feeling pretty good over here, think I'll go vote for a candidate based on something a litle more substantial than their race.