Live Blog – Joe Biden

Live from The Beacon Drive-In in Spartanburg, SC. We are awaiting the arrival of Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden.

• 13:30
  • Senator Biden is scheduled to arrive at 1:45pm, stay tuned for details
• 14:00
  • Senator Biden did the coin toss at the local Wofford Terriers College football game
  • He should be here in a few minutes. Sorry for the delay
• 14:20
  • November 12, Democratic party luncheon, top floor at Wild Wings
  • Also, young democrats will meet at Sonny’s Brickoven Pizza.
  • Still awaiting Biden
• 14:22
  • Liz Patterson speaking (County Chairwoman)
  • Democratic Presidential Primary moved to the 26th of January
  • February 23 Precinct Organization
  • March 20 is County Convention
  • May is State Convention
  • We welcome anyone to run, unlike our counterpart.
  • It doesn’t cost $500
  • Also, elections are this Tuesday
  • What about Steven Colbert not allowed to be on the ticket
  • Reason given is that he did not show a interest over a period of time.
  • Joe Biden has arrived
• 14:25
  • Small states have become more consequential
  • Since Iowa and New Hampshire are so early, we will know who the nominee is going to be.
  • I’ll return multiple times between now and the primary
  • Polling Data in Iowa and New Hampshire shows that over 70% of voters have not made up there mind
• 14:30
  • I came here today to say thank you for giving us a chance
  • You cannot exaggerate the consequences of you participation
  • Why am I running for President?
  • This is the single most import election we have had in a while
  • We are so isolated today, never been a time when nations have respected our judgement
  • Next President has the discretion to keep on this track or turn us around
  • He must help maintain the middle class
  • 60K – 70K would have used to been a comfortable wage, but not today
  • Healthcare costs have gone up 70%
  • The burden is coming back to the kids
  • 400K kids qualified for college, but could not go because they couldn’t afford it
  • Internationally, the world is looking to America to return to its value
  • One international leader look to America is an idea, but you are in jeporady of losing the force of the idea of America
  • I have been a Senator since I was 29 years old, I have gotten to meet and know most of the world leaders on a first name basis.
  • Don’t let the republicans tell you we cannot afford healthcare, education
  • What are your priorities
• 14:35
  • We are comminted to 1.4 Trillion dollars to the war so far
  • 28,112 are wounded from this war
  • More amputeees than any war since the Civil War
  • The price for this administrations failure is incredible
  • I go to Iraq every 6 months
  • I’ve ridden down the rode @ 85mph (in Iraq) with a kid wearing night vision goggles…It is scary
  • What are we doing about the issues in Iraq
  • The military refers to each of the dead as “Fallen Angels” (silence)
  • I got on the C-130 with all of these flag drapped coffins
  • The administration continues to hide the cost of the war
  • Only people paying the price are the troops and the families
  • We have to end the war
• 14:40
  • My son’s going soon
  • And I don’t want him over there, so we have to get us out of there
  • As you choose the next President, you need to make sure they can reach across the aisle and create solutions.
  • We as democrats alone cannot solve these problems, we must get 20% of republicans to work with us
  • Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget and I’ll tell you what your value (quote from his father)
  • How can a tax cut for those who make at 300K something good
  • I will not take the back seat against these Republicans, and I am ready to debate them
  • Many know there is something wrong with healthcare, global warming, education
  • We should trust the people more, they understand what is going on
  • The American people are smarter than either party gives them credit
  • Tell them the truth
  • In Conclusion, some may think that I am a little naive b/c I believe the people are ready for change
  • When has the public ever let the country down
  • I cannot recall a time
  • Greatest opportunity since FDR
  • Bush will be judged harshly by history, not b/c of 9/11, but the opportunities he squandered to unite the nation and the world
  • His first address 9/11, I empathize with the lost then he said, continue to Fly and go to the mall, so the economy wouldn’t fall
• 14:48
  • After 9/11 NATO invoked article 5, which says If America is attacked, we are all war.
  • Even Iran said they would help and allow airspace and pick up downed pilots
  • Great Presidents always take advantage of difficult times to make a change
  • Join me in making hope and history rhyme
• 14:53
  • Questions
  • What can we do now to prevent us from waking up the next morning that we have bombed Iran
    • Country is making it known to Congress now
    • Second biggest mistake in history
    • 10 of 12 battalions are in Iraq now
    • President has no authority to do this under the Constitution
    • Congress shouldn’t be so timid
    • Congress should not have voted to say that a 1/3 of Iran’s army is a terrorist org. The price of oil has shot up to $96 a barrel
    • Risk factor went up by 23%
    • They voted this way so we wouldn’t look “weak”
    • I challenge them to debate me whether or not I have the gumption to defend America
    • I believe Gates has told the President that if we go to war with Iran, then I am finished (Biden’s interpretation)
    • By attacking Iran, all we do is delay the time frame to when they get a nuclear weapon.
    • There are 300 tons of uranium sitting in Russia
  • What is the best means of communicating to your Congressman?
    • Write them a letter
    • I get 60K e-mails a month, I cannot read them all.
  • How are you going to vote on Mukasey (Attorney General Nominee)?
    • I am going to vote no
    • I couldn’t put one in charge of justice system if he doesn’t know water boarding is torture
    • Presidents policy has created more terrorist than prevented (February 07)
    • National Intelligence Estimate stated that Al Qaeda is now stronger (Sept. 07)
  • What is your stand on Guantanamo Bay
    • I’m not afraid of using force
    • I was the first to call for it closing, b/c it creating more terrorist as it is dissuading

The End