A rocky start for Biden?

Posted: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 3:25 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Mark Murray and Ken Strickland
Obviously not the way he wanted to kick off his presidential campaign, Sen. Joe Biden's conference call with reporters this afternoon announcing his White House bid was dominated by questions about his comments to the New York Observer regarding fellow Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards.

In the New York Observer article, Biden called Clinton's plan for Iraq "nothing but disaster"; said Edwards doesn't know "what the heck he is talking about" on Iraq; and said this about Obama: "'You got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy... I mean, that's a storybook, man.'"

In the conference call, Biden didn't question the accuracy of those quotes, but said they were being taken out of context. He said Clinton is "clearly qualified to be president," but that he disagreed with her plan for Iraq (especially the provision to cut off funding for Iraqis). "I think her policy is a serious mistake."

He also said he disagreed with Edwards call to withdraw troops from Iraq. "I don't understand the logic of that," Biden said on the call.

And regarding his comment about Obama, which some have interpreted to be offensive to African Americans, Biden said he spoke with Obama about it -- and that Obama "knew what I meant by it." What he meant to say, Biden stated, is that Obama "is something brand new, that no one has seen before... Clean as a whistle, sharp as a tack. That's the context." He went on to say this about his relationship with African Americans: "I have a long, long relationship with these folks. No one is going to misunderstand it."

Meanwhile, Obama was swarmed by reporters just outside the senate chamber, asking for comment about Biden's remark. "I don't think he intended to offend and I'll leave it at that," Obama said. "He called me. I told him it wasn't necessary. We have more important things to think about. We've got Iraq. We've got health care. We've got energy. This is low on the list."

Did he apologize? Obama didn't answer, but said, "He was very gracious. I have no problems with Joe Biden."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Let me know when any of these "leaders" does anything but talk. Never have so many struck such a wide variety of self-serving and non-binding poses on the bodies of good American GIs -- but, hey! They're gonna die anyhow, right? "If only I can position my political viability properly for '08, those brave men and women shall not have died in vain!" Lead the nation? Fight terrorism? These yokos are too lame to even fight George Bush -- who will allow them to say anything they want as long as they pony up the cash on demand. A thoroughly disgusting show by "anti-surge" Dems and Pugs alike; they're playing "good cop/bad cop" with us, compadres -- from the war to Congressional ethics to the minimum wage. When all is said (and said and said and said) and done, they represent The Man, not us. Deport yourselves accordingly.

Rick Lapin, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Wednesday, January 31, 2007 4:22 PM)

All the Democratic contenders (except Obama) voted for the Iraq war. They knew Bush was lying (who didn't?). They knew there was no justification for war. They just wanted to 'position themselves'. At least, Edwards later apologized for his opportunism. Non of the others (Clinton, Kerry, Biden, Dodd) have. They only turned against the war after it became unpopular with the American people. Some leaders they are. Biden also has the plaigerism thing to explain.

Sierra, San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 31, 2007 5:08 PM)

If everyone on Capital Hill is going to be out campaigning for President over the next two years, who will be "minding the store?".

Barbara, TN (Sent Wednesday, January 31, 2007 6:11 PM)

Too busy giving away the store to mind it, Barbara -- while we all shout "Less Filling!" or "Tastes Great!" like a bunch of yokels just off the bus who don't realize it's all just the same old brand of beer ...

Rick Lapin, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Wednesday, January 31, 2007 8:51 PM)

So this was the lead story on the night's national news report? The awful key word was "clean"? This was a nothing story. There were a lot of very important events in this country and throughout the world during the previous 24 hours. The effort chasing the unimportant little chatter that Biden said could have been used for a much more important story.

Carol, Columbus, Oh (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 12:21 AM)

I am fed up with the war in Iraq. It has lasted longer than World War II. I want it to end, immediately. Total withdrawal, now. I am not paying ANY attention to anything that anyone says, Democrat or Republican. I am looking at what our leaders DO, and only at what they do. I am tired of politics. I have never failed to vote in any election, and I won't fail to vote in 2008. I will vote only for the men and women who ACT to get us out of Iraq.

Ned, from Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 7:19 AM)

Same old storie, i want to be first in line to the lunch room , no i wanta be first in line , teacher everbody's getting in front of me. lol Politics as only the (leaders of the USA can bring it)teacher joe's telling stories about me . he wount let me talk.

SKU USA#1 (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 7:54 AM)

Today's cartoon for young children features all the anti-surge crowd dressed in pig drag performing that ever classic...Da Tree Widdle Pigs...huff and puff and puff and huff while trying to tear down President Bush's house...while the sorry remainder of the quisling, obsequious leftists run like hell for self-aggrandizing, ego-tripping 15 seconds of infamy. [Let's see if MSNBC will post this or finds it appropriate to censor free press in opposition to its crenated mindset.]

Rhyme Time (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 8:11 AM)

Obama's reaction to Biden's remark was appropriate. People will forget about Biden's statement by the end of the week. If Obama had blown the issue out of proportion he would be the one to suffer politically from it in the end. As far as the war in Iraq we all know the surge is happening and will continue and we all know it will be funded no matter what the American people want.

Kenneth Hall (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 9:53 AM)

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=47314

JIM FAWCETT HOUSTON, TX (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 11:07 AM)

Ned from Wisconsin and Sierra from San Fran have it absolutely correct. I will add this: Regarding looking at what a Congressman DOES (as opposed to flapping their gums) - Take a look at Ron Paul (R-TX). Ask yourselves "Why does he get absolutely ZERO news coverage?" This man voted AGAINST the war consistently, against his "party" consistently, since 2002. He is a Doer. Yet the media keeps propping up all the usual suspects (regardless of party). When you have an overwhelming majority of Americans on record as opposing the war, you'd think the media would cover Dr. Paul's intention to run for president in '08, whereas he's the only one who can claim his consistent vote record.

Jonathan, Portland, Maine (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 11:47 AM)

I think Rick Lapin is right about our "do nothing" senate. 113 amendments to the mimumn wage? Give me a break! I could go on and on.

Scott (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 12:24 PM)

I am Caucasian. Please tell me what a "clean" black /African American man is?????? My empathy is with the African-American population. Too often suspect words and/or phrases are used to describe black people. Oh, and what about articulate?????? From what I've heard from black people the descriptive word "articulate" is an insult.

Sully (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 12:28 PM)

I was astonished to learn that describing someone as "clean" and "articulate" was an insult. I admire both qualities in a person. Sounds to me like the media is making something of nothing.

Leslie, Illinois (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 1:40 PM)

Sully--According to my dictionary the meaning of articulate would be a compliment to anyone. Be they black/white/brown/yellow or green.

Seattle Sue (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 3:35 PM)

There is an article by a black professional, the name escapes me now........who described her dismay when "smart or professional" black folks are described as "articulate". I swear I did not make this up, If I can think of the name of the book it was in I will post it. Leslie, have you heard a white politician referred to as "clean"??????????????????/ How many times..........

Sully (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 4:55 PM)

Am I missing something here? It is not Sen. Obama that Sen. Biden owes an apology to; it is African-Americans in general. The one's who don't meet Biden's definition of mainstream. Can anyone say with a straight face that if George Bush referred to Colin Powell as "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate, clean, and good-looking," that Congressional Democrats and "liberal bloggers" wouldn't be wallowing in righteous indignation, or would be telling us to think about something more important like the war in Iraq?

Dan Richardson, Winsted CT (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 9:41 PM)

I think anyone, of any race, who is insulted by being described as "articulate" simply must not know the definition.

Barbara, TN (Sent Thursday, February 01, 2007 10:30 PM)

To clarify my earlier comment about "Biden's definition of mainstream;" I was referring to his implication that good looking and articulate means looking and talking like a white person. As far as clean goes, that is a complete non-sequitor. I have no idea what he was referring to

Dan Richardson (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 8:02 AM)

I'm articulate! and you don't hear me complaining! Biden is just an idiot he a closet racist and now he's backpedaling.

spunky for the munky (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:32 AM)

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=46560