Joe 'wonderful'

Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007 1:34 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Biden, Ads

From NBC’s Carrie Dann

"If I weren't so darned wonderful myself, I'd be supporting Joe." So reads a new Biden print ad in seven papers here in Iowa, including the Des Moines Register and Quad City Times.

The full-page ad (.pdf) features quotes from all six of his Democratic rivals (sans Kucinich) agreeing with the Delaware senator. This is Biden’s first print ad in the state. Per his website, the buy required about $50,000 in fundraising to get placed. The web video montage, which birthed the idea, now has 42,000 hits on YouTube.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

He is the only stateman running for President. I sure hope he wins.

Joe Biden/Barack Obama 2008
Obama/Biden 2008

This is a winning ticket democrats

Bee (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 1:41 PM)

Who among the other candidates has set forth a political plan for Iraq? Who garnered 75 senate votes on the most contentious issue of the day thereby uniting Congress on a way forward? Only Biden has proven this, and with his ability to unite Congress he along will be able to administer domestic policies such as his healthcare and education and energy plans.

Who among the other candidates has this much respect in Congress and this much respect from foreign leaders?
Should this not be our basis of judgement? Leadership and accomplishemnts?

Scott, PA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 1:53 PM)

"Joe Biden/Barack Obama 2008
Obama/Biden 2008

This is a winning ticket democrats "

But one we'll probably never see.

Lee in CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 1:59 PM)

The problem with Biden is that he has baggage too...like when he gave a speech he plagarized. The real winning democrat unfortunately decided not to run for president...Mark Warner, for Gov. of VA.

pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:00 PM)

SNOOZE ALARM ALERT NON STORY

kenn (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:02 PM)

The problem with Biden is that he has baggage too...like when he gave a speech he plagarized. The real winning democrat unfortunately decided not to run for president...Mark Warner, for Gov. of VA.
pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:00 PM)

This is much ado about nothing. To say he plagiarized in a speech is to greatly overexaggerate what actually happened. His stump speech featured a passage written by someone else. At ONE fundraising event, he failed to properly credit the author. At all other times, he did correctly cite the author. As soon as he realized that he had failed in this instance, he apologized and gave the proper citation.

This "baggage" doesn't have any staying power, in my opinion. It is easily explained, and easily understood given the demands of the campaign trail. While it may technically be plagiarism, it's not as if Biden intended to rip off someone else's work as his own. That makes all the difference.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:27 PM)

"The real winning democrat unfortunately decided not to run for president...Mark Warner, for Gov. of VA."

WOW I agree with pat huntington ny except on the baggage part. Compared to everyone else running in this race on both sides that's a nothing issue really.
Biden isn't insane enough so he doesn't stand a chance in the democrat race.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:30 PM)

pat, huntington ny

Do you think the plagarizing story will continue to be an issue for Senator Biden? I'm wondering if it is something he could explain as a stupid mistake and apologize for doing and go on, or do you think that would not be enough to put the issue to rest?

This issue, plus the fact that he can sometimes make poorly considered statements, seem to be his main liabilities. I keep looking at the fact that he has so many years experience in Congress, I would like to see the country put that experience to work for us.

Dot, Illinois (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:35 PM)

well, there is his slight racial slips he has from time to time.....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:42 PM)

The plagiarism charge against Senator Biden is really unfair. Here are the real facts people: During the 1988 presidential campaign, Senator Biden gave a stump speech in Iowa in which he incorporated a passage from the British Labor Party leader, Mr. Neil Kinnock. On this particular occasion in Iowa, Senator Biden failed to attribute the passage to Mr. Kinnock. Michael Dukakis' campaign manager, John Sasso, picked up on this and ran an attack ad against Biden based on his failure to attribute the passage to Kinnock. An investigation into the matter showed that Senator Biden had faithfully attributed the passage to Mr. Kinnock on all previous occasions where he had given the speech. There was no intent on the part of the Senator to claim the passage as his own. Dukakis eventually fired John Sasso over the misinformation presented in the attack ad. Senator Biden, however, was unable to overcome the damage from the negative attack ad and had to withdraw from the race. He has been labeled a plagiarist by the uninformed ever since.

It amazes me that people still raise this bogus charge of plagiarism against Senator Biden. America elects an intellectual lightweight like George Bush to two terms in the oval office and won't give Senator Biden -- the most knowledgeable man in the Congress on foreign policy matters -- the time of day. Personally, I rather have an educated, well-informed president who reads, than have a president who doesn't read and talks like Neanderthal man.

Senator Biden runs circles around all the other candidates -- Republican or Democrat -- on matters of foreign policy. You really should check him out, if you're undecided on a candidate.

Kato in Des Moines (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:49 PM)

"well, there is his slight racial slips he has from time to time....." Now Jerry you know that only democrats are "allowed" to say who is a racist, and they gave him a pass.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:52 PM)

Regarding plagarism -

from Sourcewatch:

Controversy helped derail Biden's candidacy for the U.S. presidency in the 1988 Presidential campaign. He was found to have plagiarized a speech from British Labour Party (UK) leader Neil Kinnock. The plagiarism was considered all the more serious, because it included details of Kinnock's life which were not true in Biden's case. After Biden withdrew from the race, it was learned that he had correctly credited Kinnock on other occasions but failed to do so in an Iowa speech that was recorded and distributed to reporters by aides to Michael Dukakis, the eventual nominee. Dukakis fired the senior aide responsible, but the damage had already been done to Biden.

HOW LONG MUST A GOOD MAN PAY? He didn't pass the blame for his mistake - he accepted responsibility, dropped out of the race and went back to the Senate to work on landmark legislation like the Violence Against Women Act and the Biden Crime Bill. He chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, is a member of the Judiciary Committee, and is one of the most respected Senate voices on drug policy, crime prevention, and civil liberties. He blocked Bork's nomination, stood up to Milosevic, and has developed a plan for Iraq.

Americans will forgive a million mistakes from their rock star candidates but penalize a decent man for one.

That is shameful.

Elizabeth Sullivan (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:55 PM)

Just read Joe Biden's book "Promises To Keep" and see the real Joe Biden. His thoughtful, well meaning participation in the governing of this country come through again and again. Get the real "non-story" about the plagerizing charges. See for yourself the Joe Biden who should be the next president of this once so great country. He can and will bring us back to a nation of greatness, sanity and trust.

Jerry, Lincoln, CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:56 PM)

"well, there is his slight racial slips he has from time to time....."
jerry/corpus christi texas

I'd fall over if you ever criticized any of the loons running for the Republican nomination, Jerry.
You go out of your way to attack EVERY democratic candidate, and it's becoming old, fast.
Much like Rush did over 10 years ago.

Spud, Delmont, PA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:06 PM)

"well, there is his slight racial slips he has from time to time....." Now Jerry you know that only democrats are "allowed" to say who is a racist, and they gave him a pass.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:52 PM)

yes dave, but someone has to keep speaking the truth no matter how bad it is about democrats......

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:08 PM)

Baggage? What would you call working for a HEDGE FUND between runs for the White House? A hedge fund that had ties to sub-prime lending foreclosures in New Orleans. A hedge fund whose entire employee base donated the max to your campaign (including assistants and secrataries). Yeah, that's one of the "front-runners".
What would you call a shameful exit from the White House? I know Rove & Co. nailed the coffin on the last Democratic Administration but they gave the GOPs an "aleeoop" for crying out loud. Further, not releasing the White House papers, not releasing the names of donors to the Clinton library, scandal after scandal, the pardons alone. Come on, let's be serious. Compared to these examples, if you ask me, Mr. Biden's traveling pretty light. But not as light as Mr. Obama in the experience category.

JoeD (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:10 PM)

NOW what are they gonna say in the debates?
Joe makes more sense than all of them put together.
Do the Dems want to win on '08?
Hilary can't do it - there is huge segment of America who will vote for their dog before voting for her.
GoJo!

Randy/St. Clair Shores, MI (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:29 PM)

Kathy (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:32 PM)

That will teach those other candidates not to be so polite. :)

nuanced (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:38 PM)

Biden lied his way through the plagarism scandal...he simply can't be trusted. And don't get me started on his racists comments

pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:03 PM)

Biden is far and away the best-qualified and most experienced of the candidates on either side. People who keep bringing up old and discredited charges against him are plainly reaching because they know Biden wins hands down on the three things that really matter - knowledge, experience, and the issues.

Go Joe!

Matt Smith, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:05 PM)

Nuanced:

I wonder if they will be so friendly to Joe at the next debate. That might be pretty telling, as to whether they perceive him to be posing a threat to their campaigns. So long as they place him in the "doesn't stand a chance" category, they can praise him all they want. If their consistent praise elevates him into the "legitimate contender" category, that praise may be hard to come by.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:05 PM)

It is true that Biden has made a large share of mistakes in the past; not crediting the correct people and other verbal misteps. I believe he has learned a great deal. Unfortunately, he is being looked over by many people because Hillary is running. I think it would be important for people to look at all of the candidates out there. Personally, I know that I like Biden and Dodd. I don't know how much of a chance they will have when they get to my great state of New Jersey, but I am willing to give them a listen.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:06 PM)

To the outspoken from Texas and Tennessee: You offer nothing to enhance the political discourse in this country. All you do is engage in lame character assasinations of democratic candidates. You offer no meaningful solutions to the country's problems. You have no ideals (unless you equate hate with idealism). You stand for nothing, but are against everything. Your incessant negativity has robbed the republican party of what little soul it had remaining under this Bush administration. Thanks for nailing the coffin shut.

mark belanger (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:17 PM)

The problem with Biden is that he has baggage too...like when he gave a speech he plagarized. The real winning democrat unfortunately decided not to run for president...Mark Warner, for Gov. of VA.

pat huntington ny

Pat,

Failing to attribute a quote 20 years ago in a speech, when there was video evidence of him properly crediting the speech numerous times before and after is a none issue. Given the baggage of other candidates from both parties the idea that this would be an issue is a joke. Despite the fact that Sen. Biden could prove it was an innocent mistake, given his prior and subsequent attributions, and despite the fact he was pre-occupied with preparation for chairing the Bork hearings at the time. And despite the fact it took Sasso of Dukakis's campaign 2 weeks to find someone in the media to carry the story, Biden took full responsibility for failing to attribute the quote and resigned.

Kathy Senator Biden has made it clear he will not be anyone's VP. He's a man of his word.

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:45 PM)

Carrie, Eastern Iowa

Actually Carrie your facts are close. It was at a debate/forum at the Iowa State Fair. He had been preparing non-stop for the Bork hearings and hadn't prepared a formal closing, he decided to go with his stump speech where he quotes Neil Kinock(sp), however for the first time he forgot to say this is a quote from NK, afterward he realized he hadn't attributed the quote and was going to issue a statement, but his campaign manager thought it was a non-issue, given he had always done so in the past. Biden continued to tell the story and made sure he attributed it properly. Joe Sasso of Dukakis campaign had a video of Biden and of NK, and tried to get the Des Moines Register and local TV stations to ru the story. The reporters all knew it was a non-issue because they had heard his stump speech enough to hear him properly attribute the quote and saw it as a cheap political trick they weren't going to be part of. Maureen Daud of the NYT didn't know that this was the one time Biden failed to attribute the quote and two weeks after the event she "broke" the story.

If this happened today, with all the political scandals since 1987 no one would even consider withdrawing from the race. Biden handled the matter with class and dignity. Caucus goers in Iowa don't think this is a real issue.

No one in Iowa brings this up.

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:56 PM)

Dot, Illinois

It happened in August of 1987. Sen. Biden took full responsibility for forgetting in one debate to attribute a quote. It was a dirty campaign tactic by Dukakis, who fired Sasso. Sasso publicly apologized to Biden (much later)and was re-hired by Dukakis.

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:00 PM)

Kato in Des Moines

Your facts are close. But actually Sasso did run an ad, he had the video of Biden at the state fair debate/forum, and one of Kinnock, he tried for two weeks to get someone in the media to carry the story, he was turned down by multiple media outlets. All the ones in Iowa turned him down because they knew it was a one time mistake, because their reporters had heard him attribute it properly before.

The only people who bring this up are people who are working for another candidate, or committed to another candidate.

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:06 PM)

That is shameful.

Elizabeth Sullivan

Don't worry Elizabeth, this is a non-issue!

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:07 PM)

I love Joe Biden, he would make the best President of the whold bunch, but for some reason he just doesn't have the support. I hope someone choses him for Vice-President. Really he has the most and best experience of all the candidates on either side.

Kathy

You're making an assumption based upon caucus polling that is statistically invalid. He has a lot of support. And three more debates to go!

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:10 PM)

Pat: How did he lie his way through it? I was too young to remember it but from what I have read, he admitted to mistakenly leaving out the name of the author or the words he quoted.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:28 PM)

mary Davenport Iowa (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:31 PM)

Either Biden or Dodd would make great presidents

Spud, Delmont, PA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:35 PM)

"Joe is right." H.R. Clinton

"I actually agree with what Senator Biden said." John Edwards

"I agree with Joe." Chris Dodd

"I think Joe is exactly right." Barack Obama

"[Biden's proposal] may be ultimately the right solution." Bill Richardson

"Amen to Joe Biden because he's 100% right."
H.R. Clinton

"I agree with Joe Biden because Joe is right; he's not only right, he's exactly right. His federalization plan for stablizing Iraq is the only solution offered by any of the presidential canidiates. Amen for Joe, he's 100% right." Kato

Kato in Des Moines (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:47 PM)

pat huntington ny:

Actions speak louder than words. Joe Biden has an 80% lifetime rating from the ACLU, the second-highest of any 2008 presidential candidate (only Dennis Kucinich, at 89%, has him beat).

Elizabeth Sullivan, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:49 PM)

Sara & Carrie,

I rely on both of you to keep me informed as to Iowa politics. I hope you are both correct regarding support for Joe. I assumed Iowa voters were too savvy to let the old "plagarism"charge be relevant. Glad to know I was right.

Elizabeth Sullivan, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:53 PM)

Biden is best qualified to fix the mess the current adminsitration will leave behind. My vote will be for Biden.

Stacy S. Medford OR (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 6:00 PM)

Being Black I'll pipe up for Joe on his racial slipups... He's an older white man who probably isn't great at being perfectly PC. But the reason you didn't see Rev. Jackson or Mr. Sharpton jump on his case is: they know his record. He has consistently voted for civil rights legislation and other legislation that the afr. amer. constituency supports. Bush never called a black guy "clean" and "articulate" in public, but he did direct his justice dept. to submit a brief on behalf of the girl who sued Michigan for its affirm. action program. Biden wouldn't do that. I'd rather have someone who does right, in my view, even if they don't always talk right.

Cedric, Charlotte (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 6:22 PM)

if he won't put Dennis on his ad, then he is no one i want in office. isn't there enough censorship and exclusivity in the race already? or, seeing how Dennis is pretty much always right, i suppose Joe doesn't dare put his only competitor in his own ad.

Kucinich in MMVIII

bruce, escondido, ca (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 6:25 PM)

Bruce -

Kucinich didn't say Joe is Right so why would he put him in the ad?

That isn't censorship or exclusivity.

If Dennis is always right, in your opinion, then vote for him but saying you won't vote for Biden because he didn't put Dennis' name in an ad is non-sensical.

Elizabeth Sullivan, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 6:46 PM)

As far as I am concerned, Biden's knowledge and experience put him head and shoulders above the other candidates. Like Elizabeth, I hope Carrie and Sara are correct regarding his support in Iowa.

Go Joe!

Kathy, SE PA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 7:16 PM)

You have to be kidding me, that the only problem anyone has with Joe Biden is taking parts of speech from someone in the UK, 20 years ago?? Haha...what has our country come too?

Let's see, verb/noun/911...oops he copied that one too off of Rudy, Cheney, W, Rove..list goes on, just imagine if he says "Terrorists".

Finally!! He's the only candidate to give it to us straight what he's going to do, not what the problems are. From the looks of it, Media/Big Corporations, and those accurate polls would simply prefer to hear what our problems are again from every candidate over and over. I guess we don't know what our problems are by now.

For the first time we can all be proud to say Joe Biden our President a Real American that believes in uniting we the people, without a political agenda.

WAKE UP, AMERICA!! Isn't 16 years of being Divided ENOUGH.

mike, buffalo (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 8:39 PM)

Cedric,

Thanks for speaking up for Joe on that point about his racial slip-ups. I think you hit the nail on the head when you pointed out this is more of a result of his age and the fact that he came of age before the era of political correctness. Even though I am almost 40 years younger than Joe, I understand where he's coming from because I'm from Delaware and I know what kind of community it is. It's a very diverse state with diverse schools and people are comfortable with one another....I'm actually even surprised Joe used "African American" in the Obama statement because people in Delaware, black and white, tend to refer to themselves and their friends as simply black, white, etc. It's just an old school kind of place – political corectness not necessary.

Erin, Jacksonville Beach, FL (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 9:00 PM)

Biden was cleared of ALL plagiarism accusations. See for your self, back in 1989;

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE1DD1230F93AA15756C0A96F948260

Lynne (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 9:15 PM)

Sen. Biden is really the only candidate running who is truly qualified to be president. He takes our nation's problems seriously, studies them from all angles, and arrives at practical solutions, often times bringing in others from either side of the aisle. His solution for Iraq is a case in point, and the only other plan besides Bush's disaster. He's a decent, extremely intelligent man who would do us proud. I hope we wake up in time to recognize the gift we have standing right before us.

James Kelley, Jackson, MS (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 10:22 PM)

Why is the plagarism smear out again? Are Hillary and Obama getting worried? Biden Rocks!

Like It Is, Hobart, In. (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:18 AM)

I live in the sorry State of Delaware and just can't determine one positive accomplishment of Senator Biden since he's been in office. Joe is all about Joe!

Delaware Republican (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:33 AM)

Joe Biden is the most qualified without a doubt. He is ready from day one to deal with Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Al Quaeda, the economy, healthcare, etc. He has detailed plans with budgets for all of them. Its great to have ideas but they won't work without budgets. Joe Biden will exceed expectations in Iowa and end up winning the nomination because of his momemntum. Obama and Edwards won't be in the race that long and it will be Biden vs. Hillary. Joe Biden will be our next President, mark my words.
www.joebiden.com
www.planforiraq.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OhPG7mk8yQ

Jake Cedar Rapids, IA (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 7:51 AM)

GOOOOOOOO JOE,
Now that I know that jerry and Dave only speak the truth I have decided to become a full blown repub operative, no more dems for me, they have baggage and don't look preisidential, they are only interested in helping people who won't help themselves and they are looking for peace, I HATE PEACE, I want a tax code that helps those who have a lot so that they can 'trickle down' on me, I love to save pennies. I want my candidate to use patriotism and flag waving to create pride of country, I want my candidate to seek answers from the past while ignoring the future, I want to believe that we can beat the whole world into submission, I want to believe that the Iraq war has not put our military in a precarious situation of being overextended. In essence, I want to be blind, dumb and told what my thoughts are. Thanks jerry, thanks Dave, my life is so much simpler now that I don't have to think and come up with real facts or ideas. I quess I will go watch Montel now, my life and country are protected because I THINK IT IS!

John Alexander, Edinboro, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:39 AM)

Next >>

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=480812