The scene from Biden Land
Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:26 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Joe Biden
From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
WILMINGTON, Del. -- With a growing horde of reporters crowding his driveway, Joe Biden is doing his best to hold his tongue.
Now dealing with constant surveillance, the could-be VP is deflecting questions about his status, one day after he raised eyebrows after professing not to be “the guy” (then later claimed to know nothing more than we did). Instead, he is presenting a picture of himself as an every-day Joe Sixpack, heading off from time to time in his pickup truck and offering some of the casual conversation the loquacious senator is known for.
“A successful dump,” he shouted from his car window when asked if he had anything to report. Earlier, he had left with a pile of logs in the back of his truck. “I got a second load, guys, anybody wants to help me, let me know,” he said, also introducing his baseball-playing nephew in the passenger seat.
When a reporter asked if he had any reaction to the announcement that his caucus-mate Joe Lieberman would speak at the Republican National Convention, Biden said, “I have not had another single thing I can tell you,” Biden said.
Even when tossed a softball and asked about his trip to Georgia this weekend, Biden held back.
“I’ll do that after this is all over,” he said.
Adjusting to the attention, Biden this morning presented the stakeout press with bagels and coffee, saying it was good to talk to us again.
It’s yet to be seen if his neighbors welcome the attention. Some in the quiet neighborhood have complained about the distruption caused by cars and satellite trucks parked along the tree-lined street.
Other locals have taken to slowing down as they pass by his house, some stopping to ask if there was any news, others offering some encouragement. One passer-by pointed to his pooch in the backseat, and asked if Biden needed a mascot.
“Gotta be a bulldog to deal with you-know-what,” the man said.
