Biden vouches for Obama on Israel

Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:33 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Joe Biden

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- Biden offered a vigorous defense of Barack Obama's credibility when it comes to Israel, saying he would not have accepted his invitation to join the ticket if they were not on the same page.

“I want to remind those of you … who don't know me and those of you who do know me what my record has been. It has been unstinting in the defense and support of Israel,” he said at a community center, having discussed at length his travels there and work as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I give you my word as a Biden, I would not have given up that job to be Barack Obama's vice president if I didn't -- in my gut, and in my heart, and in my head -- know that Barack Obama is exactly where I am on Israel.”

He also asked them to ignore “scurrilous” rumors on the Internet about Obama's views, and contrasted what he said would be a strong, pro-Israel Obama-Biden administration with a Bush administration he said has made the nation weaker.

“By any objective fact, Israel is less secure today in the world than it was eight years ago,” he said. “I promise you. I promise you. We will make it more secure. … The stronger America is, the greater America's influence, the stronger Israel is, because we are, in fact, her best last chance for anything.”

Biden also spoke at length for the first time publicly about the qualifications of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be vice president. A woman in the audience talked about “another woman” who was “making news,” saying it is “becoming a little bit unpleasant.”

“I don't know the governor,” Biden said. “Everything I know about her, there's no reason not to respect her and believe she's qualified to be the vice president. I'm not going to make that judgment.”

And in response to the announcement that Palin's daughter is pregnant, Biden pledged that children “are off limits.”

“We've all been through things with our children, and it's about common decency,” he said.

Biden is spending two days in the Sunshine State as he begins his first serious solo campaign swing as the VP nominee.

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Comments

I like this guy more and more. Though I am sure there is a repub out there that will take part of the Isreal quote out of context and twist it around to use for fear mongering.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:45 PM)

My republican friend told me she's voting for Barack Obama even though he's a muslim. Ha! Well I told her he was quite the Christian,but I knew he would be proud of getting her vote!

LB, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:45 PM)

We should help defend Israel the same as any of our other historical allies but we should be careful to not lose our focus on America First.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:47 PM)

Look at this mature, well thought and respectful ticket of Obama/Biden compared to the messy ticket called McCain/Palin

Obama/Biden 08/12

David, Bloomsburg, PA (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:50 PM)

Obama/Biden should just go on vacation and let the Jerry Springer show a/k/a the Republican National Convention do their job for them. The rest of the world laughs at us b/c of Bush--imagine what they'll do w/that right wing-nut Palin!!!

Liz (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:52 PM)

I think Biden is just a great choice by Obama. I would have liked to see a woman on the ticket since we came so close to having one. That said, this choice is well thought out, unlike the one McLazy made and he will do right by our party on the ticket.
He brings the cooman man look that for obvious reasons has been lost by all the nasty wisper crap on the net and e-mails sent out by the millions, across the country that are just trash. Now you have a VP on the opposite side has real deal breaking information coming out and I'm not hearing it on the MSM.

Dand1212, Vancouver, Wa. (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:53 PM)

That's my Joe. Good job senator.

Oscar, Rio Vista CA (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:55 PM)

Joe Biden has proved to be just what this campaign needed -- a strong voice and a steel back bone!!

Lorna, North Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:55 PM)

And in response to the announcement that Palin's daughter is pregnant, Biden pledged that children “are off limits.”

“We've all been through things with our children, and it's about common decency,” he said.

8888888888

pssttt...media and Obama supporters. Now, Obama and Biden have BOTH said children are off limits. Can you now just shut your yaps about it?????? Please respect this child's situation.

Media & BHO fans...lay off Bristol (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:56 PM)

They have heard Mr. Obama say the words from his "OWN" mouth. If they don't believe that, then I say forget them...

His word shouldn't have to be sured up by anyone else, even the VP nominee!

A Man of His OWN word (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:57 PM)

Go get 'em Joe!!

Palin, on the other hand, getting a fly-by tutorial and being force-fed talking points from Lieberman on the subject.

Stella, Tucson (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:59 PM)

One question - would the Republicans act like Obama and Biden if the pregnant child was on the democratic side?? I think not - can't you see Rove rubbing his hands together and cackling hee hee hee. I can.

Obama and Biden thank you for not making a fuss over this.

SAM, USA (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 6:59 PM)

WITH MCCAIN'S PICK FOR VP HE NOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOR BUSH, ROVE ARE IN POSITION TO CRITIZE A FLY

SPACE TO CARLY; Is Carly Fiorina Sane?

In a comment sent out by the Arizona Republican's aides, adviser Carly Fiorina said she was "appalled by the Obama campaign's attempts to belittle Governor Sarah Palin's experience. The facts are that Sarah Palin has made more executive decisions as a Mayor and Governor than Barack Obama has made in his life. Because of Hillary Clinton's historic run for the Presidency and the treatment she received, American women are more highly tuned than ever to recognize and decry sexism in all its forms. They will not tolerate sexist treatment of Governor Palin."

CARLY IT’S US WOMEN THAT ARE CALLING OUT PALIN WE ARE THE ONES WITH THE PROBLEM, NOT OBAMA

WAKE UP MCCAIN IT'S THE WOMEN OF AMERICA ALMOST 100% WEIGHING IN AND YOU CAN'T HIDE BEHIND SEN. OBAMA

YOU HAVE TO FACE THE MUSIC WITH YOUR VP PICK AND THE LACK OF FAMILY VALUES

THE MCCAIN CAMP HAS USED POW AND OBAMA FOR ALL OF MCCAIN’S PROBLEMS

IT’S BECOME A NOUN, VERB, POW & OBAMA
ENOUGH!

THE NEXT TIME PALIN MENTIONS SEN. CLINTON, WE WILL SIMPLY SHUT HER OUT WITH BOOS NATION WIDE AND IN EVERY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

SHE'S NO HILLARY CLINTON, NOT EVEN CLOSE!

WE ARE HILLARY SUPPORTERS AND WE APPROVE THIS MESSAGE

SARAH, OH (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:02 PM)

This is the difference between Barak Obama and McSame. Obama, brings on a vetted, seasoned, rational adult to speak for himself as well as his campaign.
McSame brings on someone who does not have his house in order.

Flow, Asheville, North Carolina (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:04 PM)

MSNBC THANK YOU FOR FINALLY SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE VP PICK

WE WERE NOT SURE IF YOU WOULD FULLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AREAS OF THIS PICK

SEN. MCCAIN HAS CONTROLLED THE MEDIA FROM DAY 1

WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE THAT MSNBC EVEN THOUGH WE DEFINITELY DON'T LIKE MORNING JOE AND DAVID GREGORY

IS DOING IT'S JOB AND STANDING TALL FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC/VOTERS BY GIVING US THE FACTS AND NOTHING BUT THE FACTS.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WHAT A CHANGE!

FAIRNESS IS SO IMPORTHAT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

GLENDA, AR (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:05 PM)

PALIN INVESTIGATION STALLED BY MCCAIN CAMPAIGN; LEGISLATOR SAYS

ABC News reports:

Is the McCain campaign afraid of an 'October surprise' involving vice-presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska?

The Alaska state senator running an investigation of Gov. Palin says the McCain campaign is using stall tactics to prevent him from releasing his final report by Oct. 31, four days before the November election.

"It's likely to be damaging to the Governor," said Senator Hollis French, a Democrat, appointed the project manager for a bi-partisan State Senate Legislative Counsel Committee investigation of claims that Palin abused her office to get the Alaska public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, fired.

An Anchorage Daily News story suggests that Palin's lawyer is helping stall the investigation. He's trying to get the probe into the hands of a governor-appointed board:

The state has hired a private lawyer to represent Gov. Sarah Palin's office in the Legislature's investigation into the firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The lawyer already has challenged whether lawmakers even have authority to oversee the inquiry.

Van Flein said the investigation should be handled by the state Personnel Board, not the Legislature, because it's "statutorily mandated" to handle ethics cases. The three-member Personnel Board is appointed by the governor.

And he's making it difficult for Special Counsel Steve Branchflower to interview Palin:
Branchflower hasn't been able to set up an interview with Palin. French said the state will fly Branchflower to wherever Palin is on the campaign trail if needed.

"Clearly the governor's new political role will make it more challenging for her to make time for this investigation," French wrote. But Palin needs to be interviewed sometime in September, he said.
Van Flein said the investigation is "bad timing" in the middle of a presidential campaign. He said he couldn't guarantee her availability this month.
If witnesses don't become available, French says, he'll ask for subpoenas.

Janice, PA (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:07 PM)

Here you have Sen Biden and Sen Obama talking about limits and common decency when fringe elements of their supporters go on the attack. Compare that to Sen McCain's continued non-response to some of the fringe elements of his supporters (I'm one of those who believe most of the more sustained attacks are from fringe Sen Clinton supporters, it's not her fault, it is what it is). Anyways, can anyone tell me if Sen McCain has said anything other than "you've got to keep your sense of humor"? This was in response to a question about the Corsi book and most likely he didn't HEAR that question. Unfortunately, that's the only response I've heard. If there are others please tell me about them.

idtt, laurel, md (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:08 PM)

how are those felony charges against your son and bro, Joe? You know for fraud in a hedge fund deal?

And, by the way, Joe, you said you'd been through "these things" with your own kids? wanna share those stories with us?

how are those felony charges against your son and bro, Joe (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:09 PM)

MCCAIN IT’S NOT SEN. OBAMA YOU ARE TO BLAME

AMBITION BEFORE COUNTRY; JOHN MCCAIN

TO PUT A TEEN UNDER THIS SCRUTINY WHICH YOU AND PALIN ADMITTED WOULD HAPPEN IS UNFORGIVEABLE!

SEN. MCCAIN YOU AND PALINE KNEW THE RISKS WITH THE MEDIA AND WITH THE AMERICA PEOPLE, THAT WHY IT’S CALLED “FREEDOM OF SPEECH”

AND WE ARE SPEAKING AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK, IT’S US, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, GET IT?

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE “TRUTH” NOT “SMEARS”

MCCAIN'S CAMPAIGN BLAMES PALIN TROUBLES ON OBAMA

SOUND FAMILIER?

THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BLAMED EVERYTHING THAT HAS GONE WRONG WITH THEIR CAMPAIGN ON SEN. OBAMA

IMAGINE WE WERE NOT SURPRISED THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN HAS NOW GONE TO THE MEDIA AND BLAMED SEN. OBAMA FOR SPREADING SMEARS ABOUT PALIN

SEN. MCCAIN WE DON'T NEED ANYONE TO SPREAD SMEARS YOU DID A GREAT JOB OF THAT YOURSELF,

UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU IT HAPPENS TO BE THE TRUTH ABOUT PALIN YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE PLACED PLAIN ABOVE "CONUNTRY"

NO MORE BLAMING THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN WE ARE SO TIRED YOU HAVE NOW BECOME

MC CAIN, THE NOUN, POW AND BLAME OBAMA CAMPAIGN

YOU MADE A SERIOUS MISTAKE IN JUDGEMENT

YOU CANNOT EXPECT OUR COUNTRY TO PROMOTE A MOTHER OF 5 ONE A 4 MONTH OLD SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WITH SERIOUS
CHALLENGES AND THINK AMERICA'S WOMEN WERE NOT GOING TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS AS TO WHY ANY MOTHER WITH THESE CHALLENGES

INCLUDING A PREGNANT TEEN WOULD EVEN THINK OF BECOMING AMBITIOUS

WHEN IT'S APPARENT HER CHILDREN NEED HER VS. RUNNING FOR THE #2 SPOT ON THE TICKET?

NO SENATOR MCCAIN WE ARE THE WOMEN OF AMERICA

NO CHAUVANISM, JUST THE WOMEN OF AMERICA WITH THE SAME CHALLENGES, LIVING THEM, WORKING AND HAVING THE EXPERIENCE TO KNOW THAT THIS DOESN'T WORK FOR SUCH A MOTHER

THAT SAME OLD TIRED OBAMA LINE DOES NOT WORK

YOU BLEW IT SEN. MCCAIN JUST YOU AND YOUR OWN CAMPAIGN

LELIA, SD (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:09 PM)

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