Biden stops in at VA polling place
Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 12:14 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Joe Biden
From NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli
RICHMOND, Va. --
Biden made a brief visit to a polling location here, mingling with a crowd of about 50 outside Montrose Elementary School.
“I always feel good at the end of the race,” he said when asked about his mood today. “But it ain’t over ’til it’s over, so we’re waiting ‘til the votes close, right guys?”
Biden was joined by Virginia Gov.
Tim Kaine at the stop, one last effort to get out the vote in a location where high turnout is critical for Democrats’ chances.
“The Delaware senator was greeted enthusiastically here, posing for photos and signing autographs.
Take a picture! Make me famous,” Biden said as he hugged one woman. “We doing history here, you know?” another woman said to him as she took a picture. “I’m loving every minute of it, I love you too.”
A few voters handed Biden their voter cards to sign.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” Biden said as he autographed one. “I want to make sure your vote counts!”
When another man asked if he could sign his card, he addressed the Delaware senator as “vice president-elect.” Biden didn’t flinch at the premature promotion, saying, “Sure I can.”
As Biden greeted two children, a 6-year-old boy named Alex pointed at a flag pin he was wearing that had the Secret Service emblem.
“Would you like my flag? Let me pin it right on you,” Biden said, taking it off his suit coat. “That’s a Secret Service flag! Wear it with pride.”
A poll worker came out and asked Biden to come inside to greet some of the other workers. He said he didn’t think he was allowed to.
“Oh yes you are,” she replied. “We checked the Virginia law.”
“Apparently they told me that I’m not allowed,” Biden insisted, looking back to Kaine for confirmation.
The campaign also said Biden met with first-time voter Wayne Philips, 19, who suffers from sickle-cell anemia. He was too ill to go inside, so officials brought a machine outside for him.
Biden is now already back at the airport, and heading to Chicago. He’ll spend some down time with his family as well as conduct some satellite interviews.
Obama and Biden are not expected to watch returns jointly at first, but will eventually meet up for tonight’s rally.
