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Biden: 'That's The American People, Man. We've Gotta Give Them Light'
Rachel Slajda | March 26, 2010, 6:09PM
Vice President Biden
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Vice President Biden spoke at a DNC fundraiser in Texas today. From the pool report:
He told another story about a quarry swimming hole where as a boy he used to go diving from nearly 100 feet up a rock wall.
"The frightening part was you go down really far, I mean literally really far. So deep it's totally black. Your chest constricts, you panic and you don't know whether you're swimming down or up.
"But when you get about 12 to 14 feet from the top you see light and everything is OK. You're still 12 feet underwater, but it's OK. You see light."
"That's the American people, man. We've gotta give them light," VPOTUS said, strolling away from the podium, into the audience, and pointing with both hands toward a sun-lit skylight above the center of the room.
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WaitWut?
March 26, 2010 6:26 PM
Good Lord, Joe. As beautiful as the imagery, or whatever it was, was...put the pipe down. At least when you're in public.
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Barry Hellifonte
March 27, 2010 8:22 AM in reply to WaitWut?
Having done this sort of thing as a kid I have to say, the metaphor is beyond beautiful, it's entirely resonant. Maybe its compression is too layered to unpack with the average (and I do mean average) folk, such as yourself. But understand that your evident lack of reach, with comments like "put down the pipe" doesn't exactly distinguish you.
I post in reply to you, but clearly you're not alone, looking down the rung here. Sad that someone takes a stab a beauty in political discourse and the best you can do is pull out a poli-sci Beavis and Butthead riff.
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WaitWut?
March 27, 2010 11:36 AM in reply to Barry Hellifonte
Wow. Really? I found it beautiful, as well. I just have a small issue with my VP acting like a burned out hippy. I'm normally able to convey my feelings without wandering around pointing at sky-lights. But, I do love Joe and will poke at him along with the rest of the country, just as I do with my friends.
Your attack was unfounded and self-important. I can assure you, that though I may be average (apparently you feel you are FAR superior), I have a decent grasp of beauty, written, spoken or otherwise.
Come down from your tower and join us simple folk. You may learn something.
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markg8
March 27, 2010 1:57 PM in reply to WaitWut?
I think Biden's analogy is pretty "folksy". There's a whole lot of people in this country who don't see that light right now, don't know whether they're going to get back on their feet.
I think they get it even if you don't.
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WaitWut?
March 27, 2010 5:55 PM in reply to markg8
That's the reason I love the guy. His bizarre, and often ill-timed, words are who he is. BUT...it also has a tendency to make him seem completely out of touch and dumb. The man is incredibly intelligent and I would like to see him put that forth more often. That's the reason I wasn't worried about our President's VP pick. After decades of loser VPs that made me pray for even Bush's health, I looked forward to having someone in the co-pilot's seat that I knew wouldn't crash the plane.
Gotta add that I absolutely love his wife, Jill, as well.
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mophan
March 28, 2010 1:41 AM in reply to WaitWut?
It came down to Biden or Bayh. I must admit, I thought Bayh would have been the better choice at the time, just for political reasons. Bayh being from a traditionally red state, Obama would have a better chance of winning Indiana, and the presidency.
He chose Biden. What a choice it has been. Biden has truly been an inspirational figure in more ways than one.
Obama ended up winning Indiana anyway. ; )
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CVille Dem
March 28, 2010 5:19 PM in reply to WaitWut?
Burned out hippy? Out of touch, and dumb? What are you smoking?
He connects with people, including me.
I guess for some people only Darth Cheney is "serious." (He is as serious as a heart attack)
You like Jill? That's great. I'm sure she would be honored.
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greylox
March 28, 2010 1:03 PM in reply to WaitWut?
**Hah! Been there, done that. LOL! I *AM* seeing the light.
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RobertSeattle
March 26, 2010 6:28 PM
Is that the "F'ing American People"? :-)
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Agateman
March 26, 2010 6:31 PM
Joe, you are f'ing amazing and I think you are the best VP this country has had since Truman.
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Barry Champlain
March 26, 2010 9:18 PM in reply to Agateman
Abso. Without question.
And ignore all the media ridicule of Joe. He's been there, he's grown direct, fearless, and if God forbid he ever should have to take over... well, the teabaggers think they're unhappy now..!!!
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mophan
March 27, 2010 3:26 AM in reply to Barry Champlain
He's a BIDEN BIG DEAL!
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Severus
March 27, 2010 4:50 PM in reply to mophan
I've had dreams like that--swimming in darkness, holding my breath, swimming up. Powerful image. Love this guy.
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amber
March 26, 2010 6:41 PM
I love that guy!
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threegoal
March 26, 2010 6:45 PM
I like Biden, but I also liked Gore. My only complaint about Gore was that was not a very good presidential candidate, and he let himself be too offended by Clinton's indiscretions.
Look at the weird stuff the GOP has to conjure up for outrage when the President doesn't do their smear work for them by engaging in peccadilloes.
All that goes together to make me appreciate Obama and Biden even more.
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kenga
March 27, 2010 10:34 AM in reply to threegoal
Au contraire - Algore was a very good Presidential candidate. Highly qualified, intelligent, motivated, public-spirited, patriotic, forward-looking, compassionate, cautious, etc.
IMNSHO.
He was not a good CAMPAIGNER.
That's a flaw with our electoral system as it stands.
And the real flaw of the system is the electorate itself.
As a consequene, our quadrennial popularity contest does not lend itself well to choosing anything more important than a prom queen/king.
Or pop-singing sensation.
Fooey.
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kenga
March 27, 2010 10:35 AM in reply to kenga
And double fooey on the consequences of spelling errors.
Also.
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CVille Dem
March 28, 2010 5:24 PM in reply to kenga
Well, since the bar was set at: "Who would you rather have a beer with?"
And the dopes who chose Bush didn't even know that as an alcoholic he would become sloppy drunk and embarrass everyone present!
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quinn esq
March 26, 2010 6:48 PM
You know, they say that when you dive from 100 feet up, hitting the water is like hitting your head on bricks.
Hmmmmmmmmm.
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daveminnj
March 26, 2010 7:17 PM in reply to quinn esq
good one.
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bdop4
March 27, 2010 12:32 PM in reply to quinn esq
Not if you have your hands out in front of you and your head down. The key is going in straight.
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CVille Dem
March 28, 2010 5:26 PM in reply to quinn esq
Well, I jumped from 40 feet once. Should have kept my feet together, if you get my drift!
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Barfood
March 26, 2010 6:55 PM
This guy. Him, I like.
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Polderboy
March 26, 2010 7:10 PM
Rightwingers are going to check out the heigth of that dive. They'll find it's not ‘nearly’ 100 feet but actually 91 and make a big f-ing deal about that: almost 10% exaggeration!
Then we'll have scientists who will debunk the rightwingers accusations because, get this, the water level has dropped 9.5 feet since Joe was a kid. And the cause of that drop? Global Warming ...
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nick
March 26, 2010 7:19 PM in reply to Polderboy
It's funny cuz it's true!
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Polderboy
March 26, 2010 7:40 PM in reply to Polderboy
Oops, got my physics wrong. But you get the drift
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verite
March 27, 2010 8:56 AM in reply to Polderboy
You forgot...Republicans don't do science.
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pinknoiz
March 26, 2010 8:24 PM
Biden for Poet Laureate!
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PeninsulaMatt
March 26, 2010 8:26 PM
The Obama administration without Joe would be rather dull
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CityGuy
March 26, 2010 9:16 PM in reply to PeninsulaMatt
I heartily agree.
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Silence
March 26, 2010 9:04 PM
Ok. Who gave Biden the shrooms.
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we r all husseins
March 27, 2010 6:43 AM in reply to Silence
It's call abstract thinking. It's what separates Man from the lower animals. No chemical agents required. Give it try. Thinking, that is.
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jeffs
March 26, 2010 9:06 PM
He can do this because he's VP with the right Pres. and they just hit one out of the park. It wasn't a grand slam, but it was out of the park. Damn, compare him to Cheney. Every time I think of Obama and Biden compared to Bush and Cheney, I still shake my head.
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Johnny
March 26, 2010 9:57 PM
Know what? I love this guy. Washington could use more unguarded, compulsive truth-tellers like Joe Biden.
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we r all husseins
March 27, 2010 6:50 AM in reply to Johnny
Exactly. Joe might make establishment Democrats cringe with his spontaneous outbursts of honesty, but I love it. Between him and Obama, our country is in good hands.
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bluesplashy
March 26, 2010 10:00 PM
Go Joe. I agree with jeffs. When I saw Obama and Biden on 60 minutes when Biden first got picked they looked really great together. Still do.
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Delores
March 26, 2010 10:05 PM
I love Joe the Biden. He lets his freak flag fly a bit from time to time.
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Severus
March 27, 2010 4:58 PM in reply to Delores
Nice memories...Almost cut my hair, David Crosby singing. Wow.
Prof. Snape understands letting your freak flag fly.
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John Crandell
March 26, 2010 10:32 PM
All of the above comments reflect exactly how I've felt this week. Joe Biden is far more in touch with the contemporary gestalt than Obama, and knows just how to address it. Whoa to the latter, if he should take a hike.
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wordherd
March 27, 2010 1:17 AM
The GOP strategy is, metaphorically speaking, to turn off the sun.
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Silence
March 27, 2010 6:23 AM in reply to wordherd
When the sun is powered by the destruction of natural rights, it should be turned off.
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mooster
March 27, 2010 8:03 AM in reply to Silence
Um...huh?
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Severus
March 27, 2010 5:02 PM in reply to mooster
Mr. Burns channels the GOP:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/22244/the-simpsons-sun-block-burns
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bk
March 27, 2010 2:25 AM
I love Joe Biden and think he's a great foil for Obama and I also believe that Obama truly appreciates and likes him alot. These are 2 genuine people. They make me smile.
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Douglas Watts
March 27, 2010 3:10 AM
I know exactly what Joe is talking about. Kids quarry diving is a long tradition in Massachusetts. The way Joe describes it is exactly what happens when you jump 50 feet off a ledge into a 100 foot deep quarry. He knows. It is quite a bizarre and life-fulfilling experience. When you don't die.
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rayboat
March 27, 2010 8:40 AM
Joe
You are one Kewl dude! I had the same kinda feeling jumping off of cliffs on the shore of Maui! Of course smoking a little hashish and downing a few Primos provided the courage i needed to make the leap. You know Joe, the only time i was really ever pissed at you was in '95 when you voted for the new bankruptcy bill! I hope now you realize what the effects are of taking a position that creates darkness in the lives of real people. The undue influence that banks have on legislation, particularly a Senator from Delaware, has done more to screw up the lives of the families in this society than any other group in the history of capitalism! It must feel good for you to be in the light of someone like Obama!
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schmev
March 27, 2010 9:03 AM
It's so nice to have a warm-blooded mammal as Vice President. Cheney is still flopping on some cold beach rocks trying to grow arms and legs.
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Elizabeth2
March 27, 2010 11:15 AM in reply to schmev
It's nice isn't it? ...... in just a little over a year, when they hear the words "viice president" most Americans now smile. Sure, some are smiling in smug derision .. and that's okay, that's how little people make themselves feel big. So - as Joe would probably be the first to point out - at least they are smiling! -- How many smiled when they heard the words "vice president" during the Bush years?!?
We're very fortunate - and *he* is very fortunate -- in the choice Obama made.
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beachnanna08
March 27, 2010 10:01 AM
Joe Biden is a decent human being just being himself. We, in Delaware, are so proud of Joe.
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JohnW1141
March 27, 2010 10:08 AM
I disregarded the 100 foot measurement as I'm not into looking for shit to bring up; I accept, and like, his metaphor.
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kenga
March 27, 2010 10:43 AM in reply to JohnW1141
It's a nice metaphor, and one that a lot of people can identify with, having had similar experiences as kids. SCUBA divers will nod along with that one, too.
It's also about as far from elite or upper class as you can get - in my somewhat limited experience, the quarry dive or bridge dive or rope swing is pretty much blue-collar.
No country club pools with lifeguards for us ... you're on your own, and if you mess up it is gonna hurt(if you're lucky, as alluded to above.)
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valgal
March 27, 2010 12:04 PM
Yep, we used to quarry & bridge dive in our youth too. Love the metaphor and love Joe. Can't imagine many kids getting to do that kind of thing these days, it's fairly dangerous. Great quarry swim scene in the old movie, "Breaking Away".
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MikeE
March 27, 2010 12:43 PM in reply to valgal
They don't make movies like that any more, that so resonate with salt-of-the-earth types. Ironic that it was about (grand)sons of immigrants, and class, but spoke to the essence of the American Dream (well, maybe not so ironic since it was written by a Yugoslav-American). Breaking Away gets my vote for greatest sports movie of all time just for the last two laps of the Li'l Indy 500.
I'm glad VP Biden seems to know what's really at the heart of our great nation.
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CVille Dem
March 28, 2010 5:35 PM in reply to valgal
I thought that "real Americans" shot wolves from helicopters -- you mean they actually do stuff in nature that doesn't involve killing animals?
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smoak
March 27, 2010 12:55 PM
....and Uncl Joe said, "Let there be light." And there was.
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miki
March 27, 2010 3:44 PM
"Joe, you are f'ing amazing and I think you are the best VP this country has had since Truman."
How about Gore? He was quite good, full of ideas, energy, and was strong enough to periodically (and very bluntly, I understand) confront Clinton vocally.
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mophan
March 28, 2010 1:59 AM in reply to miki
I am sure, once Obama's Presidency is over, and the memoirs start to come out, Joe will be shown to have had a bigger role than what we are able to see now.
Most VP's generally do. Cheney was more the exception than the rule. It was pretty well known Cheney had a large influence on Bush policy well before it was over... along with Brain.
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Kall
March 27, 2010 7:05 PM
That seems an apt metaphor for the Democratic Party these days. After all, you don't get any oxygen when you're 12 feet underwater either, and will drown just the same as if you were 100 feet underwater, which I guess is the depth you were at with the Republicans.
But hey, man, at least you can see the light while you're drowning. You may not be able to get necessary health care, but at least you'll have mandated private health insurance from the rapacious health insurance industry...
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CommunityOrganizer
March 28, 2010 3:51 AM in reply to Kall
Bah! Humbug!
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CVille Dem
March 28, 2010 5:40 PM in reply to Kall
Oh! I think you missed the metaphor entirely! He looked up and saw the light, and made it to the surface. As much as republicans wanted us to drown, they failed. No one is drowning here except the repubs, in their own negativity and selfishness.
Don't pretend you want people to get health care. Your side has spoken.
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lousgirl84
March 28, 2010 8:42 PM in reply to Kall
The thugs never cared about mandates when Romney said they were absolutely necessary or when Richard Nixon introduced his health care bill which is to the right of his proposal.
The thugs only hate it because Obama took their own playbook and used it against them.
You are so uninformed - you need to brush up on those pesky things called facts.
Face it - you are the party of NO and HELL NO.
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Agathena
March 28, 2010 8:20 AM
That's a god-like position, "giving them light" - nice to see that Biden is enjoying his position in the heights of power.
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Tosh
April 30, 2010 4:12 AM
Au contraire - Algore was a very good Presidential candidate. Highly qualified, intelligent, motivated, public-spirited, patriotic, forward-looking, compassionate, cautious, etc.
IMNSHO.
He was not a good CAMPAIGNER.
That's a flaw with our electoral system as it stands.
And the real flaw of the system is the electorate itself.
As a consequene, our quadrennial popularity contest does not lend itself well to choosing anything more important than a prom queen/king.
Or pop-singing sensation.
Fooey.
kamagra m65
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