Biden in Commerce City: 'We're going to restore the middle class'

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 21, 2008 at 8:33 a.m.
Updated October 21, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden began his four-city tour today in Greeley and visited Commerce City this afternoon. The Rocky's Daniel Chacon blogged live from Greeley, and Chacon and John C. Ensslin blogged live from Commerce City.

5:46 p.m.

Biden says Americans know they do not have to accept things the way they are.

He says he belives Obama will be a great president because he knows that "when you appeal to the better angels of Americans, they always respond."

Cites an expression his dad used to use.

"When you get knocked down, just get up."

Says it's time for Americans together to get up.

"It our time, it's America's time. So let's get up."

He wraps up his speech in Commerce City with that line:

"Get up. It's time to get up!"

With that, Biden heads off the stage and resumes shaking hands with people in the crowd.

5:43 p.m.

Biden talks about how the U.S. needs a new economic stimulus package now.

He criticizes McCain for taking a wait-and-see stance on such a new policy.

"How many more economic casualties do we need to see? Folks it's all about jobs, dignity and respect."

He talks about the need to reunite the country.

"It can not stand just blue and red."

Biden cited the robo-calls that McCain has used to attack Obama.

"Talk about the economy, John. These attacks don't hurt Barack Obama. They hurt the country."

He says one of the reasons he and Obama are running is they know how damaging the politics of division have been in the last few years.

He criticizes Palin's remarks about being in the patriotic parts of the country.

"So let's stop this stuff. Unite this country."

5:36 p.m.

Biden says he and Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly.

He notes that Bush is in the final stages of negotiating to get troops out of Iraq.

"John McCain is the only man who says no. Barack Obama was right and John McCain was wrong."

He says when it comes to rebuilding the middle class, Congress needs to be working on the problem even before the next president in sworn in.

He lists several steps outlined in the Obama-Biden economic plan.

He describes Obama's steady hand and contrasts McCain "lurching" from one position to another.

The crowd boos when he brings up Sarah Palin.

5:32 p.m.

Biden says he knows they are not running against George Bush. But he said they are running against Republican economic policies.

McCain and Palin have used the word maverick to separate themselves from Bush.

Biden talks about how one of his staffers is related to the actual Maverick family.

He talks about his friend "Bobby Casey," the senator from Pennsylvania, who says you can't call yourself a maverick if all you have been is a sidekick.

He's wrapping up his speech now. He Says he and Obama will commit every day to two overriding goals:

"First of all, we're going to restore the middle class.

Secondly, we're going to reclaim the respect of the world for the United States of America."

5:27 p.m.

Biden criticizes McCain for supporting a continuation of the Bush tax cuts.

"He not only wants to continue them, he wants to double down on them. We've seen the result of eight years of this trickle-down philosophy."

He talks about how McCain is a good guy and an American hero.

"But we need a wise leader right now."

"I'm not playing the populist card," Biden says.

But he quotes how 60 to 80 percent of new jobs are created by small businesses.

"They need a tax cut."

5:23 p.m.

Biden talks about how people are asking themselves if they're going to be able to send their children back to college next semester, given the tough economy.

"That American dream is becoming more distant to millions and millions of Americans," he says.

"Folks, this is kind of scary. Think about it a little bit."

He noted how John McCain declared in the last debate that he's not George Bush but also noted how McCain voted for George Bush's budget.

5:19 p.m.

Biden tells the crowd, "Change is one the way."

He talks about being proud of getting the endorsement of Colin Powell, and jokes with Hickenlooper how John Kerry and Al Gore were up in the polls.

"And we saw what happened. ...Polls and endorsements don't determine the outcome of the election. Votes determine the outcome of the election."

He asked for early voters. "Don't wait for election day to vote. Vote now! Vote now!

"The stakes in this election could not be higher, ladies and gentlemen."

5:15 p.m.

Biden is talking about Mark Udall and his family.

"The Udalls have been helping me since 1972," Biden said. "To me, it's equally important that you vote for Mark as you vote for me."

5:12 p.m.

Biden shakes hands with the crowd and takes the stage.

"Hello Commerce City," he said.

He thanked the faculty and students at Adams City for use of the gym and also thanked Perlmutter and DeGette and Hickenlooper.

"One of the great mayors in the United States of America," Biden said of Hickenlooper, who bowed.

5:09 p.m.

A woman named Alison is introducing Biden.

She just found out she's getting a two-thirds cut in pay.

"This is one of the reasons I've been working to elect Obama and Biden."

"I believe they are able to effect the change we need in this country."

4:40 p.m.

"We've had a great candidate for vice president of the United States," Pena said.

Biden has been on the world stage as chairman of the foreign relations commmittee, he said.

Biden has been fighting for working families and "I'm asking you to fight for him," Pena said.

4:37 p.m.

Former Denver Mayor Federico Pena calls Sen. Joe Biden a longtime friend.

"From the first day that he became a United States senator, he has been fighting for working class Americans," Pena said.

Pena said Biden has never forgotten his roots or his family.

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden together understand what families are going through right now in our country," he said.

Biden has been an advocate for families, Pena said.

"He's a father. He's a grandfather," Pena said.

4:35 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette is introducing former Denver Mayor Federico Pena, who receives loud applause and a standing ovation.

"Yes we can! Si se puede,!" Pena says.

4:34 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette tells the audience that they're going to lose money under John McCain's health care plan.

4:32 p.m.

Congresswoman Diana DeGette has taken the stage to warm applause.

"This is the most important election of our lifetimes," she said. "We need a new direction in this country and we need it right now, don't you?"

DeGette said America needs health care reform "and we need it now."

4:29 p.m.

After the invocation and the pledge of allegiance, the crowd quieted down.

There are still empty seats in the gym, although a trickle of people is still coming in

4:27 p.m.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper isn't here, but two of his closest allies are.

David Kenney, the mayor's political advisor, and Kelly Brough, the mayor's chief of staff, just walked into the gym at Adams City High School.

4:17 p.m.

Denver resident Mary Helen Sandoval, who has been standing in line for 1 1/2 hours, said she's tired and a little wet from an earlier sprinkle but eager to hear Biden.

Sandoval said she's been a Barack Obama supporter from the very start.

"I'm so anxious for a change that I'm just really supporting Barack Obama," she said. "I think he's a wonderful guy, and I think Joe Biden is, too, so I'm really anxious to hear what Joe has to say today."

One of the things that Sandoval likes about the Democratic ticket is that it has a time frame to bring back the troops from Iraq. The number of American soldiers and Iraqis who have been killed in the war is "just devastating."

3:52 p.m.

Rap music is blasting from the speakers inside the gym of Adams City High School.

The gym is decorated with red, white and blue decorations, including a banner that reads: "Commerce City welcomes Sen. Biden."

3:49 p.m.

Littleton firefighter Ray Rahne is holding a Joe Biden sign in front of the hundreds of people waiting to get inside the Adams City High School gym.

Rahne, who is standing in front of a fire truck, is secretary/treasurer of the Colorado Professional Firefighters, an organization with about 3,600 members statewide.

"We're showing everybody that firefighters are for Obama and Biden," said Rahne, 60.

"Their beliefs are our beliefs," Rahne said. "If you as a firefighter care about better wages, care about overtime, care about those kinds of issues, then it's a pretty easy vote."

Rahne said his organization understands that people have different priorities.

"We tell everybody if you have something else, such as abortion or guns that you think is more important than your paycheck, then you have to vote that way. We're saying if your paycheck is the most important thing, then this is an easy vote for firefighters," he said.

3:40 p.m.

Standing at the end of the line waiting for an opportunity to see and hear Biden at Adams City High School is Joe Hernandez.

The 68-year-old Brighton resident, who said he's never been to a political event like this one, used to be a registered Republican.

"This election I changed over," he said.

Hernandez, who is being accompanied by 8-year-old Devon, one of his eight grandchildren, said he voted for President Bush both times.

"I kind of regret it now," he said.

Hernandez said he's pretty sure he's going to vote for Barack Obama in this election.

"I think everybody is ready for change," he said. "Things have been working the same way for quite a while, so I agree with a lot of the people that it's time for a change."

3:24 p.m.

A line of several hundred people is waiting to get inside the gym at Adams City High School in Commerce City for a chance to see Biden.

The line is snaking from the entrance of the gym to the corner of East 68th Avenue and Clermont Street.

The wind is blowing and the air is cold. People are blowing their hands to stay warm.

2:08 p.m.

Joe Biden made sure he was polite and down-home today in Greeley.

Biden by the numbers:

In his 27-minute speech at the rally at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Biden used the phrase “Ladies and gentlemen,” 23 times and said “folks” 25 times.

2:00 p.m.

Touching on his controversial comment this week that Obama likely will face a world crisis in his first months on the job, Biden told the Greeley audience that “every great president sees crisis as an opportunity” to make America greater.. “I believe Barack Obama will be a great president.”

Biden wound up with a flourish: “Barack Obama is ready. Let’s bring change we need to the country we love. Get up and go out and vote early! God Bless the troops. God Bless you all.”

1:56 p.m.

Biden, turned around McCain’s retort that he is not George Bush, and that Obama should have run in 2004, if he wanted to run against Bush.

Biden said that even President Bush now is embracing the proposals that Obama has been talking about for weeks or months.

“John McCain has put forward absolutely no plan for immediate relief to the middle class,” Biden said. He and Obama are offering a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and tax rebates for small businesses. Even the Bush administration is open to the idea of taking immediate steps to help the middle class, Biden said, referring to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke this week endorsing a second stimulus package.

“Everybody seems to get it except John McCain,” Biden said. “His answer to the crisis is to lurch from one position to another, from saying the fundamentals of the economy are sound, to saying we are in crisis.

“The presidency is about a steady hand.

“It is all about dignity and respect for people who play by the rules, who’ve been hung out to dry.”

Biden castigated McCain for the negative ads trying to link Obama to a terrorist.

Evoking Ronald Reagan in Berlin, Biden said: “John stop those ads. Stop these robo-calls. We have to unite the country. These ads divide the country.”

And then to the audience: “Barack and I can take two more weeks of these attacks, but our country can’t take four more years of these policies and politics. It must end now!”

1:48 p.m.

Joe Biden addressing the Democrat crowd in Greeley, said his and Obama’s tax cuts will help small businesses. “That’s where the tax breaks should go,” not to the rich.

“Folks, I know we are not running against President Bush. But we are running against the same Bush economic policies that have dug us into this hole.”

He said almost one in 20 words out of McCain’s and Palin’s mouths is “maverick.”

Paraphrasing a line from a Pennsylvania senator, he said, “You can’t call yourself a maverick, when all you’ve been is a sidekick.”

Biden promised he and Obama will commit to two overriding goals.

“Restore the middle class” and “Reclaim the respect of the world for the United States of America.”

“Listen to me closely on this one: The first fundamental step in reclaiming the respect of the world is we will end this war in Iraq – and we will end it responsibly.”

Biden said Bush is embracing an Obama plan, trying to get American troops out of Iraqi cities, and negotiating getting all American troops out of Iraq by late 2011. Obama has been criticized for that same plan by McCain. “The only odd man out now is McCain. John McCain is wrong. Barack Obama is right.”

1:45 p.m.

Joe Biden smiles, hugs Betsy Markey, walks by a sign that says “Bears for Biden” and a dozen that say, “Change we Need,” and shouts, “Welcome Colorado” to the Greeley crowd.

“Hello Greeley! The Bears are coming out of the woods,” referring to the University of Northern Colorado nickname.

“I have a simple straightforward message: Change is on the way,” Biden said.

“I can’t tell you how proud we were on Sunday to add to the list of prominent Republicans that have endorsed our candidacy, a soldier and a statesman, General Colin Powell.”

“I hope his support finally puts to rest the last doubts that Barack Obama can be commander in chief.”

He warned that polls and endorsements do not determine the outcome of elections. “Votes do.”

He urged people to vote early.

“In the middle of October in the last two presidential elections things looked awfully good, too” for Democrats. “You know what these people are going to do . Throw the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink and everything else they can think of at Barack and I. We can’t afford to forego any solitary vote.

"The stakes couldn’t be higher. People are asking is my house still worth what I paid for it? Will my company drop my health benefits? What about my savings? Will we be able to send our kids back to college next semester?

"For too many people today, the American dream is becoming a distant dream.”

Biden again tried to connect McCain to Bush, saying he never opposed Bush on a key economic policy and that he wants to continue Bush’s tax cuts for the richest Americans.

Of McCain’s economic policy, he said, “If it looks like a Bush, if it sounds like a Bush, if it votes like a Bush, it’s a Bush economic policy."

1:34 p.m.

At the Joe Biden rally in Greeley, Congressional candidate Betsy Markey praises Biden as a single dad, who, despite campaigning strongly, goes home to his family almost every night.

“Joe Biden will continue to work for working families and the middle class,” she said. “The future of our children and grandchildren balances on how we vote just two weeks from today.

“They will take this country we all love in a new and better direction.”

And Joe Biden steps on stage.

1:25 p.m.

At the Joe Biden rally at the University of Northern Colorado, the music stops and the first speaker, Greeley City Councilman Charges Archibeque, steps to the podium.

Repeating the strategy that they used at the Democratic national Convention in Denver, the Democrats are showcasing Republicans who’ve decided to support Barack Obama this time around.

“The most important thing that I want to tell you here today is that I am a registered Republican,” Archibeque said. “Where I am standing, I see a lot of signs going up that say, “We need a change,” he said. “I am here to tell you that I will be voting for Barack Obama.”

Archibeque said, “Greeley and America simply can’t afford four more years of the same polices that got us into the worst disaster since the Great Depression.”

The City Councilman said McCain and Palin “have focused on trying to tear down Obama and Biden, instead of building up the economy.”

He said McCain’s economic plan “leaves out 72 percent of Colorado’s families.”

By contrast, Obama and Biden “are offering a tax cut for 98 percent of the households in Greeley.”

Next on the podium is Betsy Markey, locked in a battle with incumbent GOP Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. She said Greeley families are suffering. “Barack Obama and Joe Biden understand this. They have seen our health care costs spiral out of control and our economy spin out of control.

.

1:10 p.m.

Ron Perea, the head of the Secret Service office in Denver, is among the law enforcement officers providing security at today's Biden event.

1:09 p.m.

Sen. Joe Biden is backstage and will be introduced shortly.

Betsy Markey, who is running against three-term Republican Marilyn Musgrave in the 4th Congressional District, will introduce Biden.

Ben Marter, Markey's campaign spokesman, said the Obama/Biden campaign called to say that they were going to be in Weld County and asked if they wanted to be involved in the pre-program.

"We said sure and then they called us a couple of days ago and said, 'Would you like to introduce Joe Biden?' We're not going to say no to that," Marter said.

Marter said Biden's message and coming from middle America is going to resonate with people in Weld County.

"I think he's going to connect to voters here," he said

1 p.m.

It’s 1 p.m., but Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden hasn’t been spotted by the crowd at the University of Northern Colorado gymnasium in Greeley.

There are plenty of signs, though, including “Change We Need” on the podium. White Stetsons are proof that both Democrats and Republicans in Colorado wear cowboy hats to political rallies. There were plenty of red ones in Loveland and Colorado Springs when GOP VP pick Sarah Palin spoke there on Monday.

12:57p.m.

The crowd is definitely starting to get antsy.

They're now chanting "Biden! Biden!"

12:52 p.m.

The crowd of several hundred people is squished together inside the gym at the University of Northern Colorado awaiting the arrival of Sen. Joe Biden.

Some people are passing the time by chatting while others are trying -- unsuccessfully -- to get everyone to do the wave.

12:48 p.m.

Speaking of lines, there's a long line to get food and beverages at the concession stand.

12:47 p.m.

People who just got into the gym where Sen. Joe Biden is expected to speak shortly said there's still a long line outside.

12:42 p.m.

The crowd is chanting: "Joe!" "Biden!"

12:37 p.m.

"We're going to win this and deliver that change for this country," Fox said. "So all of you are part of this history."

12:36 p.m.

Maggie Fox, the wife of Mark Udall, who is running for the Senate, has taken to the stage.

12:36 p.m.

Mez Love is among the hundreds of people who have packed into the gym at the University of Northern Colorado.

Love, 28, who lives in Loveland and plans to vote this weekend, said she's going to vote for the Democratic ticket "for a lot of reasons."

"The biggest reasons are choice, the economy, definitely the environment," she said.

When asked why Sen. Joe Biden isn't attracting as big of crowds as Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP's vice presidential pick, Love said Biden "probably doesn't look as good in a skirt."

"Other than that, I think maybe people are just crazy. I really don't know," she said. "She is making George Bush look smart, and that says a lot. I'm not a big fan."

12:28 p.m.

An event organizer said Sen. Joe Biden is on time and still scheduled to speak at 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, the crowd is starting to chant, "Yes we can! Yes we can!"

The Butler-Hancock Gym at the University of Northern Colorado is almost full.

The first speaker is taking to the stage.

12:12 p.m.

Like many others waiting to see Sen. Joe Biden at the University of Northern Colorado, Tom O'Brien said he came to witness history in the making.

O'Brien, 38, said he initially supported Dennis Kucinich of Ohio but is now a strong supporter of the Obama/Biden ticket.

"My mother here is the big Biden fan," said O'Brien, who is a meat cutter and a supervisor at a Sam's Club in Loveland.

"I've always liked Joe Biden. He's my age," said Jane O'Brien, 63, who lives in Fort Collins with her 67-year-old husband, Dave.

Tom O'Brien said Biden is a "regular Joe," someone that you could drink a beer with.

He also said Biden is much more experienced than Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate.

"I think she's kind of a phony," he said.

11:58 a.m.

Stomachs are rumbling.

As the lunch hour approaches, some of the reporters are sneaking away from their lap tops and heading to the concession stand.

11:53 a.m.

Kahdijah White, 22, can hardly contain her enthusiasm.

White, who is serving as an usher at the Biden event, said she's usually a shy person but that the Obama campaign has brought her out of her shell.

"I don't really get involved with groups or anything, but as soon as I found out about Obama … and I found out they had a UNC Obama campaign (when I transferred here in January) I was like, 'Oh I want to join!' We went knocking on doors, telling people about Obama."

White said she thinks Obama and Biden can unite the nation.

"We need to reunite the United States," she said. "We don't need to be all blue. We need to be red, white and blue."

11:41 a.m.

The crowd on one set of bleachers in the gym at the University of Northern Colorado is starting to do the wave.

But it's short-lived.

They give up after about five tries.

11:39 a.m.

He's not old enough to vote, but 16-year-old Sam Strait of Johnstown said he came to the University of Northern Colorado to hear Sen. Joe Biden and witness history in the making.

Strait, a sophomore at Roosevelt High School, said he's been inspired by Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate.

"I think they'll be a great team in the White House," he said.

Strait said Obama is a "great speaker" who connects with people, especially the youth.

He was critical of GOP presidential candidate John McCain.

"He doesn't seem all there," Strait said.

11:36 a.m.

Sen. Joe Biden isn't expected to start speaking at the University of Northern Colorado until about 1 1/2 hours from now, around 1 p.m., according to an event organizer.

11:14 a.m.

Weld County native Linda Archibeque Trimberger is among the scores of people who are filling up the Butler-Hancock Gym at the University of Northern Colorado for a chance to hear Sen. Joe Biden.

Archibeque Trimberger said she has never been actively involved in a presidential campaign before. But for several months, she's canvassed and held rallies at her home for the Democratic ticket. She also said she attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

"It's my passion this year, and one of the reasons is all these young kids who have said they are for Obama have energized somebody like me, who has never donated to a presidential campaign," she said. "I have never, ever participated helping in a presidential campaign until this year. But I really feel that we have hope for the first time in a long time."

Archibeque Trimberger, 59, said she's eager to see Biden, who she said is the most capable of the two vice presidential candidates.

"I think Biden would be able to step in as vice president to the presidency without any missteps at all," she said. "I think it would be a very seamless move if he had to. I pray that that doesn't happen, but if he had to, he could do it."

She described GOP vice presidential pick Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, as "probably very capable as governor" but "definitely not ready to step in as president."

10:51 a.m.

The Butler-Hancock Gym at the University of Northern Colorado is slowly starting to fill up.

The crowd on the gym floor appears to be mostly college-age.

10:22 a.m.

Security has opened the doors to the Butler-Hancock Hall Gym at the University of Northern Colorado, and the long line to people waiting to see Sen. Joe Biden is slowing making its way inside.

There are hundreds of people in line waiting to get inside, and others are still arriving.

10:16 a.m.

Not everybody who's gathered outside the University of Northern Colorado supports Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Taylor Stevenson, 19, Andy McPherson, 19, and Amanda Abeyta, 21, are holding signs in support of the GOP ticket.

"Boo!" a young man walking near the threesome said.

The reaction wasn't unusual.

"I had one guy yell at me," said McPherson, of Arvada.

Other Democratic supporters are saying "put the sign down, stuff like that," said Abeyta, who is from New Mexico.

Stevenson said the police escorted the trio away from those standing in line to hear Biden and asked them to stand behind a fence.

All three attend the university here.

10:04 a.m.

Talk about a hard-core Barack Obama/Joe Biden supporter.

Nichole Tijerina, 36, of Fort Lupton, brought her 6-week-old daughter, Sophia, to the University of Northern Colorado to hear Biden speak later this morning.

The baby, wrapped in two blankets, is wearing an Obama/Biden shirt.

"I need to ensure she'll have some sort of future," said Nichole Tijerina, a mother of two.

Tijerina said she supports the Democratic ticket because "it's obvious we need change."

"Change!" said her cousin, 44-year-old Crystal Fintel, of Evans.

9:54 p.m.

There's no guessing when it comes to figuring out who Petra Garza of Greeley supports for president.

Garza, 64, is wearing an Obama/Biden cap and holding two teddy bears with Obama's picture.

"I voted for Obama already," said Garza, one of the hundreds of people waiting for Sen. Joe Biden to speak at the University of Northern Colorado. "We need big change, and he's the one to do it."

Garza is waving her teddy bears at a young man who is holding a McCain/Palin sign nearby.

Garza said GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin "can never run this country if something happened to that one," a reference to McCain, who called Barack Obama "that one" during the last presidential debate.

9:47 a.m.

A line of at least 500 people waiting to see and hear Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden has formed outside the Butler-Hancock Hall Gymnasium at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Among the first in line is 18-year-old Walt Becker, who skipped class for a chance to see the senator from Delaware.

"He's the man," said Becker, who arrived around 6:45 a.m.

"I saw Barack Obama (at the University of Denver) in January so I thought I'd just make it complete," said Becker, who is wearing a big jacket and hat to stay warm in the chilly weather.

9 a.m.

Fresh from predicting that Barack Obama will face a world crisis in the opening months of his presidency, Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden speaks in Greeley this morning.

He’ll be at the Butler-Hancock Hall gym at the University of Colorado. Events start at 10:30, but Biden isn’t expected to talk until about 11:30.

Polls show that the Democrats, Obama and Biden, hold a lead of two to eight points over John McCain and Sarah Palin, the GOP standard carriers. The Democrats have a 5-point lead in Colorado, according to the latest poll.

Palin was in Colorado on Monday, telling friendly crowds that Joe the Plumber referred to Obama’s economic plan as “socialist, and leading supporters in the chant “Drill, Baby, Drill.”

She was aided by country star Hank Williams Jr., paraphrasing some of his hits: “Why does Sarah hunt? Why does John fish?”

In between, songs blared over the PA system from other country stars such as George Strait.

No word yet on any surprise musical guests for the Obama tour.

From Greeley, Biden goes to the field house at Adams City High School in Commerce City, where doors open at 2:30 this afternoon.

Biden will be in Pueblo and Colorado Springs on Wednesday.

8:33 a.m.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden is beginning a blitz of communities along Colorado's Front Range on the second day of early voting statewide.

Biden begins his tour at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley this morning and will visit Commerce City this afternoon.

On Wednesday, he has rallies in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

Biden's tour comes on the heels of a one-day visit by GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who campaigned in Colorado Springs, Loveland and Grand Junction on Monday.

Both campaigns are courting Colorado, whose nine electoral votes are up for grabs and could sway a close election.

• October 21, 2008

  8:42 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  amaikovich writes:

  I've never believed Senator Biden was a particularly good campaigner, but he'll make a great Vice President. His knowledge and understanding of the issues will prove invaluable over time.

• October 21, 2008

  9:08 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  FCZ writes:

  Will Obama pardon Rezko?

  Shouldn't someone ask him BEFORE election day.

• October 21, 2008

  9:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Nobama writes:

  Hopefully, Biden can do some of his faith healing while he's here. I understand he instructed a wheelchair bound veteran to "stand up" on a previous campaign stop in the midwest.

• October 21, 2008

  9:36 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Speak writes:

  "Biden blitzes Colorado on second day of early voting".

  Greeley the 51st state
  Commerce City the 52nd state
  Pueblo the 53rd state
  Colorado Springs the 54th state... 3 more to go for all 57

  Maybe he can find the missing restaurant he frequents.

• October 21, 2008

  10:25 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Beau writes:

  Biden attracts a crowd of 500. Palin attracts tens of thousands. Too bad there aren't any reporters out there who would actually figure out the numbers and, oh, I don't know, report the information.

• October 21, 2008

  10:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mamabearOf4 writes:

  I love the way this news decided to say that this station is also democratic.. Trying to push demo's onto the people.. Pushing isn't the way.. And IF obama wins.. that will be the main reason.. Is alot of young people that are being pushed.. And the politics (both sides) need to stay out of our schools. That is a place to learn school work.. not who to vote for.. that should be the parent's job, not the government's job..
  I will never vote for obama for many issues.. but the biggest one is.. I want to keep my freedom of being who I want to be and to be able to raise my children my way.. not the government's way of putting them into government schools where I don't have a choice.. I don't need that kind of government assistance..

• October 21, 2008

  10:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  tuesdaynext writes:

  Very excited that my sister is taking my niece and nephew to see Biden today, 8 years and 10 months respectively. It is extraordinary to be able to actaully support a political candidate instead of having utter disdane. Hopefully this is the beginning of a country working together, sacraficing together, and making a country based on more than shopping our way out of a war.

• October 21, 2008

  10:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  sawzallartist writes:

  wow...the mouth breathers are out in force

• October 21, 2008

  10:42 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jbowen43 writes:

  "Palin visits" "Biden Blitzes"
  Please, words matter.
  Don't contribute more violent language to the mass of it already emanating from Palin and McCain and their supporters. The NRA leaders in their infinite stupidity have just added "clear and present danger" to the mix. This heated rhetoric and the attacks on Obama have gone well beyond the pale and are well into the danger zone. McCain knows Obama is a decent, honorable man. He said so. In fact when to comes to matters of family and morality Obama has shown himself to be vastly superior to McCain.

• October 21, 2008

  10:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  "Biden attracts a crowd of 500. Palin attracts tens of thousands."

  But yet both the Post and the News state that "Biden Blitzes" but Palin merely "visits". Looks like the media got the Democratic talking points.

• October 21, 2008

  10:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Michael writes:

  Wouldn't it be fair and balanced to maybe mention (or ask Biden supporters) the huge gaffe (when a politician speaks truth) Biden made regarding Obama facing a fabricated crisis in the first 6 months of his presidency to test him? That the whole world knows he (Obama) is young and inexperienced and they will see just how badly - a la JFK and the Bay of Pigs and Kruschev? That Biden himself said that the world will perceive the reaction to be wrong and will have to support the young American president until he can get it right? This is the type of Biden GAFFE that was expected and should be covered - at least as much as it would if it was done by the GOP. This goes right next to Biden saying that Hillary was more qualified than he is to be VP. Biden likes to let the truth slip out but as the MSM thinks the election is over, we rarely hear about it.

• October 21, 2008

  10:58 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Biden, welcom to Colorado! Here's what Palin had to say about you in Reno this morning:

  Two weeks from today, Americans will be asked to cast their vote for the next president of the United States. There’s no time to wait. Let’s get right to it.

  Did you hear what Senator Biden said at a fundraiser on Sunday? He guaranteed that if Barack Obama is elected, we’ll face an international crisis within the first six months of their administration. He told Democrat donors to mark his words – that there were “at least four or five scenarios” that would place our country at risk in an Obama administration. Thanks for the warning, Joe!

  He didn’t specify what all those four or five scenarios will be, but for clues, let’s review the Obama foreign policy agenda.

  Our opponent wants to sit down with the world’s worst dictators. With no preconditions, he proposes to meet with a regime in Teheran that vows to “wipe Israel off the map.” Let’s call that crisis scenario number one.

  Senator Obama has also advocated sending our U.S. military into Pakistan without the approval of the Pakistani government. Invading the sovereign territory of a troubled partner in the war against terrorism. We’ll call that scenario number two.

  He opposed the surge strategy that has finally brought victory in Iraq within sight. He’s voted to cut off funding for our troops, leaving our young men and women at grave risk. He wants to pull out, leaving some 25 million Iraqis at the mercy of Iranian-supported Shiite extremists and al Qaeda in Iraq. By his own admission, this could mean our troops would have to go back to Iraq. Crisis scenario number three.

  After the Russian army invaded the nation of Georgia, Senator Obama’s reaction was one of indecision and moral equivalence – the kind of response that would only encourage Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine next. That would be crisis scenario number four.

  But I guess the looming crisis that most worries the Obama campaign right now is Joe Biden’s next speaking engagement. Let’s call that crisis scenario number five.

  The real problem is that these warnings from Joe Biden are similar to his earlier assessment of Barack Obama. It wasn’t so long ago that he said Barack Obama wasn’t up to the job, and that, quote, “the presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.”

  The same Joe Biden said he would be honored to run on the ticket with John McCain because, quote, “the country would be better off.” And here we have some common ground. I want a president who spent 22 years in uniform defending our country. I want a president who isn’t afraid to use the word “victory” when he talks about the wars we are fighting. I want a president who’s ready on Day One. I want a president with the experience and the judgment and the wisdom to meet the next international crisis – or better yet to avoid it. I want John McCain as our commander-in-chief.

• October 21, 2008

  11:14 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Joe Biden on Obama in the primaries last year:

  "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."

  And so Joe, did Obama "become ready" by virtue of being on the campaign trail for the last 2 years? Is that what readies one to be President?

• October 21, 2008

  11:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Can you believe what that white supremacist anti-intellectually curious Sarah Palin said about Obama!!

  "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy, I mean, that's a storybook, man."

  What's that? It wasn't Palin? It was Joe Biden?!! Oh, ok then, never mind.

• October 21, 2008

  11:18 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  MattGuyver_007 writes:

  Perhaps the U.S. should pull out of Chicago!
  
  Body count: In the last six months 292 killed (murdered) in Chicago; 221 killed in Iraq.

  Our leadership in Illinois.....all Democrats:
  Sens. Barack Obama & Richard Durbin,
  
  Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.,
  Gov. Rod Blogojevich,
  
  House leader Mike Madigan,
  Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan (daughter of Mike),
  
  Mayor Richard M. Daley (son of Mayor Richard J. Daley)
  .....our leadership in Illinois.....all Democrats.
  
  Thank you for the combat zone in Chicago. Of course, they're all blaming each other.

  Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any!
  
  State pension fund $44 Billion in debt, worst in country.
  Cook County (Chicago) sales tax 10.25% highest in country. (Look 'em up if you want).

  Chicago school system rated one of the worst in the country.
  
  This is the political culture that Obama comes from in Illinois. And he's gonna' fix' Washington politics for us

• October 21, 2008

  11:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  "Obama and Biden are political centrists."

  What? Based on what source?

  Per the National Journal, Biden's "composite liberal score of 94.2 placed him as the 3rd most-liberal senator in 2007, two ticks behind Barack Obama, who was the most liberal senator last year with a score of 95.5."

  And so we have the # 1 and # 3 most liberal Senators on the same ticket. This is not what independents are looking for.

  Was socialist Senator Bernie Sanders not available?

• October 21, 2008

  11:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  FCZ writes:

  Biden hasn’t held a press conference in more than a month, and Obama hasn’t taken questions from his full traveling press corps since the end of September.

• October 21, 2008

  11:37 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Lorraine writes:

  "She described GOP vice presidential pick Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, as "probably very capable as governor" but "definitely not ready to step in as president.""

  But a man with absolutely no executive experience AT ALL is ready to step in as president? Do people like her even realize the disconnect in their logic? This is like something the Mad Hatter would say in "Alice and Wonderland".

  Not to mention that she's the VICE presidential candidate, NOT the presidential candidate. For that we have a very honorable, experienced man called John McCain. While not my first choice, at least he has a record to stand on and doesn't vote "present".

• October 21, 2008

  11:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  From the article above:

  Linda Archibeque Trimberger described GOP vice presidential pick Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, as "probably very capable as governor" but "definitely not ready to step in as president."

  Funny, that's essentially what Joe Biden said about Obama, and I quote: "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."

  The difference is this Linda: Obama is at the top of the ticket and Palin is not. And that really, really troubles me.

• October 21, 2008

  11:46 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BroncoRick69 writes:

  :sniffs: Is that desperation form the republicans I smell? Oh no its the smell of not being able to say a single good thing about their own candidate.

• October 21, 2008

  11:47 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  There you go again, Lorraine, twisting facts. McCain can't vote "present" because they don't do that in the senate. And neither has Obama. He did that in the Illinois legislature, which is a valid vote.

  And I would consider Obama's years in the Illinois legislature and the US Senate as better experience than a small-town mayor and governor of a state with a small population. At least he has been involved in national and international issues - not the type of issues the mayor of Wasilla would ever see, nor the Alaskan governor. I would compare her experience to being a little-league coach vs. a major-league manager. It just isn't the same.

  As for honorable, McCain has not voted to support the troops, has voted to allow torture, has hired the same crew that slandered HIM when he was running against Bush in 2000... His commercials are full of lies that he KNOWS are lies - they have been debunked over and over again but he still clings to them. I'm not talking about twisting of the truth - he's completely fabricated stuff. And to hear people call him "honorable" is a joke!

• October 21, 2008

  11:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  dilligaf writes:

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:
  "Did you hear what Senator Biden said at a fundraiser on Sunday? He guaranteed that if Barack Obama is elected, we’ll face an international crisis within the first six months of their administration."

  Again another idiot twisting words of what Joe said. He said Obama would be tested (no mention of international crisis) in the first 6 months. And they would find he has iron in his spine. You morons read into what you want it to be. Why don't you realize Obama will be our next President. DEAL WITH IT. And if you don't like that you can thank Bush for pushing the GOP off the cliff.

• October 21, 2008

  12:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Dilligaf writes: "Again another idiot twisting words of what Joe said. He said Obama would be tested (no mention of international crisis) in the first 6 months. And they would find he has iron in his spine. You morons read into what you want it to be."

  Ahem. Facts are stubborn things. And having said that, here is what Joe Biden said (with emphasis added for the ideologically impaired):

  ""Mark my words, it will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama. [snip] Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an INTERNATIONAL CRISIS, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

  Now then, who is the idiot and who is twisting words?

• October 21, 2008

  12:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  "Fairness" writes above: "As for honorable, McCain has not voted to support the troops, has voted to allow torture"

  Those are well-documented lies. Here's Obama in the last debate speaking on torture and invoking Ronald Reagan:

  "I give Senator McCain great credit on the torture issue for having identified that as something that undermines our longterm security ... we are going to have a lot of work to do in the next administration to restore the sense that America is the shining beacon on the hill."

• October 21, 2008

  12:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  SlouchingTowardBoulder: "Those are well-documented lies."

  Obama was referring to only ONE bill on torture that McCain did support. HOWEVER, there was the issue of the bill allowing the CIA to torture that McCain voted FOR, siding with Bush. That is a fact - look it up.

  As for supporting the troops, McCain has been given a 'D' vs. Obama's 'B' for troop support.

• October 21, 2008

  12:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Look at the outrageous thing McCain is saying about Obama!!

  "His entire campaign is based on one speech he gave at an anti-war rally in 2002, I give him credit for making the speech, but his speech was not followed up with action, which is the pattern we have seen repeatedly -- a lot of talk no action. We have one speech in 2002 versus a record of accomplishment and a record of action."

  Wait a second. That was Hillary Clinton who said that; not McCain. Oh, never mind.

  Hillary also said this:

  "Now I think you will be able to imagine many things Sen. McCain will be able to say. He has never been the president. He will put forth his experience. I will put forth my experience. Sen. Obama will put forth a speech he made in 2002."

• October 21, 2008

  12:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  SlouchingTowardBoulder - Can't find a reference showing that McCain voted for torture, so you're changing the subject? Let me help you: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

  Talk about a flip-flop. He calls waterboarding torture then turns around and votes against a bill banning the method by the CIA. I don't get it. Either he is for it or against it. Which is it?

• October 21, 2008

  12:31 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  I cannot believe that McCain is accusing Obama of saying that US solidiers just air-raid villages and kill civilians. How low of him!

  What's that? That's what Obama actually said? Oh, well never mind. Nothing to see here. Move along.

  "We've got to get the job done there [in Afghanistan] and that requires us to have enough troops so that we're not just air-raiding villages and killing civilians, which is causing enormous problems there." Barack Obama, August 13, 2007.

• October 21, 2008

  12:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Fairness writes: "McCain has not voted to support the troops"

  Yet another lie from the cesspool that is the DailyKOS. And "support" in their lexicon is synonymous with "bring home".

  Also, please note that these same troops are supporting McCain overwhelmingly:

  All Branches McCain Obama Uncommitted
  ALL BRANCHES 68% 23% 9%

  http://www.canadafreepress.com/index....

• October 21, 2008

  12:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  Still can't defend McCain on the torture issue, eh, slouch? You simply cannot defend your candidate. The subject wasn't about Obama and what he said - it was about McCain voting to allow torture, which he says he is against. You are so anti-Obama that you are willing to overlook things about McCain that just don't meet your ideology. You know, Republican = good, Democrat = bad. Well, the fact still stands that McCain voted to support torture, no matter what you can find on what Obama has said.

• October 21, 2008

  12:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Fairness writes about Palin: "not the type of issues the mayor of Wasilla would ever see, nor the Alaskan governor. I would compare her experience to being a little-league coach vs. a major-league manager. It just isn't the same."

  Most assurredly then, "fairness" did NOT support Governors Carter, Dukakais or Clinton for President, right? Or do you distinguish because Palin is running for the much more important job of VICE-president?

  Heh heh.

• October 21, 2008

  12:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  slouch - I didn't ask if the troops supported McCain, I asked if McCain supported the troops. And here are the grades:

  "Barack Obama outscored his Republican rival, Vietnam veteran John McCain, in a report card issued by an influential, nonpartisan veterans’ group.

  The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA’s) Action Fund gave the Arizona senator a “D” as part of its congressional report card. Obama received a “B” from the group.

  You can see the entire article at:
  http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/obam...

  So again - you are changing the subject. Tell me what "well-documented lies" you are talking about. I've shown you the facts, where are the lies???

• October 21, 2008

  12:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Well McCain isn't as nuanced as the machine politician from Illinois, Barack Obama, but there's this from the primary season:

  “We do not torture people. It’s not about the terrorists, it’s about us. It’s about what kind of country we are.” On a practical level he added, “The more physical pain you inflict on someone, the more they’re going to tell you what they think you want to know.”

  Further, McCain said this earlier this year:

  "Throughout these debates, I have said that it was not my intent to eliminate the CIA interrogation program, but rather to ensure that the techniques it employs are humane and do not include such extreme techniques as waterboarding. I said on the Senate floor during the debate over the Military Commissions Act, "Let me state this flatly: It was never our purpose to prevent the CIA from detaining and interrogating terrorists. On the contrary, it is important to the war on terror that the CIA have the ability to do so. At the same time, the CIA's interrogation program has to abide by the rules, including the standards of the Detainee Treatment Act." That remains my view today." http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

  Are you against the CIA interrogation program? Are you against ANY interrogation techniques? If not, which ones do you and your candidates support? If a terrorist has vital information to the protection of American and its population, what would you be willing to allow to protect such?

  Please be specfic and provide citations to your candidates' position.

• October 21, 2008

  12:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Beau writes:

  Gosh, SlouchingTowardBoulder, I'm grinning as I watch you let fly with deadly accurate arrows of facts and quotes. Perhaps I'll just eat a sandwich and keep reading.

  If an Oliphant shows up, I assume you will take it out singlehandedly. Heh.

• October 21, 2008

  12:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  Stick to the subject, slouch. But if you have to know, I was about 6 months too young to vote for/against Carter. I voted for Bush Sr. in 88, and I did not vote for Clinton either time. I voted for Ross Perot over Clinton. I then voted for Dole in 96.

  And I don't care what a person says as much as what he or she does. And McCain voted AGAINST banning torture, including waterboarding, by the CIA. And trying to turn this into what I, or Obama, believe still doesn't defend McCain. You keep wanting to turn the focus away from what your candidate has done rather than facing the truth that he lied, then twisted his logic to say that he was consistent in supporting a ban on torture. Talk about pandering for a vote!

• October 21, 2008

  1:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  HSTOWEL writes:

  Biden is a clown and at least when he starts talking it's amusing. He'll keep us laughing while his pal Obama is steering the country toward disaster.

• October 21, 2008

  1:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Fairness - Thanks for your article cite; most helpful.

  "Much of IAVA’s scoring revolves around legislation to boost education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, known as the “Post 9/11 GI Bill: Fair Education Benefits for Veterans.”

  As you well know, but conveniently forget, that bill would have had the effect of soldiers not signing up for re-up, and leaving the military service which would have left us deficient in troops for the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. For this reason, the Pentagon came out against this Jim Webb-sponsored bill and in favor of the Republicans' bill.

  McCain said at the time: “We are working on proposals of our own - I’m a consistent supporter of educational benefits for the men and women of the military,” McCain told ABC News. “I want to make sure that we have incentives for people to remain in the military as well as for people to join the military.”

  And so are you for incenting our soldiers to leave the military and leaving us short-handed and with less experienced troops to fight in Afghanistan and capture Osama and other terrorists?

• October 21, 2008

  1:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  slouch - I'll give you that for this bill. But that is not the only thing that was considered for the grade. If the article said that the grade was based 90% on that bill, then it would be a valid argument. But as it stands, the group gave McCain a 'D' and Obama a 'B'. So again, how is this a lie that has been discredited? Those are the grades that were given and cited in the article. Can you dispute that or not?

  And I'm still waiting for you to tell me how McCain voting to allow the CIA to torture is a lie that was discredited. You keep misdirecting the subject without answering the question. Where is your evidence that these are "well-documented lies"???

• October 21, 2008

  2:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  Michael writes: "Wouldn't it be fair and balanced to maybe mention (or ask Biden supporters) the huge gaffe (when a politician speaks truth) Biden made regarding Obama facing a fabricated crisis in the first 6 months of his presidency to test him?"

  How was this a "gaffe"? Whether a fabricated, overly-hyped by the media, or actually real crisis, I don't expect whoever wins not to have something thrown his way soon after taking office. We're talking about the President of the US here, not the new manager at Mailboxes, Etc. Biden's just speaking the likely reality.

  Example: George Bush's initial "test" was when American service people from a ship or submarine taken into custody by the Chinese on suspicion of spying. And it turned into this tense standoff because the Chinese demanded an apology. Which they were given, and our people were then released.

  It's debatable if this was an actual crisis, but the media certainly hyped it like it was.

• October 21, 2008

  2:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  chill134 writes:

  Too Little Too Late. I'm feeling as bad as the rest of you Repubs knowing that the election is over. The fat lady has sung. No way McCain can make up those numbers in 2 weeks. I'm trying to figure out where we went wrong. Is it McCain? Or would we have the same outcome regardless due to Obama's popularity. I tend to think Obama's Hollywood and "cool" factor won this election. Can anyone think of a president that won because it was "cool" to vote for them? I can't. While this certainly isn't true with all Dems, thousands of them can't tell you anything about Obama or McCain's policies, and are simply voting Obama because it's neat. The press says it's cool, hollywood says it's cool, so it must be cool.

• October 21, 2008

  3:15 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dilligaf writes:

  chill134
  Try a failed 8 years of Republican dominance. And try McCain picking a circus for a VP. This isn't that tough to figure out.

• October 21, 2008

  3:24 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  "Biden told the Greeley audience that “every great president sees crisis as an opportunity” to make America greater.. “I believe Barack Obama will be a great president.”

  And so now Biden is looking forward/eagerly anticipating a crisis so that it will give the untested Obama an "opportunity"?

  This coming from the guy who said about Obama "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."

  I guess Joe wants Obama to have that opportunity huh?

• October 21, 2008

  3:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Fairness,

  Still awaiting your answer to this: "And so are you for incenting our soldiers to leave the military and leaving us short-handed and with less experienced troops to fight in Afghanistan and capture Osama and other terrorists?"

• October 21, 2008

  3:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  boulder1259 writes:

  chill134: Obama is being handed the election because of the economy. It really has nothing to do with Obama or McCain. The reverse would be true if a Democrat were in power (i.e., McCain would be given the nod).

  dilligaf: Palin's experience is similar Obama's. You could even argue that she has more leadership experience. What's tough to figure out is your need to make a personal attack. It doesn't speak well for you...

• October 21, 2008

  3:29 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cwillyrun1 writes:

  dilligaf, don't forget to mention the last two years of failed Democrat controlled House and Senate dominance. It's both parties!

  I wonder why Obama and Biden lie to us voters when they continually say they'll eliminate taxes on new, small businesses. How are they going to eliminate a tax that doesn't exist under current law?

• October 21, 2008

  3:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Biden above: "Evoking Ronald Reagan in Berlin, Biden said: “John stop those ads."

  Ironic isn't it that Biden paraphrases the great one when he voted against Reagan at every step in bringing down the Soviet Union.

  Also Biden voted against the 1st Gulf War and in 2006, "after having voted three years earlier to authorize President George W. Bush's war to liberate Iraq, Mr. Biden argued for the partition of Iraq, which would have led to its crack-up.

  Biden and his running mate, the machine politician from Illinois who Biden stated is not ready for the presidency and which does not "lend[] itself to on-the-job training", both voted against John McCain's troop surge, calling it a "tragic mistake".

  Biden was wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and ... wrong at every turn.

  Read more here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12204...

• October 21, 2008

  3:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Biden says "“The presidency is about a steady hand. “It is all about dignity and respect for people who play by the rules, who’ve been hung out to dry.”

  Which of course is why Obama wants to meet with that rule-abiding and dignified guy, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

• October 21, 2008

  3:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  You're pretty pathetic, slouch, since you keep avoiding answering how what I stated are "well-documented lies" and trying to turn this on me. If you can't argue honestly, then you are just wasting my time. I hit you with facts that you cannot dispute, and you keep trying to change the subject. Unless you can provide proof about the "well-documented lies" I will have nothing else to say to you.

  So be a man and back up your claim or just go away.

• October 21, 2008

  3:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cwillyrun1 writes:

  no slouch, don't go away. Your posts are factually correct..... too bad the blind eye still can't see it. Those who don't want the truth, won't get the truth.

• October 21, 2008

  3:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Regarding turnout today, Biden couldn't even manage 3,900 people (and this with a ready-made audience of the Ivory Tower "intellectually curious" left) less than half of Palin's outpouring yesterday in Loveland.
  
  http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.d... ("In a speech that whipped the crowd of 3,875")

• October 21, 2008

  3:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Hey Fairness, reconcile this statement for me:

  Biden on Obama: "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."

• October 21, 2008

  3:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fairness writes:

  Cwillyrun1, you have identified your problem, and you are the only one who can correct it.

  You only see the "facts" that you are fed by those you agree with. Slouch was given facts that he still cannot dispute. I'll ask you the same thing - dispute the facts that a military group gave McCain a 'D' for troop support, and Obama a 'B'. And that McCain voted AGAINST a bill preventing the CIA from torturing, including using waterboarding, which McCain "says" that he is against.

  This goes to the point of McCain's honor. He says he supports the troops but a group of former military people have stated otherwise. And McCain's vote against banning torture by the CIA goes against his statements that he is against torture.

  So your and slouch's "facts" are anything but.

• October 21, 2008

  3:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Fairness, I'm still awaiting responses to these questions posed above (thank you in advance):

  Are you against the CIA interrogation program?
  Are you against ANY interrogation techniques?
  If not, which ones do you and your candidates support?
  If a terrorist has vital information to the protection of American and its population, what would you be willing to allow to protect such?

  Please be specfic and provide citations to your candidates' position.

• October 21, 2008

  3:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ihaveaconscience writes:

  Tens of thousands? I'm curious to know, at which single event did Palin attract tens of thousands of people?

• October 21, 2008

  4:04 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cwillyrun1 writes:

  fairness....... are you among those that think a slap on the wrist is going to get terrorists to spill their guts? HA, how naive! McCain clearly said in the chamber, in front of his colleagues, that he's against waterboarding. He didn't vote against torture (CIA interrogations) because it's not as simple as that...... or as simple as you want it to be.

  I won't dispute one group's claims, nor will I dispute the claims of soldiers who've said once the camera is off, Barrack Obama turns his back on the soldiers.

  Here's something for you, Obama voted for corporate welfare in 2005. See how it works both ways? It's both parties.

• October 21, 2008

  4:06 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cwillyrun1 writes:

  I wonder why Obama and Biden lie to us voters when they continually say they'll eliminate taxes on new, small businesses. How are they going to eliminate a tax if it doesn't exist now?

• October 21, 2008

  4:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Come on Slouch, let's talk numbers. On Saturday I was at an Obama event that drew 100,000. McCain's camp put his attendance numbers for his event on that same day at between 5,000 and 6,000. I'm not sure how this is germane or important, but it is certainly not a debate you can win, so let's go ahead and discuss it.

  And while we are reconciling statements, Slouch, reconcile this one for me: Sen. Thad Cochran, a Repub from Mississippi, has said, "the thought of (McCain) being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded."

  Or how about this one: Sen. Domenici, a Repub from New Mexico, has said he doesn't "want this guy (McCain) anywhere near a trigger."

  Or how about this one: Sen. Smith, the former senator from New Hampshire, has said that McCain's "temper would place this country at risk in international affairs, and the world perhaps in danger. In my mind, it should disqualify him."

  Please help me reconcile these statements from fellow Republican Senators, Slouch.

• October 21, 2008

  4:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denverone writes:

  Of course Barack is ready and qualified, now that Biden is his biatch. Amazing!

  Stupid Sheep.

• October 21, 2008

  4:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jay writes:

  'Every great president sees crisis as an opportunity'

  that could very well be the case.

  i would add that great presidents don't squander (as the conservatives did after 9/11) the opportunities that follow crisises.

• October 21, 2008

  4:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Ah, there we go, denverone, name calling.

• October 21, 2008

  4:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SanctuaryCity writes:

  Visiting the illegal communities. Was there a translator ?
  Was he trying to explain again the redistribution of wealth of taking from the middle class and giving to the 40% who don't pay taxes.

• October 21, 2008

  4:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Hey Lelo

  Are any of those guys McCain's RUNNING MATE?

  Eagerly awaiting your answer.

• October 21, 2008

  4:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Fairness,

  Still waiting ............................................................

• October 21, 2008

  5:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  No Slouch, just his colleagues, those who have worked with him for years, who know him and his tendencies well. And I am not sure how the all caps RUNNING MATE question discounts the statements made by true blue conservative sentors. You just avoided reconciling, Slouch.

  So, Slouch

  Still waiting ............................................................

• October 21, 2008

  5:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Oh, and Slouch, your "eagerly awaiting your answer" BS does not intimidate me. You have my answer. I am, however, eagerly awaiting your answer. Three well-respected conservative Republican senators all questioning John McCain's ability to perform as president given his well-known hot temper. How do you reconcile that? Thanks.

• October 21, 2008

  6:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BenchBoss writes:

  Slouch more. Post less.

  Seems desperate times call for some {seriously} desperate threads. Who knew a Biden visit would get many of you so worked up? Wow. Like I've said, you don't have to like Obama / Biden to not like how f*'ed up McCain / Palin are.

  And..... not waiting.....................................

• October 21, 2008

  6:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  coloradovet writes:

  I'm getting really sick of this "40% don't pay taxes." This simply is not true. Nearly half of my taxes are social security and medicare. There's not plan to cut these taxes. And don't tell me all these tax breaks for the rich haven't bitten into this pool of money. Plus, the wealthy only pay social security for part of the year. Most of the year, they are completely free from this tax. It's a weak argument to say the least. Plus, that 40% still has their taxes withheld throughout the year. Smoke and mirrors, that's all McSame has.

• October 21, 2008

  6:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Ah, BenchBoss, truth is I could care less if Slouch answers or not. Just messing with him/her. Figured two could play that silly little game.

  "Reconcile this statement for me"

  "Eagerly awaiting your answer"

  This is funny stuff. You've got to admit that. Trying to intimidate others so they won't blog anymore? Like that is serious political dialog, like that proves a point. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the level of political discourse on this forum is barely above the discourse possible via bumper stickers. So why pretend? Have a little fun, and perhaps aggravate a conservative or two while you're at it.

• October 21, 2008

  6:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BenchBoss writes:

  LeLo wrote:
  "Ah, BenchBoss, truth is I could care less if Slouch answers or not."

  Understood. Know what that's like. There's the initial rush of blood pressure and anger which gives way to 'cooler heads will prevail'. Any subsequent posting results in more insane responses. Anger leads to sadness - 'Are they really that crazy/stupid/mean?'. Then - that numb feeling. They're hopeless and actually buy the garbage they're regurgitating.

  catlady had some fun w/ BenchBoss before.

  Maybe
  ScreamingTowardsAnyone {?}

• October 21, 2008

  6:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Ah, BenchBoss, you get it. This can be a lot of fun, as long as you don't take it too seriously, and never personally. I love it when I am called nasty and insulting names. It means I scored.

  And catlady, oh yea, she's got a sharp tongue.

  "Maybe
  ScreamingTowardsAnyone (?)"

  Understood.

• October 21, 2008

  6:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BenchBoss writes:

  Indeed. In all honesty, I wouldn't wish this Presidency on anyone. Yikes.

• October 21, 2008

  7:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Truth. It is all so f'd up. No one person is going to be able to fix it, no one party is going to be able to fix it, and we're going to come out of this election so darned polarized that there will be no cooperation for the general betterment. That is sad.

• October 21, 2008

  7:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BenchBoss writes:

  Hey - this is getting too cozy.

  Ayers!!!!!....... ACORN!!!!!!...... Babies!!!!!!!!...... Iraq!!!!!!!!...... Bailout!!!!!!!........ There - that should do it.

• October 21, 2008

  7:21 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  thincaboutit writes:

  “JOHN McCAIN: LOVE MACHINE”
  John McCain said some very interesting things at his rally in Virginia Beach last week…
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ceYt...

  SEE MORE PARODIES AT http://parodyandson.blogspot.com

• October 21, 2008

  7:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ghoax writes:

  just in, Biden changes his mind and endorses Barbara Striesand for Secretary of State. When it was pointed out that the position is appointed and no one's running for it, he re-affirmed his endorsement of Colin Powell for President.

  He reassured the crowd that George Bush won't be winning this election because he isn't even running. As the crowd cheered, he checked his notes then shouted out Palin Rocks!, obviously meaning Colin Rocks.

  He closed by saying that the great democrat Abe Lincoln who on his national TV address a hundred years ago fearlessly told the public that government, properly funded by the wealthiest, has a duty to provide for the masses and it was high time to see to it that we invade Mexico.

  The crowds cheered.

• October 21, 2008

  7:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Uno writes:

  According to Malachi the poor have to worry about the following taxes ""sales tax", "property tax", "state and local income taxes", "capital gains tax", "use taxes", "permit fees", "severance tax", "occupational privilege tax", "estate tax", "gift tax", "federal excise tax", "generation skipping transfer tax" etc.." - though to be dirt poor in America nowdays. My favorite "capital gains tax", all that from welfare checks or minimum wage? Wow.

• October 21, 2008

  8:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ColoradoNative writes:

  So we're supposed to worry about McCain's age and history of skin cancer but not about Biden's age and history of multiple brain aneurysms?? LOLZ

• October 21, 2008

  8:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gardog writes:

  Everyone knows O'Bama isn't experienced enough to run the country. Only some are willing to acknowledge the same. They are willing to gamble just to get away from "W" and away from their own Dems like Reid and Pelosi and Murtha. The problem is that the result of electing O'Bamam will be to give a free pass to the 3 aforementioned boneheads on every crazy scheme they have ot solidify their power.

  O'Bama hasn't the clout to stop them or to implement his radical socialist agenda that he gas stopped espousing since becoming a national figure. He talks a good game, but hasn't the right policies or clout for future American success.

  McCain just can't beat him. He's not a salesman and he's one guy plus a few radio hosts. O'Bama has nearly everyone on TV doing what they can to elect him - if only to be part of "history". Self serving talking heads.

  McCain hasn't espoused anything new or exciting to capture attention of the masses. He is seen and is portrayed as old, mean and out of touch. He does believe in the American exceptionalism that has made this country great. Flawed for sure, but great nonetheless.

  Whoever wins - good damn luck....

• October 21, 2008

  8:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  From yesterday's NY Times regarding McCain's questionable health:

  "A critical question concerns inconsistencies in medical opinions about the severity of [McCain's] melanoma; if the classification of his melanoma is more severe, it would increase the statistical likelihood of death from a recurrence of the cancer."

  Sarah "you betcha" Palin one heartbeat from leading the free world? Thanks, but no thanks.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08.

• October 21, 2008

  8:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gardog writes:

  PonchoVia-

  Why are you "named" after such a murderous character and revolutionist?

• October 21, 2008

  8:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ghoax writes:

  Biden update-- Joe Biden raises concern about gas prices falling suggesting that the governments % per gallon might drop, taking food right off your table. An attendee wisely pointed out that the Federal gas tax is based on gallons and the government reaps billions every year from it. Joe paused then, after a moment, replied " that is exactly why Sarah Palin will be Powell's energy advisor."

• October 21, 2008

  8:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gardog writes:

  Please stop quoting Joe Biden. It's simply too funny - what a goofball he is.

• October 21, 2008

  8:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gardog writes:

  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12245...

• October 21, 2008

  9:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jay writes:

  gardog, you seem to be confused about why mccain is losing the election.

  he is losing the election because he represents a third bush term...something the public is adamantly opposed to.

  we always get back to a pretty simple equation.

  perform well and you may retain your job (and in this case....power)

  the last 8 years have been a disaster.

  what did you folks think was going to happen?

• October 21, 2008

  9:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  coarizona writes:

  Old Joe stops to think..and forgets to start up again.

• October 21, 2008

  11:21 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  redwhiteandBLUE writes:

  Will Obama pardon Ramos and Campeon the border agents ?

• October 22, 2008

  10:49 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  "Biden in Commerce City: 'We're going to restore the middle class'"

  Restore the middle class? Where did they go?

  Have they disappeared?

  Did they get abducted by space aliens?

  Why didn't anyone in the media tell America that hundreds of millions of Americans are missing?

  Oh wait. It's Joe Biden. He probably doesn't even realize what country he's in today. No wonder he thinks he needs to "restore" people that already exist.... and haven't gone anywhere.

• October 22, 2008

  3:29 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  goldfinger writes:

  A popular Denver radio station aired a caller who has sued to bar Obama from this election based on his refusal to prove his citizenship of the U.S. Why isn't this issue cleared up pronto by the campaign? The caller insists that Obama was born in Kenya, etc. and is not eligible to be President! He has apparently been ignored by the Obama campaign.......Should this be true we've got a helluva mess.

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