Biden goes on attack against GOP status quo
DENVER — In the time-honored tradition of vice presidential nominees, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden ripped into the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain on Wednesday, accusing the opposition of ignoring the American people’s desire for change and opting instead for “more of the same.”
Biden enraptured a capacity crowd in the Pepsi Center, which whipped into a frenzy when presidential nominee Barack Obama strolled onstage at the conclusion of the speech to embrace him.
But there was no question that it was Biden’s night, as he criticized conduct of the war in Iraq, inadequate efforts to extend health insurance to all Americans, and an energy policy that he said resulted in the richest oil company profits in history.
“The choice in this election is clear,” he said. “These times require more than a good soldier; they require a wise leader, a leader who can deliver change — the change everybody knows we need.”
Biden appeared relaxed, reflecting his status as a veteran of 35 years in the Senate. He called McCain a friend and praised the presumptive GOP presidential nominee’s service as a naval officer and a senator.
But he pointed out that the Arizona senator voted with President Bush 95 percent of the time.
“Give me a break,” he said. Throughout his speech, Biden pointed to examples where he said change is needed, and McCain opted for the “status quo.”
“That’s not change, that’s more of the same,” he repeated in a chant picked up by the crowd.
Instead, Biden said, Obama will act as an agent of change.
“We have the power to change it,” he said to conclude his speech. “That’s Barack Obama, and that’s what he will do for this country. He’ll change it.”
Some of Biden’s speech aimed to introduce himself to American voters, explaining how he grew up during tough times in Scranton, Pa., before earning a law degree at Syracuse University and moving to Delaware. “My parents taught us to live our faith and treasure our family,” he said. “We learned the dignity of work, and we were told that anyone can make it if they try. That was America’s promise.”
Although Republicans are already airing clips of primary season debates that feature Biden criticizing Obama’s lack of experience, the new nominee was quick with praise Wednesday. He said he can learn a lot by watching a man on the campaign trail, including the “strength of his mind . . . and the quality of his heart.”
“I watched how he touched people, how he inspired them, and I realized he has tapped into the oldest American belief of all: We don’t have to accept a situation we cannot bear,” he said. “We have the power to change it.”
Biden also offered a preview of the harsh criticism of McCain’s stand on the war in Iraq. He asked if Americans should accept McCain’s position that troops cannot be withdrawn on a timeline, or support Obama’s contention that Iraqis can assume the brunt of the burden. “Now, after six long years, the Bush administration and the Iraqi government are on the verge of setting a date to bring our troops home,” he said. “John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right.”
The vice presidential nominee was introduced by his son, Beau, the attorney general of Delaware, a member of the Delaware National Guard who will soon be deployed to Iraq.
He recalled what is now becoming more familiar to Americans — the fact that his mother, Biden’s late wife, was killed in a 1972 car accident, when Beau Biden was 4-years-old. The former Neilia Hunter of Auburn, and his sister — Naomi — died when they were broadsided by another vehicle as they returned home from buying a Christmas tree.
He and his brother, Hunter, were seriously injured and spent weeks in the hospital.
“One of my earliest memories was being in that hospital, Dad always at our side,” Beau Biden said. “We, not the Senate, were all he cared about.”
Earlier the convention heard from the party’s 2004 standard bearer, Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, who was quick to note that “we came close to victory” in that election. His attack on the Bush administration proved almost as tough as Biden’s.
And he lashed out at McCain for waging a campaign of personal attacks after once promising to run one of ideas.
“How insulting to suggest that those who question the mission, question the troops,” Kerry said to loud cheers. “How pathetic to suggest that those who question a failed policy doubt America itself. How desperate to tell the son of a single mother who chose community service over money and privilege that he doesn’t put America first.”
