Biden At Browseabout
August 5th, 2007 by Maria Evans
That’s US Senator from Delaware and 2008 Presidential hopeful, Joe Biden, at Browseabout Books
Yes, it’s true. My favorite currently serving US Senator from the State of Delaware, Joe Biden, was at Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue today, signing copies of his new book, “Promises to Keep.” And there was quite a crowd for a Sunday morning, I stood in line for about an hour with my books. Biden was scheduled to be there from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and ended up signing books for another hour and then giving a press conference.
Senator Biden busy signing books for the large crowd that showed up in Rehoboth this morning.
You can LISTEN to Browseabout Books owner, Steve Crane, talk about the book signing HERE.
Sussex County Councilman Vance Phillips made a quick appearance and he talks about why he stopped in HERE and HERE.
Jill Biden, the wife of Senator Joe Biden, was at Browseabout this morning, talking to people in the crowd and answering questions. Mrs. Biden talks about what it’s like on the campaign trail HERE.
Terri and Richard Clifton, parents of Chad Clifton who was killed in Iraq, speak with Senator Biden after the press conference.
Terri Clifton, whose son, Chad, was killed in Iraq, talks about her son and how Senator Biden was at the Dover Air Force Base, with her and her husband, when her son finally came home. You can LISTEN to Terri Clifton HERE. In that clip, Mrs. Clifton makes an interesting comment about her son’s journal that never made it home.
I was the only one at the press conference to ask a question about Iraq. I figured, how many times will I get the chance to actually ask Senator Biden an upfront question, so I went for the big one. I asked about his 3 part plan for Iraq and how it jives with the Iraq Study Group Report. I often cite page 39 of the report, which strongly advises against dividing Iraq into 3 regions. (I was a little nervous but managed to kind of get the whole question out). You can LISTEN to my question and his answer HERE.
Senator Biden stands up to answer my question about his plan for Iraq. In his hands is the book, “A Random Soldier,” written by Terri Clifton. It contains the writings of her son, Lance Cpl. Chad Clifton, a Marine who was killed in action in Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2005.
Now, in his answer to my question, Senator Biden says “I think it was recommendation 77 or 78 of the plan, they said that it is not our preferred choice but it may end up being our only choice, even the Iraq Study Group said that in the original plan.” So I looked up both recommendations and here they are:
RECOMMENDATION 77: The Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense should devote significantly greater analytic resources to the task of understanding the threats and sources of violence in Iraq.
RECOMMENDATION 78: The Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense should also institute immediate changes in the collection of data about violence and the sources of violence in Iraq to provide a more accurate picture of events on the ground.
That didn’t really talk about his plan to divide Iraq into 3 parts, so I re-read all of the recommendations and I can’t seem to find the one he’s talking about, though he does talk about the “original plan” which may be different than the one in print. On Monday I will call his office for a clarification.
You can LISTEN to the entire press conference, posted in 2 parts because it was long. Part one is HERE. And part two is HERE.
Incidentally, this is what Senator Biden wrote in my book, “To Maria - Thank you for asking - Joe Biden” It’s like he knew what I was going to ask.
You’re welcome, Senator.
UPDATE: Can you guess what US Senator from the State of Delaware who’s running for President was seated at the table next to me at Fish On in Lewes tonight?
August 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for this post Maria, I wanted to go but unfortunately I’m currently under the weather of sorts …
August 6th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Maria,
Thanks for the report on Sen. Biden in Rehoboth. It does sort of put to rest what I have said for a long time which is that Sen. Biden couldn’t find Sussex County on a map. But I suppose his publisher helped him out . Not to mention he always seems to find his way when he needs something “a vote ” or is selling something ” a book ” . And to hear that his press conference was long seems so un- like him.
Sen. Biden will be out after the first primary. I believe that this run was simply a way to raise more funds for his war chest which I believe , with the right paper work, he gets to keep and use for his run for Senator of Delaware. And let’s not put aside the chance he may just be hoping for the position of Sec. of State if a democrat wins.
August 6th, 2007 at 5:52 am
Also, he has a son who would need lots f $ to fill the Senator shoes he would leave behind if he does make it into a Democratic cabinet.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I was there too, Maria, and was very impressed with Joe’s friendliness.
The Crane’s were great hosts — kudos to them! The overall atmosphere was very pleasant.
I thanked him for his long service and his commitment to the future. I also told him that I support his three state solution for Iraq, which he proposed a couple of years ago. I do not agree with the ISG on this point. I note that Joe’s proposal has been garnering more support lately, probably because the current so-called Bush benchmarks are not being agreed to by the current al-Maliki government, or what’s left of it I should say.
Your coverage of the event is interesting, accurate and thorough. Great job!!!
August 6th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Did you ever meet a politician that was not friendly while glad-handing? They all want something from you. They want money, a vote or both.
Enjoy shaking hands with a politician. I’ll keep my wrist watch.
August 7th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Here I am in Washington state with Joe’s book in hand and how I wish I had been there to get it signed. Different people, different perspectives. Joe is a politician but that’s not always a dirty word. Joe has put in so many years of service and contributed so much to the nation. I always wonder what kind of contribution the naysayers have made to their conuntry. The “Joe Biden President 2008″ tells everyone how I fee.
August 8th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Like his shirt! Summery, but definitely corporate in style and color.
December 30th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
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