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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBiden and the gushing women...
Biden greets volunteers in Springfield, Ohio. | AP Photo
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Given the reception Vice President Joe Biden received at a field office here Tuesday, it's a wonder that he and the president are not faring better in the polls with seniors. It's clear that Biden, at least, appears to be faring well with senior ladies.
Biden walked in for the surprise visit carrying a stack of large pizzas for the 80 or so volunteers mostly women over 50 who were gathered there, phone banking. The shrieks began within seconds: Oh Jesus! Joe Bidens here? Oh my God, oh, my God!
Oh Lord, please dont let me faint, Patrice Toliver said, a phone to her ear. She was in the middle of speaking with a voter, and was frantically trying to explain what was happening. Hes coming into headquarters right now! she exclaimed.
As Biden came closer, she abruptly hung up on the voter and stood still and silent and wide-eyed, seemingly shell-shocked.
Youre the reason were going to win Ohio, the vice president told the group.
One woman replied, No, youre the reason!
Biden then began working the room, taking pictures, giving hugs, shaking hands, stroking faces.
Hes so freakin personable! said 74-year-old Ellen Wallace as she watched him greet people. Its unbelievable. Hes just a magnet.
One woman approached him and without so much as a hello, gushed, I have a cup o Joe every morning. This reporter could not hear his reply, but a colleague insisted that Biden then experienced a rare moment of speechlessness.
The volunteers were seated at tables lined up in four long rows, and as he approached the third row, where a group of four women sat, he told them a few things about his mother.
The good Lord created two perfect women: the Blessed Mother and my mom, he said.
Biden went on to tell a story he told at the Democratic National Convention about being bullied and smacked around by a neighborhood boy when he was growing up in Scranton, Penn. He said that when he told his mother what happened, she pushed him to confront the boy and punch him in the nose. Joey do it, Biden recounted her saying. When he did, the boy ran away crying, Biden said.
The story prompted a man standing nearby, Springfield resident and OFA volunteer Rodney Hillard, to say, Joe, thats how you did it at the debate, you showed that Paul Ryan.
Biden smiled, then said, You all learned what the word malarkey meant, right?
One woman who scored a huge hug from Biden, Roxandra Antoniadis, said afterward that she will never forget it.
It was the thrill of my life! she said. Hes magnificent.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/10/biden-and-the-gushing-women-139412.html?hp=l1_b1
yesphan
(1,588 posts)cool !
gateley
(62,683 posts)I think it would just FEEL like a staged photo-op -- probably uncomfortable. And though that's essentially what this was, I bet those people felt like an old friend had just come by to drop off pizza and jaw awhile.
I remember a story when he was running for Prez in 2008. He was on his way to some fundraiser or something, and a couple of people at the side of the road were holding anti-Biden signs. They didn't like Joe. So he had the car pull over, got out and talked to these guys. I don't remember if he converted them enough to vote for him in the primaries, but I've no doubt their opinions were changed after meeting Joe and seeing what a "real" person he is.
I doubt any of the other candidates would have done that -- except maybe for Mike Gravel.
goclark
(30,404 posts)What a Trojan Joe Biden has been to the get out the vote! .
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)I love Joe.
hootinholler
(26,449 posts)I read the "Oh lord please don't let me faint" as please don't let me fart!
gateley
(62,683 posts)So I'll be right behind you at LensCraffers.
I'm always doing the same thing. I have new glasses but it doesnt seem to help that much.
WiffenPoof
(2,404 posts)...I would love to see him run for President. He is one of the most genuine people on the political horizon. He has proudly carried the Democratic banner with honor and conviction.
-Paige
gateley
(62,683 posts)I'd love to see it, too -- and from day 1 he has said he wouldn't rule it out, so who knows?
...it is so good to read your posts again. I know what a Biden fan we both are. I hope that he decides to run. This country could use his knowledge and commitment to the common man.
-P
PatSeg
(47,613 posts)Good to see you! "WiffenPoof"??? I'm sure there is a story behind that.
WiffenPoof
(2,404 posts)...is still around. Yippie!
PatSeg
(47,613 posts)We also have a group on Facebook.
I added you to the group. I didn't realize you weren't there.
uponit7771
(90,364 posts)eissa
(4,238 posts)That natural ease and comfortableness with people that certain people may try to emulate, but just can't pull off.
gateley
(62,683 posts)in this together. Over the years he's had a lot more person-to-person contact commuting on Amtrak than probably most of those in Washington have. I'm sure he's met so many people from all walks, and heard so many stories, he feels that connection between us all.
I would guess that when you go to DC, you really live in that rarified bubble.
I've got it all figured out, haven't I?
WiffenPoof
(2,404 posts)nt
Tarheel_Dem
(31,241 posts)That is all.
longship
(40,416 posts)(Sorry for the D&D allusion.)
R&
Laochtine
(394 posts)Joe is the real deal
desertduck
(213 posts)i have gushed enough about joe. he is awesome!!!
Revolutionary Girl
(90 posts)Who can resist the power of that smile?
(Not Lyin' Ryan, that's for sure.)
gateley
(62,683 posts)caused a few hearts to flutter, too!
jillan
(39,451 posts)gateley
(62,683 posts)donqpublic
(155 posts)he is disparaged by most of the media. He seems to be a real regular Joe. I suggested to the campaign they should have offered a dinner with Joe promotion. Perhaps they had one, I am not sure.
gateley
(62,683 posts)I have always felt that if people really paid attention, they would see and like/respect the "real" Joe. He's a man of integrity and genuine compassion for others.
donqpublic
(155 posts)jillan
(39,451 posts)patrice
(47,992 posts)bluestate10
(10,942 posts)No truer words have ever been spoken. I still have a tingle down my spine from Joe's debate performance against Ryan. Joe knocked it out of the park when we needed a hit. Joe has his mispoken words, but the guy has a heart of gold and is the real deal.
BeyondGeography
(39,382 posts)progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)As she says "they don't make old ladies like they used to." Think about it. The people that are in their 70s, like my Mom, were going to Led Zeppelin concerts in their 40s... (like my Mom)
progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)I have yet to see anything similar from the Romney camp. Do they have volunteers??
Of course the writer couldn't resist the snark "Given the reception Vice President Joe Biden received at a field office here Tuesday, it's a wonder that he and the president are not faring better in the polls with seniors."
gateley
(62,683 posts)Jennicut
(25,415 posts)I'm a little bit in love with the man myself. Even if he is technically 33 something years older then me. And has a wonderful wife and I have a great husband. He is my political crush because he is just a really, really good and decent man. The ladies of Wonkette refer to him as "Old Handsome Joe" and that pretty much sums it up.
And he rocks a pair of aviators like no one else:
Hekate
(90,829 posts)That "gaffe machine" label is crap. Joe Biden wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is so genuine it's amazing.
I love the guy. I am so happy Obama chose him for VP; he's been an incredible asset to this administration. The only reason I would hesitate to support Biden for a presidential run in 2016 is his age -- we'll have to see.
renate
(13,776 posts)And as a mother, I love a guy who talks like that about his mom.
ProudProgressiveNow
(6,129 posts)Real joy on their faces.
Fawke Em
(11,366 posts)You'd think I, as a feminist, I'd be pissed at what he called me, but every word he said in the interview was perfect. He also was advocating for the cause my student newspaper sued and won.
But he called me, "sugar." Sugar? I could have been offended, but I wasn't. Joe was being Joe and he meant nothing other than he'd gotten to know me (I'd phone interviewed him a gazillion times at that point).
And you would have had to hear it to know it was an endearment, not a put down.