Joe in Michigan

"Mr. Biden retains his regal senatorial bearing even in gritty settings of the campaign trail. On Wednesday, he wore a pressed blue blazer with a hanky folded smartly into the breast pocket. His skin is perma-tanned, and his smile is shiny white. He has his own big entourage now — own bus, own plane. He conveys the giddy sense of a man who has won a political lottery, or been plucked from an elite purgatory." >>>

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/us/politics/20biden.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

He finally gets the recognition he deserves.

I vote this author :thumbsdown: . I saw Biden in Michgan. He did not yell or thunder in his speech, except at the very end when he was speaking over the roaring crowd. In fact, on occasion, his voice was so low, being right in front of him, and not by a speaker, he was hard to hear. His face was no longer tanned, but a normal slightly-ruddy tone, and his teeth are white, but not like the author insinuates. In fact I remember thinking about it, because in so many pictures, his teeth do look "shiny white".

He did not ramble off-topic, blurt out things that seemed out of place, nor come across as an "odd duck". Now I only saw him in St. Clair Shores, but unless his stump speech was radically different in Flat Rock, or in Ohio, this guy is off-base.

I say again...."Hrrrummph." The frog is not pleased. ( 'Course I'm not prejudiced or anything when it comes to Joe :evilgrin: I'm completely open to criticism... :rofl: )

Dear Mr. Leibovich,

I believe your article was somewhat off-base in several areas. I was fortunate enough to be a member of the audience during his stump speech in St. Clair Shores, MI.

He stayed very much on topic, with his personal stories complementing his message, not distracting from them.

He seemed angry, yes, but not furious, as your article insinuates. Anyone at this point in time that is not angry, has not been paying attention. The only time I heard him yelling was at the very end, when he was trying to be heard over the cheers of the crowd.

He did not come across as an "odd duck", but a passionate, knowledgeable, and caring man, who connects well with the "average Joe", which he, in fact is, when he's not being a Senator, or a VP running mate.

Even your physical description is off. I have seen Senator Biden tanned, but at the rally in SCS, I noticed that the tan had faded, and his normally slightly ruddy complexion had surfaced once again. And yes, he has white teeth, but not "shiny white". I would say they were well within the normal range of everyday white teeth. Your description carries with it an underlying suggestion that he, like an elitist celebrity, is perpetually, artificially tanned by the tanning booth and whitened by his dentist to an unreal "shiny white".

Senator Joe Biden is an honorable man that many are just getting to know, with a meaningful message that many are just beginning to hear. As a long-time "Bidenite", I've "known" him for years, and felt the need to defend him, as I know he has tried to defend all of us regular Joe's for so many years.

Sincerely,
(livvy)
Michigan

Livvy -- I appreciate your note and feedback, and your points are well taken. I enjoyed St. Clair Shores (at least for the few hours I was there). Best, Mark

I appreciate that he responded. Hopefully, it made him think.

The frog can go back to catching flies now. :rofl:

not an auto response. Cool!