I met Senator Biden for the 1st time yesterday . . .

[nyc 4 Biden]

I only wish everyone I knew could have been there, because after speaking with the Senator face to face you can't help but realize how straightforward, humble and honorable he is. But I think some of us knew this already. What I will tell you is something I haven't noticed about him and that perhaps I may not have noticed without meeting him in person. He has some set! Sorry to sound crude but it's the truth.

I always thought of him as such a nice, humble and gracious gentleman, which he is, but when speaking with him in person one takes away what an imposing and captivating personality he has. I can picture him speaking with world leaders face to face and telling them like it is. Being an investigator, I rely on analyzing a person's behavior when I speak with them and judging from the Senator's solid eye contact and steady demeanor, among other things, I can tell he can be one bad ass when he needs to.

When he was addressing the room of about 30 supporters he spent a good portion on Iraq and how our wounded soldiers are "treated" by the government when they return. At this point he began to get mad as hell! He spoke about how we had to regain the trust of the troops, especially the National Guard because of how this administration has not kept its word to them by deploying them over and over leaving them in financial ruin among other things. Now I was only five feet in front of the Senator at this point and it's not easy for me to be intimidated by anyone but at this point he seemed ready to kick someone's ass! He reiterated that our country's only sacred obligation was to care for the troops that sacrificed so much fighting for the nation. He said that if he only had ten dollars budget to spend on the country as president he would spend the first eight to care for the returning troops.

It was such a powerful speech and it got me pumped up for his chances in Iowa. I cant imagine many people not believing in his competency and unwavering moral compass after seeing him in person. Before and after the speech he mingled with the group and answered questions in great depth showing his vast understanding of issues foreign and domestic. He is like a walking Wikipedia for pete's sake! At the end of the event I noticed two staffers politely urging him to hurry up because he had to catch a train or plane or something, but he just kept on contently signing and engaging what was left of us until everyone was done. Overall it was a great experience that I won't soon forget, and he even signed my copy of Promises to Keep, "Keep the Faith, Joe Biden 12/5/07".

[zabet]

1. A family member,

a 20 year Army man, 6 years in the
Army Reserves, says Biden is his pick.
Says it is simple, the foreign policy
expertise and wanting to take care of
the soldiers. Says global unrest dictates
that these are the key issues for him.

[Deep13]

2. I like Biden. If he survives the early states...

...I may support him in the March primary.

[jillan]

3. I have heard that he is even more dynamic in person.

Glad you got to go.

I am soooo jealous!

[1corona4u]

4. Thanks for sharing...I'm so jealous...

Stupid Flori-duh. I may never get to meet him...

[napi21]

5. I only HOPE that a lot of pople in Iowa get the chane to meet him!

I haven't had the chance, but then I live in Ga (sigh). I've seen what you saw in him for long time. I hate that the media ignores him, and they haven't even updated their poll numbers on him. I saw a poll on CNN this morning and it wtill shows him t 2%, and I've gotten several emails that he's at 8% in Iowa, and that was 4 days ago!

I'm looking fo Iowa tograb the ttention of the rest of the country for Joe.

[lyonn]

6. The media shows Richardson but not Biden in the polling

Richardson dropped a slight amount and Biden increased by a slight amount. With the media chanting constantly about the friction between Hillary and Barrack they may be doing the rest a favor. Overexposure is not always good. Swiftboating your fellow Dem is like shooting yourself in the foot.

Biden's videos rarely get shown when the media is giving out free air time to candidates by critiquing what and how they said something. For instance, the Joe's Right video..... It was shown "briefly" one day.

[PatSeg]

8. The media will show what it thinks will grab people's attention

but the bickering is already getting OLD and people are tired of hearing it.

[napi21]

10. You're right, but the media also LOVES fights! Look at how they're hyping

the Mittens/Rudy/Huck battle! I've heard that at least the people in Iowa hate fighting and nastiness, and I hope that's true! A long time ago I said the front runners will shred each other, and the final winners won't be who everyone thinks they will be now. It was a guess on my part then, but I sure hope I was right!

[Think82]

12. If it bleeds, it leads.

[PatSeg]

16. I figured the fighting and nastiness would come eventually

but there was a time when I didn't think Hillary would in the midst of it all. For so long, she was so pitch-perfect and never stumbled. I think she's gotten some really bad campaign advice. I knew she'd eventually make some mistakes, but not like this.

Of course the media loves it and Iowa appears to hate it as you say. And seasoned politicians should know better!

[1corona4u]

11. You and me both...

[PatSeg]

7. Thanks for sharing!

As you can see, many of us are envious, but we're thrilled to hear first hand accounts.

[K Gardner]

9. You are one lucky person.. I am green with envy, and extremely thankful that you took the time

to write this post and share this memorable experience with us. (Did I mention I'm jealous?) Anyway, how much you want for that signed copy of Promises?? :bounce:

[ginchinchili]

13. This was one of the best posts I've read on DU. Thanks.

Nice story and you do a good job of describing Biden the way I imagine him to be. He's about as well-balanced a candidate that you'll find. I just can't understand why the Democrats aren't carrying this man around on their shoulders knowing that he'd make victory in the general election a certainty. I sent him another $100 today. He's trying to raise money for some tv ads in Iowa. I think they could prove pivotal for him.

[bullwinkle428]

14. I live in Iowa and hope to have the opportunity

to meet him in person soon. Despite him not being my #1 choice throughout this entire campaign, I still believe he might be the strongest candidate in certain areas and wonder often if he'd be the best choice in terms of taking the fight to whoever the Rep. candidate ends up being.

[PatSeg]

17. I hope you do get a chance to meet him in person

Be sure to let us know if you do. I love hearing the first-hand accounts.

[Cameron27]

15. Good for you,

he fills up the screen just talking on tv, so I can imagine how powerful he is in person. He's a good man and would make a great president.

[mtnsnake]

18. Awesome!

That had to be a fantastic experience seeing him in such an intimate setting as that. Quite a bit different listening to someone intelligent like him as opposed to that bumbling imbecile we have to listen to in the White House everyday.

[gateley]

19. I'm so happy you got to meet him -- and in such small group!

That's one of the plusses of supporting a second-tier candidate -- those supporting The Three wouldn't get such an opportunity, unfortunately -- I know they'd love to!

I am envious beyond belief, and appreciative of your report. Kind of made me feel as though I WAS there!

Keep the faith!!

[asdjrocky]

20. How cool for you-

I remember when I met my candidate, it was a really special moment.

Good luck to your guy, and welcome to DU!:hi:

[kad7777]

21. I too, was at this event...

and Joe was spot on...as always.

When he first made his way into the gathering, he approached a small group I had the pleasure to meet as well. He introduced himself, and we all began to speak with him. When he turned to me and reached out his hand, I told him my name and he seemed to recognize who I was (or I'd like to think so), maybe because of my video I produced to show my support for him. He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in. I was not in awe of the man per say, and that is a reflection of how Joe puts you at ease. Instead, I felt an enormous respect. A profound respect for who he is as a man, a father, and a servant. He instills what seems to be a deep trust that can't be specifically explained, but indeed it is there and it is inspiring. I told him I was a struggling actor, and he told me a story about when he was first running for the Senate, and how difficult it was to be rejected, and put down often during his young campaign.

It was a wonderful evening, and I must say, to be in the room with someone like Joe Biden, you feel like America still has a chance to be great again. You walk away with a deep yearning in your heart to do whatever you can...whatever you can to lift Joe Biden up to our nation's highest office because America deserves him...needs him. He is...one of the best we have. And I do not have a single doubt that Joe Biden will mend our broken nation, and build it back to greatness...and the rest of the world will follow.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

[kad7777]

22. kick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcXkLbRIWw