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Ladies and gentleman, it's literally Biden

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor August 25, 2008 02:55 PM


Sitting down and speaking calmly, as Joe Biden is in his introductory video message to Barack Obama's supporters, he is right on message.

But when the Democratic vice presidential nominee gets wound up, his speeches unfurl into three-ring circuses, and he's the ringmaster.

It's "ladies and gentleman" this and "ladies and gentleman" that as he make his key points.

Biden used the phrase 19 times in his 17-minute speech Saturday in Springfield, Ill., as the new ticket held their first joint rally.

His other verbal tic is that he likes to say "literally" -- a lot -- at least eight times in the Saturday address.

Biden asserted that the nation "literally can't afford four more years of this non-energy policy" and that Obama has the opportunity "literally to change the direction of the world."

And to really drive home a point, Biden likes to combine the two.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is no ordinary time." he concluded Saturday. "This is no ordinary election. And this may be our last chance to reclaim the America we love, to restore America’s soul. Ladies and gentlemen, America gave Jill and me our chance. It gave Barack and Michelle their chance to stand on this stage today. It’s literally incredible."

Some Democrats worry that Biden, who can be direct and funny, is also gaffe-prone. Saturday, he managed to call Obama "Barack America."

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It was funny that when Biden said, "Barack America" the crowd started chanting "Obama". I wasn't sure if they were trying to correct Biden or if they were just being enthusiastic.

That wasn't the only gaffe. The normally eloquent Obama almost, (before he corrected himself) introduced "the next president--vice president of the United States Joe Biden".

Posted by Dagwood August 25, 08 03:28 PM
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Today in Denver, pastor Jesse Jackson believes Obama rarely smiles while American cannot vote a smileless candidate. No wonder he picks Biden who provides a lot of laughters. That's the law of compensation. Tragedy or comedy alone cannot stand. Tragecomedy helps a lot. Ladies and Gentlemen, tragedy litterally helps.

Posted by nguyen dynasty August 25, 08 03:32 PM
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An Obama-Biden ticket would make me think that Biden is the Presidential candidate and Obama the VP candidate. Frankly, the only way that this impression can change is for Obama, who has practically no national political experience, to pick someone who is not even a politician as his running mate. Any Senator will overshadow Obama instantly.

Posted by mk August 26, 08 07:35 AM
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Sen. Biden was a wise choice by Obama, and I'm glad he accepted.

Posted by Jesse Jackson October 1, 08 11:02 AM
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Thanks for the useful info. It's so interesting

Posted by BobMarche June 11, 09 12:01 AM
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